Newsletter

November 2020

Lockdown implications: garden centres are allowed to open, so we will continue to remain open from Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

Christmas trees can be ordered online to ensure we can maintain a Covid safe environment. See below for full details.

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What an extraordinary year it has been so far. So many things have changed beyond all recognition in all of our lives, but I take comfort in the fact that Mother Nature continues to do her thing, no matter what is going on with us. The seasons change, the trees blaze with autumn colour, the nights draw in, and it starts to get colder. And perhaps, just perhaps, we humans will finally give her a bit more of the respect she deserves.

Whilst it will probably be quite different this year, Christmas still needs to be planned and prepared for! I suspect it will be a pared-down affair for most of us this year, but perhaps that isn’t such a bad thing? Covid has allowed so many of us time to slow down and reflect on what is important, and a great big all-singing, all-dancing Christmas isn’t necessary. It’s about family first and foremost, and with restrictions on the number who can gather together indoors a strong possibility, this year Christmas will probably be quite an intimate affair.

However it ends up looking, Christmas just wouldn’t be right without a tree, and buying one with us couldn’t be easier ….

Our stock of Nordmann (non-dropping) trees will start arriving at the end of November. The trees are cut from sustainable stock and come from Scotland and Denmark. Those of you who have been buying our trees over the years know you just cannot beat our trees for quality. We are delighted by the number of people who tell us that they’ve bought ‘the best Christmas tree ever’ from us. Along with quality, we offer exceptional extras:

• We whittle all our trees to fit into a stand, making the transition from garden centre to home as stress free as possible.
• We are again offering our unique Christmas tree service, giving our customers 10% off the price of all Christmas trees ordered and paid for in November.
• We will deliver 6’+ trees ordered in November free of charge in our local area. Alternatively, we can hold your tree ready for collection at your convenience.

Please order your Christmas tree online if possible this year. We’ve set up a very simple form for you to fill in, by clicking the link.

Whilst we always welcome you at the centre, submitting your order online will help us enormously as we continue to manage the garden centre in a Covid secure way.

Prices this year remain the same as last.

3’ (90cm) £29.95

4’ (1.2m) £39.95

5’ (1.5m) £49.95

6’ (1.8m) £64.95

7’ (2.1m) £74.95

8’ (2.4m) £99.95

Taller trees: Price on request – please order in November

6’ traditional Norway Spruce £34.95

Metal stands

£19.95 – 4” for trees up to 6’

£24.95 – 5” for taller trees

To order your tree, just click on the link, complete the form, making sure you’ve given us the best phone number to contact you on, and submit it. You’ll get a confirmation email, and we will be in touch by phone to take payment and organise a delivery date with you.

Click here to go to the form

Even though the Christmas trees dominate the site during December, there are lots of lovely things vying for your attention at this time of year:

Autumn plants

There are many plants and shrubs that look good through winter. We’ve got some extraordinary Cornus (Dogwood) with vibrant red or orange stems, Nandina and Skimmia laden with berries and cheery little Cyclamen. Viburnum tinus and Camellia are all promising colour and form in the months to come. There are some lovely Acers and Weigela, with their amazing leaf colour, as well as Sarcococca and Mahonia, giving year round form, colour and scent.

Keeping warm

Remember to stock up on firewood. We have wonderfully aromatic and slow burning Olive Wood, as well as sustainably sourced kiln-dried hardwood, and kindling. Our non-toxic eco firelighters don’t leave any nasty niffs when lit, and ensure a good start for your fire. All of these products meet the current legislation requirements for safe fuel burning.

In these strange times, many of us are spending more time sitting outside round a fire pit. If you don’t already have one, come and see the wonderful Kadai fire pits we have in stock.

Indoor plants

We continue to carry a lovely range of houseplants, even though the space becomes more limited at this time of year, as they will be sharing the shed with a range of Christmas decorations!

Martyna continues to source wonderful and sometimes very unusual plants and pots, and we’re delighted that so many of you have discovered (or rediscovered) the joy of having plants indoors.

Gifts and home

In the main shop we have lots of Christmas offerings, including True Grace candles. Any one of them will fill your home with their gorgeous evocative scent.

We’ve got Nutscene twine and string in a fantastic range of colours to either give as a gift, or use yourself to tie up your presents.

The range of Bramley body care products, made in the UK with the finest essential oils and 100% natural botanicals, make a delightful present. The packaging is 100% recycled, recyclable or biodegradable.

As always, we try to have a range of useful and beautiful items in stock …. Niwaki tools (I haven’t met a gardener yet who doesn’t want something from this range of incredible Japanese tools!), fabulous leather gauntlets which have been made by hand in the UK, gift sets for the indoor gardener, and so much more besides. It’s worth popping in for presents as well as plants and your Christmas tree.

Christmas ‘Bling’

As mentioned above, the houseplant shed will now also house our range of Christmas decorations as well as a range of indoor and outdoor lights. These include glass and recycled baubles where possible. They may be slightly dearer, but they add a sparkle that can’t be matched, and will be treasured for years to come. Many of our decorations come from nkuku, whose products are all fair-trade and ethical.

Hope to see you soon, and don’t forget that every penny you spend earns 5% on your reward card, so remember to bring it with you!

With warm wishes

The team at APGC