Potato growing contest - 1st update

One by one, we're all planting our seed potatoes in our Haxnicks Potato Planters for the Smart Solar challenge to see who can produce the most potatoes. We all started with identical bags of compost and seed potatoes and a pack of Haxnicks Potato Planters.

First job was to plant them up, some of us with a little help from our pets! MD Jonathan Stobart planted his watched by his two labradors and Sarah's dog was also an interested observer as she was getting her hands dirty planting her seed potatoes.

MD Jonathan has an audience!

Bruno poses with Sarah's Haxnicks Potato Planter

Emma is disappointed that there's no sign of growth yet in her planter, but it's been a bit chilly this week with the recent arctic weather and her seed potatoes have only been in the soil a few days - more patience is required!

Hannah, Charlotte and Jo are lagging behind and still have to take their kits home to plant up - a job for the weekend (after the rugby!).

More news next week!

Smart Solar celebrates its 10th Anniversary

Smart Solar, who also acquired the exclusive distribution rights for Haxnicks ‘love to grow' products in 2012, is celebrating its 10^th anniversary in 2013. Smart Solar manufactures and distributes solar powered lighting and water features to garden centres, retailers and mail order companies across the UK, Europe and the USA.

Founded and still led by Jonathan Stobart, Smart Solar has established a reputation for innovative products with technical excellence. Jonathan says, ”Our expertise in solar technology combined with product development has brought us huge success over the last decade."

Smart Solar employs 20 people in the UK at their Oxfordshire base, including a large product design department. Jonathan concludes, “To have grown to the size that we are is testament to the whole team, some of whom have been with me since the very beginning. We have a number of celebrations planned for 2013, after all, 10 years is quite an achievement!”