No more pot bound plants

Fed up with re-potting patio plants? Haxnicks new Vigoroot^TM planters have a technically advanced growing fabric liner that encourages stronger roots and more productive plants, removing the need to re-pot as frequently.

Vigroroot Planters come in a range of sizes for different fruit trees and shrubs

Vigoroot^TM fabric liners work by ‘air-pruning’ the roots of plants, encouraging more vigorous rooting which in turn enables the plant to absorb more nutrients. When the root tips reach the side of the Vigoroot fabric an air pruning process takes place, enabling the roots to continue to develop without root-balling and thereby removing the need to re-pot. This enables plants to grow to a much larger size in a relatively small planter and fruit bushes may not outgrow the planter for several years.

Haxnicks Vigoroot Table Garden is ideal for growing fresh produce right outside your kitchen window

Haxnicks has used the fabric in a collection of Vigoroot^TM planters with decorative flat packed steel frames, ideal for growing small trees, herbs and vegetables on patios. The standard, large and long containers are great for patio orchards, ornamental and exotic plants whist the Vigoroot^TM Table Garden lends itself to a wide variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers. 

Vigoroot^TM planters are available from garden centres across the UK or www.haxnicks.co.uk

Easy to open propagator

This year, more gardeners than ever are propagating their plants using Haxnicks Rootrainers^TM, a unique propagating tray for seeds, plugs and cuttings. The deep grooved modules encourage the faster formation of straight roots and the trays open out like a book to avoid damaging the baby plants when planting out. 

The Rootrainers propagator can be popped on a window sill

Haxnicks Rootrainers^TM have specially designed cells with grooved sides that encourage the main root to grow towards the drainage opening at the bottom where the tip makes contact with the air and dies off, encouraging vigorous root growth. This air-pruning produces a faster formation of straight roots without root balls which is particularly good for growing sweet peas where a long, vigorous root system is the key to strong plants.

Opens like a book making it easy  to remove the plants

When the plant is ready to be re-potted, the cells simply open like a book which makes it easy to remove the plug without damaging the root system. Each Rootrainers^TM pack contains a holding tray, propagating lid and set of cells and can be reused year after year for bedding plants, salads and herbs as well as for runner beans, fruit and vegetables. 

As your local garden centre for Haxnicks Rootrainers. 

Get chitting ready for planting your seed potatoes

If you have a small or urban garden potatoes are the perfect veg to grow in a Haxnicks Patio Planter - we even have a special Patio Potato Planter!

Seed potatoes are on sale from December and throughout the spring. Each Patio Planter is suitable for planting 3 seed tubers or 4 tubers if very small 'baby potatoes' are required. By planting each potato planter at 4 week intervals you will be able to harvest over a longer period.

First you need to 'chit' your seed potatoes by placing them in a cool but frost-free place in egg boxes or shallow trays in full light, so that they can form sturdy shoots (chits) about 2.5cm (1 inch) long. This takes approximately 5 weeks.

When they are ready to plant, you will need approximately 40 litres of good general purpose compost for each planter.

Pour approximately 10cm (4 inches) into the bottom of the planter. Plant your seed potatoes, with the shoots or eyes facing upwards, and cover with 5cm (2 inches) of compost. Keep the compost slightly damp, but do not over-water.

When the shoots have grown 7cm (3 inches) high, add another layer of compost to leave the tips of the shoots just showing, keeping the compost damp each time. Repeat this process until the compost and shoots are 3 cm (1 inch) from the top.

When the Potato Planter is full and the leaves of the plants are showing, feed weekly with a high potash/ low nitrogen soluble plant food. If there is danger of frost, cover with fleece and remove when the frost has passed.

When the plant produces small white or pink flowers your potatoes are ready to harvest. Simply dig down into the planter to see if your potatoes are ready, and look out for the planter bulging, another sign of good potato growth. Remove a few potatoes at a time, or tip the planter out to reveal a bumper harvest.

If you want larger tubers then continue feeding and watering for another few weeks. When the potatoes are ready to harvest, you can always store them in a Haxnicks Jute Vegetable Sack!

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!”

John Negus reports from Fernhurst Horticultural Society

Gardening guru John Negus has been out and about giving lectures and talks to gardening clubs, W.I.s and many other societies.



After chatting to the Fernhurst Horticultural Society in Surrey on planting to a make a garden beautiful in winter, he conducted a quiz in which the winner left with a pack of Haxnicks’ Micromesh Pest and Wind Barrier.



Ideal for shielding tender crops from the elements, and safeguarding them from winged invaders, it’s a great ally.John added,"Well done Haxnicks for stocking what gardeners of all persuasions need."

John Negus (right) with ladies from Fernhurst Horticultural Society, Surrey

Don’t wait for the first frost

To protect plants and trees from frost damage, they need to be covered. So when the weather forecast is for overnight frost, it is advisable to be prepared. Haxnicks’ Easy Fleece Jackets are ideal for potted patio plants as you can easily pull them over the plants and draw the bottom together using the integral drawstring which closes off the air flow giving the plant its own microclimate. With a choice of 3 sizes the Easy Fleece Jackets are ideal for both large and small plants as well as for hanging baskets.

Made from high quality 35gsm polypropylene fleece material, the jackets will protect your plants but also allow light and moisture to filter through to provide a healthy growing environment and the soft material does not cause harm to buds or leaves.

Once the threat of frost is past, simply remove the Fleece Jackets, fold them and store them until the next time you hear the words “.....and tonight there will be an overnight frost”!

Haxnicks presents trophy at Garden Retail Awards

Haxnicks sponsored the Retail Outlet Under £3m Turnover Award at the Garden Retail Awards 2012 which was won by Sidmouth Garden Centre, who received their trophy from Smart Solar’s sales director Paul Knott. The Garden Retail Awards were held on Wednesday 7th November at London's Grosvenor House in Park Lane.

Last year was very strong for Sidmouth Garden Centre, but with the weather making things harder in 2012, this year the focus has been on service and margins through reducing expenditure without affecting service.

Smart Solar, which has recently acquired the distribution rights for Haxnicks ‘Love to grow’ product range was keen to support the Garden Retail Awards to demonstrate its commitment to the garden centre industry. 

Paul commented, “It was an honour to present the Haxnicks Retail Outlet Under £3m Turnover Award to Sidmouth Garden Centre in front of 350 industry guests. Haxnicks and Smart Solar both enjoy leading roles in this industry and it was great to share the evening with so many colleagues and friends.”