Peter Seabrook

Opinion... Why flower shows need to evolve

While the number of regional flower shows at stately homes and municipal public areas grows, the number of nurseries trading at these events reduces.

Opinion... Gardening needs better promotion

British horticultural firms and organisations have not been the best at working together to promote our industry.

Opinion... Pepper breeders' wealth of knowledge

Peter Seabrook looks forward to garden centre pepper-tasting weekends.

Opinion... Unbeatable delight of quality plants

Viewing top-quality plants, both growing and on sale, always gives me pleasure.

Seabrook On... Refocus needed at Chelsea

The president of the RHS was wise to avoid the traditional comment at the Monday lunch that "this is the best Chelsea show ever".

Seabrook On... Sensible pricing levels

One of the big retail chains has flower seeds on sale at 25p a packet, while one of the specialist mail-order companies has six nigella plants on offer at £15 plus £4.95 carriage charges.

Seabrook On... Improvements and choice in violas and pansies

Leading nurseryman Rowland Smith from Battlesbridge in Essex, speaking to his local church group on bedding plant production, was asked whether he still grows old heritage cultivars.

Seabrook on...a shared house and hub for horticulture

Driving into the new HTA offices at Chilton is akin to visiting a large country house, with impressive portico, reception area with sparkling, fresh-green and flower-full wonder wall of houseplants and large hall area to ground-floor meeting rooms.

Seabrook On... Garden centre inspectors

No apology for writing in praise once again of the Monday programme at the Garden Centre Association (GCA) conference, even if the return taxi fare from Edinburgh Airport to St Andrews did cost me £250.

Seabrook on...Are 'garden' and 'gardener' becoming dirty words?

Seabrook on...Benefits of Controlled-release fertilisers under threat

According to Seabrook...Patience and time are key factors for packet seed trade

Speaking at the Fleuroselect conference in Germany recently, David Domoney -- in his usual uplifting and inspiring delivery -- focused on how many people are now asset-rich and time-poor.

Seabrook on...Product showcase and valuable networking at Four Oaks

The Four Oaks Trade Show is a must on my calendar.

Seabrook on...Co-operation makes the smaller independents stronger

Seabrook On ... Lack of specialist coverage will impact horticulture

July saw the usual cross-country tour of trial grounds and offered the opportunity to catch up with all the latest novelties due to be introduced next season, get re-acquainted with established lines and meet up with a good cross section of the trade. The notable thing for me was the shrinking number of fellow scribes and broadcasters attending these events.