An Interview With | Victoria Blagrove, Webbs

Each month we go behind the scenes with one of our 300 expert stockists nationwide to bring you ideas, inspiration, and an insider’s guide to life at the garden centre. This month we hear from Victoria Blagrove from the independent award-winning, garden centre retailer, Webbs.

1) Which part of the garden centre do you work in?

I look after the home and lifestyle team. This covers seasonal departments such as furniture, BBQs and Christmas, I also look after gift, clothing, cookshop and interiors.

2) What is the best part of your job?

I love working with people and engaging with customers. We have an amazing team at Webbs, it has a family feel to it, and everybody helps each other out. Every day is different.

3) Classic or Contemporary? What is your preferred garden style?

Classic. I love cottage gardens, I really enjoy the rustic, informal nature they have. They are usually so full of colour and a mix of different plants including food and herbs. I enjoy cooking and nothing makes me happier than eating from the vegetable and herb garden we have at home.

4) Solo or Social? What would be your ideal garden set up? In a cocoon reading a book in a quiet spot in the garden, or everyone gathered together for a big family BBQ?

My ideal set up would be a garden that is designed for both. An area for entertaining with a pizza oven and outdoor kitchen, and then a quiet corner for enjoying a peaceful read or soak in the sun.

5) What do you think is the best time of day to spend outdoors?

The evening is my favourite time during the summer - especially the golden hour through to dusk. It’s very peaceful and the light is beautiful and it’s not too warm. However, in the winter I like early mornings. I love a frosty walk.

6) What is the most important thing you think someone should consider when designing their garden?

Thinking about the necessities and how to incorporate them. Most people will want to have a patio in the sunniest area of the garden, so start with that. Next, consider the items that are important to have, such as a shed, BBQs, dining space and think about they are best placed. You don’t want to be looking at bins out of the patio doors!

7) When it comes to gardening, what do you think is the one job we should all be doing this month?

Early spring is about tidying away the weeds and leaf litter, trimming anything that has overgrown in the winter months and planting bulbs for the summer months.

8) What is one, universal, tip you would recommend for any would-be grower?

Not to be over cautious, give it a go and get your hands dirty. Most of the time it pays off, and if it doesn’t, it’s a lesson for next time.

9) What choices can we make that will benefit our gardens, and the environment?

There are so many things we can do in our garden to aid the environment. Even small changes to the littlest of gardens can help reduce our carbon footprint.

Here are a few:

• Sowing wildflower seeds, and plants that attract pollinators to encourage bees and insects to the garden

• Following garden and wildlife organisation initiatives such as No Mow May

• Conserving rainwater with a water butt

• Reducing use of chemicals such as weedkiller

• Using peat free compost, or even better, make your own from food waste

• Buying locally grown plants

• Planting a wide mix of trees, shrubs and flowers in your garden will help it to become a small carbon sink

10) What do you love most about gardening, and being in the garden?

Gardening and being in the garden brings a sense of calm in a very hectic world, it’s a great way to unwind. I usually plant and garden with my children, there is something very rewarding about growing items from seed, especially food such as radishes, lettuce, and herbs. It’s something we can do together that gets them away from screens.

ABOUT WEBBS

Webbs is an independent award-winning, garden centre retailer with a 200-year history, four sites and a growing e-commerce business. Webbs Wychbold is Midlands Destination Garden Centre of the year, which is awarded annually by the Garden Centre Association. Webbs has also achieved Great Places to Work accreditation and is recognised as being a Best Place to Work for Women and Wellbeing.

• Webbs, Wychbold is open 7 days a week, from 9am – pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am – 4.30pm Sunday.

• Webbs, Wychbold operates a 6,000 sq. ft Food Hall and Butchery and an 8,500 sq. ft restaurant with more than 400 covers.

• Webbs, West Hagley is open 7 days a week, from 9am – 6pm Monday to Saturday, 10.30am – 4.30pm Sunday with a 100-seat restaurant

• Webbs, Cheltenham is open 7 days a week, from 9am – 6pm Monday to Saturday, 10.30am – 4.30pm Sunday with a 110-seat restaurant

• Webbs, Millets Farm is open 7 days a week, from 9am – 6pm Monday to Saturday, 10.30am – 4.30pm Sunday with a 100-seat restaurant

https://www.webbsdirect.co.uk

https://www.webbsdirect.co.uk/wychbold/