Grower News

Residents across South Holland are being urged to continue to support the local horticultural industry during the coronavirus crisis. Pinchbeck grower Sue Lamb says that flowers provide a touch of normality and cheer during this time. Mothering Sunday is normally a busy time for nurseries and garden centres across the area but the outbreak of coronavirus has had an effect on the industry. Staff at Lambs Flowers at work in the nursery’s greenhouses Photo: Gary Naylor Photography Also… Mrs Lamb said: “All British businesses need supporting, including plants and flower businesses. “Flowers add a bit of normality and a lot of cheer. They are also good for our morale. “At the end of the day, life has to go on and so does the industry as much as humanly possible.” Mrs Lamb and her team are continuing to supply three supermarkets and a mail order company. The team is taking precautions by complying with social distancing and regular handwashing while at work. Pode Hole grower Nick Smalley has been forced to start up an online operation. On Monday last week, he had £10,000 worth of stock loaded up onto lorries ready to go to garden centres, which were having record sales, when the country was placed in lock-down. He has now launched the contactless payment and home delivery service, Spalding Home Delivery over Facebook, to sell fruit and vegetable plants with lupins and peonies coming along. Mr Smalley said: "This is the period of the year where we make our money as an industry. "I have had a number of orders come through since launching it. "We are not looking to make millions out of the Facebook business but a few orders to keep ticking over."

Source: www.spaldingtoday.co.uk