12 innovative new goodies – from £1.75 to £26,000!
The RHS Chelsea Product of the Year 2018 winner is a popular – and affordable – choice – Mr Fothergill’s Seeds with their Optigrow Seeds.
The judges said: “In a world where we are trying to remove the use of chemicals, this unique non-chemical process naturally prepares seeds for more successful sowing. Anything that removes disappointment in seeds germination is to be welcomed.”
The judges were Caroline Owen, Peter Seabrook, Chris Harrop and Deborah Meaden. They also highly commended Chesneys HEAT 500, which they described as ‘a beautiful piece of product innovation’.
For more on 2018’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, read my preview here. Read more about the contenders for 2017’s competition here.
Chelsea Product of the Year 2018 – The shortlist
The shortlist of 12 products competing for the RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year 2018 has a wide gulf in value. The award evaluates the best new garden products with entries judged on innovation, visual appeal, functionality, quality, value for money and environmental sustainability.
The 2018 RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year was awarded at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on press day, Monday, May 21.
Deborah Meaden said: “It is a great pleasure to be back on the judging panel for the RHS Chelsea Product of the Year. Every year the calibre of designs gets better and better. I cannot wait to see what pioneering gardening product takes home gold.”
Fruit Tree Sleeves, Agralan Ltd
A tube of fine mesh netting with ties at each end. Tie over a branch and tie each end to protect ripening fruit, RRP £24.99, www.agralan.co.uk.
Chelsea Product of the Year 2018 – Wonder Weed Puller, Burgon & Ball
(Main picture): A long-handled lightweight aluminium tool for easy weeding in lawns and a satisfying ejector button to jettison them, RRP £19.99, www.burgonandball.com.
HEAT 500, Chesneys
A barbecue heater combining a versatile and easy-to-use cooking experience with an effective outdoor heating system, RRP £2,802, www.chesneys.co.uk.
Chelsea Product of the Year 2018 – Dalefoot Bulb Compost, Dalefoot Composts
Made on a Lake District hill farm near Penrith, this free-draining, peat-free compost is blended from sustainably harvested wild bracken and feeds for more than two years, RRP £8.50, www.dalefootcomposts.co.uk.
ASK Consult International, safety Skal
A garden sculpture as much as a piece of furniture, and inspired by curling winter beech leaves. Uses traditional West Country Boatbuilding techniques and fastenings, RRP £725, www.mojosi.com.
Chelsea Product of the Year 2018 – Custom-built modular natural rock stream, James Doran Webb Ltd
A rock stream with its own water system and custom-made of natural stone. This can be fitted to a hill or provided free standing to form the base around which landscape can be designed, RRP £26,000, www.jamesdoranwebb.com.
Traditional Wall Greenhouse, Kadai Firebowls by Wilstone
One-piece solid steel frame with toughened glass and a mirrored back to maximise light. Included are galvanised trays, capillary matting and folding shelves, RRP £1,450.00, www.kadai.com.
Chelsea Product of the Year 2018 – The Green Wall Vertical Planter, Labels ‘n’ Things
Inexpensive and easy to install. Only one irrigation pipe along the top row drips down to feed each planter, RRP £5.99, www.labelsnthing.co.uk.
Optigrow Seed Range, Mr Fothergill’s Seeds
A compact range of vegetable seeds with a non-chemical seed priming treatment. They guarantee faster germination and better results, RRP from £1.75- £3.59, www.mr-fothergills.co.uk.
Chelsea Product of the Year 2018 – Niwaki Garden Shears FSC, Niwaki
Made from hard-wearing SK steel with white oak handles – ideal for hedges, shrubs, box clipping and topiary, RRP £72, www.niwaki.com.
Verona Sofa, Bridgman, PJ & Co Ltd
Featuring the newest maintenance-free materials and exclusive fully waterproof cushions, RRP £1,699, www.bridgman.co.uk.
Chelsea Product of the Year 2018 – EasyPrune, Robert Bosch Ltd
Cordless power-assisted secateurs are perfect for pruning flowers, thinning branches or trimming shrubs. It enables precise cuts of up to 25mm thick with one hand, RRP £84.99, www.bosch.com.
