VIEWPOINT
Success Brings Stress BOYD J DOUGLAS-DAVIES, HTA PRESIDENT
Much has been written in the last year about the therapeutic benefits of horticulture. The mental and physical improvements to life enjoyed by many when given the chance to spend time in a garden, no matter how large or small, are well known and undisputed. However, there’s a real danger that we may all miss one of the negatives of the recent boom in horticulture and that is the stress, both physical and mental, that our industry colleagues are under at the moment. We are now in month fourteen of covid and for many that also means over 400 days without much, if any, time off. Current trading suggests that it is going to be a big spring season followed closely by a summer of staycations and increased garden activity – this could add a further 100+ days to the time some have been working without a break. March 2020 saw a previously unexperienced stress – complete closure of garden centres, instant break in the supply chain with many plants only going to compost, and an unknown restart date. Fortunately, the initial closure only lasted 7 weeks and trade leapt the instant we re-opened, much to everyone’s relief. However, what we didn’t see coming was the true worldwide impact on supply of goods. The diversion of raw plastic to the PPE industry now leaves us short of pots and labels. Disruption to the production of compost ingredients combined with incredible demand is starting to show in reduced offerings from the manufacturers. The early season, combined with the demand from gardeners, new and old, has left British nurseries stripped bare earlier in the year than ever before. So, the stress of Spring 2021 is now all centred on keeping the industry stocked.
30 April 2021
Growers, manufacturers and retailers are all sharing this problem and working closely together. Business owners and management understand the wider issues but let’s not forget the many thousands of our colleagues facing the customers day after day. Have they been briefed properly about the worldwide shortages of raw materials, the reductions in the number of shipping slots, the early plant season and the time it takes to grow more? The customer is expecting to quickly find what they want and when they don’t they may be venting their frustrations at the till operator, the compost loader or the plant assistant. We need to ensure that support is given to all in the team. Many of our catering teams have been off for months, that brings it’s own stresses and, possibly, financial strains. As they now return to work, no doubt excited but nervous, they will also
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face customers who simply don’t understand, or won’t follow, social distancing rules. Our teams will need significant support in weeks to come, maybe financial, maybe emotional. Whilst you will, no doubt, have plans in place to look after your team don’t forget that there is additional, confidential, help for members of our trade from both Perennial https://perennial.org.uk and the HTA Benevolent Fund https://hta.org.uk/ partnerships-groups/htabenevolentfund.html Whilst the phones and tills may well be ringing longer and louder than ever before, please don’t forget that this success is also bringing stress for some. > The Horticulture Trades Association is the UK industry’s leading membership organisation. It welcomes all sectors of horticulture – to join please contact services@hta.org.uk.