Four Oaks Trade Show: best professional products/service awards shortlist announced

11 August 2025

Best Professional Product/Service/Equipment

Brinkman Horticultural Service UK: Mulcher CA1-TR5C. The Mulcher CA1-TR5C is built to make mulch application faster and easier for growers. Designed for use with both round and square pots (14–26 cm), it processes 500 to 2,500 pots per hour with minimal setup and no tools needed to adjust. The motorized guides, vibrating table, and rotating pots ensure even mulch coverage every time. With a sturdy 450 kg frame and low 1.6 kW power draw, it’s reliable for daily use. By cutting down on manual work and helping retain soil moisture, the CA1-TR5C supports more efficient, sustainable nursery operations.

Hortifeeds: C79-80 Glenside Range. The Glenside Range offers a powerful combination of premium seaweed with concentrated plant extracts, biostimulants, polysaccharides and trace elements that are ideal for all ornamental crops. Maerit and Marriphite drive strong root development and rapid establishment, key to producing uniform, high-quality plants. Marriphite Zn further supports growth and vigour through added zinc for enzyme activation and hormone production. Marinure and Marinure Extra enhance overall crop quality while building natural resilience and tolerance to abiotic stresses. With organic carbon to boost substrate microflora and bioactive compounds that strengthen plant structure, the Glenside Range delivers consistently better results for ornamental growers.

Creation Horticulture: Bio Core Agri, Liquid Fish Hydrolysate. It a unique blend of concentrated organic fish hydrolysate. It’s ilac-mra & ukas tested, and soil association approved. Patent pending technology. A regenerative fertiliser for healthier soils. Full of vital macro and micro trace elements for nutritious and resilient crops, packed with amino acids. Trials taken place in tree plantations,viticulture & orchards. Trials done by the newt in Somerset.

Fargro: Pangaea Booster. Regain control over resistant pests Pangaea Booster is a proven adjuvant that enhances the performance of insecticides, especially where resistance is a problem. By temporarily disabling the pests' metabolic resistance mechanism, it leaves them hypersensitive and more vulnerable to treatment.
Key benefits:
• Improves control of pests with known resistance
• Compatible with a wide range of PPPs (insecticides, fungicides, herbicides)
• Backed by trials across multiple crops and countries
• Easy to integrate into existing spray programmes

Pangaea Booster helps growers maintain effective pest control, supporting healthy, high-quality ornamental crops season after season.

JFH Horticultural Supplies: H-PAK bedding tray. H-Pak redefines bedding trays for professional growers. With a precision-engineered structure, root-directing side ridges, and an olive grey finish that reduces light exposure for healthier roots, H-Pak outperforms legacy designs. It de-nests smoothly, runs flawlessly on automation lines, resists warping, and fits 20 trays per shelf—making transport and storage effortless. Made from 100% recycled plastic and fully recyclable, it’s as sustainable as it is durable. H-Pak delivers cleaner pull-outs, better plug integrity, and longer tray life. This is the tray that works smarter, grows stronger, and raises the commercial bedding standard.

Cheviot Trees: BioWool. BioWool is a new mulching fabric that is manufactured in the UK using UK sourced wool. Proven to prevent weed growth, it has the added benefit of being 100% biodegradable yet it is still strong and durable and will typically last for at least 2 years. Ideal for newly planted beds and borders or vegetable patches. Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of natural wool in the UK is wasted annually. BioWool helps to prevent waste and support UK agriculture.

ICL: Fibagro Advance Pot Topper FT. Fibagro Advance Pot Topper FT offers next generation weed suppression with Fusion Technology that binds FSC-certified woodfibre into a stable, light-blocking layer after watering. It’s wind-resistant, effective even when pots fall over, and supports moisture retention without hindering irrigation. Free from inorganic chemicals and made from sustainable, FSC®-certified British timber by-products, it offers a clean, green, and highly practical solution.. Ideal for labour-saving efficiency and reducing weed and liverwort growth, it’s easy to apply by hand or machine. Proven in trials, this is a smart step forward in sustainable nursery production—superior performance with minimal environmental impact.

ICL: Levington Advance Blocking FT

Best Retail Product / Service

Airflow: BERTIE Christmas Tree Stand. Now available in his "XMAS" Suit (Racing Green/Gold) as well as 4 other suit colours. Bertie is designed to support all common tree sizes, 4ft – 9ft (1.2M – 2.7M) with a trunk diameter of up to 15cm. He has fold out legs that unclip up to 90° to provide additional stability & adjustable screws for extra support. He has capacity to hold up to 4.5lt (1 gallon).

Sussex Seed Balls: Seed ball gift jar. A beautiful glass gift jar, with natural cork ball lid and filled with dried flowers and seed balls. Enjoy it as a feature in your home, then plant the seed balls next season to grow 27 varieties of UK native, pollinator-friendly wild flowers. The dried flowers can then be used as pot pourri & the glass jar re-used as a vase. A perfect gift, with an aesthetic use, then for use to grow wild flowers. All elements can be reused, with no waste.

SEEDS OF ITALY: Franchi Vintage 1928 Range. Franchi are an historic company, dating back to 1783, that's 7 generations still the same family still going today. We specialize in heritage veg and Slow Food Ark of Taste Endangered veg too. This range of 12 varieties was designed to go on to our seed stands but also as a standalone gift product in garden centre gift areas, museums, stately homes and gardens and the like. They were selected from our 1928 vegetable seed catalogue and would all have been grown in the UK at the time over 100 years ago.

Evergreen Horticulture: Emerald Gold Compost. Launched in mid-2024, Emerald Gold Compost has taken the market by storm—becoming our bestselling product of 2025. Enriched with Irish coastal seaweed biostimulant, it delivers a powerful natural boost to root growth, nutrient uptake, and plant resilience. Backed by over 50 years of composting expertise, this next-generation blend offers up to 6 months of feeding in one convenient mix. It’s our richest, most effective formulation yet—crafted to help gardeners achieve lusher growth, brighter blooms, and stronger plants with less effort. Emerald Gold isn’t just compost—it’s the secret to garden success, trusted by beginners and experts alike.

Creation Horticulture: Growers Own stainless steel with ashwood handle tool range. Grower’s Own is a premium tool range designed for gardeners and DIY enthusiasts who value quality, comfort, and longevity. Each tool is made with durable stainless steel for strength and corrosion resistance, paired with ashwood handles that offer a natural grip and timeless look. Whether you’re tending a garden bed or tackling weekend projects, these tools are built to perform—and built to last. Rooted in tradition but made for today, Grower’s Own combines practicality with craftsmanship for tools that feel as good as they work.

Creation Horticulture: The Green Flame Company Hardwood Logs. Sustainably harvested from invasive Eucalyptus & Acacia trees, Supports biodiversity restoration through responsible land management. A green economy product from the southern tip of Africa, strengthening local resilience. Empowering local economies, every log supports job creation in responsible forestry. Ready to burn registered, with guaranteed below 20% moisture content.

Fargro:DCM Plant-Based Feed - 1kg Retail bag. A high-quality, 100% plant-based fertiliser ideal for eco-conscious gardeners. Perfect for flowers, shrubs, fruit, vegetables, lawns, and even indoor plants, this slow-release feed nourishes gently and sustainably for up to 100 days. Certified by the Soil Association for use in organic systems, it’s suitable for use in pots, beds, borders, and allotments.
Key benefits:
• 100% plant-based and vegan-friendly
• Soil Association Certified for use in organic systems
• Feeds for up to 100 days
• Encourages strong root growth and vibrant blooms
• Suitable for outdoor and indoor plants, plus lawns

Golden Gate Coir: Fruit Blend. Discover the benefits of our premium fruit and vegetable blends, crafted from 100% natural coir. This sustainable material is derived from coconut husks, which would otherwise decompose on the ground after harvesting. Our coir mulch not only retains water effectively but also promotes excellent airflow to the soil. By choosing our blend, you're not just opting for a high-quality product; you're making a smart environmental choice by utilizing organic, recycled materials. Experience the premium texture and performance that sets our fruit and vegetable blend apart in the market, all while supporting sustainability. Transform your gardening experience with our eco-friendly solution!

Azpects Ltd: Gravel Hold

Azpects Ltd: Easy Patio Joint Repair

Sustainability Impact

Golden Gate Coir: Mulch Blend. Discover the benefits of our premium mulch blend, crafted from 100% natural coir. This sustainable material is derived from coconut husks, which would otherwise decompose on the ground after harvesting. Our coir mulch not only retains water effectively but also promotes excellent airflow to the soil. By choosing our blend, you're not just opting for a high-quality product; you're making a smart environmental choice by utilizing organic, recycled materials. Experience the premium texture and performance that sets our mulch apart in the market, all while supporting sustainability. Transform your gardening experience with our eco-friendly solution!

Treasure Gardening: Wonderfuel. Wonderfuel, a breakthrough in sustainable gardening - high-performance, peat-free compost delivering exceptional results while championing powerful environmental missions. Developed by horticultural experts, crafted from byproducts, proving sustainability and professional-grade performance can go together. Wonderfuel is part of our mission to celebrate the hidden value in waste. Bold, engaging messaging, unique POS—‘win a year of beer’ made from waste bread—Wonderfuel captures attention while driving real impact. Treasure Gardening, a purpose-driven social enterprise, Profits help fund community gardening initiatives, growing greener gardens and stronger communities. Wonderfuel isn’t just compost—it’s horticultural innovation in a bag, with sustainability at its core.

Pro-Grow: Pro-Grow Rockdust. The benefits of freshly crushed and finely screened, organically approved, quarrying by-product, Pro-Grow Rockdust, include improved soil biology, nutrient supply and carbon capture. Scientific analysis shows it is rich in nutrients required to boost soil biology, and thus fertility, whilst reducing dependency on energy demanding chemical fertilisers. Uniquely underwritten by Veolia's Carbon Capture Verification Agreement with Newcastle University, it also moves atmospheric organic carbon from the unstable biological cycle into the stable geological cycle. Pro-Grow Rockdust is a winner because it enables everyone, from the window box gardener to commercial grower, to help create a healthier and more sustainable planet.

Don Kwiat: Colour range availability of plastic pots. Looking for plastic pots that don't compromise on color or eco-friendliness? Our new range of plastic pots can be crafted in any color you can imagine, ensuring they perfectly match your brand or aesthetic. Even better, every single pot is made from recycled materials and is fully recyclable itself. Choose vibrant style without sacrificing sustainability!

Don Kwiat: Hanging pot. Inspired by traditional clay pots, our hanging planters boast a rich, earthy colour that adds a beautiful decorative accent to any terrace. These versatile pots are perfect for cultivating your favorite plants, from vibrant geraniums, surfinias, and wisteria to delicious hanging strawberries. Thanks to a solid, durable hook, you can easily and securely display your greenery anywhere.

Don Kwiat: 30L round pot with handles. Our 30L pots with handles are ideally suited for small tree and shrub seedlings. We engineered these containers for effortless seedling handling, and their robust design and sturdy, ergonomic handles make plant transport a breeze.

The Green Earth Box Company/Organisation: Go IllumiNest & Go IllumiWell UK Made Raised Solar Bird box & 3L Self-watering Easy Fit and Clean Planters. UK made, sustainable and designed for effortless multi-season beauty while recycling our waste and saving our valuable resources and biodiversity, there is nothing on the market with these planters' capabilities, ticking all modern day boxes. IllumiWell, 4 in 1 Multipurpose designed raised planter for effortless planting fitting and maintaining with its 3L watering well that delivers consistent moisture and nutrients to your plants for weeks at a time. IllumiNest, Its hidden birdbox feature provides a perfect habitat under the growing foliage and cool soil keeping ideal temperatures for our garden wrens to thrive.

Don Kwiat: Strawberry trough. Our strawberry containers have a perforated bottom with a large number of drainage holes. This ensures a very good flow of nutrient solution and excellent drainage. The size and shape of the strawberry growing containers have been adapted to the latest market trends. The perforated bottom with a large number of holes has a positive effect on root aeration.

LOHAS Fertiliser: LOHAS Carbon-Negative Organic Fertiliser Range. LOHAS Carbon-Negative Organic Fertiliser Range redefines sustainable growing. Made in the UK from renewable resources, these slow-release fertilisers are enriched with NPK, micronutrients, humus, and amino acids — supporting plant health, yield, and soil vitality. Versatile in use, they can be applied to soil, mixed into growing media as a peat alternative, or brewed into a liquid “fertiliser tea.” Unlike traditional fertilisers, LOHAS products improve water retention, reduce nutrient runoff, and sequester carbon. Combining environmental impact with high-performance results, this range delivers a breakthrough in horticultural nutrition and regenerative growing — better for crops, growers, and the planet.

Proptek UK: 9cm/18 cell propagation tray. Manufactured in the UK using injection moulded, recyclable material, the tray is intended to reduce plastic waste on nurseries by potentially 50% as they are designed with a usable 20 year lifespan. Designed to replace disposable 9cm pots and 18-cell carry trays on nurseries with enhanced features including Air Pruning Technology to improve plant and root quality, built in benching and incorporating all modern functions for transport and automation to reduce labour costs and water use. The tray has in-line cells for easier transplanting, a hybrid so can be either loose filled or used with an Ellepot system.

Evergreen Horticulture: Emerald Gold Compost. Launched in mid-2024, Emerald Gold Compost has taken the market by storm—becoming our bestselling product of 2025. Enriched with Irish coastal seaweed biostimulant, it delivers a powerful natural boost to root growth, nutrient uptake, and plant resilience. Backed by over 50 years of composting expertise, this next-generation blend offers up to 6 months of feeding in one convenient mix. It’s our richest, most effective formulation yet—crafted to help gardeners achieve lusher growth, brighter blooms, and stronger plants with less effort. Emerald Gold isn’t just compost—it’s the secret to garden success, trusted by beginners and experts alike.

Fargro: DCM Plant Based Feed. DCM Plant-Based Feed - 1kg Retail bag. A high-quality, 100% plant-based fertiliser ideal for eco-conscious gardeners. Perfect for flowers, shrubs, fruit, vegetables, lawns, and even indoor plants, this slow-release feed nourishes gently and sustainably for up to 100 days. Certified by the Soil Association for use in organic systems, it’s suitable for use in pots, beds, borders, and allotments.
Key benefits:
• 100% plant-based and vegan-friendly
• Soil Association Certified for use in organic systems
• Feeds for up to 100 days
• Encourages strong root growth and vibrant blooms
• Suitable for outdoor and indoor plants, plus lawns

Creation Horticulture: Creation Horticulture Bio Core Agri, Liquid Fish Hydrolysate. It a unique blend of concentrated organic fish hydrolysate. It’s ilac-mra & ukas tested, and soil association approved. Patent pending technology. A regenerative fertiliser for healthier soils. Full of vital macro and micro trace elements for nutritious and resilient crops, packed with amino acids. Trials taken place in tree plantations,viticulture & orchards. Trials done by The Newt in Somerset.

Petersfield Growing Mediums: Petersfield Peat Free John Innes. A reworking of our original Peat Free John Innes. By using improved raw materials and ingredients, this updated recipe is reliable, consistent, safe and gives excellent results. While originally aimed at traditional growers, this mix has proven very useful for researchers growing cereal crops, even in controlled environment situations and is a worthy successor to our JI Cereal Mix. Available in 25 litre bags, bulk bags, loose tipped.
This mix is particularly suitable for:

Long term pot plants
Display plants
Stock plants
Indoor planters
Module production of cereal crops

Hortifeed: Glenside Range. The Glenside Range offers a powerful combination of premium seaweed with concentrated plant extracts, biostimulants, polysaccharides and trace elements that are ideal for all ornamental crops. Maerit and Marriphite drive strong root development and rapid establishment, key to producing uniform, high-quality plants. Marriphite Zn further supports growth and vigour through added zinc for enzyme activation and hormone production. Marinure and Marinure Extra enhance overall crop quality while building natural resilience and tolerance to abiotic stresses. With organic carbon to boost substrate microflora and bioactive compounds that strengthen plant structure, the Glenside Range delivers consistently better results for ornamental growers.

Technical Excellence

Petersfield Growing Mediums: Petersfield Peat Free John Innes. A reworking of our original Peat Free John Innes, By using improved raw materials and ingredients, this updated recipe is reliable, consistent, safe and gives excellent results. While originally aimed at traditional growers, this mix has proven very useful for researchers growing cereal crops, even in controlled environment situations and is a worthy successor to our JI Cereal Mix. Available in 25 litre bags, bulk bags, loose tipped.
This mix is particularly suitable for:

Long term pot plants
Display plants
Stock plants
Indoor planters
Module production of cereal crops

Don Kwiat: Crates. This plastic folding crate is ideal for the storage and transport of fruits, vegetables, and other produce. It features a secure closing system and ergonomic handles for ease of use. Perforated bottoms and sides promote optimal airflow and prevent water retention, thereby extending the freshness of stored contents. When folded, the crate occupies minimal space, significantly reducing storage and transportation costs, especially during return journeys.

Proptek.UK: 9cm/18cell Integrated Hybrid Propagation/Liner Airtray. Manufactured in the UK using injection moulded, recyclable material, the tray is intended to reduce plastic waste on nurseries by potentially 50% as they are designed with a usable 20 year lifespan. Designed to replace disposable 9cm pots and 18cell carry trays on nurseries with enhanced features including Air Pruning Technology to improve plant and root quality, built in benching and incorporating all modern functions for transport and automation to reduce labour costs and water use. The tray has in-line cells for easier transplanting, a hybrid so can be either loose filled or used with an Ellepot system.