The award-winning End of Peat programmes navigate the history of the UK peat ban, tackling the different facets of the peat issue across four episodes.
GMG judges said:
"This winner showcases excellent journalism. The broadcast addressed a tricky horticultural issue and was in the true sense a professional, topical documentary. It was unafraid of airing a wide range of views, even those currently considered unfashionable.
"The panel felt the broadcast dug deep - challenging lazy assumptions, but also offering potential solutions."
LISTEN
• Episode 1: Do we need a peat ban?
Establishes the foundational arguments for and against a ban and outlines its initial impacts.
• Episode 2: From multipurpose to pick ‘n’ mix
Provides an in-depth look at how garden retailers are managing the transition.
• Episode 3: The cost of trial and error
Examines the specific, little-understood challenges faced by growers.
• Episode 4: A whole new take on horticulture
Hears from some growers who have successfully made the leap to peat-free growing. It outlines RHS policy on peat-free and examines how a ban might impact UK horticulture’s ability to compete internationally. Taylor asks whether growers are ready for legislation, and industry figures give voice to what they need for it to work, without destroying the horticulture industry in the process.
Writer, producer and presenter of the podcast, HortWeek's Christina Taylor said:
"Going peat-free is one of the most impactful events in horticulture of recent years and with this podcast documentary I tried to give it the attention it deserves, hopefully balancing the different opinions while reflecting the reality for the industry. I am very grateful to all the contributors for giving their time and expertise enabling me to tell this story".
HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby said: “The End of Peat saw Christina Taylor get fully immersed into this important issue, talking to professionals and amateurs to reveal a range of views, presented in a deep-dive format that gave listeners a comprehensive overview of the topic.”
Among other winners at the annual awards were Arit Anderson for new achievement, Monty Don's British Gardens TV series, Charles Dowding's No Dig video short, Simon Akeroyd as influencer of the year, Hayloft as brand social media influencer of the year, James Alexander-Sinclair (digital writer), Angela Youngman (environment), Annaick Guitteny, Marianne Majerus and Marina Walker (photography), Andrew Jackson (new talent), Tom Brown (practical book), Marian Boswall (gardening book), RHS The Garden magazine (publication), James Armitage of RHS Plant Review (features), Lucy Chamberlain (practical) and Charlotte Harris (columnist).
GMG AWARD WINNERS 2025 IN FULL
• Peter Seabrook Practical Book of the Year – The Greenhouse Book: Tom Brown
The judges said: “The judging panel were delighted with the high standard, diversity and range of books submitted to this category, but agreed that this winner would be a solid addition to any gardening library. The winning book has uniqueness, style and is well researched with accurate information on a subject that many gardeners want to know more about and yet do not know where to start.”
• Gardening Book of the Year (sponsored by Stihl) – The Kindest Garden: Marian Boswall
The judges said: “The judges agreed that even within this very strong field, the winner stood out with its useful and sensitive approach to regenerative gardening. This book is well-laid out, logical, and manages to link garden design with science through the use of good photography and clear diagrams. It is both informative and moving: a work that merits a place on any gardener's bookshelf.”
• Garden Publication of the Year (sponsored by Stiga): The Garden
The judges said: “The judges found it challenging to select a shortlist - all entrants are excellent publications, some targeted at very specific audiences.
“Although the scores were close, the winner stood out for the variety of articles and fresh appeal of every issue. It clearly understands the variable level of expertise of its readers, from novice to true expert and its content covers everything from vegetables to choice ornamentals; plant problems, gardens to visit and more. Even those without a garden of their own would find this magazine inspiring.”
• Roy Lancaster Feature Writer of the Year: James Armitage
The judges said: “With a distinctive and personable style, the winner is a leader in this very experienced and talented pool of writers. Not only is there rock-solid botanical information, but their turn of phrase and superb story telling entice the reader in from the very first sentence. Every detail, every phrase and every ounce of information are shared with warmth and passion, making reading this work a distinctive and incredibly enjoyable experience.”
• Practical Journalist of the Year (sponsored by the HTA): Lucy Chamberlain
The judges said: “The judges were really impressed with the amount and variety of entries for the practical journalist of the year. Learning and education were important and some of the most impressive articles were ones that gave lots of how, why, tricks and tips for readers to make informed decisions.
The star of the Practical Journalist of 2025 shone just a little brighter. The articles were clear, concise, no waffle and beautifully presented with supporting images. The reader could grasp the information with ease. It was informative and educational with a pinch of humour. You just wanted to get into the garden and start putting all that information into practice.”
• Gardening Columnist of the Year (sponsored by Charles Dowding): Charlotte Harris
The judges said: “This year's entries were a joy to read -all submissions, especially the finalists, offered fascinating insights, advice and opinions gathered from their own skills and experiences. However, the winner pipped them all to the post with a series of columns that shared their knowledge of design in an accessible way, inspiring readers and giving examples of what can work where, backed up by examples, sketches and images of real life successes. An exquisite series of articles.”
• Digital Gardening Writer of the Year (sponsored by Thompson & Morgan): James Alexander-Sinclair
The judges said: “With so many good entrants, the judges’ task was difficult but they felt that the winner of this category had researched their pieces especially well, giving us an insight into the historical facts with plenty of horticultural interest. This deep dive into the history has meant there are some obscure subjects written in a quirky manner and good humour. The winner writes well for the readership of the platform.”
• Beth Chatto Environmental Award (sponsored by Beth Chatto Educational trust): Angela Youngman for the Water Efficient Gardener
The judges said: “This entry was both innovative and accessible, with beautiful illustrations, holding the gardener in mind, having a beautiful balance of climate extremes and ecological practice.”
• Gordan Rae Photographer of the Year: Annaïck Guitteny
The judges said: “With a range of images that display a thoughtful understanding of the subject, the winner of the Gordon Rae Photographer of the Year emerged from an extremely strong field. A gentle, soft light pervades many of these photographs, with a subtle use of colour, to create evocative images of plants and gardens in all seasons. You can imagine yourself standing in the garden, watching as the horticultural beauty reveals itself around you.”
• Features Photographer of the Year (sponsored by Roses UK): Marianne Majerus
The judges said: “All entries on the shortlist were of superb quality, composition and technique. The winner was a photographer who had flawless technical execution in all three features, who captured an incredible amount of wow-factor light, and who covered a great variety of garden aspects. In one example, the winner followed the story of the garden through the seasons, which speaks to her consistent skill - and also physical tenacity on a freezing winter morning - as a visual story-teller.”
• Portfolio Photographer of the Year: Marina Walker
The judges said: “The winner communicated the value of a garden in a historical and contemporary context, finding quiet and renewal within cityscape and ruin. The theme was well-chosen and explored with depth and sensitivity. A consistent approach provided energy and warmth, story and character in beautiful, considered, quite original ways. The texture of historic walls, the scale of surrounding offices, the stillness of a visitor and a modern pool provide contrast yet harmony.”
• Alan Titchmarsh New Talent of the Year (sponsored by Johnsons Lawn Seed): Andrew Jackson
The judges said: “This year’s winner of the Alan Titchmarsh New Talent of the Year award impressed the judges with socially minded plans to bring real change and create opportunity. They turn complex horticultural issues into engaging, practical solutions, presenting well-researched information with clarity and purpose. Their imaginative, constructive approach is pursued with integrity and flair, and has the potential to improve living environments for thousands across the country, benefitting both gardeners and the wider horticultural industry.”
• Gardening TV or Video Documentary Feature of the Year (sponsored by British Garden Centres): Monty Don’s British Gardens
The judges said: “The winner is a natural presenter with real authority, leading viewers through a wide-ranging exploration of remarkable and often little-seen British gardens. The ambition and scale of the series stand out, as does the winner’s easy rapport with garden owners, encouraging them to share why these spaces matter both creatively and historically. A very worthy winner.”
• Gardening TV or Video Short Film of the Year: Charles Dowding – No Dig Potato Harvest
The judges said: “The winner is passionate and inspiring, offering plenty of detailed practical advice, telling the viewers everything they need to know about every stage of the planting and growing of a particular vegetable,including storage, and then how to replant the area with a different vegetable, showing what is possible even in a small space.”
• Radio Broadcast or Podcast of the Year (sponsored by Plantgrow): Hortweek Podcast – The End of Peat (Episode 2)
The judges said: “This winner showcases excellent journalism. The broadcast addressed a tricky horticultural issue and was in the true sense a professional, topical documentary. It was unafraid of airing a wide range of views, even those currently considered unfashionable. The panel felt the broadcast dug deep - challenging lazy assumptions, but also offering potential solutions.”
• Individual Social Media Influencer of the Year (sponsored by RocketGro): Simon Akeroyd (@simonakeroydgardenwriter)
The judges said: “There was an exceptionally high standard of entries in this category, making it difficult to narrow them down to a shortlist and, finally, a single winner - a creator who has built and nurtured a thriving community by showing up consistently on two platforms, sharing expert gardening knowledge in an accessible but accurate way. With a relaxed, simple filming style and a strong, still growing connection with the audience, this winner truly stands out.”
• Brand Social Media Influencer of the Year (sponsored by the Garden Press Event): Hayloft (@hayloftplants)
The judges said: “This account captures simplicity and originality at the same time as offering accurate horticulture information. The judges were impressed with the imagination in the creation of posts. There is a fun factor, and you do forget that it is a business that is being showcased but find yourself Googling to buy their plants! We all found the account very engaging.”
