Curtain Up! – AutoPot At The Harrogate Spring Show

Take the waters? It’s what we do! So where better to alight on our latest expo peregrination than Harrogate Spa! The historic Yorkshire home of restorative refreshments (eggy-salty-irony water) happily also plays host to the annual Spring Flower Show, wherein this April one could find AutoPot.

Budding, blossoming, bushy, and bustling, the activity at the Spring Show very much reflects the direction of nature at this time of year. It’s an exciting place to be as plant life truly strikes up and the curtain rises on the horticultural calendar. Moreover, you’re in the architecturally beautiful, famously happy, lively town of Harrogate, a stones throw from RHS Harlow Carr. Where better for a festival of living, breathing creation!

As ever the show ran Thursday-Sunday which gave the public and our good selves plenty of opportunity to take in the various and diverse exhibitions. These are roughly divided into Garden Inspiration, the Grand Floral Hall, the Floral Art Pavilion, Live Theatres, Shopping, Garden Advice, and Live Music. 

Part of the fabric of the show, the Garden Inspiration section very much lived up to its billing of ‘talented landscapers and professional gardeners creating inspirational pocket plots and stunning installations.’ Within this could be found creative borders of all descriptions and concept community gardens that conveyed ideas and aims quite beautifully.

Amazing as the displays in the Grand Floral Hall were, it was the availability and ease with which we were able to pick up tidbits of info from growers, nurseries, and expert societies that impressed us most. Likewise in the Garden Advice Bureau – no badge or gun required – and the Live Theatres. 

Finally, featuring ‘an amazing array of garden-related exhibitors with thousands of products to suit every pocket and need’, was the Shopping section – and who do you suppose you would you find  in there? Who else!

Frolicking around, energised by the freshness of the crowd and their relative innocence of our systems we thoroughly enjoyed our spot in the Garden Shopping Hall. It is always nice to introduce people to our products for the first time, hear about their experiences and learn how we can best serve growers needs. Harrogate was no exception in this respect. 

We’re delighted to say that our newly illustrated packaging once again served as the perfect visual aid. It really has helped give our kit a graspable, easily browsable edge and has allowed people to approach us in confidence and with some ready-formed ideas. Why didn’t we do this sooner?!

Harrowing? Harrogate? Only in the sense of breaking ground, establishing and embedding seeds of inspiration, and stimulating growth. It was not mentally scarring. We had an excellent time. We very much look forward to returning in 2024.