Our thinking

The Goods: Crocus

28 October, 2021

As the days start to get darker, it may be time to bring in some new plants into our homes. This week on the Goods, our favourite online plant retailer: Crocus!

Not only do we love Crocus because of the breadth and quality of its plants (over 5,000 plants, increasingly UK-grown!), but we are proud to have worked with them to develop their new sustainability action plan. Crocus is one of the few UK garden retailers – and the first online garden retailer – to have published a sustainability plan with some clear targets for the next five years (check out Environment Matters). Highlights include the onsite water reservoir that collects and purifies wastewater and rainwater for its large plant nursery, and the onsite wood burner, fuelled by onsite waste to heat the nursery; plus an increased focus on using recyclable plastic pots.

What’s more, Crocus recently published its first sustainability report that not only looks into its impact on the environment, but also on society. We love the leftover plant and product sales that raise money to support charities in addition to reducing waste, as well as the apprenticeship programme coming in 2022 to support young people start their careers in horticulture.

Gardening is big business – apparently over two thirds of British adults visit a garden centre each year. Planet-friendly gardening is something we can all do as part of our contribution to reducing our carbon footprint. So if you have a garden, a balcony or even a window ledge, give some thought to plants and plant care. And what better way to do it than through a company that is also committed to sustainable values?

And if you’re interested, Friday 5 readers can enjoy 10% off their next plant and seeds order at Crocus.co.uk with code GOODBUS until the middle of November (see t&cs below).

* Terms & conditions: 10% off all full-priced plants and seeds at www.crocus.co.uk ends at midnight on Sunday 14th November 2021. Use promo code ‘GOODBUS’ at the wheelbarrow to apply the discount. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other code. Offer excludes Florist by Crocus bouquets. Subject to availability. Code can only be used once per customer.

By Marie Guérinet