From a solar powered water irrigation system to a sheep’s wool compost: RHS Chelsea Sustainable Garden Product of the Year Shortlist 2022

RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the world’s greatest flower show, returns in spring with stunning garden designs, gorgeous floral displays and endless shopping.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show Garden Product of the Year was launched in 2021 to recognise the best new garden products at the show. In line with the ever increasing importance to ensure products offer sustainable solutions, an expert judging panel assess the shortlisted products placing prominence on environmental sustainability as well as taking into account their innovation, visual appeal, functionality and quality.

A solar powered water irrigation system and a sheep’s wool compost have made it on to the shortlist for the RHS Chelsea Sustainable Garden Product of the Year Award 2022.

The competition was initiated last year and replaced the Product of the Year award to champion sustainability in the horticultural industry and to highlight the increasing awareness that consumers want more environmentally friendly products to choose from for their gardening needs.

The shortlist of ten newly launched products will be judged at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, sponsored by The Newt in Somerset, which returns to its usual May dates for the first time since 2019. The selected products start from £5 for wool twine and also features three new types of peat-free compost.
Last year’s inaugural winner, Ocean Plastic Pots was chosen as the first durable plant pot to use polypropylene from recycled rope and fishing nets and having impressed the judging panel again, with their new range shortlisted for 2022.

The judges include Dragons’ Den investor Deborah Meaden and sustainability expert Chris Harrop OBE who commented on this year’s innovations:

“We’re pleased to have independent makers as well as household brands in the selection, which indicates how much demand there is from consumers to have more sustainable gardening products out on the market.”

All of the finalists will be on display to visitors at RHS Chelsea Flower Show with the winner announced on Monday 23 May 2022.

RHS Chelsea Sustainable Garden Product of the Year Shortlist 2022:

1) Twool – Tree & Shrub Tie
Made from 100% undyed British wool sourced locally from Dartmoor flocks, this durable twine can be used for heavier garden work due to its tensile strength. Unlike other ties which can damage trees and shrubs as they grow, the natural properties of this material mean that over time it gives way as the plant grows until it reaches its fraction point when it will begin to biodegrade from 3 to 5 years.

2) Oxley’s Luxury Outdoor Furniture – Casa Range
This personalised, sustainable and colourful outdoor furniture is made from scrap aluminium, a hard wearing waste product that can be recycled. Buyers can customise their design and colour exactly as they want it for their own garden and Oxley offer a 10 year buy back guarantee if they no longer need the furniture or want to change it.

3) Ocean Plastic Pots – Bloom
Ocean Plastic Pots are manufactured in Scotland, made from rope and fishing net recycled in the UK. Following the success of winning the 2021 RHS award, founder Ally Mitchell has expanded with the Bloom range including six different coloured pots and saucers that come from the waste material.

4) Niwaki – Kenzan
Fusing British and Japanese design, Niwaki’s Kenzan tool allows florists to create floral displays without the need for unsustainable products like floral foam. The lead and brass metal spike base doesn’t rust and comes in various sizes to hold woody and green stems in perfect position.

5) GARDENA – Ecoline
A new range of gardening tools and accessories made from significant shares (at least >65%) of post-consumer recycled plastic material. GARDENA has a commitment to sustainability through clever design, incorporating recycled plastic and metal waste, with packaging design made from 100% recycled and recyclable material, printed with water based inks.

6) Miracle-Gro – Performance Organics Liquid Plant Food
Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Liquid Plant Food provides a high-performing alternative to synthetic plant food which encourages gardeners to make the switch to more sustainable options to feed their plants without feeling like they need to compromise on quality. The plant food is 100% vegan and plant based, as well as OF&G certified with a bottle made from 100% recycled plastic which is 100% recyclable.

7) GARDENA – AquaBloom
The GARDENA AquaBloom automatic irrigation system is a watering system that is solar powered and does not require a mains water supply. It comes as a ready to use set in five simple steps and is able to water up to 20 plants. The Microdrip system uses water much more efficiently than regular watering, and can save up to 70% water when compared to a standard garden sprayer, ideal for spaces such as balconies and roof terraces.

8) Dalefoot – Potting Compost
This climate friendly, nutrient rich peat-free compost uniquely blends sheep’s wool and dynamic accumulator crops, bracken and comfrey, which capture carbon and at the same time, yield significant levels of natural nutrients, trace elements and minerals to nourish growing plants.

9) Dalefoot – Wool Compost Double Strength
This fertiliser strength wool compost, has the power to enable gardeners to reuse existing compost rather than throw it away, making it a sustainable option to their growing. Made from 100% natural, fully traceable, UK sourced and renewable ingredients, this nutrient rich compost offers a credible answer to the pressing needs of peat-free and climate change gardening.

10) Dobbies Garden Centres – Peat Free John Innes Compost,
Dobbies’ peat-free John Innes range is based on a unique combination of loam, sand or grit together with a combination of peat-free ingredients in place of peat. Working with their supplier, Dobbies tested a number of combinations of peat-free ingredients before identifying a series of mixes that will grow great plants and meet with the John Innes Manufacturers Association seal of approval.