The Product of the Year Award was launched in 2011 and each year the RHS celebrates the best new garden products against a strict criteria of innovation, visual appeal, functionality, quality, value for money and environmental sustainability.
Talking of environmental sustainability, this year’s annual Product of the Year Award brings sustainability to the centre of the contest and reflects on the evolution of environmentally friendly products becoming widely used in the garden.
The focus on green credentials leads to this year’s nominations promoting the use and capability of sustainable materials and highlights issues of climate change, pollution and plastics affecting our planet. Therefore, the nominated products will also be judged for their carbon footprint, environmental best practice, durability, biodegradability and recyclability too!
In hope to claim the prize, each product will be judged by a notorious team of experts – featuring Dragons' Den Deborah Meaden! The winning product will be announced during the week of the RHS Virtual Chelsea Flower Show 2021 (17-21 May) as the main show has been postponed until September. However, shortlisted products will be on display in the famous Great Pavilion at the main September event, so you won’t miss out!
Dalefoot Composts has produced an alternative to peat-free compost and has introduced a Dalefoot Wool Compost range that allows gardeners to incorporate a sustainable way of growing into their gardening duties! It includes a blend of comfrey, bracken and sheep’s wool, all sourced from the UK. The use of peat is becoming a serious environmental issue and many gardeners set out to use peat-free media today.
image ref: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/news/2021/product-of-the-yearDuraOcean® produce a range of ocean plastic chairs and bistro sets that turns marine waste, such as fishing ropes and nets, into stunning outdoor furniture! Each chair uses 3.5kg of reclaimed and recovered ocean plastics, which otherwise would be left polluting and floating in our sea waters. This is an extremely exciting benchmark in the sustainable movement, and the furniture features a exquisite mint green colour!
image ref: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/news/2021/product-of-the-yearEvery woodland Low Oval Tables are as unique to the next one, like every tree that grows. This wonderfully crafted table is produced in the UK and has been inspired by the popular Sweet Chestnut tree! Using a natural and woodland template, this luxurious table is perfect for outdoor dining and relaxation.
image ref: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/news/2021/product-of-the-yearAn environmentally friendly lavatory is hoping to claim the prize this year, but not only is it transportable, but also very attractive too! Compost toilets have become quite the range in the last year, with dozens of waterless toilets now installed around the UK. Requiring no water or drainage they are the environmentally friendly way to go to the loo! Also using no chemicals and reducing pollution.
image ref: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/news/2021/product-of-the-yearEvery pot is crafted by ocean waste, preventing it from living in landfill and turning it into garden pots and planters instead! Available in Mint Green, Blue and Dark green these gorgeous pots have been designed in Glasgow and made in Scotland. They hope to plant the seed to encourage more of us to reduce the amount of plastic we use and in turn protect our planet and our future.
image ref: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/news/2021/product-of-the-yearHave you ever thought about growing a green wall? Well, PlantBox brings this thought to life! PlantBox is designed by plant lovers and those who share a passionate for plants and gardens. Its eco-friendly vertical planter is the perfect space saving solution. Its unique watering system make means theres no daily watering. Made from 100% recyclable material!
image ref: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/news/2021/product-of-the-yearRobotic mowers are on the rise, and you can have a clean-cut, professional looking garden in no time! This high-performance, easy to use robotic lawnmower suited for smaller gardens, handles both narrow passages and slopes up to 40% with perfect results. All while producing zero carbon emissions. Take the stress out of gardening and allow the Husqvarna Automower to do the work for you.
image ref: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/news/2021/product-of-the-yearThis crafty Maintenance kit will keep all hand-forged stainless-steel tools in great condition, no matter the wear and tear from garden soil types and conditions! Sneeboer is a family run business that is renowned for its high quality, stainless steel tools enjoyed by gardeners. Constantly striving in developments, the Trading BV Maintenance Kit is a fine example of this work.
image ref: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/news/2021/product-of-the-yearTwool Naked blends the strength of Dartmoor wool together with underused, natural-coloured wool from other British sheep breeds, producing an undyed twine with the strength and durability required in the garden together with the aesthetics of blending in naturally with planting. The Twool is naturally biodegradable over time and its packaging is also fully biodegradable!
image ref: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/news/2021/product-of-the-yearRRP £13.99
Make growing veg easy with the Vegebag! Fitted with self-watering reservoirs and perfect for container gardening. The collapsible design makes for easy access and storage. Its rubber handles also make for easy movement. Holding 6 Litres of water this dynamic gardening accessories will reduce watering by 80%. The mesh insert also provides amazing growth rates as well as protecting your veg plants from pests, garden wildlife and diseases.
image ref: https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/news/2021/product-of-the-yearRecommended for 1-2 person households.
Dimensions: 200ltr 114.5 x 55 x 62.5cm; 100ltr 115 x 45 x 45cm. Complete with thermometer, raking stick, wood chip bulking agent, “kick start” bottle and full instructions.
Innovative & compact hot composting! All the judges thought that the HotBin Mini Composer showed real innovation in making composting cleaner, simpler and more accessible for modern households. The HotBin Mini is a composting bin that has been designed for smaller households and produces compost from various types of waste, included cooked food, small bones and perennial weeds, in 30 to 90 days.
This slimline mini hot composter is designed for smaller gardens and for keen composters who have less waste. It composts a wide variety of waste, all without the traditional composting problems of odours, flies, turning and tumbling. HotBin is an aerobic compost bin that produces compost up to 32 times faster than traditional cold composting methods. Its high 40-60 degree temperature kills off weed seeds, pathogens and fly larvae, and the sealed unit and built-in bio-filter eliminate the odours commonly associated with composting.