Deck the halls with Weston and West Pinchbeck garden centres' help
This year, businesses in South Holland need our help more than ever which is why we have launched a campaign to encourage readers to have a local Christmas.
Whether it’s your turkey for the big day, a tree and decorations to admire or gifts for someone you love, you can find it all in South Holland and each week we will showcase what is available.
In the face of the second lockdown, quick thinking companies have moved online and, for those who aren’t as technically savvy as others, many are also accepting orders via telephone.
As we finally enter December, many people will be looking to put up their Christmas trees in the coming days – and there are plenty available in our area.
Baytree Garden Centre in Weston has a wide range of trees of various heights on offer, from Nordmann and Fraser Firs from Scotland to Norway spruce trees which were grown locally.
Mark Elliott of Baytree said: “We have lots of trees which have just arrived and you can always find something for your budget and the correct size tree for the room you want to put it in.
“Our Norway spruce trees were grown a few miles away by us and they are your traditional tree. Although they are prone to dropping, you really can’t beat the scent of them.
“Our Nordmanns and Fraser Firs have been delivered from Scotland – we believe in stocking native grown trees as they are used to our climate and they’re all a really good quality.
“The Fraser Firs are very similar to the Nordmanns but they are slimmer trees so they are easier to fit into smaller rooms which is helpful.
“We also have potted trees too so they can be planted after Christmas, as long as they’re kept moist, and brought back in next year.”
Baytree Garden Centre is offering a number of different avenues for ordering your tree and all of the decorations to go with it.
Mark said: “The trees are available here for browsing and collection here – for many people it’s important that they come along and choose their tree themselves as you really need to have a look at them to pick the right one for you.
“I think that’s also part of the tradition too.
“We have all of the lights and decorations available online – almost everything which is available in the shop can be found online and can be delivered or collected via click and collect.”
Unfortunately, due to Tier 3 restrictions, Santa’s reindeer have remained in the North Pole due to the pandemic.
Mark said: “Usually, Santa’s reindeer are here with us but we’ve spoken to him and he’s decided that it’s not safe this year so they are staying in the North Pole until Christmas Eve.
“We have still done what we can to make sure that centre is looking as Christmassy as possible.”
For more information, visit www.baytree-gardencentre.co.uk or pay the centre a visit.
In West Pinchbeck, Glenside Nurseries has plenty of trees, wreaths and decorations for sale.
Peter Vickers, formerly of Spalding Lifestyle, is working with Glenside to sell Nordmann Firs at the nursery on Glenside South.
He said: “We have plenty of options here including the Nordmann firs and a lots of wreaths and decorations – there’s a really nice display of everything we have on offer.
“The wreaths and table pieces are being made up on site daily so they can be bespoke to suit the customers’ requirements.”
Many people are unsure of how to keep their trees looking fresh for a long time, but Peter has some simple tips to help.
He said: “Trees will dry out if they are left next to a heat source so the best thing to do is to keep them away from radiators and fires.
“If you can leave the tree somewhere cool until just before you want to celebrate then that will really help – as will giving the tree plenty of water.
“The Nordmann firs don’t tend to drop as much as other trees and you should get a good four to five weeks out of them quite easily.”
If you would like more information, visit www.glensidenurseries.co.uk or pop in.
