Planted

Sustainable events and media platform, reconnecting people and spaces with nature.

14/06/2024

Pocket forests in urban areas…

SUGi collaborates with a global network of forest makers to build biodiversity and regenerate urban areas by planting pocket forests using the acclaimed Miyawaki method. This method of afforestation was developed by the Japanese botanist and plant ecology expert Professor Akira Miyawaki. It draws inspiration from nature’s ecosystems to create 100% organic, dense and diverse pioneer forests in as little as 20-30 years. They grow 10x faster, are 30 x denser and contain 100x more biodiversity.

SUGi partnered with the Borough of Barking and Dagenham to build the largest Miyawaki Forest in the UK; designated as a national priority for urban regeneration. An ambitious coalition of civic and community leaders have come together to support the creation of a ‘Forest of Thanks’, for all the front liners and regular citizens who fought COVID-19. This visible affirmation and enduring legacy was planted as a symbol of hope & resilience.
This is just one of the case studies in our island Bio Spaces…open now at Roca London Gallery Come and see for yourselves…

Images: Forest of Thanks, courtesy of SUGi

12/06/2024

Maggie’s, a charity that provides support for people living with cancer, commissioned Heatherwick Studio to create its new centre on the campus of St James’s University Hospital in Leeds. It needed to be a welcoming place for visitors and to include a library, counselling rooms and informal seating areas.

Set in the midst of medical buildings, the site was one of the few green spaces left on the campus. This was preserved and accentuated by creating the structure out of the garden itself, raising up the planted surface. The centre is expressed as a grouping of large-scale planters of varying sizes. The base of each planter encloses a distinct private place for visitors to meet or spend time by themselves. The spaces between offer relaxed and approachable social spaces for group conversation and activities with the biomorphic interior architecture offering a respite from the clinical environment of the hospital.

Come and learn about this project and many other stunning examples of design at our Bio Spaces exhibition - open now at until September 30th.

Images:

06/06/2024

Our Bio-Spaces exhibition at Roca London Gallery showcases the best in nature-based design from around the world. On display in our island, you’ll find samples from

Clayworks Rammed Earth finishes mimic the historical use of local materials, creating intimacy and connection with the local landscape.
Made from 100% natural clays, minerals, sands and coloured with natural earth pigments, this surface material is able to achieve the feel of monolithic rammed earth. They can be created to replicate local geological conditions, to evoke cultural and ecological connections to place or vernacular architecture.
Rammed Earth plasters are compostable and are free from toxic ingredients, VOCs or formaldehyde. Their 10-millimetre thickness also helps to regulate humidity and temperature, as well as absorb toxins, odours and acoustics.

Come and see this and many more pioneering examples of at our Bio-Spaces exhibition - open now at . Entry is free.

Photos: Alex Treadway

05/06/2024

Have you ever seen anything like this?

Full Grown shape and graft living trees into useful shapes, starting with chairs. Using the trees as Zen 3D printers, whereby the tree is both the printer and material, much of the wasteful production associated with conventional manufacture is bypassed. Whilst growing the Chair Orchard also provides wildlife habitats – not many factories have birds and bees living in the production lines.

This project has been growing physically from 2006, but the seed of it was planted in Gavin Munro’s mind when, as a child, he noticed the silhouette of some overgrown bonsai trees looked like a throne. Since then design college, eco-building, making driftwood furniture highlighted the current wasteful systems and led to Full Grown taking root in the Derbyshire hills. Almost two decades later Grown Furniture has been exhibited worldwide, winning awards for reimagining the future with this subtle intervention to create the objects we need in collaboration with nature.

Full Grown is one of 70 companies showcasing their pioneering work in design at our Bio-Spaces exhibition open until September 30th Entry is free - come and see for yourself.

Photo credit: Chris Webb

10/06/2023

Ready and set for our ‘Dinner under the stars’ after day 2 of Planted Country at Stourhead.

What a beautiful setting for our dinner catered for by Tisbury-based chef Sam Rosen-Nash from Provenance.

The evening will be a dark sky friendly event.

10/06/2023

And that wraps up day 2 of our Cool design, sustainable futures talks.

Thank you to all our panellists, to our hosts and to everyone who came along to listen into these engaging discussions!

10/06/2023

Our Exploration of flow wellness workshop hosted by is starting in 10 minutes. Join us in the Cottage Garden at 12.

🧘‍♀️

10/06/2023

“We can’t have the diets we currently have in the UK and expect to restore nature. The maths doesn’t add up. We don’t have enough space “

- Siddarth Shrikanth (Case for Nature)

09/06/2023

Great first day at Planted. We’re open all weekend from 10am at Stourhead. Talks, workshops, food, design and nature. See you there…
Book tickets in advance via the link in our bio

27/05/2023

SAVE THE DATE
Planted Country in partnership with the National Trust at Stourhead.
9 - 11 June 2023

Three days of nature-based sustainable design.

Talks | Workshops | Design | Nature | Food

🍃 The only sustainable event showcasing nature-based design

🍃 Learn and be inspired by world-leading experts in environmentalism, food and design

🍃 Shop local from more than 40 nature-focused lifestyle brands

🍃 Eat seasonal food from purpose driven businesses

🍃 Join nature-based workshops and demonstrations

🍃 Immerse in nature

Book tickets in advance via the link in our bio.

Planted Country is free to attend for National Trust members and children. For Non-National Trust members, tickets are £7 in advance or £12 on the door. Purchased tickets for Planted Country will give Non-National Trust members access to the event only, including all the talks, workshops and demonstrations.

Address: Stourhead, near Mere, Wiltshire, BA12 6QD.

22/04/2023

Planted supports World Earth Day as we come together with other businesses and organisations in recognising the urgent need to shift our economies away from carbon-based consumption and towards more sustainable, circular systems of energy, food and material production.

Planted is proud support and promote environmentally focused organisations who share our vision of a more sustainable, climate positive future in which nature and human being can thrive together.

We will focus discussions around climate change at our next Planted event at Stourhead 9 - 11 June 2023.

Happy from us.

13/03/2023

MEET THE TEAM - Co-founder Sam Peters

An award-winning journalist and media campaigner, Sam has written for The Guardian, Independent, Voice, Mirror, Sunday Times and authored three books. In 2019 Sam swapped his life travelling the world covering sport to work full-time on Planted, promoting his true love of nature.

- Why do you believe Planted is so relevant?

You only have to look around every day at the damage we are causing to our environment through the pollution we are pouring into our rivers, and the plastic waste which seems to be mounting up all the time.

Last year in the UK we had 40 degree heat for the first time in recorded history, while insect life and biodiversity seems to decline every year. If that isn't a good enough reason to commit every part of your life to improving our children's future than I don't know what is.

- Which brands do you admire the most?

At the event, I love the concept behind Sedum Green Roof because it speaks of a design process which we want to promote when nature is considered both beautiful, functional and necessary. Outside the event, I love the way Finnistre have set themselves up as a business that cares not only about how people look but how their business impacts on both people and planet. In that respect any business which has achieved B-Corp certification seems to be on the right track.

- Where is your happy place in nature?

Dinton Park, National Trust property near to where we live. There's a bench at the top looking over the valley. It feels like your away from everything surrounded by woods and trees with spectacular views looking back towards Salisbury Cathedral. My other favourite place is Underhill Wood, located on the Wiltshire/Dorset border. 16 acres of land has been transformed into a beautiful nature reserve.

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27/02/2023

WHAT IS PLANTED?
As part of our get to know us series, here is some background on what is Planted.

Planted is the first contemporary design event and media platform promoting nature-based businesses and organisations.

Based on the principles of biophilic design and working in partnership with some of the UK’s leading designers, architects, food suppliers and sustainability experts, Planted connects brands, businesses and citizens seeking to restore nature’s balance and turn the tide on climate change.

At Planted we work only with brands and businesses who place nature and sustainability at their core.

Through sustainable events and media activations, staged at iconic UK venues, we aim to educate, inspire and inform a community of designers, nature-lovers, environmental campaigners looking to effect positive environmental and societal change, whilst building the commercial case for nature.

Our Next event, Planted Country, in partnership with the , is on Friday 9th - Sunday 11th of June at in Wiltshire, and we will be announcing some of our headline speakers next month.

24/02/2023

MEET THE TEAM - We've had several new followers recently, and thought this would be a good time to reintroduce the team behind Planted. So we're starting with co-founder Deborah Spencer.

Described as the “godmother of design” by the Evening Standard after launching the award-winning designjunction in 2010, Deborah has worked in the design and events industry for more than 20 years, working with some of the world’s leading design brands where she developed a strong interest in sustainability.

• Why do you believe Planted is so relevant?

Planted is built around the principles of biophilic design and it’s never been more important for us to understand how to truly integrate, enable and regenerate nature into every aspect of our work and home lives. People are desperately trying to understand how to deliver cleaner, greener, healthier spaces and hopefully Planted will help them on this journey. We need to make the commercial case for nature if we’re to stand a chance of averting the climate emergency.

• Which brand do you admire most?

So many incredible brands have shown at Planted, I feel personally connected to the furniture brands Another Country, Benchmark and Matthew Burt as well as Out of the Valley’s beautifully-crafted cabin. Other brands and businesses I admire in terms of how they’ve set up their company, how they treat their people and the integrity of their products include Patagonia, Finisterre and Vestre. I also admire the National Trust, who we work in partnership with. They are doing some amazing work to leverage positive environmental and societal change through their huge estates in the UK.

• Where’s your happy place in nature?

Close to home, I love Grovely Wood, one of the largest woodlands in southern Wiltshire, where I can go and immerse myself in nature. I also love to spend time at Stourhead, where we host Planted Country, beautiful gardens and a stunning lakeside surround it.

21/12/2022

Sprigster

Sprigster is a delicious alternative to a G&T or alcoholic aperitif.

Sprigster's vibrant flavour combinations are rooted in their three-acre kitchen garden in Wiltshire, where a regenerative approach to food production drives the crafting of sustainable drinks with provenance.

Their fusion is a slow-cooked grain vinegar mash of Hops, Fennel Seeds, Ginger and Rhubarb, blended with an Apple reduction and local spring water. This non-alcoholic recipe preserves the benefits of the whole fruits, spice and herbaceous tannins in the drinks by remaining 100% natural, with zero additional sugar, glycerine or flavours. Prices start from £15 and we would recommend the sparkling botanical infusion.

21/12/2022

Bambuu Brush

Bambuu Brush is on a mission to educate, inspire and empower people to make simple changes away from low-grade plastic to combat plastic waste through purposeful products and educational programmes globally.

To date they have sold over 3,010,456 Bambuu Brushes, and by making one simple switch you can help them continue to drive change.

20/12/2022

Winter, spring, summer and autumn facial oils sit at the core of the ebo range. Matching skincare to the seasons helps to meet our skin's fluctuating needs at different times of the year and keeps us in sync with nature.

Their formulations centre on essential beauty oils that work with your own skin science to stabilise natural oil production, as well as uplift your mood with aromatherapy scents. We would recommend using their Nutri-glow universal balm.

20/12/2022

Sip & Smile

Compostable, caffeine-free, plastic-free herbal teas made using 100% pure herbs, flowers, and spices with no added natural ingredients. And all of their teas are sourced from ethical farms.

Their teas harness the goodness that plants have to offer with great taste. We highly recommend their uplifting Rise and Shine blend or Berry Restored, a fruity blend of nutrient-rich herbs.

19/12/2022

Another Country

Another Country encompasses the concept of the Natural Home, where furniture is designed to improve well-being and is made with materials that are healthy to live with and kind to the environment.

Following the principles of Biophilic Design and the WELL™ Building Institute, they believe that humans have an innate need to connect with nature for their wellbeing. The Natural Home aims to bring toxin-free products, natural materials and nature-friendly textures, colours and patterns to our indoor environment for a healthier home and a happier you.

19/12/2022

Monty & Co.

Monty & Co. are a sustainable, slow-fashion brand offering lasting value. Producing mainly children’s clothes, the aesthetic is influenced by utility and British heritage. All the garments are made with hardwearing fabric from 100% natural fibres, allowing a garment to get better and softer with age, washing and wear.

Monty & Co are part of a growing circular fashion movement, whereby clothing is reused and passed on for as long as possible. In 2018 they established their Loved initiative which incentivises people to send their pre-loved clothes back to Monty & Co. for resale with 10% of the sale price going to The Fashion and Textiles Children’s Trust.

18/12/2022

Niwaki

Niwaki makes some of the most exquisitely crafted gardening implements, from gardening tools to handy household accessories, almost entirely made by Japanese artisans.

Named after the Japanese word for 'garden trees', the UK-based company specialise in sourcing products ideal for the modern home. Their collection is perfect for green-fingered and novice gardeners alike.
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18/12/2022

Cult Jar

Cult Jar produces a delicious range of ferments, pickles and seasoning all handmade by experienced chefs in their specialist kitchen at Worminster Farm, Somerset.

While the fresh produce used in the jars is local, their recipes and food preservation techniques combine traditional and classic ideas with some more contemporary and international approaches. They include Japanese and Nordic-style pickles with cultured Salvadoran slaw, Thai curry and Korean kimchi.

At Worminster Farm, the team have created two extensive ‘no-dig’ gardens where they grow specialist vegetables, fruits and herbs.

17/12/2022

LSA

LSA work closely with the most skilled craftsmen to produce authentic, beautifully designed products which enhance our modern environment. Thoughtfully designed and responsibly made from recycled materials, their pieces are made to last and can be recycled at the end of their lifetime.

Shop their festive favourites from champagne flutes, wine glasses and vases to whisky decanters, candle holders, and cheese boards.

17/12/2022

Voyloks

Voyloks are the boots you didn't know you needed and about the most sustainable you can get!

Voyloks are a modern take on a Russian valenki - a traditional boot handcrafted from just wool and hot water. That's it, that's all. Throw on the removable rubber overshoes (in either red or black) and head off into any adventure - from forest-bathing to cold-water swimming, to even just putting your rubbish out at home.

16/12/2022

Goldfinger

Social enterprise Goldfinger has partnered with Selfridges to launch the Graze collection, a range of sustainable serve ware made from waste timber sourced from felled trees.

Part of the range is the Modern serving board, handcrafted from sycamore wood and carved into a smooth, angled shape that highlights the natural grain and textures of the lumber – perfect for parties and presenting nibbles. Oh, and the best part? You can find the GPS coordinates of where the original sapling once stood on the underside.

Prices start from £100
design

16/12/2022

FOLDE

FOLDE is a beautifully presented bookshop and gallery in Dorset that combines the best of classic and contemporary nature writing, Dorset art and traditional craft to help you reconnect with nature and inspire you to find your way to make a positive contribution to our planet.

We would highly recommend the following books: Divide by Anna Jones, The Book of Trespass by Nick Hayes, Hope in Hell by Jonathon Porritt and Rewild by Nick Baker all available through FOLDE.

15/12/2022

Snow Sheppard

Set up by design duo Stephen Sheppard and Elizabeth Snow, the company create simple plyware with a paired-back aesthetic.

They offer a range of sustainably made, thoughtful, open-ended playthings and decor, alongside functional objects for the home. All their products are made from natural materials which are sustainably sourced and produced. They also aim to reduce their footprint by using 100% recyclable or recycled packaging.

15/12/2022

Bramley x Teddy's Wish

This is one of our favourite natural beauty brands which captures the essence of the beautiful English countryside. They recently collaborated with Teddy’s Wish on a new wave of light candle to mark baby loss awareness week. With 100% of profits being donated to this incredible charity, that funds research into the causes of baby loss and provides bereavement support for grieving families, it's the gift which keeps on giving.

This beautiful candle features notes of lavender, yarrow and chamomile made using 100% natural wax from sustainable and renewable sources and can be purchased for £28.

14/12/2022

As the year draws to a close, we would like to say a huge thank you to the Planted community for supporting us in 2022.

It’s been another challenging year for UK businesses, but we were incredibly humbled by the energy, enthusiasm and support we received as we launched Planted Country in partnership with the National Trust in April and ran Planted Cities at King’s Cross, London in September for the third time.

With plans to return to Stourhead from 9 - 11 June 2023, for the second edition of Planted Country, we will be announcing more details early in the New Year, as well as other exciting developments as we continue to showcase beautiful brands today which improve our tomorrow.

If you’re looking for inspiration this Christmas and for brands who place nature at the heart of their business, then follow our Instagram feed as we post some of our favourite brands over the next seven days.

Season's greetings and a very happy new year from all of us at Planted.

📷 Ellis Reed

01/11/2022

Latest article by Max Fraser: Time to champion our regeneration generation (link in bio)

Design journalist and environmental enthusiast Max Fraser’s latest piece for Planted discusses the need for a cultural shift in our attitude to food and to start championing our regeneration generation.

"For all of the technical and scientific prowess that humans have pioneered, I would suggest we need to enter a new era of humility, where we put our hands up and confess to the unintended yet harmful consequences born from our relentless march for progress. In so doing, we should leave our egos at the door, admit our wrongs and our knowledge gaps, mute the shareholders and elevate our citizens." Here’s to the regeneration generation!

Image above shows regenerative system of growing in Suffolk

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Website

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Videos

“Farming for All” - this enlightening panel discussion from the “Save our Soil” talks at Planted Country looks at the long and bumpy road towards regenerative farming and the market forces which squeeze farmers’ margins, damaging the environment and local communities. We were lucky enough to be joined by Anna Jones (BBC Countryfile and author of Divide), Tim Martin (Farm Wilder) and Jo Oborn (FWAG SouthWest) “The fundamental problem [with farming] is cheap food and farmers being forced to produce food more cheaply, and what’s been squeezed is the environment and sustainable soils. "Everything comes back to farming. It’s amazing how little attention we pay to it given it is so critical to diet, obesity, everything! We just take farmers and food for granted. But I am positive and I think there is a revolution happening...I think more and more people are waking up to what we’ve done through farming but also what we can do.” (Tim Martin) You can watch the full talk on our YouTube channel, Planted_Unearthed. Details of our upcoming talks programme at Planted Cities, Kings Cross London from 23-24 September can be found on our website with further details coming shortly. #saveoursoil #regenerativefarming #farmingforall #sustainablefarming #biodiversity

We spoke to Lucy Barfoot, founder of @coconut.and.cotton at Planted Country about her company and what we can all do to make more sustainable choices. Coconut & Cotton inspire and educate people to change their consumption habits by selling beautifully designed plastic-free products. After traveling and seeing the impact that plastic has on the earth, Lucy started to make the personal changes to her purchasing habits. Lucy’s advice to anyone who would like to become plastic free: “Starting on a plastic free way can be difficult, especially when you have a backlog of plastic products to use up. Try to reuse, donate or recycle the plastic that is holding you back. Make the changes as it suits you and support the brands who are committed to reducing waste.” Coconut & Cotton’s blog is full of useful tips on plastic-free living. You can watch the full interview with Lucy on our Planted_Unearthed YouTube channel. #plasticfree #shopsustainable #ethical #sustainable #reduceyourplastic #plantedcountry

Planted only works with partners who place nature and the environment at the heart of their business, seeking design solutions to environmental challenges. This was very much the theme our “Design for Nature” panel discussion at Planted Country where we were joined by Samantha Bunyan Cecence, Paul De Zwart Another Country and Bill Amberg Bill Amberg Studio. The discussion gave hope of a new generation of designers motivated by environmental concerns, who are looking to their local environment for inspiration. Our speakers talked about their own material choices and how sourcing locally and sustainably has influenced their designs. Here Paul De Zwart talks about his aim for Another Country being a sustainable brand in the furniture industry from the outset. The full talk is available on our Planted_Unearthed YouTube channel. #designfornature #earthmatters #locallysourced #sustainabledesign #provenance