Frank P Matthews Launches Immersion Initiative for Wholesale Customers

Frank P Matthews, is excited to introduce its new Work Placement Immersion Initiative. This program is tailored specifically for wholesale customers, particularly garden centres, to offer an immersive learning experience that enhances knowledge and practical skills in tree production and care. The initiative is designed to address the growing demand for knowledgeable staff who can offer expert advice and services to customers.

Program Overview:

The Immersion Initiative is a week-long program (Monday-Friday) that provides participants with the chance to dive deeply into the various aspects of tree growing and production. The program is flexible and can be tailored to meet the specific needs and interests of the participating business. Whether you want your team to focus on a particular area of tree production or get a broad overview of several processes, experiences can be customised accordingly.

Duration and Structure: The program runs for one week, ensuring that participants have ample time to engage with all the learning opportunities available. To maintain a high-quality experience and ensure personalised attention, the program is limited to a maximum of two participants at a time.

Accommodation: To support the immersive experience, we will offer on-site accommodation, allowing participants to stay close to the nursery and fully engage in the program without the distraction of travel.

Areas of Focus:

• Participants can choose to focus on one or more of the following areas to immerse themselves in, depending on their interests and the needs of their garden centre:
• Propagation: Gain hands-on experience in the techniques used to propagate a wide variety of tree species, from seeds and cuttings to grafting and budding. Learn about the conditions needed for successful propagation and how to manage young plants to ensure strong growth.
• Bare Root Production: Explore the process of growing trees in open fields before they are harvested and prepared for sale as bare-root trees. This includes understanding soil management, pest control, and the timing of lifting and storing bare-root trees.
• Container Production: Discover the intricacies of growing trees in containers, from selecting the right compost mix to managing watering and feeding regimes. Participants will also learn about the different types of containers used and how to optimise tree health and growth in a containerised environment.
• Dispatch: Learn about the logistics of preparing trees for dispatch, including packaging, labelling, and ensuring that trees are in the best possible condition when they reach the customer. This area of focus is particularly important for ensuring customer satisfaction and minimising losses during transportation.
• Retail & Long-Term Product Presentation: Get insights into the best practices for displaying trees in a retail environment to maximise sales. This includes understanding the aesthetics of tree presentation, how to maintain tree health in a garden centre setting, and how to advise customers on the best trees for their needs.

Year-Round Availability:

One of the standout features of the Immersion Initiative is its year-round availability. This means that participants can experience the full range of seasonal activities that are critical to successful tree production. Whether it’s winter pruning, spring planting, summer watering, or autumn harvesting, participants will leave with a comprehensive understanding of the tree production cycle.

How to Apply:

Wholesale customers interested in participating in the Immersion Initiative are encouraged to apply by emailing enquiries@fpmatthews.co.uk. Given the program’s limited capacity, early booking is recommended to secure a spot.

The Immersion Initiative highlights our resolute commitment to supporting its wholesale customers by offering them the tools and knowledge they need to succeed. By providing this immersive, hands-on experience, Frank P Matthews is helping garden centres across the UK elevate their expertise and, ultimately, their sales.