Jayne, a trained horticulturalist and garden designer, saw a gap in the marketplace for an instant method of filling your garden with colourful flowers. She came up with the simple but ingenious Grobox: dig a hole, add water and the box does the rest. Jayne received her award from the British Female Inventors and Innovators Network (BFIIN) at a ceremony at the Guildhall in London on Tues 21 February.
 | | Plant a box and get a garden |
The BFIIN Awards were established in 1999 to recognise female inventors for their achievements and to provide inspiration for women seeking to turn their unique ideas into reality. They're supported by the Department for Trade & Industry (DTI). Jayne was nominated after winning a public vote on Richard Hammond's 5 O'Clock show on ITV in January 2006. Congratulations! What was it like being awarded the British Female Innovator for 2006? "The whole day was fantastic! There were 60 female inventors and innovators from all over the sectors. The judging panel was 12 judges who were distinguished CEO's in the field. And I was interviewed 12 times. It's a great honour to get this award and it puts female inventors in the North West firmly on the map!! Let's hope we can encourage those budding women out there." Where did your idea for the GROBOX come from? "Through teaching, I needed to create a gardening product that everyone could use regardless of age and ability. We started out with an eggbox for blind pupils so they could plant small bulbs like snowdrops. The idea grew into an instant flowering garden with scent or fruit. The concept was: just plant a box and get a garden. We then thought it would be a good garden gift!" How does it work? | "It's a great honour... it puts female inventors in the North West firmly on the map!! Let's hope we can encourage those budding women out there" | | Jayne Lawton, inventor |
"The Box is made of special organic clay and recycled pulped board. Inside the box plants are spaced with a soil conditioner and arranged in order of correct planting size and depth. As the box is planted the plants are selected to flower at the appropriate period. The box biodegrades in the soil improving the soil and keeping the plants warm to ensure early flowering. The plants then flower in a multilayered display providing a blaze of colour to your garden, pot tub of in memory of a loved one." So is this aimed at lazy gardeners? "Yes, or for anyone with a busy life who appreciates colour in the garden. The Memories Grobox is aimed for people who have lost a loved one and have a flower every month to remind them of special times." What's your background in gardening? "I'm a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) qualified Horticultural Lecturer who has taught all ages and all abilities and currently works as a garden designer." You've marketed the GROBOX as a business idea. How is it going? "Its fantastic! We have patented the process, patented the design and just been granted our Trademark. Our sales are on the increase so fingers crossed, 2006 is a good year." Have you had any business grants to nurture your enterprise? "Sadly eligible for loads of grants but not received any as the money had always run out. A small website grant has been allocated to us." How does your own garden grow? "I love unusual plants, herbs, veg and fruit; my garden is very much a low maintenance garden with lots of wildlife." You've got two children. Do they enjoy gardening too? "Yes, I've got two boys, Ben and Daniel. They love eating the fruits of their labour!" It must be difficult to plan a new business and be a mum at the same time? "It is hard work but it's good fun: the key to an easier working life is if you love your work it's not to much of a strain. Although we have premises and office space in Manchester, we have spent a large part working from home. The boys are incredibly excited by the success of the business and by understanding the invention process. I’m incredibly lucky as my family are fantastic; I have great friends if I need support." What else do you manage to cram into your busy life? "I am designing some community gardens for the people of Reddish; this is an area where groups can come to enjoy the plants, paint, and draw. We will have a café and be setting up a Gardening/ Arts Centre to improve the quality of life for many. We are working in conjunction with businesses, community groups, schools, colleges and the LEA. We all run for Stockport Harriers raising money for local charities so we keep ourselves really fit so we can fit lots of things in a day. I run Half Marathons and Marathons for the British Lung Foundation for Lung Cancer. The London Marathon is coming up so wish me luck." Good luck! Any other inventions in the pipeline? "Yes! I’ll keep you posted." | 
