Good news for green-fingered Borderers

However, not all their services are available, and social distancing measures will be in place.

Mayfield Garden Centre in Kelso was back open on Friday, with social distancing in place in store, and is only allowing a limited number of people in the store at one time.

The store’s coffee shop remains closed.

Plants can be bought in store, which can be taken away or delivered later.

A spokesperson said: “We’re still trying to sort out a system where we can get stock out to people who are shielding.

“We’ve been doing quite steady trade since we reopened, but the queues haven’t been too bad.”

Milestone in Newtown St Boswells is open from 10am-5pm, seven days a week, and the store’s automated phone message says it has implemented the “highest standards for social distancing” and it offers deliveries through its website www.milestonegardencentre.com

It’s offering summer essentials such as bedding and basket plants and hanging pots.

For smaller establishments, such as Lowood Nursery near Melrose, it’s a bit more difficult to socially distance customers.

Therefore, that establishment has implemented an appointment system for customers.

Lowood’s Barry Templeton said: “We’re opening by appointment, because we want it to be safe for everyone, and being a little nursery, it’s not possible to put lines on the floor and keep people two metres apart.

“We just can’t take the risk of allowing too many people in at once.

“So we are open, but we are asking people to kindly make an appointment by calling us on 01896 750527 or emailing [email protected]

“We have some nice, hardy nursery stock. We’re almost sold out on bedding plants and hanging baskets, but we can still make up orders for those for customers.

“Customers can also book appointments for garden design and deliveries are available.”