Vasco Pyrrait, Forestry Engineer, after two years in charge of Green Areas Maintenance in the Estoril, Cascais and Sintra area, was invited to take on the role of Garden Manager at Quinta da Eira, a challenge he welcomed with great enthusiasm.
Vasco Pyrrait saw his return to the Horto do Campo Grande Group, about two years ago, after an experience abroad, as a homecoming, and this new role, to which he has been challenged, is seen as recognition for the work he has done and an opportunity, since “this garden, due to its location, size and offer, reminds everyone who visits it of an experience of well-being, a potential that we must explore and that makes this challenge a particularly attractive and stimulating project”.
How would you describe the Quinta da Eira garden?
Covering around 20,000 square metres, the garden has a vast outdoor and indoor exhibition area. In the outdoor area, you’ll find large trees and a diversity of plants that aren’t always easy to find in other spaces of this kind. The greenhouse and covered area are home to indoor plants, pots, decorative items, furniture and a comprehensive display of Weber brand products, which is renewed every season. One of the advantages of the garden, due to the area it occupies, is precisely that it allows a vast quantity of plants to be displayed, but also that it has a qualified team that, on a daily basis, preserves and cares for the space and the plants in an appropriate manner, something that not all gardens are able to guarantee.
We favour national suppliers, but whenever necessary we turn to international suppliers, mainly Dutch and Italian, always with the aim of providing unique and differentiating species. In a highly competitive sector, differentiation always involves offering quality plants and an adequate service, both in terms of customer care and complementary services in terms of design and construction, as well as maintenance of green spaces.
What options are available in terms of substrates?
Because we belong to the Horto do Campo Grande group, we are able to offer our own brand products, namely substrates that meet different needs, from solutions that are richer in organic matter, such as BIO Substrates, to more affordable options, such as Universal Substrates, allowing customers to purchase a quality product at a competitive price. There are also lighter substrates, suitable for balconies or other specific applications, offering a very complete range adapted to different requirements.
Does the garden also offer outdoor decoration items?
It’s true, in addition to plants and gardening products, there is a strong focus on outdoor decoration, offering elements such as decorative stones, fountains and various statuary. These are unique pieces, often difficult to find elsewhere, made by partners who guarantee quality and exclusivity.
We know that garden maintenance is an essential service. How does it work?
The maintenance department has grown, with several mobile teams working mainly in this area with private clients. Many of these clients are foreigners who have chosen Portugal to live in, or people with holiday homes in the region, where the gardens require regular, specialised and quality monitoring, which the competition is often unable to guarantee.
What specific maintenance services are available?
In addition to basic maintenance services such as grass cutting, weeding, pruning, planting, among others, more complex interventions are carried out, such as pruning at height using lifting cranes. This is a service that sets Horto do Campo Grande apart in the market, allowing it to respond to needs that many smaller companies are unable to fulfil. The team’s experience also proves essential in combating pests that affect gardens, such as the lawn bug, which can jeopardise the health of green spaces.
Is plant hire for events a service that the Quinta da Eira garden intends to develop?
The hire of plants and decorative elements for events is a business opportunity that has not yet been explored here at the Quinta da Eira garden. The proximity of venues such as the Estoril Congress Centre, the Casino, the Autodrome and the Equestrian Centre paves the way for this. The experience that Horto do Campo Grande already has in this area demonstrates its potential, especially because of the existing structure, which allows it to offer an agile and efficient service.
From your perspective, what are Quinta da Eira’s main challenges?
The size of the space is also a challenge, it needs daily maintenance and constant attention from the staff. I was welcomed by the team and everyone was willing to do their best to revitalise the space and make it even more attractive. The presence of animals such as macaws, swans and peacocks gives it a special atmosphere, ideal for family visits. However, it is essential to improve the conditions and create new dynamics. The partnership with Weber will be a key element in this renovation, with the creation of a Weber Store and a Weber Academy, where customers will be able to learn how to use and make the most of the grills, whether they are charcoal, gas or electric, and take advantage of all the features that this excellent equipment offers.
What message would you like to leave the Quinta da Eira team?
Nothing is built alone. The team is essential to the success of the project. Right from the start, I felt the strong commitment that everyone showed, which I appreciate. We have established a relationship of respect, closeness and collaboration between everyone, which has already begun to bear fruit.
Customer loyalty depends largely on the service and involvement of the team. Customers are increasingly knowledgeable and demanding, so only excellent service will keep them loyal. Loyalty requires continuous work and a lot of dedication, because a relationship of trust takes a long time to build, but can be lost in an instant. Since I took over, I’ve organised regular meetings to align objectives with the team and ensure that everyone is involved in the project. The motivation and spirit of initiative are visible, which gives me even more strength to push ahead with the changes. Creating a positive working environment not only improves productivity, but also reflects the mission of Horto do Campo Grande, where contact with nature and plants has a positive impact on well-being. The aim is for everyone, from employees to customers, to feel part of this space and its growth.
