IT was a simple idea to make gardening accessible to all, but one which has sprouted to world-wide success.

East Riding-based company Higrow has already taken orders from popular TV shopping channel QVC and dispatched goods to Japan.

Now, it has been asked to supply the world-famous Eden Project, in Cornwall, with their Sticklebags – a twist on the traditional growbag.

Invented by Robin Rose, who runs the company with his wife Margaret, the Sticklebag comes complete with compost and canes.

It offers everyone the chance to grow tall vegetables, such as runner beans, even in the smallest of spaces.

Another product from the company, based in Beeford, near Driffield, is the Higrow Station – a compact mini-garden for children and people with limited mobility.

Higrow has also developed Sproutapouch, a micro-greenhouse to grow vegetables such as salad shoots, red cabbage and broccoli on window sills in just six days.

The designs, which have put Higrow in the spotlight, were launched at the Glee exhibition at the NEC, in Birmingham, last September.

As well as bringing innovation to the industry, Higrow is proving small businesses can thrive – even in a recession.

Mr Rose, who designed furniture for 25 years before starting Higrow, said: "We were thrilled when the Eden Project agreed to stock Higrow product.

"It means we can now reach a much wider audience who are keen on gardening and growing their own food.

"We know lots of families visit the Eden Project and they will be able to buy our products in their shop.

"This is a key market for us as we are keen on the educational side and encouraging children to understand where their food comes from."

The Eden Project comprises domes that house plant species from around the world, with each dome emulating a natural biome.

Initially, the Eden Project has asked for 200 Sticklebags in a contract worth several thousand pounds.

Mrs Rose, a social services manager in Lincolnshire before the couple moved to East Yorkshire five years ago, said: "My husband has always been inventing things and is a keen gardener.

"His ideas have been based on things he used in the garden, which he thought he could make better.

"The ideas have evolved gradually.

"When we moved to East Yorkshire we could see things were changing economically and that people were not spending money on hand-made furniture, so we decided to look into developing some of Robin's ideas.

"It has exceeded expectations. I think the news about the Eden Project is the proudest and biggest achievement to date.

"It is very prestigious and everyone has heard of the Eden Project."

The company has also received a letter of support from Sarah Brown, the wife of Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Despite the recent success, Mr and Mrs Rose, also helped by their daughters Emily and Alice and a small workforce, have no time to celebrate.

Mrs Rose explained: "We are looking to expand in a few months time and have just taken on three more staff for quality control and packing.

"We hope to continue producing new products and hopefully increasing the amount of local staff we employ."