Tony Blake first dreamt about creating a wildlife area on St Peter's Garden Centre back in 2012... Last year, his son Will, now the MD, began to make this a reality. Read more - open to all

Dobbies has announced plans for a second store in Northern Ireland, at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park.  A public consultation will commence in the coming weeks. Read more - members only

Dobbies Garden Centres, announces the next two little dobbies stores that will open this year: Chiswick High Road and Westbourne Grove. Read more - members only

MD, Richard Hopkins, has announced the successful completion of a management buy-out (MBO) of Fargro Ltd backed by  private equity partner Ashridge Capital. Read more - members only

Market leading pressure sprayer manufacturer, Kärcher, is introducing professional landscape management tools to its range: a chainsaw, brush cutter, hedge trimmer... Read more - open to all

Accounts from Frosts Garden Centre covering the first lock down, show a drop in sales and profit, but a strong increase in cash at the bank.  Employee numbers also fell. Read more - members only

Local reports confirm that Leeds City Council is recommending that plans for Tong’s proposed big new garden centre are approved next week. Read more - members only

Glazebury based Bents Garden & Home has been presented with two Covid secure accreditations which it hopes will help visitors to feel safe and welcome at the family owned and run centre. Read more - open to all

The Pot Company has written to customers to say prices have increased by 10% across all ranges due to higher shipping and raw material costs. Read more - members only

It is confirmed that Dobbies is to take over Johnsons of Boston, in Lincolnshire and will assume control on Monday 18^th April. Read more - members only

Smart Garden Products came 74^th in the Sunday Times Profit Track 100 which charts the UK’s private companies with the fastest growing profits. Read more - open to all

Homebase has announced a trial with Next, opening six garden centres in Next stores, today, 12^th April. Read more - members only

Squire’s Garden Centres reports a drop in profits for the year covering the first Coronavirus lockdown but believe this is a very good result, given the events of 2020. Read more - members only

The British Association of Landscape Industries has unveiled its new look ahead of its 50^th year in business in 2022,  dropping the BALI acronym and the term Registered Members. Read more - members only

Dobbies’ spring advertising campaign highlights the impact gardening can have on your wellbeing, no matter the size of your indoor or outdoor gardening space. Read more - members only

The doubling of weather-related sales in the last quarter and growth of ecommerce has powered B&Q to record sales.  However, Kingfisher is planning for lower sales this autumn. Read more - members only

Blue Diamond results for 2020, a year dominated by Covid, show sales up 11% to £210m and a 64% jump in profit before tax to £23.5m. Read more - members only

Marshalls, the stone and concrete specialist, reports strong sales in the last 4 months.  Trading continues to improve and order books are currently strong. Read more - members only

There is caution among independent garden centres over the reopening of inside catering, which is likely to be permitted from 17^th May, while there's social distancing. Read more - members only

Dobbies today opens its 71st store. Previously Johnsons Garden Centre, the store has undergone a refurbishment following its acquisition and closure 2 weeks ago. Read more - members only

Phase two, which will further enhance the destination experience enjoyed by customers, follows the opening of the modern and spacious new restaurant, restored woodland nature walk and a show garden which have opened over the past two years. Read more - open to all

Sales jumped over the first lockdown at T&M, Hozelock and Crocus.  Others in this report which is open to all include Stewarts, Dobbies, Rosebourne, Tong and The Greener Gardening Company. Read more - open to all

The management of garden furniture specialist EKJU has completed a MBO as AMATA in what it calls turbulent times.  Demand is high and there’s a shortage of raw materials. Read more - members only

Hillier opens at Syon Park later this week, drawing on the nursery and garden centre group’s Chelsea and plant heritage to become a destination for London gardeners.  Read more - members only

Hyve Group is to launch the Spring & Autumn Fair Online Marketplace, enabling the wholesale home, gift, and fashion business to trade throughout the year. Read more - members only

LATEST UPDATE RE: Longacres was forced to close its Shepperton Garden Centre at lunchtime today as a large fire blazed on neighbouring industrial land. Read more - members only

Nicholas Marshall, now chief executive of the Country House Group, looks set to return to garden retailing if, as expected, a lease is signed to take over the plant centre at Lavershot Barns. Read more - members only

Blue Diamond and The Soil Association aim to break down any perceived barriers to gardening in an organic and more nature friendly way  Read more - open to all

EnviroBuild Materials Ltd is moving warehousing and logistics to champions of sustainability, Howard Tenens Logistics - a bold step towards becoming a carbon-neutral company. Read more - members only

California Gardens, a large garden centre at Howden in East Yorkshire, has been acquired by the owners of Ellerker Lodge Garden Centre near Brough, who plan significant investment. Read more - members only