2016 saw second tier garden centre chains and independents invest as Wyevale consolidated. Homebase and Argos are sold. The HTA moved offices and moved to become the lead association for all gardening related businesses. Glyphosate, Xylella and the weather made frequent headlines. Scotts and Bayer looked for a way out of distributing consumer garden chemicals. Read our review – open to all. Read more - open to all

Lovania has teamed up with Floramedia to create a mobile website to aid plant buyers with information and images while shopping the plant area. Read more - members only

Once estranged, The HTA and GCA plant a tree at the new HTA Hub to show that they are more together than for many years. While the GIMA president has joined the HTA board.  Read more - members only

Stewarts Garden Centres have today bought Abbey Garden Centre in Titchfield, making it 3 in the group. Martin Stewart said he was thrilled. Read more - members only

T&M revealed a sharp improvement in performance in its latest accounts, crediting more efficient operations along with a shift away from traditional catalogues to the web. Read more - members only

It is widely reported that Dunelm has bought WS Group the online retailer of home and garden in what seems to involve a pre-pack deal. Read more - members only

15 fire engines took 5 hours to control a major fire at Ansell Garden Centre on Sunday. Read more - members only

Garden and DIY wholesaler, Decco, has been given the largest ever fine for a local authority prosecution after a worker died following a fall at one of its depots. Read more - members only

Richard Jackson, the gardening guru on QVC, asked why many garden brands ignore QVC when so many famous brands in other sectors sell through it. Read more - members only

Scotts-Miracle Gro continues to look at ways to exit Europe and hopes of a final answer in the near future. UK sales were hit by the closure of Solus. Read more - members only

Radnor Estates that own Folkestone garden centre have served notice on Wyevale having won planning consent to use the site for residential use. Read more - members only

Gillam says the new pricing, marketing and operational strategies within Homebase is achieving results in line with plans.  Read more - members only

Rosebourne has started trading at Weyhill, near Andover. Its first garden centre has opened its doors prior to its official opening this Saturday, the 22^nd October 2016.   Read more - members only

Sainsbury’s will introduce Argos digital concessions to more than 20 additional stores by Christmas, bringing the total number to over 30. Read more - members only

Paris Natar says at last he has found the right opportunity as Smart Garden agrees terms to buy the Chapelwood wild bird care business from Scotts. Read more - members only

Phillippa Stubbs tells how British Garden Centres group in the North East is strengthening management and controls now that it is a £26m, 10 garden centre group. Read more - members only

Wilko tells suppliers, “We’ve lost touch over recent years.” Now, “We want to create more of an open door policy.” Read more - members only

Blue Diamond has today taken over Coton Orchard garden centre in Cambridge from Sevenoaks based Polhill. Read more - members only

The enforcement dispute between Wokingham District Council and Hare Hatch Sheeplands seems set for the long run after a Council debate that was called a farce by owners of the garden centre. Read more - members only

Hillier crowned Eastbourne their Garden Centre of the year. They named Meon Valley Nurseries, Westland and Bramblecrest as their best suppliers but warned that any price increases would be resisted. Read more - members only

As Bob Hewitt retires and David Yardley takes over they explain the under-the-radar changes at Klondyke since Bob Gault died in 2011. Read more - members only

Frosts at Woburn Sands and Notcutts at Norwich are completing £multi-million developments in time for Christmas. Read more - members only

B&M is delighted with last year’s new stores, including the significant number of larger, former DIY stores that have garden centres. Read more - members only

Wyevale has offered Gardening Club members a sneek peek at its long awaited new website, which launches very soon. Read more - members only

Bheta hears there will be 10 pilot Bunnings Warehouse stores by the end of next year, starting with St Albans, and there will be fewer direct imports. Read more - members only

Latest results on Gardenforum show growth in 2015 for garden centres like Otter Nurseries, Polhill, West Country Garden Centres and Woodthorpe Hall.  Sales declined for two suppliers of garden machinery. Read more - members only

Scotsdales has held a public exhibition showing the proposed development of 250 homes on its garden centre at Fordham Read more - members only

Doveley’s Garden Centre, which is leased by the Home & Garden group, starts a massive 3 day closing down sale on Friday. Read more - members only

A chance meeting with Olympic cyclists, The Apple and Cider fair at Eggesford and houses planned for a former Wyevale garden centre are among the regional headlines this week. Read more - members only

The latest company results to be updated on Gardenforum include strong growth from A&E Leisure, Europlants and A. Mir & Co, plus figures from Alton Garden Centre, Pennell’s Holdings, Haskins and The Millbrook Garden Company. Read more - members only