Next says it has identified 19 sites where it hopes to open mini-department stores. A number of these will have garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

Grafted plants look set to change the way tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are grown at home. The first stocks from Suttons are being delivered this week to over 500 garden centres. Gardeners seem happy to pay the premium price. See more... Read more - members only

Dobbies is to give away water-wise products worth £10,000 to local community groups around 11 of its stores. Most are in drought affected areas. See more… Read more - members only

Both Dobbies and Haskins open new garden centres today in the South. See more... Read more - members only

B&Q points the way with an IT inspired revamp of its stores. Already 7 million sq ft of outdoor garden centre space has been refurbished. It also believes own-brand is the future. See more... Read more - members only

Amethyst Horticulture has bought Kent based Colourpacks (Newington Nurseries) Limited that supplies pack bedding to garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

Morrisons has submitted an application to change the use of an external walkway at its Scunthorpe supermarket into a garden centre. It appears that over 100 stores may do something similar this spring. See more... Read more - members only

A new garden centre is proposed for North Somerset; Klondyke wins permission to rebuild Wilmslow; a Cornish garden centre is fined for health & safety and food offences; and there’s a public meeting tonight regarding the potential development of Percy Thrower’s garden centre. See more... Read more - members only

Lovania Nurseries, based in Preston, took the top honours at The Grower of the Year Awards held in London last night by winning the Ornamental Grower of the Year title. Lovania will go on to represent the UK at the International Grower of the Year Awards. See more... Read more - members only

The restructuring at Flying Brands continues with the sale of its Gifts Division to Interflora, subject to OFT approval. It will focus on the remaining brands, Gardening Direct and Garden Bird Supplies. See more... Read more - members only

After 5 years, Dobbies' plans for a garden centre in York get a recommendation for approval from planning officers. But comments to Yorkpress question the location. See more... Read more - members only

Next is venturing into gardening, cautiously. The experiment started last August in Shoreham and is soon to be followed by a second Home and Garden Outlet. See more… Read more - members only

Barton Grange has put redevelopment plans for its Bolton garden centre on hold, while further work is done on the details. See more... Read more - members only

A leading nursery says the writing is on the wall for Busy Lizzies for the next 3 to 5 years or until there is a cure for Downy Mildew. Retailers are encouraged to sell alternative bedding plants. See more... Read more - members only

The Sunday Times says that Terra Firma, controlled by Guy Hands, is about to enter exclusivity talks prior to buying The Garden Centre Group. See more... Read more - members only

Contracts were exchanged over the weekend for Terra Firma to buy The Garden Centre Group. Terra Firma plans to develop the group and has funds available for further investment in the business. See more... Read more - members only

La Hacienda used its membership of ACID to enforce its IP rights against White Stores after discovering the company selling inferior quality chimeneas under the La Hacienda brand name. See more... Read more - members only

Barclays is investing £500,000 in developments at Studley Garden Centre, the first in the proposed chain of Hillview Garden Centres. It appears there could be a second acquisition soon. See more... Read more - members only

Dobbies Garden Centres has submitted an application to place a 40m high wind turbine at Sterling Garden World. Read more - members only

St John's Garden Centre in Barnstaple has unveiled plans to relocate to a new larger green field site to the south west of the town. See more... Read more - members only

The growth of First Franchise Promotions, a sister company to First Franchise, has prompted a name change to reflect more accurately the short term promotions it brings to garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

New owners and £1m investment has brought new life to Living Stone, which manufactures paving products and aggregates for garden centres and other specialist uses. Read more - members only

QD Stores is actively expanding its Cherry Lane Garden Centre group. A recent acquisition in Cromford is likely to be followed by two more this spring. See more... Read more - members only

A few days ago Gardenforum reported that the joint garden centre/supermarket development at Kings Lynn would be the first between Tesco and Dobbies. Now there is a second at East Kilbride, or is it, in fact, the third? See more… Read more - members only

Dobbies Garden Centres is to unveil plans for ‘Lynn Garden World’, next to a proposed Tesco store in Kings Lynn. See more... Read more - members only

The Garden Centre Group is to announce an apprenticeship scheme that will recruit 300 young people this year and train them, in partnership with Pershore College, to qualify for a Diploma. See more... Read more - members only

There was no news on a completion date for the sale of The Garden Centre Group at its spring trade show today. But Nicholas Marshall said 2011 had been 'Great' and that Click & Collect will bring the biggest change for years. See more… Read more - members only

Klondyke Group has taken the lease of Beverley Garden Centre, which was closed by the Garden Centre Group after Christmas. See more… Read more - members only

Cotton Traders has a new MD. It plans to continue its garden centre expansion with 10 more stores this year. It will also extend its presence on motorway service stations. See more... Read more - members only

Scotts starts its TV campaign on March 19 with 5 different commercials. But Scotts think demand for new products may exceed production, in which case the adverts for Expand ‘n Gro and Roundup® Gel may have to be tailored. See more... Read more - members only