UK barbeque brand leader Outback is predicting "a bright future" after a takeover by China-based TPA, announcing a new distribution agreement with partners Unipart Leisure and Marine, and a year-on-year sales increase of 18% for 2010. Read more - members only

The RSPB and other environmental lobby groups are calling for the March budget to levy a tax on bags of compost containing peat. The call has the backing of Vital Earth, but not the RHS. See more... Read more - members only

International business bolstered Kingfisher as weather and a weak market held back B&Q in the 3 months Nov - Jan. The chairman expects a difficult 6 months and looks to increase market share for growth. See more... Read more - members only

This is year 3 of the rehabilitation of The Garden Centre Group. Year 1 was about winning back the confidence of staff, suppliers and the bank. The headline for year 2 was ‘Quality, Quality, Quality’, the drive to restore standards. The focus for year 3 will be customer service. See more... Read more - members only

Paul Wright leaves Frosts as the family decides to bring Frosts Garden Centre and Frosts Landscape Construction under the control of James Frost, as Group MD. See more... Read more - members only

Calls to the branches of Monro South are being met by an out-of-hours recorded message as uncertainties surround the future of the company. See more... Read more - members only

Bents in Cheshire are the best destination garden centre in the UK for the 3rd year running after rigorous inspection by the GCA. Cowells of Newcastle were judged to be the best smaller garden centre. Solus was voted the best supplier. See more... Read more - members only

David Gwyther, HTA Director General, hailed Farplants’ £2.75m Finishing Centre an example to the rest of the UK nursery industry as he cut the ribbon at yesterday's opening. See more... Read more - members only

Weber-Stephen Products, maker of Weber barbecues has been sold to an American investment group. The founding Stephen family retain a minority stake. See more... Read more - members only

The planned sale of Vermeulens Garden Centre between Woking and Guildford has fallen through. The owners are seeking a new operator to buy or lease the site. See more... Read more - members only

The annual compost trials by Which? Gardening suggest that peat-free composts yield disappointing results when used for sowing seeds and growing-on young plants. See more... Read more - members only

Up-market garden furniture supplier Alexander Rose Furniture has sold a majority shareholding to the Roda Group, which also owns Jensen Leisure Furniture in the United States. See more... Read more - members only

The performance of Marshalls is a good indicator of the state of the landscape industry. Despite the weather, sales to the public and commercial sector increased 6% while the domestic market grew 1%. See more… Read more - members only

A bullish William Sinclair has lifted its dividend by 43% after a strong performance last year. The group gained market share from competitors, eliminated debt and is ready for further acquisitions. See more… Read more - members only

According to local reports a well-known Melrose garden centre, 100 Aker Wood, is to close at Christmas. See more… Read more - members only

Leading recruiter for the garden industry, Horticruitment, is buying English Country Gardeners, the agency that services country homes and estates. See more... Read more - members only

News comes from First Franchise of another significant retailer opening its first concession on a garden centre. Robinsons open at Pugh’s Garden Centre in March. See more... Read more - members only

Peter Dawson looks at a couple of newcomers for 2011. A new rose collection from Coronation Street and perennials made easy for bedding plants growers. See more…. Read more - members only

The Garden Centre Group is to close its garden centre at Church Lawford, between Coventry and Rugby. It also moves head office at the end of the month. See more... Read more - members only

Monro Horticulture Ltd, trading as Monro South, was placed in administration on Monday 31 January. The administrators are seeking a buyer. See more... Read more - members only

William Sinclair has won the national contract to supply Sainsbury’s with multi-purpose compost in 2011. It has also increased stock holding capacity by 50%. See more... Read more - members only

Firmans Leisure is being wound down as the directors focus on building Firmans Direct. See more... Read more - members only

Dobbies' plans to open 6 new garden centres during 2011 take another step forward as permission is granted for a new development at Peterborough. See more… Read more - members only

Hillier Garden Centres will open its first new-build garden centre next month. The 2000 sq m. development is on the former Glyndley Nurseries on the A27 near Eastbourne. See more... Read more - members only

December snow has severely disrupted some of the most important catalogue mailings for Flying Brands. See more... Read more - members only

The recently announced £2.3m restaurant upgrade at Haskins’ West End garden centre is part of a £16.5 million investment programme by the group this year. See more… Read more - members only

Westland has decided that Unwins should stop producing and selling bulbs and focus on seeds. Taylors Bulbs are to take on the bulb assets and trade. See more... Read more - members only

It is reported that over the next 3 years, Cotton Traders will open up to 15 outlets a year on garden centres. See more… Read more - members only

Here are the highlights of stories that appeared on the Gardenforum Noticeboard in 2010. If there are any you missed, they are all still available. See more... (Open to All) Read more - open to all

Malcolm Scott Consultants have been successful in winning 2 planning permissions for Hawkesmill Nurseries in the West Midlands. This will lead to increased growing capacity and improved despatch. See more... Read more - members only