Just as the 2011 season is reaching its peak, it is time for manufacturers to think of 2012 and the exposure that can be gained from entering the GIMA awards. An influential panel of judges has been named including buyers from national and independent companies. See more... Read more - members only

Tates, owners of Sussex Garden Centres, held the official opening of its new, eco-friendly garden centre, Mayberry, at Portslade last weekend. This is the third in the group. See more... Read more - members only

In the April edition of Which? Gardening a survey of 7000 members rates independent garden centres top for satisfaction. A review of slow-release fertiliser awarded Best Buy to Chempak Yearlong. See more... Read more - members only

Today is the formal opening of the rebuilt Squire’s garden centre at Shepperton, which has been closed since last summer. It has been replaced with a £4.2m new development. See more... Read more - members only

Klondyke, which is mourning the loss of chairman Bob Gault, is to focus on refurbishing existing garden centres having announced a profits increase of 22% despite the difficult economic climate and challenging weather. See more... Read more - members only

Scotts Miracle-Gro has announced that by the end of next year it will remove phosphorus from its lawn maintenance fertilisers sold in the US. See more... Read more - members only

Paul Wright, former managing director of Frosts Garden Centres, has joined The Garden Centre Group to manage 3 of its largest sites. See more... Read more - members only

Today was the official opening of Hillier’s re-built Eastbourne garden centre. Since its soft opening in February sales have trebled. See more... Read more - members only

DIY Week is reporting that Sarum Wholesale in Salisbury has closed its doors. It has appointed Philip Gorman of Hazlewoods LLP in Gloucester as administrator. All stock and property is to be sold, with creditors expected to be paid in full. Click website for the full story. Read more - members only

Dorothy Gault takes over as Chairman of the Klondyke Group, following the death of her husband Bob. The company stresses it will be very much “business as usual”. See more... Read more - members only

Garden centre catering is all about baking. Why have you chosen counter rather than waiter service? Make it in-house - you can always taste the difference. These are just some of the points from the recent HTA Catering conference. See more... Read more - members only

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

The Garden Store has acquired its 7th garden centre. The strongly plant oriented Walled Garden Centre is at Elton Hall, between Oundle and Peterborough. The restaurant will be concessioned to a company specialising in garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

Alan Titchmarsh’s new TV programme presents a great opportunity for garden manufacturers to place product, says the HTA. See more... Read more - members only

Boyd Douglas-Davies, who is shortly to leave Webbs of Wychbold, is to build a new garden centre chain backed by The Hillview Group, an independent merchant bank. See more... Read more - members only

Haskins has unveiled plans for the new £12 million garden centre at Roundstone, which is planned to open in March 2012. See more... Read more - members only

James Barnes, chief executive of Dobbies Garden Centres, comments on the prospects for 2011, the rate he is opening new garden centres and the appearance of Dobbies products in Tesco stores. See more... Read more - members only

Thurrock Garden Centre has won planning permission for significant expansion and improved customer flow. See more... Read more - members only

The Witney Gazette has reported the furious reaction of Nicholas Marshall after TGCG is forced to pay more than £30,000 for contravening H&S regulations. He suggested that the local council had gone mad. See more... Read more - members only

Months after acquiring Towneley Garden Centre in Burnley, The British Garden Centres Group has bought the Yorkshire Garden Centre to make it 6 in the group. See more... Read more - members only

The Home Retail Group, parent of Argos and Homebase, warns of further pressures on consumer spending and has become more cautious for the next year. See more... Read more - members only

Clifton Nurseries, who recently appointed Matthew Wilson as MD, has opened a pop-up store at COS on Regent Street to coincide with the launch of their 2011 spring collection. See more... Read more - members only

Troubled DIY chain Focus is planning to sell 6 stores to Asda. This is one of the first outcomes from the strategic review announced last autumn. 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