The GCA Barometer of Trade shows that March trading was even better than first thought for independent garden centres. Sales of outdoor plants, garden sundries and seeds and bulbs showed massive increases. See more... Read more - members only

BRC-KPMG figures for the first 3 months of 2009 show retail sales grew 1.2%. Provisional figures from the HTA show garden centre sales grew 7% over the same period. The difference is most dramatic in March. See more... Read more - members only

Grovewell Garden Centres opened their second Garden Centre at Herne Common near Canterbury just in time for Easter. See more... Read more - members only

Lancashire based Whiterigg Alpines Limited are the latest casualty in this recession. They have appointed KPMG Restructuring as administrators. See more... Read more - members only

The garden industry is buzzing, not just because March sales were 20% to 35% up on last year, but because of what customers have been buying. Already there are shortages. See more... Read more - members only

Cautious optimism about the state of the liner market; news that Wyevale plans plant production at 13 locations; results from the second British Plant Fair and an update from Hillier Nurseries all feature in the latest round-up of UK growers from Peter Dawson. See more... Read more - members only

Revealing more details of Wyevale’s refinancing, Nicholas Marshall says the position for suppliers has improved dramatically and that some credit insurers are providing cover for them again already. See more... Read more - members only

Despite recession, snow and frozen ground, members of the Garden Centre Association will be pleased that sales were only 11% behind last year, which had been 21% up on 2007. Smaller centres were, however, more heavily affected. See more... Read more - members only

Homebase says sales in garden maintenance and horticulture saw particularly difficult trading conditions in January and February. Home Retail is to reduce store staff by 1000, mainly at Homebase. See more... Read more - members only

William Sinclair has expressed disappointment at the level of compensation proposed by Natural England for Bolton Fell, which is due to become a Special Area of Conservation. See more... Read more - members only

The March edition of Gardening Which? reviews slug and snail controls, tests growing bags and looks at seed mats and tapes. See more... Read more - members only

Here’s the first round-up of news from British nurseries by Peter Dawson, former editor of Nurseryman and Garden Centre magazine. His new monthly ‘column’ will provide news and views from the growers across the country. See more... Read more - members only

It is likely that the future of Hurrans Garden Centres will be decided by the end of March. However, it is unlikely that they will remain trading as a group. See more... Read more - members only

The latest updates in Company Results include the most recent trading figures for Ball Horticultural Europe, Syngenta Seeds, Alexander Rose, Gardman, Haddonstone, Bents Garden Centre, Country Homes and Gardens, Haskins Garden Centres, Decco and Notcutts. For a summary, see more... (This article is open to all readers)... Read more - open to all

Scotts Miracle-Gro is to spend £6.3 million on TV and press advertising, the same amount as last year. Among the new adverts, there will be a new ‘Frog’ commercial for Evergreen. See more... Read more - members only

Hillier Garden Centres have taken control of Hurrans’ leased garden centre at Banbury. The fate of the remaining 3 centres should be confirmed very soon. See more... Read more - members only

The Owner of Rutland garden centre blames police for the unnecessary £25,000 loss of revenue when caught in the security cordon surrounding Ashwell jail. See more... Read more - members only

The mixed weather across the country this Easter weekend appears not to have deterred gardeners as many garden centres report strong trading – particularly with regard to grow your own, plants and core gardening products. See more - This story is open to all... Read more - open to all

Treborth Garden Centre that closed last month after going into administration has reopened under new ownership. See more… Read more - members only

EU legislation passed 18 months ago and adopted by the UK government means that it will be illegal to sell mercury filled thermometers after April 3rd 2009. See more... Read more - members only

It is 18 months since Tesco bought 65% of Dobbies and 8 months since it became the outright owner. Gardenforum asks Chief Executive James Barnes what influence the supermarket has had and about his expansion plans. See more... Read more - members only

Whitehall Garden Centre has won planning permission, after many postponements, to double the size of its garden centre at Lacock in Wiltshire. See more... Read more - members only

Former Blooms of Bressingham chief executive, Jon Kitching, is to launch the Beckworth Emporium with his new partner, David Brown. It will be neither a garden centre nor a farm shop, but the best of both. See more... Read more - members only

Despite seeing a shift to ‘Don't Move, Improve’, Marshalls is closing seven landscape design centres. It will decide on continuing sponsorship of Chelsea, after this year’s flower show. See more… Read more - members only

Webbs Garden Centres has taken control of West Hagley, one of the Hurrans Garden Centres that are in administration. See more... Read more - members only

Wyevale Garden Centres has tonight completed the refinancing of its business with Bank of Scotland and its major shareholders. “Everyone involved with Wyevale will be pleased to see the financial stability that this agreement brings,” said chief executive, Nicholas Marshall. See more... Read more - members only

The GCA Barometer of Trade confirms that January was good for garden centres. Overall sales increased by 12.7%. See more... Read more - members only

Tricia Killen, who became CX of Flying Brands last June, has been replaced by Stephen Cook, a nominee of Sir Tom Hunter. Hunter's recent quest to buy the group had been rejected. See more... Read more - members only

New Era Aquaculture Limited, whose fish feeds to sell through gardens centres, has raised £300,000 investment to develop the business. See more... Read more - members only

B&Q is celebrating the opening of its greenest ever store, at New Malden, Surrey. 50 per cent less carbon emissions and the biggest range of One Planet Home products in London. See more... Read more - members only