Sipcam and Westland top the GIMA Awards 2024
Over 400 guests watched as Sipcam retained the GIMA best product award from last year, while Westland was voted supplier of the year by GCA members. Read more - open to all
Sipcam and Westland top the GIMA Awards 2024
Over 400 guests watched as Sipcam retained the GIMA best product award from last year, while Westland was voted supplier of the year by GCA members. Read more - open to all
Forestry England's £14.5m nursery upgrade for climate-resilient trees
Forestry England is investing £14.5m to enhance its tree nursery in Cheshire, incorporating a new seed extractory. Expected to open in spring 2025, this facility will be the UK's largest. Read more - open to all
Plant pots accepted in kerbside recycling from 2026
Starting in 2026, all non-black, recyclable PET or PP plastic plant pots will be accepted in household kerbside recycling in England. Read more - members only
Solar and LED lights aid carbon footprint reduction
Taylors Bulbs have been reaping the rewards of their recent solar panel and LED lighting installations. Read more - open to all
GCA recommends Flybox
The Garden Centre Association is highlighting Flybox as a very interesting new way of dealing with waste food. Read more - members only
Oak processionary moth – warning issued
The public are today (Wednesday 29th May) being urged to be vigilant for any sightings of oak processionary moth caterpillars. Read more - members only
Storing pesticides and weedkillers is now a major compliance headache
Most published material relating to pesticides, both scientific and in the media, focuses on negative attributes. A paper on the subject revealed a ratio of 40 negative articles for each one that took a more positive view.
GCA partners in national net zero business census
The GCA joins leading business associations in a national research initiative to benchmark the private sector’s contribution to the UK’s net zero targets. Read more - members only
Michael Gove meets Evergreen Garden Care
Michael Gove, Member of Parliament for Surrey Heath, visited Evergreen Garden Care in his constituency prior to the Horticultural Peat Private Members Bill discussion in the House of Commons later this month. Read more - members only
Giant Hogweed goes on the march in Scotland
Scotland is facing a significant threat from Giant Hogweed, an invasive and dangerous plant that has emerged early due to mild and wet weather conditions. Read more - open to all
The Yellow-Legged Asian Hornet: why the concern?
A destructive, and potentially dangerous, invasive insect has made its way to the UK. Read on to find out how to spot it, how you can help stop it…and how to keep yourself safe this spring and summer.
Read more - open to all
Ban peat? It’s already happening says HTA
Theresa Villiers has introduced a 10 minute rule bill to ban sale of bagged peat. But HTA says it’s already happening, so MP’s should focus on supporting growers to transition to peat-free growing. Read more - members only
RHS disease ranking highlights top 10 gardening problems in 2023
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has published its annual disease ranking, revealing the top ten problems for gardeners in 2023. Read more - members only
Nurseries call for a peat-free logo
British growers: Bransford, New Leaf and Frank P Matthews, guided garden centres around their production facilities and discussed the peat-free future. Read more - members only
Chat from aisles of the Garden Press Event
300 members of the garden media visited around 100 exhibitors at a buzzing Garden Press Event. Best new product was a Dipping Tank. Blue Diamond won the Best Stand award. Read the chat. Read more - members only
Motion to ban sale of peat introduced to House of Commons
A private members bill to ban the sale in England of horticultural peat by end 2025 has passed its first reading in the House of Commons. Read more - members only
Wyevale Nurseries receives Planet Mark Certification for sustainability
Hereford-based Wyevale Nurseries has achieved Planet Mark Certification in recognition of the company’s commitment to continuous improvements in sustainability. Read more - open to all
Deroma takes significant steps towards a greener future
Deroma installs solar panels to its headquarters to help generate sustainable power for the future at its headquarters and factory in Malo Italy. Read more - open to all
GCA Sustainability Webinar
In a popular and well attended webinar on June 26th, on one of the hottest days of the year so far, 37 GCA members and Associate members heard how to tackle issues surrounding sustainable practices in their businesses. Read more - members only
New actions to protect against bark beetle tree pest
Woodland managers, landowners and the forestry industry are encouraged to remain vigilant as the Forestry Commission announces an expansion of the current Ips typographus (eight-toothed spruce bark beetle) demarcated area following findings of the tree pest on Norway spruce in East Anglia. Read more - open to all
Sustainability award for Southern Trident
Southern Trident celebrates success at North Lincolnshire Business Awards 2024 as the winner of 'The HETA Green Sustainability Award'. Read more - open to all
Squire’s achieves peat-free milestone in bagged compost
Squire’s Garden Centres has confirmed that it no longer sells any bagged compost containing peat. Although the ban is not yet in force, this announcement by Squire’s sees the business meet this commitment well ahead of the proposed deadline.
Artificial grass increases flood risks
A fifth (21%) of UK homeowners have already replaced or plan to switch their natural lawn with artificial grass, according to research by leading insurer, Aviva. Read more - members only
April 30th is border day
April 30th is the day when plant import inspections move from their inland destination to the point where they enter the UK, causing potential delays and increased costs. Read more - members only
Low risk of hosepipe bans!
Government launches fund to support farmers manage water. After the wettest 18 months since records began there is a low-risk of hosepipe bans in England this summer. Read more - members only
Plant Heritage seeks donations for vital plant conservation work
Between 18th – 25th April, leading horticultural conservation charity Plant Heritage is calling for members of the public to support their ongoing plant conservation work as part of the Big Give’s Green Match Fund campaign, which this year is focused on environmental issues and solutions. Read more - open to all
How being more environmentally sound grew Christmas sales
GIMA hears how the drive by the Gardens Group for Christmas displays that are more environmentally sound than anyone else's has lifted sales and won awards. Read more - members only
HTA urges PM to intervene urgently before BTOM changes
The HTA has written to PM Rishi Sunak, warning of the risks to Environmental Horticulture from changes in the Border Target Operating Model that are due on 30th April. Read more - members only
YPHA unveils Launch Success at the Eden Project
Ambassador, Boyd Douglas-Davies, called on more employers to support YPHA members as they visited the Eden Project where the Launch Success development programme was unveiled. Read more - open to all
Chairman of Lawn Association Calls for Ban on Lawn Chemicals
David Hedges-Gower, an expert in sustainable lawn care, has made a passionate appeal for a nationwide ban on all pesticides used in lawn maintenance. Read more - members only