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

David Hedges-Gower

2023 news roundup

We highlight the main events of 2023 including the collapse of Wilko, juggling of the trade shows calendar and the deaths of some notable pioneers in the industry. Read more - open to all

YPHA hold meeting at Coolings as tribute for their mentor Paul Cooling

Evergreen’s last bag of compost with peat

A major milestone for Miracle-Gro and Evergreen Garden Care as the very last bag of peat compost came off our manufacturing line. Read more - open to all

New Plant Heritage website for rare plants

Having just won a top prize at the UK IT Industry Awards 2023, the charity Plant Heritage has unveiled an online catalogue of rare plants. Read more - members only

Dahlia 'Union Jack'. Credit David Simpson

Hull set to allow ‘right to grow’ on unused council land in UK first

City councillors pass motion to give people a “right to grow” on unused council land, to let community groups, charities and neighbours cultivate fruit and veg. Read more - members only

Industry guide for synthetic turf recycling facilities published

In response to an increasing need to dispose of end-of-life synthetic turf in an environmentally-sensitive way, ESTC (the EMEA Synthetic Turf Council) has launched a new guide to recycling facilities across Europe. Read more - open to all

Map of Recycling Facilities for synthetic turf systems in Europe - ESTC Guide

Allensmore is HTA Grower of the Year

Allensmore, Majestic Trees and Greenwood Plants led the list of UK nurseries that were honoured at the 2023 HTA Grower of the Year Awards last night. Read more - open to all

Mark Taylor, MD of Allensmore Nurseries

HTA and RHS collaborate to support growers transition to peat-free

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) marked a significant milestone in sustainable horticulture with the launch of the first peat-free workshop, part of the RHS Transition to Peat-Free Fellowship. Read more - open to all

Workshop attendees

HTA takes legal action to clarify timing of peat ban for growers

The HTA has resorted to legal action to try and clarify when the Government intends to ban peat as a medium for professional growing. Read more - members only

St Albans garden centre using £180k solar power investment to drive growth

A Hertfordshire-based nursery and garden centre is investing in driving sustainability with the support of a £180,000 loan from Lloyds Bank. Read more - open to all

Aylett Nurseries

Oak Processionary Moth identified in Derbyshire

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has been made aware that Oak Processionary Moth (OPM) has been found in oak trees in Derbyshire, an area outside the known London established area and surrounding counties. Read more - open to all

First hosepipe ban since hot weather started

Southeast Water is to introduce a hosepipe ban across Kent and Sussex after a rise in demand left areas in the region with little or no water.  Read more - members only

100 million plants shortage if peat ban is brought forward

The horticultural industry warns of plant shortages for UK gardeners by 2027 if a ban on peat is brought forward to end of 2026. Read more - members only

MPs ask Defra about professional peat ban after HTA concerns

Minister says, “I will continue to meet with… members of the HTA,” as MP’s raise questions about the intended ban on the professional use of peat. Read more - members only

RHS and Defra call on the public to become citizen scientists

Bodies such as The RHS, Defra and the Forest Commission are asking the public to help monitor problems and diseases threatening the health of sweet chestnut trees and the spread of the Oak Processionary moth.

  Read more - open to all

Oak processionary moth caterpillars

Greenwood Plants named ‘International Grower of the Year’

Greenwood Plants won three awards, including overall ‘International Grower of the Year’ at the annual AIPH awards, held at IPM Essen, Germany on 24th January. Read more - members only

Melanie Asker with Jaap Huisman of Greenwood Holland and Commercial Director Alastair Fairbairn

2024 will be a further record-breaking temperature year

The Met Office outlook for global temperature suggests 2024 will be a further record-breaking year, expected to exceed 2023, which is itself almost certain to be the warmest year on record. Read more - members only

Greenwood Plants reaches 100% peat-free target

Greenwood Plants is growing 100% peat-free across all six of its nursery sites in the UK, reaching its end of 2023 target ahead of schedule. Read more - members only

Conservation benefits of real Christmas trees

British Christmas tree plantations have been found to support various species of conservation concern such as red squirrels and polecats, according to the first ever study of its kind undertaken in the UK. Read more - open to all

RHS lists peat-free growers

The Royal Horticultural Society has surveyed hundreds of UK nurseries and growers to find their peat-free status and movement towards transitioning away from using peat. Read more - members only

HTA Panel discusses ‘Life after Peat’

Minister talks about phasing in the peat ban for growers.  The HTA panel discusses how it could bring the end to pre-season ordering and a return to gardening like our grandparents. Read more - members only

Launch of National Education Nature Park

Schools, nurseries and colleges in England are invited to join the National Education Nature Park – developing young people’s green skills and enhancing biodiversity. Read more - members only

80 years on, Squire’s goes electric

Squire’s Garden Centres has become one of the first garden retailers to introduce electric delivery vehicles to its fleet. Read more - open to all

Colin Squire at wheel of electric van

Green-tech takes its first delivery as an Official Tubex Collection & Recycling Programme Drop-off Hub

Green-tech’s Trade Centre at Rabbit Hill Business Park was named as an Official Drop-off Hub for the Tubex Collection & Recycling Programme in June and took its first collection at the end of July. Read more - open to all

Colorado potato beetle larvae confirmed in Kent UPDATED

Growers, farmers, processors, and the public are asked to remain vigilant after the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) confirmed findings of Colorado potato beetle larvae in Kent. Colorado potato beetle adults and larvae pose a significant threat to potato crops but do not threaten human or animal health. Read more - members only

RHS Trials of Peat Free Composts

Scientists from the RHS have successfully grown two popular varieties of carnivorous pitcher plants - Sarracenia leucophylla hybrid and Sarracenia purpurea - in peat free compost. Read more - members only

Compared to those grown under identical conditions in peat

Retail peat use halves in a year

In 2022, peat accounted for only 24% of the total volume of growing media, compared to 36% in 2021. Read more - members only

New top level Environmental Horticulture Group launched

Today’s House of Lords launch of the New Environmental Horticulture Group (EHG) shows the sector’s importance to achieving national environmental goals. Read more - members only

New steps in Squire's sustainability journey

Squire’s Garden Centres has announced a number of significant changes in its bid to reduce its carbon footprint and the group's drive to be increasingly more sustainable. Read more - members only

Carrier bag

Bionema launches new digital biocontrol training platform

The Bionema Group Ltd has launched a new digital biocontrol Training platform, to help end-users maximise the potential of their highly effective biological-based products, which protect and naturally enhance crops. Read more - open to all

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive