New packaging regulations will cost brand owners £millions
Reforms to packaging regulations proposed by Government for 2023, currently out for consultation, will cost brand owners £millions. Read more - members only
New packaging regulations will cost brand owners £millions
Reforms to packaging regulations proposed by Government for 2023, currently out for consultation, will cost brand owners £millions. Read more - members only
The Design Museum Shop launches student designed product Grow Wild
The Design Museum is delighted to launch Grow Wild, the winning entry for Design Ventura 2020 from Heckmondwike Grammar School’s team of Year 8 students. Read more - open to all
RHS and HTA tell Defra, help us to help you
Eustice targets 2024 for peat sales ban and hears that without helping ornamental horticulture, government cannot achieve its goals for urban renewal and a sustainable future. Read more - members only
HTA ask the industry "Work with us to phase out peat use...."
Work with us to phase out peat use, protect the environment and safeguard the UK horticulture industry. Read more - open to all
Ban on peat? Give us time
The garden industry calls for time and an ordered approach to the eradication of peat from horticulture. Supplies, legislation and technology need to catch up. Read more - open to all
Solar is latest step in Bents’ six Green Footprints
A total of 1167 new panels have been fitted as the next step in Bents’ Garden & Home aims to be over 90% self-sufficient at all times in the coming years. Read more - members only
BHETA webinar to update suppliers on plastic packaging tax implications
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is hosting a webinar for all UK housewares, DIY, garden and small electricals suppliers on the implications and preparations required ahead of the forthcoming plastic packaging tax legislation which comes into force in April 2022. Read more - open to all
From compost bags to Plaswood® furniture
A trial scheme for the collection of used compost packaging will see the material turned into recycled plastic furniture from Plaswood®, a Berry Global product. Read more - open to all
Garden pest that spoils crops could be commonplace within a decade
An invasive stink bug that spoils fruit and vegetables and can overwinter in homes has been found at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey as part of a pheromone trapping project designed to monitor its spread. Read more - open to all
Growers will need help if Government trebles tree planting
Government has announced plans to treble tree planting rates in England by the end of this Parliament. But the scheme will fail without help for UK growers says The HTA. Read more - members only
Tough questions at Chelsea launch of RS Scheme
At the Chelsea launch of the Responsible Sourcing Scheme, Tom Heap challenges the industry solution to eliminating peat as greenwash and asks why not ban peat tomorrow. Read more - members only
GCA winners for Midlands, Wales and the West
St Peter’s, Planters at Bretby, Monkton Elm and Old Railway Line are the first regional Garden Centres of the Year to be revealed by the GCA. Read more - members only
Will SE Water companies ban Nurseries from watering during drought?
The HTA has responded to proposals by Six water companies in south east England to ban, during a drought, watering outdoor plants on commercial premises and watering newly bought plants. Read more - members only
Government U-turn on scope of plastic packaging tax
HMRC has published draft secondary legislation clarifying the scope of the plastic tax. Storage boxes for home use and reusable food and drinks containers will not now be included in these regulations, says BHETA. Read more - members only
Dobbies to create around 1000 jobs over the next five years
Dobbies tells Environment Minister Rebecca Pow that the business is set to create around 1000 jobs over the next five years as it signs up for ‘Plant for our Planet’. Read more - members only
Two schemes to cut consumer demand for peat
Two nationwide schemes to reduce consumers’ demand for peat are being launched as part of HTA and GCA plans to phase out sales of peat. Read more - members only
Spring flowers appear a month early
According to the New Scientist, UK spring flowers are opening nearly a month earlier than they did before the mid-1980s, due to climate change. Read more - open to all
Horticulture veterans call for more open debate on peat
As Government consults on ending the retail sale of peat, some of ornamental horticulture's most experienced growers and journalists publish an open letter, highlighting the complex issues in the debate. Read more - open to all
New plastic tax from April 2022
BHETA explains the preparations required to comply with the 2022 Plastic Packaging Tax, which comes into force in April 2022. Read more - members only
Squire’s launch ‘Sustainability Champions’ programme
Squire’s Garden Centres has launched their ‘Sustainability Champions’ programme. One or two team members from each of their 16 garden centres have volunteered to be ‘Sustainability Champion'. Read more - members only
Budget criticism from the HTA
The HTA says the Chancellor’s emphasis on ‘upskilling’ the workforce does not go far enough. Urgent government action is needed to address the lack of colleges and seasonal labour rules. Read more - members only
Forestry Commission act on new tree disease
Woodland managers, landowners, the forest industry and tree nurseries are being urged to remain vigilant after the Forestry Commission (FC) and Forest Research (FR) identified the tree pathogen Phytophthora pluvialis in a woodland in Cornwall. Read more - members only
The biggest gardening army since “Dig for Victory."
Garden centres, suppliers, growers, and gardeners are being called on to play a part in supporting the RHS Planet Friendly Gardening Campaign. Read more - members only
The RHS call on the public to go green this Halloween
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) are calling on members of the public to go green this Halloween by sharing the 8 spookiest houseplants that could be used instead of plastic decorations. Read more - open to all
DLF Seeds to invest £3.5m in new UK facilities
DLF Seeds, the worlds-leading grass seed breeder is to invest £3.5m in new state-of-the-art mixing and distribution facilities at its main seed processing site at Inkberrow in Worcestershire. Read more - members only
Veolia innovation increases composting recovery
Following successful large-scale trials, Veolia has demonstrated a new way of treating the 25% of green waste that ends up being sent for disposal or re-composting. Read more - open to all
Seed shortage concerns reported by Wildflower Seed Company
Non-profit wildflower company, Seedball says increased demand and a poor harvest last autumn, has contributed to a nationwide shortage of wildflower seed. Read more - open to all
GIMA supporting members through forthcoming changes in packaging legislation
A recent survey of GIMA has members revealed the challenges faced by companies preparing for new packaging legislation over the next two years. Read more - open to all
Forestry Commission launches Tree Production Innovation Fund
A new £1 million fund to increase and diversify our domestic tree production has been announced by the Forestry Commission today (21 July), in partnership with Defra. Read more - open to all
Forestry Commission act on bark beetle tree pest findings in Kent
Woodland managers, land owners, the forest industry and tree nurseries are being urged to remain vigilant after two new breeding populations of the larger eight-toothed European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) were identified in two woodlands in Kent. Read more - open to all