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

Cherry Lane offers food bank collections in-store

Discount retail group QD has introduced food bank collection points in 24 of its stores including nine Cherry Lane Garden Centres. Read more - open to all

Dobbies and Evergreen trial compost bag recycling

Waste-aware gardeners will now be able to recycle compost packaging thanks to a trial scheme from Dobbies Garden Centres and Evergreen Garden Care. Read more - members only

Public urged to Plant For Our Planet in a new campaign launched today

A new campaign aimed at inspiring the nation to get planting has been launched today (Saturday 5 June), helping us to build back greener and step up our efforts to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss. Read more - open to all

Amateur peat ban by the end of this parliament

Industry responds to the Government's ban on the sale of peat before the next election with its own proposals and a plea for help to procure alternative materials in a sustainable way. Read more - members only

RHS warns against buying problem plants online

The RHS is reminding gardeners to only buy online plants and seeds from reputable British garden centres or nurseries to minimise the risk from new pests and diseases. Read more - members only

Record breaking April caused considerable garden damage

The dry and frosty conditions, with the lowest average minimum temperatures for April in the UK since 1922, have caused considerable damage in many gardens, says the Met Office. Read more - members only

Flotation could value YouGarden at £200m

The Times reports that the owners of You Garden are considering a float for the company.  The newspaper speculates the business could be valued at £200m. Read more - members only

Public urged to report sightings of oak processionary moth

The Forestry Commission today urged the public to report sightings of oak processionary moth caterpillars.  They have spread from London to surrounding counties. Read more - open to all

Blue Diamond signs exclusive Partnership with The Soil Association

Blue Diamond and The Soil Association aim to break down any perceived barriers to gardening in an organic and more nature friendly way  Read more - open to all

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

RSS logo with QR code

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

(L–R) David Coote and Neil Domoney from St Peters GC with Gordon Emslie.

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

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow and Dobbies GEO Graeme Jenkins

Focus on reducing contamination in food and garden waste collections

The HTA has called for a greater focus on reducing contamination in food and garden waste collections to help the industry transition away from the use of peat. Read more - open to all

The HTA launches Inside Horticulture

The HTA has published the first edition of Inside Horticulture, a new quarterly magazine for business leaders throughout the horticulture sector. Read more - members only

Growers cannot meet Government trees timeframe without support

The HTA calls on Government to support and engage with the industry so it can have the confidence to invest and meet the 2024 tree planting target. Read more - members only

RHS urges switch from mains to rains

The RHS and Cranfield University are calling on the UK’s gardeners to swap mains water for rainwater as they launch a new online tool that calculates the potential savin. Read more - open to all

Government to set timetable for peat sales ban

Tomorrow, industry focus will switch from the reopening of indoor dining in garden centres to peat with the expected reveal of the Government’s Peat Action Plan. Read more - members only

Peat free growing media and recyclable plastic pots

Will garden centres re-open restaurants in May?

There is caution among independent garden centres over the reopening of inside catering, which is likely to be permitted from 17th May, while there's social distancing. Read more - members only

Greater protection for sweet chestnut trees in England

Scientists are stepping up the fight against an invasive tree pest of sweet chestnut trees - Oriental Chestnut Gall Wasp - the UK’s Chief Plant Health Officer announced today. Read more - open to all

You can’t ‘over-dose’ on gardening!

A ground-breaking study reveals the more ‘doses’ of gardening you get, the better your wellbeing, says the RHS.  Daily gardening has the same impact on wellbeing as regular vigorous exercise such as cycling or running. Read more - open to all

Wildlife Trusts make 'End Now' call for peat sales

The Wildlife Trusts say the time for voluntary agreements is over – the sale of peat must end now.  They have released their survey of 20 garden retailers.  We include an industry reesponse. Read more - members only

Sustainable logistics help EnviroBuild's carbon neutral goal

EnviroBuild Materials Ltd is moving warehousing and logistics to champions of sustainability, Howard Tenens Logistics - a bold step towards becoming a carbon-neutral company. Read more - members only

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