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
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
RHS calls on public to help map sweet chestnut trees
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and Coventry University are calling on the public to spot sweet chestnuts on their daily stroll as they launch a new citizen science project to help protect the at-risk tree for the future. Read more - open to all
Westland warns against unachievable targets for peat
With a Government announcement on peat use imminent, Westland’s Keith Nicholson calls for some reality in the peat debate and collaboration on a road map that avoids setting unachievable targets. Read more - open to all
RHS to be peat-free by 2025
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has committed to being 100% peat-free by 2025 as it experiments with farmed sphagnum moss. 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
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
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
Watch Your Back! 21
Watch Your Back! returns with a NEW scheme designed to keep everyone in horticulture sun protected. Read more - open to all
GCA enhances inspection process
The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has teamed up with Planet Mark to help evolve its inspection process as part of its pledge to continue working on environmental challenges this year (2021). Read more - open to all
Cherry Lane Garden Centres going green
Discount retail group QD, which owns the QualityDiscounts.com and Cherry Lane Garden Centre brands, is going green with new 'Value Our Planet' initiatives to bolster its eco-credentials. Read more - members only