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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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! returns with a NEW scheme designed to keep everyone in horticulture sun protected. Read more - open to all

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

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