In 3 weeks, Director Christopher Woodward steps into the Atlantic to save The Garden Museum. A donor is offering to match every donation £1 for £1... so lets make his eyes water! UNLOCKED Read more - open to all

So said James Barnes as he announced HTA plans to double grower membership. New industry growth plans are to be developed with Government. Read more - members only

A GIMA virtual seminar has updated members on import/export regulations after Brexit.  The HTA has also given an update on phytosanitary standards. Read more - members only

BHETA calls for details of the UKCA safety mark due to replace the CE mark in January, as importers must brief overseas manufacturers in time for January delivery. Read more - members only

Sales in July were excellent for garden centres despite a 50%+ fall in catering sales.  The latest GCA figures show sales of garden sundries continue to surge. Read more - members only

The GCA and GIMA have started a series of online panel debates to improve communication and honesty through the retail gardening supply chain. Read more - members only

From 24^th July shoppers must wear masks in garden centres.  The staff don't have to.  What mask policy will garden centres follow for staff?  Will they police customers? Read more - open to all

Garden centre sales hit record highs in June despite closed restaurants and other retailers reopening from 15^th June.  Garden furniture sales gained +81% according to the GCA. Read more - members only

Overall online retail sales grew 34% in May. Garden e-tailers were swamped. Garden centres developed an online offer during the lock down, but will they continue?  Read more - members only

The Duchess of Cambridge bought plants at Fakenham Garden Centre last week for a new garden at a Norfolk children's hospice.  Plans are also underway for an imaginative space created by Greenfingers. Read more - open to all

While Dobbies are reopening their restaurants as soon as permitted, others are adopting a more cautious approach.  Some are not opening this month. Read more - open to all

What changes will be the next to test garden centres as we exit the Covid-19 lockdown?  A change to Sunday trading rules and restricted reopening of restaurants? Read more - open to all

Garden centres are reopening to big increases in average spend from pent up demand.  Stock shortages are already showing.  But there are concerns about the autumn. Read more - open to all

Despite optimism over the weekend for an announcement that Scottish garden centres would be allowed to reopen, they will remain closed until at least the 28^th May. Read more - open to all

Comments in the media give a flavour of the first day back.  ‘They are doing a clean sweep’, ‘We have written off 30% of annual turnover’, ‘Lots of problem troubleshooting done today’, ‘Opened to a queue of keen gardeners’. Read more - open to all

Plant sales of Begonia ‘Sweet Spice^TM Bounty’ have been donated to the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) to support students studying horticulture in the UK.   Read more - open to all

New research conducted by the HTA found that almost three million gardeners sprung up this year as a result of lockdown. Read more - open to all

Five horticulture scholarships are available from the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF). Students can get up to £2,500 to put towards their studies.  Read more - open to all

Which plant varieties will be hot for 2021?... the industry has voted at the Ball Colegrave Trial Grounds at West Adderbury. Read more - open to all

Has garden centre catering changed for ever as a flurry of garden centres reopen restaurants in time to participate in ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ in August? Read more - members only

The RHS has created a new careers resource - rhs.org.uk/careersinhorticulture - with over 60 individual films showcasing some 45 different horticultural careers.

The Government has rejected calls by The HTA and NFU to pay financial compensation to UK Growers following the Covid-19 shutdown.   Read more - open to all

Growth in the overall gardening sector since the start of lockdown was 3.5% according to the second quarterly economic report from BHETA.  Read more - members only

The HTA has criticised today’s mini budget with comments such as a missed opportunity and unlikely to have much impact amongst horticulture businesses. Read more - open to all

There’s praise for staff and suppliers as some garden centres are 50% up in June and in a strong cash position.  “No-one put their prices up without good reason. No-one got awkward…” Read more - open to all

Garden centre catering in England could be financially viable from July 4^th with the change in social distancing rules, but details of the conditions are needed quickly. Read more - open to all

Bedding growers are being forced to take steps to manage unprecedented order levels as a result of soaring garden centre sales.  Neil Grant says Ferndale sales are now in front of May last year.  Read more - open to all

With Scottish garden centres not opening till after May 28, the HTA has intensified its call for a Dutch style grant to support British growers. Read more - open to all

First Minister, Arlene Foster, has announced that garden centres in Northern Ireland will be permitted to open again from Monday 18^th May. Read more - open to all

Lord Gardiner says, “It is vital all garden centres implement strict social distancing and I urge businesses to use the Government’s extensive guidance and the HTA’s Safe Trading Guidance.” Read more - open to all