The HTA Marketing Forum heard tips on how to get the best from social media with tips like send an e-shot on a Tuesday or Wednesday and how not to over-sell. Read more - members only

Having classified glyphosate as being “probably carcinogenic to humans” the IARC has now classified processed meats such as bacon, sausages and burgers in the higher classification, “carcinogenic to humans”. Read more - members only

Proposals to give local councils the power to decide Sunday Trading hours could be defeated in a House of Commons vote in the next 10 days, according to the weekend press. Read more - members only

Large English retailers, including some garden centres, will be forced to charge their customers 5p from today (Oct 5) for plastic carrier bags, unless… Read more - members only

If August is wet plant sales prosper. If it is dry garden furniture sales do well. Last month was different. It was wet and dry in different areas and both categories flourished according to the latest GCA figures. But long term trend shows the proportional fall of traditional gardening. Read more - members only

Local newspapers across the country have picked up a warning from Wyevale that homeowners can expect the ‘invasion’ of hungry wasps to continue for the next few weeks. Read more - members only

The theme for this year’s HTA Garden Futures Conference is Embracing Change. Headline speakers from outside gardening include Will Butler-Adams and Simon Jack. Insiders are led by the new MD of Homebase. Read more - members only

A good June has helped GCA garden centres to a 6% sales increase for the half year on top of a 10% increase last year.  Plants and garden furniture were strong, gifts and garden sundries, less so. Read more - members only

Alton Garden Centre’s Andy Bunker is head of plant buying for Tillington. He tells nurseries, “Please don’t push plants out to us too early.” Read more - members only

Garden Centre sales are up 10.5% in May and 5% for the year so far according to the GCA.  It appears some garden centres are recovering their confidence with garden furniture, but not all.  Plants and garden sundries continue to lose share. Read more - members only

Any grower can nominate themselves for the International Grower of the Year Awards as they get a new look along with rebranding for the AIPH. Read more - members only

After a slow grey start to Easter, garden centres were buzzing by Monday.  But nursery stock is 3 weeks late and this could lead to shortages if sales continue to blossom in the warmer weather. Read more - members only

QVC raises £40,000 for garden relief, the Thames walk a further £7000. Tweets with “#Glovies” were seen 241,000 times in a day. See some of the images from the Greenfingers Garden ReLeaf day. Read more - members only

Never call a buyer on a Monday.  Never give surprises.  B&Q’s Tim Clapp explains how to become a successful supplier to the multiple retailers like B&Q or Wyevale.  Read more - members only

The latest figures from the GCA show 2014 was the best year for 4 years with December beating May as the biggest sales month of the year. Read more - members only

The HTA has reacted to news that a combination of dissident Tory MP’s and the Scottish Nationalists has thwarted the Government’s ambition to relax Sunday trading rules. Read more - members only

Gardening sales fell in a sunny but cool September, while restaurants and food halls prospered. There is now clear evidence that the North has outperformed the rest in 2015 so far. Read more - members only

Economic outlook is pretty good for garden centres, but there is a long term threat – the huge change in the housing market. Interest rates, however, will stay low. Read more - members only

With the likelihood that further independents will announce they are selling to Wyevale, Gardenforum examines what new garden centres are being built and which sites are getting bigger. And is 'an independent' still a useful term? Read more - members only

For many exhibitors it was the best Glee for several years, although not everyone was as pleased. Read our news from the aisles of Glee. Read more - members only

Whether it is cooler and wetter or hot and dry, garden centres can prosper in the summer months and so it proved with the GCA statistics for July showing strong growth. Read more - members only

The 6 week consultation process has been started by the Government offering two options for devolving the powers to decide Sunday opening times. Read more - members only

It was revealed at the GIMA’s that Garden Re-Leaf Day raised £95,000 for Greenfingers, a massive increase thanks to contributions from QVC and Briers.  Read more - members only

More people attended the first day of the HTA National Plant Show than on both days last year. We bring you chat from the aisles and some interesting innovations. Read more - members only

180 people attended the HTA Catering Conference to hear about eating-out trends such as Kidult and Haute Casual. Read more - members only

Garden centre sales in March were lower than the same month in 2014, 2012 and 2011. However, for a rolling 12 months sales look to be up by 4%. Read more - members only

Cultivation Street is a campaign that rewards people who use plants to improve their neighbourhoods and bring pride back to their streets with £20,000 of National Garden Gift Vouchers donated by the HTA. Read more - members only

“The Sunday Trading Act is an anachronism in this day and age,”says the HTA when visitors finding their garden centre closed on Easter Sunday can return home and buy the same products online. Read more - members only

Sunshine Garden Centre and Van Hage are the best GCA outdoor living retailers.  Cowell’s and Bents are the best for plants. Read more - members only

The Government is proposing legislation that would force Britain’s biggest companies to reveal their payment terms and performance, quarterly.  GIMA welcomes greater transparency saying the garden industry is particularly bad when it comes to paying bills. Read more - members only