“The current model of retail won’t last,” says Ken Hughes. Read why and some great ideas from the GCA conference. Read more - members only

Barton Grange made it five in a row beating Bents and Burston by the narrowest of margins to be GCA large destination Garden Centre of the Year.  Garden Wise was named garden centre of the year. Read more - members only

Malcolm Scott says, “The danger is that garden centres are getting bigger and bigger, but blander and blander.” His colleague, Chris Primett explains how the new Garsons restaurant is different. Read more - members only

Some garden centres have been in the news for the wrong reasons, falling victims to thieves and the weather. Read more - members only

2015 was an eventful year in the garden sector. Here is a round-up of some of the most important stories on Gardenforum throughout the year. This article is open to non-members. Read more - open to all

The latest ruling by EFSA concludes glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans. Will this decision end the campaign against glyphosate? 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

“We need to dispel the myth that garden centres are the place for experts,” said David Domoney. He is calling on every garden centre to nominate their ambassador and so build a network of mentors to help people and communities who would like to start growing. Read more - members only

GCA today revealed which garden centres are the best for plants, garden products, outdoor living products and garden furniture. Read more - members only

Carol Paris says, “We are entering a golden age for the horticulture industry” as Minister, George Eustace promises to do what he can to help the industry implement its new Ornamental Horticulture Action Plan. Read more - members only

Trading over Christmas has been good for garden centres, but gets ever more complicated with Black Friday, Internet discounting and fears of trees shedding their needles. Read more - members only

Initiated last year, the second National Children’s Gardening Week will take place over the spring half term at the end of May. Read more - members only

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