The warm wet winter and cooler spring has produced a big variation in performances.  But generally business at Scottish garden centres seems to be up while many (not all) Southern garden centres are behind last year, especially if sandbagged against flooding. Read more - members only

This is one of the questions discussed in the latest fact sheet issued by Malcolm Scott Consultants. It also gives the example of Fairways GC which has permission to be built in Green Belt near Coventry. Read more - members only

The Tillington Group that pools the buying power of some of the country’s top garden centres has broken into the £200m turnover band. Read more - members only

Restaurants and gifts kept tills ringing in January as the dull, wet January delayed the purchase of plants, seeds and bulbs. But it was not an even picture across the country. Read more - members only

Matthew Appleby and the publishers of his new book The Children’s Garden have promised 20% of the royalties to Greenfingers. The book includes projects such as the Ugly Veg. Read more - members only

Watch a live debate with leading influencers on Garden Tags, a new blog site for gardening writers and gardeners, on the eve of the Garden Press Event. Read more - members only

“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

The National Living Wage comes into force on April 1^st.  Garden centres differ on how they will recoup the extra costs. Read more - members only

An alliance of Labour, Scottish Nationalists and 26 Tory rebels defeated Government proposals to devolve decisions on Sunday trading hours to local authorities. Read more - members only

Sunday Trading is likely to be controversial with MP’s as it is debated in the House of Commons on March 8th and 9th, both for its substance and for the way the Government has added it to the Enterprise Bill. Read more - members only

If the UK leaves the EU, it would still have to comply with the new plant health regulations being introduced later this year, says MEP as she outlines the timetable for the new legislation. Read more - members only

Zoning presents a possible threat to out of town retailers as Government proposals to relax Sunday Trading Laws are added to the Enterprise Bill. Read more - members only

Retailers have been receiving bogus calls seeking to place big orders for Yankee candles, paid for with cloned credit cards.  THIS SCAM IS STILL HAPPENING. 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