The Garden Centre Association (GCA) has revealed the location of the organisation’s next annual conference (January 26 until 29, 2014) and the winners of its ‘guess the venue competition’. See more... Read more - members only

It was widely said that 2013 could not be another year like 2012. It has taken a 19% increase in June for the 67 garden centres in the GCA Barometer of Trade to catch up with last year, which is a lot worse than was expected when budgets were set. See more... Read more - members only

Sales of flower seeds have increased by 4.3% in 2013. See more... Read more - members only

In a pre-close second quarter trading update Kingfisher reports strong garden leisure sales thanks to fine weather. See more... Read more - members only

The nationwide competition, organised by TV gardener David Domoney and supported by the HTA, was a runaway success at the show with hundreds of entries flooding in as the public competed to be crowned Britain’s Best Street. See more… Read more - members only

What a difference a few days of sun make. Exhibitors at Solex reported taking orders for immediate delivery, not something they usually expect. But garden centres were concerned about competition from the Internet. See more… Read more - members only

Colleges complained of lack of support from the industry at the Q-Lawns Sustainable Landscaping event. But some landscapers said colleges are not interested in them. See more... Read more - members only

There’s a crisis facing our industry, says James Wong. New generations are not coming into horticulture and it’s our fault. Young people’s growing is subversive, experimental and fun. See more... Read more - members only

Lord de Mauley says the threat to plant health from imported diseases such as Chalara is a top priority for Defra. The government is in a listening mood realising it needs to work with growers and the industry. See more... Read more - members only

It was a great bank holiday weekend for most English garden centres, with plants sales being the stand out performer. There were conflicting reports about garden furniture. See more... Read more - members only

Suppliers report good orders in anticipation of a strong the bank holiday weekend as GCA figures show April sales increased by a disappointing 8%. See more... Read more - members only

Last weekend showed that gardeners are ready to shop when the weather allows. But is there time to recover lost sales? What will be the impact of another poor spring? Gardenforum samples opinion. See more... Read more - open to all

Wiseweather predicts periods of high pressure at the beginning and end of May with cooler, more showery weather in the middle weeks especially in the south and West. See more... Read more - members only

The Daily Telegraph says that garden centres are blaming Monty Don for the mass dumping of spring flowers. It's estimated that 30m plants will have to be cleared to make room for summer bedding. See more... Read more - members only

GIMA has warned suppliers about scam orders, in particular one purporting to come from Tesco. See more… Read more - members only

March 14th is the date for Garden Re-Leaf in 2014. This spring, the day that starts the gardening year raised £61,379 and organisers have described some of the gardens it funded at children’s hospices. See more... Read more - members only

It may not be too unusual but do beware. As the weeds grow again after the recent hot spell of weather so the scammers come out again too. See more... Read more - members only

Lion TV, the company behind Monty Don’s French Gardens, is looking for people who would like to create extraordinary gardens from ordinary plots and want to turn their dreams into reality for a new tv series. See more ... Read more - members only

Another successful Awards night enjoyed by all that were in attendance along with the announcement for Garden ReLeaf 2014. See more... Read more - members only

The Institute of Horticulture (IoH) is delighted to announce that Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to grant a Royal Charter to the Institute of Horticulture. See more... Read more - members only

Glee will move to a more flexible set of Halls within the NEC in 2014. However, recent changes within the industry give more reason for retailers to visit the show this year to reassess their suppliers. See more... Read more - members only

Where will the next GCA conference be held? There are prizes for guessing and the first clue has been released by the association. See more... Read more - members only

Some of the UK Gardening’s best brands are taking part in The Coronation Festival, a celebration of the 60th anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation. See more... Read more - members only

Wiseweather predicts June will be sunnier and drier than average, especially in the north. High pressure is expected in the second half of the month. See more... Read more - members only

National Garden Gift Vouchers are sponsoring a brand new UK wide garden competition that will be launched by TV gardener David Domoney and the Sunday People to get the nation gardening this summer. See more...
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Ten show gardens collected Gold Medals including two each for constructors Crocus, Willerby Landscapes and Landform Consultants. Hillier earned its 68th consecutive Gold in the Great Pavilion and there was Gold for the Rich brothers backed by Vital Earth. Hozelock collected the award for the best new product. See more... Read more - members only

GfK says garden sales across all channels fell 34% in the first 3 months, but garden centres suffered less than DIY chains and supermarkets. See more… Read more - members only

How do leading retailers address competition from the Internet? One of the biggest, Wilkinsons Stores explained its strategy to last week’s business meeting organised by GIMA. See more... Read more - members only

The number of 45’s that own a home with a garden has dropped by 2 million, says the HTA. This and immigration provide an ‘opportunity’ for the industry to re-invent itself. See more… Read more - members only

The GCA reports that February sales were 5.5% up on the same month last year. But 29 of the 63 garden centres in the monthly survey actually reported a fall in sales. See more... Read more - members only