At least 8 garden centres have been hit by a sophisticated wave of break-ins across the Midlands. 3 were hit last weekend. See more for comments from other garden centres affected... Read more - members only

Retail is under pressure as August figures from KPMG/BRC show like-for-like sales down 0.6% in August despite inflation and the VAT increase. See more... Read more - members only

Local garden news on the web this week includes solar powered car charging at Dobbies, thefts from garden centres, a €250,000 fine for B&Q and a report suggesting that garden projects increase property values. See more... Read more - members only

Judging in the first round of The Garden Centre Association audit has completed, with the top garden centres in each region being named. The overall winner will be announced at the GCA Conference in January 2012. See more... Read more - members only

A new restaurant for Brigemere, Adrian Hall to close Hampstead GC, M&S to open on Trent Valley Garden Centre, B&Q cleared to buy 30 Focus Stores. See more... Read more - members only

Latest results on Gardenforum show a tough year for furniture manufacturers as results from Alexander Rose and Hartman Outdoor Products show. Van Hage & Company (Holdings) and Hillier Nurseries published losses. It was a good year for Grange Fencing, Hozelock, Spotless Punch, Mr Fothergill’s Seeds and Klondyke Group. See more... (This article is open to all readers)... Read more - open to all

A worrying disease, Massaria, that attacks the capital’s most iconic tree has been confirmed in London. Previously it was found only in Germany and Holland. See more... Read more - members only

It’s Silver-Gilt for 2000 school children backed by Peter Seabrook and Scotts. There’s gold for Hillier, Bulldog Tools, Crocus (twice) and B&Q. See more... Read more - members only

Now that the figures are in for April, it should be asked if gardening sales were as good as they should have been with such fine weather, Easter, Mother’s Day and an additional Bank Holiday. See more... Read more - members only

The ‘greenest government ever’ and the movement towards more sustainable living present a commercial opportunity for the garden retail industry. But will garden centres leave it to the sheds and the supermarkets? See more... Read more - members only

It is mostly garden centres who have updated results in Gardenforum’s Company Results. They include Woodcote Green Nurseries, which joins Scotsdale Nursery and Garden Centre, and Park Garden Centre as +£10m retailers. Online garden centre, Crocus increased sales sharply. See more... (This article is open to all readers) Read more - open to all

Government proposals mean that there would be no bank holidays in May 2012. The first one would be cancelled and the second has already been postponed. See more... Read more - members only

Garden centres are reporting a strong start to 2011. Figures from the GCA Barometer of Trade for January confirm this, with 50 of the 54 surveyed experiencing increased sales this January. See more... Read more - members only

Alan Titchmarsh has signed for a new prime time Gardening Show – on ITV. See more... Read more - members only

Bents in Cheshire are the best destination garden centre in the UK for the 3rd year running after rigorous inspection by the GCA. Cowells of Newcastle were judged to be the best smaller garden centre. Solus was voted the best supplier. See more... Read more - members only

Other news last week includes a new operations director for Dobbies, a Restaurant of the Year award for Beckworth Emporium and news that the DIY chains are in regular talks with HMG to cash in on the Coalition’s ‘Green Deal’ being launched next year. See more... Read more - members only

Garden Re-Leaf day is planned as the gardening version of Comic Relief, a fun way to get people to start gardening in 2012. Already 120 companies and a number of celebrities are backing the idea. See more... Read more - members only

Articles on the web last week included an explanation of the hermit crab syndrome, events to encourage the London vegetable grower launched by the Prince of Wales and a piece in The Ecologist supporting the Garden Organic campaign against peat use. See more... Read more - members only

Innovative landscaping will be central to the Olympic Park 2012. Last week the APL hosted a debate to discover the lessons this world class project has for UK landscaping. The days of blocked bedding have passed. The future lies with meadow planting. See more... Read more - members only

After an excellent start it has become a very difficult season for the garden industry. Sales are back to par with last year and there is a big hangover of stock, which could affect the rest of the year. See more... Read more - members only

There’s a spat between ex-presenters of Gardener’s World arising from the 'I don’t Dig Peat' campaign launched by Garden Organic. See more... Read more - members only

Mike Gilbert is predicting that more garden centres will change hands in the coming months, because banks are being more restrictive with their lending criteria. He also believes that leasing is becoming more acceptable to both the freehold owners and operators. See more... Read more - members only

The pressure for a sustainable UK offers a great opportunity to the garden industry. But what is it and who will put the argument that gardening is a great way to live a healthier and more sustainable life? Gardenforum attended the debate at Garden Organics. See more... Read more - members only

Gloomy figures released today by the BRC contrast strongly with the generally buoyant sales experienced by garden centres, with some increasing sales by 25% and more in March, despite Easter and Mother’s Day falling into April. See more... Read more - members only

Last week’s Budget gives some hope to garden centres that are frustrated by the planners. The Chancellor promised changes to legislation so that the default answer to development should be “yes”. See more... Read more - members only

Joe Hashman has won the right to sue Orchard Park Garden Centre in Gillingham, Dorset for discrimination. The case raises matters of general concern to garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

The Prince of Wales urges the nation to take up the cause of growing their own fruit and vegetables in an exclusive feature for Gardeners’ World magazine. See more… Read more - members only

Moving the May Bank Holiday to October would not be good for the garden industry, according to the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA). The move has recently been proposed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Read more - members only

Garden centres, said Christine Walkden, do a good job, BUT... they intimidate beginners with jargon and the incomprehensible language of staff who are trained in the theory but have never sown a seed themselves. See more... Read more - members only

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has just announced its top ten pest-related enquiries received by its Advisory Service. Read more - members only