Olympics sets landscaping standards for the future

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

Difficult spring trading will impact the rest of the year

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

'I don't dig peat' is not industry bashing says Garden Organic

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

More Garden Centres to be Leased

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

Sustainability, a great opportunity for the garden industry?

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

Retail Gloom but Garden Centres Boom

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

Planning changes could be good for Garden Centres

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

Discrimination case raises worrying issues for garden centres

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

“Sow the seed for future generations,” says HRH

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

HTA opposes suggestion of moving May Bank Holiday

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 do a good job, BUT...

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

Slugs and Snails knocked off the pest top spot

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

2010 – The highlights

Here are the highlights of stories that appeared on the Gardenforum Noticeboard in 2010. If there are any you missed, they are all still available. See more... (Open to All) Read more - open to all

Soil improvers should be peat free by 2013 says new Defra target

The Government is consulting the industry over a range of targets to accelerate the elimination of peat in UK horticulture. The plan has received a cautious welcome from the HTA. There will be a series of meetings in the spring. See more… Read more - members only

Minister asks the Garden Industry for help

Environment Minister announces a national tree planting campaign and a White Paper for the New Year. He says the garden industry has a key role to play in the Coalition’s promotion of The Big Society. See more… Read more - members only

Garden retailers hit the headlines around the UK

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

Results show last year was difficult for many garden companies

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

Massaria arrives in London

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

Chelsea medals for 2000 school pupils

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

Were April sales as good as they should have been?

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

Garden Organic hosts national gardening sustainability conference

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

Big increase in Profits for Scotsdale

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

Will there be no bank holidays in May 2012?

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

GCA figures confirm strong start to 2011

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

Titchmarsh signs for ITV Gardening Show

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

“It’s all about our team” says Matthew Bent

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

Depleted reservoirs could mean hosepipe bans next summer

According to a national newspaper, hosepipe bans are possible next summer as low rainfall and burst pipes deplete reservoirs. See more... Read more - members only

2 New Year Honours for Horticulture

Professor Stephen Blackmore, Regius Keeper, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is made CBE, while Bill Simpson formerly principle of Pershore College becomes MBE in the New Year Honours. See more... Read more - members only

Garden Centre sales hold up well despite the snow

With the threat of more snow interrupting last minute Christmas shopping, it appears that sales have so far proved resilient. But suppliers fear that garden centres will be cautious about re-stocking in the New Year. See more... Read more - members only

Further losses for garden suppliers

Latest results to be published on Gardenforum include suppliers Gardman, Decco, Europlants, Richard Sankey & Son and Smart Solar; plus the retailers, Coolings Nurseries, Castle Gardens Sherborne, Capital Gardens and Golden Acres. There was a sharp increase in profit for Danning and Symons. A number of garden suppliers are still making losses including Desch Plantpak, Deroma, Fiskars Brands UK, Forest Garden Group and Rowlinson Garden Products. See more... (This article is open to all readers)... Read more - open to all

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive