The Dorset conservation success of the previously-threatened otter took an interesting turn on Monday, October 18, when an otter calmly wandered into the coffee shop at Golden Acres garden centre at West Parley! Read more - members only

Falkland in Scotland has retained its title of Champion of Champions in the RHS 2010 Britain in Bloom Awards. The awards ceremony, attended by over 450 community and gardening champions, was held on Wednesday at the Centennial Centre in Birmingham, hosted by BBC Gardeners’ World and Edible Garden presenter, Alys Fowler. See more... Read more - members only

Pop-up rain barrel/water butt scoops triple honours in the Glee New Product Awards. For a list of winners see More... Read more - members only

What will the garden of the future look like? According to a former Chair of the Society of Garden Designers, the idea of a garden without plants is a distinct possibility. See more... Read more - members only

More than half of people with gardens feed birds, says Which? Gardening. But are we hindering or helping our feathered friends, it asks. See more... Read more - members only

Tools and mower businesses show the effects of the recession in the latest results to be published on Gardenforum. But Westland Horticulture, Webbs Garden Centres and Solus Garden & Leisure grew strongly. See more... (This article is open to all readers)... Read more - open to all

There were harsh words for UK garden centres from Adam Pascoe and Christine Walkden at Adrian Bloom's conference about getting people switched on to plants. New initiatives from the US show how to remove the barriers for new gardeners. See more... Read more - members only

There was real enthusiasm from leading garden centres and from exhibitors on the first day of the first ever National Plant Show, which continues today. See more... Read more - members only

After what is probably the driest start to the year for more than 40 years, the threat of hosepipe bans is raising its head again. See more... Read more - members only

Between 1997 and 2008, 25% of new houses were built on domestic gardens in what became known as garden grabbing. Government is now giving local authorities the power to control this. See more... Read more - members only

Gardenforum’s company results show Mr Fothergill’s, Hozelock, Allensmore Nurseries and Klondyke Group increased sales and profits in their recently released results for 2008/9. Others including Spear & Jackson Products, Adrian Hall, Haddonstone, Monro Horticulture and Marshalls had mixed fortunes. See more... (This article is open to all readers)... Read more - open to all

With Caroline Spelman replacing Hilary Benn as Environment Secretary, what can the horticulture industry expect from the new Government? See more...
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April proves to be a bumper month for growers who report record trading weeks. See more... Read more - members only

BBC Television is looking for couples who want to make a life-changing decision and take up a career in farming and there’s just days left to apply to take part in the programme. Read more - open to all

According to the GCA, sales at independent garden centres for the first three months of this year were 9% lower than the same period in 2009. But with the good weather garden centres are now "VERY busy". See more... Read more - members only

There is to be a new forum to resolve the simmering rivalry between garden centres and their suppliers. Representatives from both sides of the industry are to meet on the eve of the GCA conference to sort out their differences – on the rugby pitch. See more... Read more - members only

According to a report by MTW Research, the share of the garden products and equipment market taken by garden centres is continually being eroded by DIY, the high street and the Internet. As this continues, garden centres are migrating their offer and are becoming day out attractions. See more… Read more - members only

Retailers dominate the latest results on Gardenforum including Dobbies, Blue Diamond UK, The Garden and Leisure Group and The Garden Centre Group, which we have already reported on. Also released are the latest from The Scotts Company (UK). See 'more' for a summary of the latest additions to Company Results... (This article is open to all readers)... Read more - open to all

Glee Garden Angels, hosted by Gardenforum, is an exciting and different event at Glee this year. Based loosely on the BBC's Dragons Den, three Angels will offer advice and perhaps a little more, to companies bringing innovation to the garden sector. We can now reveal the identity of our Glee Garden Angels. See more... Read more - members only

2009 saw profit increases for Bents Garden Centre, Otter Nurseries, Polhill Garden Centre and OA Taylor & Sons Bulbs. There was a recovery in profits at Country Homes and Gardens, EP Barrus and Roundstone. See more for a summary of the latest additions to Company Results... (This article is open to all readers)... Read more - open to all

Tree lovers are being encouraged to join in a major online survey being organised by the Natural History Museum. See more... Read more - members only

Hillier commits to a growing new media. Blogs from Chelsea, online video of new plants and now the webcasting of in-store events is propagating a new crop of customers. See more… Read more - members only

There have been mixed reactions from the industry to a VAT increase to 20% from 4th January. Retailers will have to decide whether to absorb the increase or move to the next price point. See more… Read more - members only

Outraged by the latest settlement figure imposed by the Agricultural Wages Board, David Gwyther says, "The AWB is demonstrating yet again that it is out of touch, out of date and, hopefully, out of time". See more... Read more - members only

There was relief for Hillier Nurseries as they continued their record breaking run with a 65th gold medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Other gold winners included John Woods Nurseries, Taylors’ Walkers Bulbs, Raymond J Evison, Peter Beales Roses, Jacques Amand International and David Austin Roses. See more… Read more - members only

The cold weather has disrupted Hillier’s preparations for the Chelsea Flower Show and the nursery’s attempt to extend its unbroken run of 64 gold medals. Follow the Hillier progress day by day on their blog at www.hilliernurseries.blogspot.com. Click on the link below... Read more - members only

What would Brits most like to add to their garden? A survey for B&Q shows it could be a hot spa, vegetable plot or greenhouse, but not a barbecue unless they are under 25. See more... Read more - members only

Ken Mayhew told GIMA delegates that a hung parliament should not harm business. However the recovery is very fragile and there is a risk that the pound could fall further. See more... Read more - members only

Are we heading for a drought this year? If so, the industry should draw some comfort from assurances won from the Government by HTA lobbying before the Flood and Water Management Bill was passed. See more... Read more - members only

Easter sales have done nothing to improve a slow start to the year. Is it entirely due to the weather? What are the prospects for the rest of the year? Will suppliers cope if there is a late spring rush? Gardenforum has talked to garden centres across the country. See more... Read more - members only