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

When it comes to shopping for the garden, independent garden centres are best says a survey of 6000 Which? Gardening members. They were better than the multiples and the DIY sheds. Coolings and the RHS head the 53 companies listed. See more… Read more - members only

The GCA Barometer of Trade shows that the East was hit much harder by the cold weather than the West. See more… Read more - members only

Defra has given the go-ahead for controlled release of a psyllid the scientists believe will provide a natural control for Japanese knotweed. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA is strongly resisting proposals that would force many garden centres and small growers to pay a levy to the HDC for the first time. See more... Read more - members only

At last week’s GCA Conference a succession of high-profile speakers showed how the environment, the economy and new technology might impact garden centres. For a summary of their collective wisdom, see more... Read more - members only

January sales appear to be better than expected with such bad weather. Garden centres have adapted to conditions by selling plastic trays when they had run out of toboggans, grit when they had run out of salt and... See more... Read more - members only

With trade strong, attention turned to the battle between the increased number of trade shows in 2010. Many garden centres won planning permission to extend. Corporate activity continued among suppliers. See more... (This article is open to all) Read more - open to all

At midnight on 31st December the standard rate of VAT reverts to 17.5%. Does this mean garden centre staff will cancel their New Year's Eve parties in order to re-price their stock? Or will garden centres accept a 5.5% reduction in gross profit? Gardenforum has been talking to retailers. See more... Read more - members only

Some garden centres are winning free publicity by creating newsworthy events and passing the news to their local press. Read some of the stories published in the last week. Many cover unusual ways to launch Christmas. See more... Read more - members only

Traditionally September has been a busy month for plant buyers, first with Four Oaks and then a couple of weeks later Glee Nursery. But this year things appear to be different. See more... Read more - members only

Defra is consulting about its plans to introduce a predator for Japanese Knotweed next summer. The insect feeds only on the invasive plant, which has proved almost impossible to control by digging or poison and is classed as controlled waste for disposal. See more... Read more - members only

The RHS is coordinating its first Dig Together Day, this September; bringing together thousands of gardening clubs across the UK, to celebrate the knowledge they hold and to inspire new generations to keep the traditions of gardening alive. See more... Read more - members only

Double success for Howard Nurseries and GPS-controlled planting in Holland are covered in this month's nursery column. See more... Read more - members only

The latest Nielsen shop price index shows that prices of non-food items have fallen 1.9% this year. See more... Read more - members only

After a late start to spring, leading garden centres, members of the HTA retail committee, have expressed caution about the impact of the weather and the election on sales. They remain optimistic, but the weather needs to be good for Easter. See more... Read more - members only

Early evidence from The GCA suggests that the season has finally started, boosted by a good Mother’s Day weekend for garden centres. Cold weather, however is still delaying plants purchases. See more… Read more - members only

Leading continental plant importers Europlants and Classiflora held very successful open days recently against a background of falling imports. And Plant Fairs go from strength to strength. See more... Read more - members only

Defra and the Scottish Government today called on Britain’s gardeners to help stop the spread of invasive aquatic plants that damage the natural environment and cost the economy millions with a new campaign to highlight the plight of Britain’s waterways. See more... Read more - members only

Evidence of citrus longhorn beetle damage has had a devastating effect on the growers in Boskoop, Holland. See more… Read more - members only

Slugs and snails were the number one problem on the 2009 Top 10 garden pests list, according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Read more - members only

The HTA has opened the decade with research on how consumers are responding to a challenging economic climate and concerns about the environment. What are the opportunities for the garden industry? See more... Read more - members only

There was a nervous feel to the start of 2009.  The Banking crisis was in full swing.  No one knew whether consumer demand would come to an abrupt halt after Christmas and garden suppliers were anxiously waiting for confirmation of Wyevale’s financial restructuring.   This review is open to all. See more... Read more - open to all

Garden retailers across the country including almost 1000 members of the HTA, will be supporting the BBC’s attempt to coordinate the world record planting of 650,000 trees in one hour on 5th December. Read more - members only

In his monthly nursery column Peter Dawson has been speaking to Andrew Richardson of Johnsons and Whixley about problems facing growers supplying the amenity sector. Read more - members only

Just to let everyone know that it has come to my notice that there is a man going around the Southeast trying to get a refund for 2 5lt bottles of Roundup. The man concerned has no receipt/proof of purchase, gives an address that is not real and a phone number that is unobtainable.... See more... Read more - open to all

Webbs of Wychbold has stepped in with £5,000 to kick start a Greenfingers appeal for £29,000 by September for two urgently needed gardens for limited life children in a Birmingham children's hospice. See more... Read more - members only

A good gardening autumn and an expected increase in the price of Christmas trees should give garden centres a good start to the new gardening year. Sales since last July have increased by over 5% according to the GCA, with smaller garden centres improving the most. See more... Read more - members only

The grow your own campaign gets further impetus as the National Trust launches ‘Window Food’ campaign to turn 600 acres of urban window ledges into vertical vegetable gardens. There will be over 300 events across the country and some great display ideas for garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

The winners of The Greatest Awards, organised by Garden Trade News, were announced yesterday at a glittering garden party. Sir Henry Cooper handed over the trophies to the garden centre teams with the most votes, Davids Nurseries, Birkacre Nurseries, Coolings and Baytree Garden Centre. See more...
Read more - members only