Pressure groups target peat and use of illegal timber

Each year Easter is the time for stories from environmental pressure groups. The focus this year is on peat and a report naming companies that sell garden furniture made out of illicit timber from Laos. See more... Read more - members only

What will retailing be like in 2015?

At GIMA’s annual meeting last week, Alistair Lorimer predicted fragmentation of the mass market as baby boomers turn 70, Peter Field was elected President for the next year and Jon Whitely warned against poor insurance policies. See more... Read more - members only

GardenAfrica seeks garden centres to co-host a weekend

GardenAfrica, a UK registered charity, is looking for garden centres to co-host an exciting weekend of events which will boost sales and fund horticultural projects in sub-Saharan Africa. See more... Read more - members only

Industry praises Government restrictions on paving

DEFRA has listened to the garden industry and has published measures that will prevent householders from laying non-porous paving in their front drives without planning permission. See more... Read more - members only

Garden centres outpace DIY stores in difficult year

A fistful of reports from the HTA shows how garden centres prospered compared to DIY superstores in a challenging year; that only 9% of people recognise the environmental benefit of plants; and that orders through home delivery/mail order companies grew 22%. See more... Read more - members only

RHS Grow Your Own Veg – open weekend

The RHS is opening up its four gardens to members of the public on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th March to launch the 2008 Grow Your Own Veg campaign. Read more - members only

News Review 2007

Here is our review of the News in 2007.
This story is open to all our readers even if you are not a subscriber. See more... Read more - open to all

HTA continues to push for changes to the Sunday Trading Laws

The Horticultural Trades Association is continuing to seek support in government for a relaxation of the laws to enable Sunday trading to take place on Easter Sunday. Read more - members only

Retailers and suppliers must form alliances

At a time of rapid change and little growth within the garden industry, “There is still too much them and us.” The words of Leslie Kossoff set the mood for the first of the HTA’s 2008 one day conferences. See more... Read more - members only

NT advises on Sudden Oak Death

The National Trust for Scotland, concerned about the spread of Sudden Oak Death into Scotland, convened a conference of experts to offer guidance. Their advice applies throughout the UK where 625 sites are now affected. See more... Read more - members only

How Green is your business? It’s time for Action

The recent GIMA meeting heard that 50% of the top 250 companies now measure their carbon footprint. The garden sector has been slow to respond and should act now before being forced by legislation. It is not as complicated as it sounds. See more... Read more - members only

Slugs and Snails (but not quite puppy dogs tails)

Slugs and snails were the UK’s most troublesome garden pest of 2007, according to members of the Royal Horticultural Society. These slimy predators moved one place up on last year, just beating the recently established harlequin ladybird into second place. See more... Read more - members only

Children and the Environment – the new RHS focus

The environment and children are to be the themes that unite all future activities by the Royal Horticultural Society and will feature heavily in the television programmes and articles on the 2008 RHS shows such as Chelsea, Hampton Court and Tatton Park. See more... Read more - members only

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive