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, 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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