Those wishing to grow at times of overall decline need to have online presence, says GfK. Although total sales were down in April, Internet sales were up 15%. See more… Read more - members only

The RHS is backing UK growers by sponsoring the New Plant Awards at July’s HTA National Plant Show to be judged by five well known experts. See more... Read more - members only

Now’s the time to book places at the GIMA golf day, where suppliers and their customers unwind after the season with a fun round of golf and raise funds for two charities. See more... Read more - members only

The venue for the 2014 GCA conference is to be kept a secret. Clues will be given over the next few months. There are prizes for the first to guess. See more... Read more - members only

The GCA Trust seeks donations as more horticulture students than ever seek financial assistance to complete their courses. See more... Read more - members only

Last night, Greenfingers launched the Rosy Cheeks Appeal to build more gardens at hospices for children and their families. One mother explained what a garden had meant to her, "Two days after my daughter died, sitting in the garden made me think I could cope with things better." See more... Read more - open to all

The Garden Centre Group is re-energising its apprenticeship scheme. At the same time the HTA is looking at apprenticeships to help its members attract more young entrants to the industry. See more... Read more - members only

First Franchise, who place high street brands as tenants on garden centres, is entering new territory with the launch of a recruitment service, FF-Candidate Select. See more... Read more - members only

The GCA reports that customer numbers were up over Easter, but sales were well below what was expected. The HTA says there is pent-up demand but warns that the longer it takes the weather to improve, the smaller the window of opportunity. See more… Read more - members only

The GCA reports that February sales were 5.5% up on the same month last year. But 29 of the 63 garden centres in the monthly survey actually reported a fall in sales. See more... Read more - members only

Faversham House has sold several publications to Datateam Publishing including DIY Week and Hardware & Garden Review. See more… Read more - members only

The GIMA conference and AGM will be held at the recently upgraded Bicester flagship belonging to The Garden Centre Group. Non-members will be welcomed. See more… Read more - members only

There was important recognition for ornamental horticulture yesterday at the launch of HIP, a new body to co-ordinate horticultural research and its funding. See more... Read more - members only

There are two new websites for 2013. The first is new. GreenPlantSwap is a marketplace for nurseries and gardeners to sell or swap plants. The second is a revamp of Scotts’ Love the Garden. See more… Read more - members only

Wiseweather predicts the risk of frost and snow will continue throughout March as high pressure will be nearby for much of the month. See more... Read more - members only

Garden centres that took part in Garden Re-Leaf Day in March need to act now to stand a chance of winning the Westland Challenge competition. See more... Read more - members only

Andy Smith, who has left Dobbies to become the new garden plant buyer at Waitrose, is one of three new judges for the GIMA Awards. See more... Read more - members only

A RHS report says the skills gap in horticulture is threatening Britain’s economy, environment and food security. 70% of horticultural businesses cannot fill skilled vacancies and say career entrants are inadequately prepared for work. See more... Read more - members only

Quinton Edwards warns that valuers with little garden centre experience are causing problems for garden centres and horticultural businesses seeking bank funding. See more... Read more - members only

Celebrities join in The RHS Chelsea Centenary Appeal to change the perception of horticulture as a career among young people. See more... Read more - members only

GCA puts figures on the late spring. Sales were down 32% in March as outdoor plant sales fell 58%. Sales for the first 3 months are down 20%. See more... Read more - members only

Garden Centre Association (GCA) members are being invited to attend a meeting in June (2013) to discuss peat. Read more - members only

GIMA announces new speakers and declares its conference at TGCG's flagship garden centre a sell out. See more... Read more - members only

Wiseweather predicts a month dominated by high pressure with below average rainfall, cold nights but increasingly warm, sunny days. See more… Read more - members only

‘Focus on your point of differentiation’ was the key message from garden retailers at the latest meeting of the HTA Retail Management Group, which took place in London this week. See more... Read more - members only

The GCA has completed its move to the HTA offices and focuses on Grow. Interim CX Iain Wylie tells garden centres to hold their nerve as the cold weather persists. See more… Read more - members only

Boyd Douglas-Davies the founder of Garden Re-Leaf Day thanked the hundreds of garden centres who joined in to start the garden season and raise funds for Greenfingers charity. See more… Read more - members only

The results from the 2013 HTA wages survey for growers of ornamental crops illustrates how the sector is impacted by rising staff costs, attributed largely to the inflated increases governed by the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB). See more...
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As in 2011, honey fungus topped the list of diseases reported to the RHS Advisory Service. The biggest change was a sharp increase in box blight, due to the wet weather. See more... Read more - members only

The trend towards ambient food is especially attractive to the younger consumer. People want to know where food comes from, that it is good for them and the environment. You can make money out of restaurants but... For some notable quotes from Catering 2013, see more... Read more - members only