Last week's planning conference revealed why Malcolm Scott believes Dobbies have a formula that will be a challenge to other garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

Two moves demonstrate the HTA’s growing influence. BOPP has agreed to join the umbrella organisation and the RHS is collaborating more closely with the HTA on plant trials. See more... Read more - members only

The forecast for November from Wiseweather suggests a generally warm month, with below average rain. But there may be some ground frost in the second week in Southern areas. There is no mention of snow. See more... Read more - members only

After taking a bit of a hammering during May, June and part of July, garden centre sales appear to have stabilised during August and September. But bulb sales were down for the second year. See more... Read more - members only

This July’s Woking Show was the last. The group of growers behind the show has concluded that changes within the industry mean there are better ways to promote their businesses. This is the second regional plant show to close this year. See more... Read more - members only

There are a few places available for next Wednesday’s HTA Garden Futures event. During such uncertain times this is a day to hear top bankers and business leaders from inside and outside the industry predict what might happen next. See more... Read more - open to all

Wiseweather predicts predominantly settled weather in the south for October. Scotland and N. Ireland will see more in the way of fronts carrying blustery rain that might affect the west later in the month. See more... Read more - members only

There was plenty of evidence at Four Oaks that retail buyers are cautious about Christmas and about over-wintering too many plants. There was the biggest ever number of overseas exhibitors at the trade show. See more… Read more - members only

Quinton Edwards says garden centre prices have fallen by between 10% and 15% and continue to fall. As a result it expects fewer transactions next year. Nursery prices, however, appear more resilient. See more... Read more - members only

GIMA’s support for ITV’s Love Your Garden with Alan Titchmarsh is leading to further opportunities to place product on daytime TV. See more... Read more - members only

With the rioting and looting that continues to affect London and major cities throughout the country, the HTA has advised members to implement certain security measures in an effort to protect their businesses. See more... Read more - members only

August forecast: Generally unsettled as slow moving fronts cross the UK, with short periods of hot weather in the southeast. See more... Read more - members only

Innovative landscaping will be central to the Olympic Park 2012. Last week the APL hosted a debate to discover the lessons this world class project has for UK landscaping. The days of blocked bedding have passed. The future lies with meadow planting. See more... Read more - members only

Choice Marketing puts a hold on the addition of further garden centres after Johnsons of Boston joins the group. See more… Read more - members only

Following the demise of Focus and several other retailers, consumers can be wary about paying deposits before delivery. B&Q is using TrustMark to build confidence. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA's Garden Gift Card has hit the racks of Sainsbury's and should be selling in WH Smith and Clinton Cards before Christmas. 400 garden centres are taking part. See more... Read more - members only

On Nov 30th the UK gardening press gathers for a huge lunch, where Alan Titchmarsh is to take to the platform to tell the audience of national, trade and local garden writers about Garden Re-Leaf Day. The organisers are asking urgently for examples of activities they can include. See more... Read more - open to all

One third of the garden buying is done by people under 45 years old, but their approach is very different to older gardeners. The HTA is publishing a report showing how to engage the younger, often novice gardener. See more... Read more - members only

The next GIMA business meeting brings together two growing garden centre chains with one of the county’s leading independents. There will also be a report on the next 5 years for garden retail by Mintel and a working breakfast looking at better time management. See more... Read more - members only

With 6 months before the inaugural Garden Re-leaf Day, it is already set to make a big impact with over 500 outlets, The Sun and major suppliers backing the event. See more... Read more - members only

The Royal Horticultural Society has started construction of a state-of-the-art Field Research Facility at its garden in Wisley, Surrey to carry out plant disease and pest focussed investigation. See more... Read more - members only

Which are the companies to face the Glee Garden Angels and what are the questions they will pose them? Common themes are: what do they need to do to get garden centres to take their products? Where should they be made? Should they use agents? What POS support is needed? How do you make a profit? See more... Read more - open to all

The unsettled weather seems set to continue through September, but it should be warmer with rain slightly above average, particularly in the west. See more... Read more - members only

Plant and catering sales helped to stop the decline in sales at garden centres. Smaller centres fared better than the destination centres and the South East did less well than the North. See more... Read more - members only

Garden Re-Leaf day is planned as the gardening version of Comic Relief, a fun way to get people to start gardening in 2012. Already 120 companies and a number of celebrities are backing the idea. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA’s 2012 Garden Futures Conference will look out over London from the spectacular Millbank Tower. This should add perspective to discussions about the garden centre customer of the future. See more... Read more - members only

Bosch Lawn & Garden is partnering the Ramblers and the Woodland Trust in the launch of British Tree Week in October. See more... Read more - members only

Nicola Gammon’s Shoot Gardening has experienced rapid expansion in the last 12 months, increasing membership to 30,000 gardeners. She has now launched a plant finding service and is looking for lists from plant suppliers. See more… Read more - members only

There are still spaces for next week's APL conference at the Olympic venue. It will include a tour of the Parklands around the stadium, velodrome, aqua centre, Olympic village, etc. that set new standards for UK landscaping for a decade. See more... Read more - members only

There is no sign of a return to drought conditions as unsettled weather looks set to continue through July. The South East will see the best weather where rainfall will be around average. Elsewhere it will be higher. See more… Read more - members only