The first of Alan Titchmarsh’s new gardening series is due to air on Friday. GIMA has been helping the makers to source products and is keen to alert suppliers and retailers ahead of each show to items that will be featured. See more... Read more - members only

Contrary to expectations, Wiseweather believes June will be unsettled, after a warm start. Rainfall will be near or above average in many parts, although central and Eastern areas could remain drier. See more... Read more - members only

The unusually high temperatures and light levels this spring have sadly taken their toll on the iris fields. The iris flowers are so far forward, that there will be no blooms left for the field open days, which had been scheduled for 2-4 June 2011. Read more - members only

Garden centre and horticultural business owners considering making an investment in their businesses are being urged to tap into discounted loan rates from the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (AMC), but should act quickly to ensure they secure a loan before the EIB funds expire. See more... Read more - members only

Figures released by the GCA for April show strong growth, which means that their garden centres have increased sales by around 8% over the last 12 months. See more... Read more - members only

PATS has rescheduled its Harrogate show in 2012 to an autumn date that challenges Glee/Petindex head-on. See more... Read more - members only

Wiseweather predicts that May will be another dry month especially in the East, with above average sunshine. Warmest April temperatures since 1659 were like an average June. Despite this, water companies say there will not be hosepipe bans. See more... Read more - members only

GCA figures suggest that garden centre sales were up 20% in March compared to last year. This is despite Mother’s Day and Easter falling into April. But garden furniture sales fell in almost a third of garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

Just as the 2011 season is reaching its peak, it is time for manufacturers to think of 2012 and the exposure that can be gained from entering the GIMA awards. An influential panel of judges has been named including buyers from national and independent companies. See more... Read more - members only

My-garden-school.com claims to be the world’s first on-line horticultural classroom. It went live last weekend to deliver courses from leading garden experts for anyone from hobbyist gardener to the professional. See more... Read more - members only

Alan Titchmarsh’s new TV programme presents a great opportunity for garden manufacturers to place product, says the HTA. See more... Read more - members only

Last week’s Budget gives some hope to garden centres that are frustrated by the planners. The Chancellor promised changes to legislation so that the default answer to development should be “yes”. See more... Read more - members only

In their 3rd year PATS can claim to have become the leading trade shows for the pet industry. Visitor numbers at Sandown increased by 20% and the show was always busy. See more... Read more - members only

With designs approved for the gardens and stands at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, the trends are emerging. Blue is the colour, the ‘In’ plant will be the Iris and themes include plant hunting. There is also to be an award for the best new product. See more… Read more - members only

UK garden manufacturers have the opportunity to meet export buyers from Belgium’s largest garden centre chain, plus distributors from Denmark and the US at the next Gardenex "Meet the Buyer" event. See more... Read more - members only

Following success for its members in Las Vegas, Gardenex is calling on garden manufacturers to take advantage of favourable exchange rates by exhibiting at the leading Japan trade show. It has also introduced a new legal service to assist exporters. See more... Read more - members only

Growers attending the HTA Amenity Suppliers meeting, held last week at Coles Nurseries in Leicestershire, reported a healthy market with trading much better than anticipated at the beginning of the year.

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An 18 month trial of the HTA’s Garden Gift Card starts in August. Despite reservations discussed in the Gardenforum coffee shop, 312 garden centres have already signed with more expected. See more... Read more - members only

The latest market analysis by the HTA shows local newspaper advertising still works best; bedding plant sales have increased at the expense of other plants and fewer people have grass in their gardens than 5 years ago. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA discussed the implications of water shortages, including hosepipe bans, at a meeting with Caroline Spelman, the Defra Secretary of State and other water users and producers. The situation is said to be not dire yet and they are to meet again in a month. See more... Read more - members only

The HDC, The HTA and East Malling Trust are stepping in with £1.25m to sponsor vital applied research for horticulture after withdrawal of Government funding. See more... Read more - members only

Frustrated by Red Tape? Retail businesses have till May 5th to air their views on the Government’s Red Tape Challenge website as it considers what regulations should be scrapped. See more... Read more - members only

Notcutts becomes only the second independent retailer to achieve full membership of the Growing Media Initiative, having proved that over 55% of the growing media and soil improver they have sold in bags is peat free. See more... Read more - members only

Investors in People (IIP) is the kitemark recognising good employers and well-run companies. Lantra, the Sector Skills Council covering nurseries, landscapers and garden centres has been appointed an administrator of the IIP programme. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA and Glee have patched up their differences. This September, the HTA will be the principle sponsor of Hall 4 and Hall 5 and will drive the seminar programme. See more... Read more - members only

April is likely to be dominated by areas of high pressure close to or over the UK. These will bring some pleasant and warm sunny days but nights could be rather misty and at times chilly. See more… Read more - members only

National Garden Gift Vouchers are to be advertised on TV, starting with a £10,000 competition this week on ITV’s Daybreak and Lorraine programmes. See more... Read more - members only

GCA figures for February suggest that it was a good month for garden centres. Sales were up by 34% with hardy plants selling best. See more... Read more - members only

Another successful year for members of Choice Marketing means they will share a rebate of £1.2 million from their key suppliers. Five more garden centres have been added to the group. See more... Read more - members only

Garden centre catering is all about baking. Why have you chosen counter rather than waiter service? Make it in-house - you can always taste the difference. These are just some of the points from the recent HTA Catering conference. See more... Read more - members only