How can the planning system be used to enhance garden centre values and increase turnover?  Legislation changes and the implications of The Coalition’s strategy for localism will mean some owners may need to react quickly, says Malcolm Scott.  See more... Read more - members only

March will be a month dominated by areas of high pressure close to or over the UK. This will bring some pleasant sunny days for many after any overnight mist or fog clears but will give rather cold nights especially inland. See more… Read more - members only

Retailers must tag trolleys now to avoid spring chaos, says the HTA. Following the introduction of the RFID tagging of CC trolleys on 10 January, growers are reporting that up to 25% of garden centres that they are delivering to do not have sufficient numbers of tagged trolleys to exchange. Read more - members only

Glee has detailed a plan to win nurseries back to the show with bench displays that make it cheaper and easier to exhibit. Plus there is a new Glee website. See more... Read more - members only

Following a review, the new RHS leadership recognises the need to work more closely with its partners and colleagues in the garden trade. See more... Read more - members only

The cheque guarantee scheme closes in June. While businesses can continue to accept cheques after that, payment will no longer be guaranteed. See more... Read more - members only

According to a national newspaper, hosepipe bans are possible next summer as low rainfall and burst pipes deplete reservoirs. See more... Read more - members only

Here are the highlights of stories that appeared on the Gardenforum Noticeboard in 2010. If there are any you missed, they are all still available. See more... (Open to All) Read more - open to all

PATS are expanding in time and space showing that they have become established in the pet trade calendar after only 2 years. See more... Read more - members only

R A Meredith and Dobbies’ e-commerce improve their logistics and trim costs as they prepare for expansion next season. See more… Read more - members only

New research from Which? Gardening has found that when it comes to turning your garden into a glittering grotto, solar-powered festive lights are a waste of money. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA is to continue its successful one-day conferences with a repeat of its most popular topic, Excellence in Garden Centre Catering. See more... Read more - members only

Westland Horticulture has announced a series of educational days across the UK for garden retail staff. See more... Read more - members only

The RHS is hosting the first-ever international conference dedicated to ornamental plant trials. In association with the International Society for Horticultural Science, the International Trials Conference 2011 (July 4-7) will be a global consultation on the assessment of ornamental plants. See more...
Read more - members only

Westland is offering 25 places at the GCA Conference to rising stars who they hope will be the next generation of garden centre managers. See more... Read more - members only

The next GIMA AGM will be held at Squire’s rebuilt garden at Shepperton. Attendees will be treated to a preview, the afternoon before its official opening and will enjoy some high profile speakers. See more... Read more - members only

Yesterday’s GAN Trade Show will be the last says Golden Acres. With four garden centres, the nursery needs the space for growing. See more... Read more - members only

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has just launched its new ‘Plant Selector’, www.rhs.org.uk/plantselector. This web-based service is an invaluable tool for gardeners trying to decide which plants are best for their garden. Read more - members only

February should be slightly duller, warmer and drier than average according to the latest long range forecast from Wiseweather. See more... Read more - members only

The Garden Centre Association has finalised its figures for 2010 sales. Overall sales increased by 1% with the biggest gains contributed by smaller garden centres in the North. See more... Read more - members only

2009/10 was a good time for the privately owned garden centre groups as DJ Squire, Haskins, Poplar Nursery and Barton Grange all report a significant lift in profits. Among the suppliers, J Parker Dutch Bulbs, Thompson & Morgan and Woodlodge also published strong results. See more... (This article is open to all readers)... Read more - open to all

The first quarterly Business Meeting of GIMA, will look from a different angle at how others see "your products" and hear from a leading retailer on what is required to get a position on its shelves. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA’s 2010 salary survey shows that pay rates for senior posts within garden centres and nurseries fell despite a general rise across the gardening sector of 2.1%. See more... Read more - members only

Wiseweather predicts that the wintry weather will continue through December with temperatures and rainfall both being below average. See more... Read more - members only

Glee has revised the Hall layout for 2011, moving Pet Index, and introduces a new image and display concept for Glee Nursery. Bookings are well ahead of 2010. See more... Read more - members only

Following a commitment to employ the CC trolley scanning system by leading nurseries, garden centres and logistics companies, The HTA is predicting trolley gridlock next spring if the estimated one million unregistered trolleys remain untagged. See more... Read more - members only

Sales of Christmas goods were 14% up during October according to latest figures from the GCA. But there is a big discrepancy between reports from the HTA and the GCA over whether garden centre sales are ahead of or behind last year. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA is to form a new sub-group to represent Cash & Carry nurseries. The group will encourage comparative benchmarking and develop best practice. See more... Read more - members only

In the current challenging economic environment and with tuition fees set to increase, students are feeling the pinch more than most. This academic year the David Colegrave Foundation has four scholarships to invest in the horticulturalists of the future. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA is exploring the possibility of a central hub for distributing plants throughout the UK managed by DHL, a leading logistics company. See more... Read more - members only