Colder weather to persist through December

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 revises floor plan for 2011 as bookings jump

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

HTA warns of trolley gridlock next spring

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

Are garden centre sales up or down in 2010 - who do you believe?

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

HTA forms Cash & Carry sub-group

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

Investing in the horticulturalists of the future

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

HTA plans National plant distribution hub

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

New DG prunes the RHS to let in the light

Restructuring at the RHS sees the departure of 3 directors as the new director general, Sue Biggs, streamlines the RHS and seeks to elevate its public profile. See more... Read more - members only

GCA to focus on climate and the novice gardener

The first details have been announced for the 2011 GCA Conference to be held at the end of January near Chipping Norton. Speakers include the One Show’s Christine Walkden, who fears that garden centres are embarrassed to sell plants. See more... Read more - members only

Gardening is cool says Mary Queen of Shops

“I’ve never been to a garden centre where someone educated me,” said Mary Queen of Shops at the HTA conference. There is a new world order in retailing, said Mary Portas and the changes are a big plus for garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

Challenging the future of bedding

Bedding Focus 2010 - 28th October at Ball Colegrave - seems to be a must attend event for any grower or retailer looking at the future shape of their business. See more... Read more - members only

HTA & BBC discuss new programmes

In the light of falling viewing figures for Gardeners’ World, the HTA and the BBC have discussed new garden programming to appeal to the younger gardener. See more... Read more - members only

What are you doing tomorrow (Wednesday)?

Any garden centre or plant manager who can spare half a day tomorrow (Wednesday) and get to London, should visit the RHS Autumn Harvest Show. They will pick up enough ideas for this Autumn and next. See more... Read more - members only

Ambitious plans for GardeningTV

Gardening TV has new owners with ambitious plans to double the number of host garden centres within 12 months. See more... Read more - members only

Dobbies’ chief exec to address garden suppliers

James Barnes, chief executive of Dobbies Garden Centres, will be the keynote speaker at the GIMA business meeting on 7/10. Other topics include advice on how to succeed with sales agents and TV shopping. See more... Read more - members only

R A Meredith and Dobbies focus on logistics

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

Take solar lights off your Christmas list, warns Which? Gardening

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

HTA to repeat popular one-day catering conference

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 takes Masterclass on the road

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

RHS announces 2011 International Trials Conference

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 sponsors the stars of the future

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

It will be a pretty average November

Wiseweather predicts that a succession of low pressures will keep the weather unsettled for most of November, with respite from a couple of short lived highs. Temperatures should be above average, rainfall and sunshine near average for the month. See more... Read more - members only

September sales slip after last year’s gains

When judging September’s 4% fall in garden centre sales, as shown in the GCA Barometer of Trade, allowance must be made for last year’s 13% increase. See more... Read more - members only

Beware of Friends Bearing Gifts says RHS

Such is the threat of the fuchsia gall mite, the RHS is opening its free diagnostic service to non members and has warned gardeners about sharing cuttings. See more… Read more - members only

Upbeat GIMA hears of opportunities on TV and with Agents

The boom in TV home shopping, how to succeed with agents, an update from Dobbies, an invitation to the Edible Garden Show and a vote on Glee were topics that filled a fast moving GIMA meeting last week. See more... Read more - members only

Day one success for Aqua

It was an encouraging start for Aqua 2010 at Telford. Over 700 visitors attended the first day. See more... Read more - members only

GIMA freezes rates in tough times

In advance of tomorrow’s GIMA meeting, the Garden Manufacturers Association has reacted to fears of a tough 2011 by freezing membership fees for a 4th year. See more... Read more - members only

Garden4Less Hit by Bosch / Amazon Scam

Local Internet retailer Garden4Less has been hit by a unique online scam involving the Amazon website. See more... Read more - members only

Angels open doors for Glee entrepreneurs

At Gardenforum's invitation, 6 entrepreneurs braved the stage to ask the Glee Garden Angels how to get access to garden centre buyers. The results were unexpected. As one company said afterwards, "I learnt more in 15 minutes with the Angels than I would have gained in hours with a consultant." See more... Read more - members only

Outrage at blatant copying at Glee

Some of the most innovative companies in the garden industry have been outraged by blatant copying of their products at Glee. See more... Read more - members only

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive