A new HTA specialist group has been set up to represent the interests of bedding plant growers. This is a new development that creates the opportunity to provide support for some of the most prominent bedding plant growers in the UK. See more... Read more - open to all

Research by Landscapejuice.com shows how the circulation of consumer gardening magazines has tumbled over recent years. See more... Read more - members only

As part of the ongoing fight to limit the damage caused by possible outbreaks of citrus longhorn beetle, the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) has issued guidance on steps being taken in the UK to reduce the risk of it becoming established here. See more… Read more - members only

The HTA is strongly resisting proposals that would force many garden centres and small growers to pay a levy to the HDC for the first time. See more... Read more - members only

Wiseweather expects February to be colder than average, but slightly drier. The west will have unsettled periods while the east remains drier. See more... Read more - members only

GIMA has negotiated a special package so that its members can exhibit at the Edible Garden Show and capitalise on the interest in Grow-your-own. The 3-day March show is backed by Mirror Group Newspapers, the W. I. and the Royal Agricultural Society amongst others. See more... Read more - members only

Slugs and snails were the number one problem on the 2009 Top 10 garden pests list, according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Read more - members only

Visitors to six garden centres in The Garden Centre Group are now able to take their laptops with them and check their emails or surf the Internet while on-site. See more... Read more - members only

Despite the rising popularity of the ‘grow-your-own’ movement, the majority of the population is in the dark about when to plant some of the most popular fruit and veg, according to research from Gardeners’ World magazine. Read more - members only

GCA results for 2009 show that the smaller garden centre did best and that those in the Midlands and Northwest performed better than the South. Overall, sales were around 11% ahead of 2008, with the biggest increases coming from the farm shop. See more… Read more - members only

The HTA has opened the decade with research on how consumers are responding to a challenging economic climate and concerns about the environment. What are the opportunities for the garden industry? See more... Read more - members only

With temperatures 2C below average expect prolonged periods of frozen ground during January, says Wiseweather, especially in the North. See more... Read more - members only

Jonathan Porritt, Lord Digby Jones and James Timpson will head an influential line-up of speakers at January’s GCA conference. See more... Read more - members only

The marketing group Choice Marketing, is hoping to add like minded independent garden centres as the current members celebrate their share in a £1m rebate. See more... Read more - members only

Yesterday's KPMG Retail Sales Monitor showed that Internet sales in November were 17% higher than a year ago. Recognising that garden centres cannot ignore e-commerce, the HTA is running a series of forums during January. See more... Read more - members only

More than a quarter of garden centres reporting in the GCA Barometer of Trade increased sales during January, pulled along by strong gains in the sales of pet and aquatics. See more... Read more - members only

The recession has not dampened the enthusiasm of garden centres to expand. Last year Malcolm Scott Consultants won planning permission for over 470,000 ft.² of new covered sales area. This includes extensions to some of the country's biggest garden centres. See more… Read more - members only

It seems that the move from London to Hall 10 of the Spring Fair, has secured the future of the Totally shows. See more... Read more - members only

Organisers gave the recession as the reason for postponing next month’s Edible Garden Show for a year. See more… Read more - members only

At last week’s GCA Conference a succession of high-profile speakers showed how the environment, the economy and new technology might impact garden centres. For a summary of their collective wisdom, see more... Read more - members only

It is a repeat of last year with Bents Garden Centre beating Webbs into second place by the narrowest of margins in the competition to be GCA Garden Centre of the Year. See more... Read more - members only

Awards announced yesterday on the first day of the GCA Conference honoured Stewarts Gardenlands, Sunshine Garden Centre and Taylors Bulbs. See more… Read more - members only

After a short trial, Solus has launched Solus Connect, an online ordering system that makes restocking on Sunday night as easy as shopping on Tesco Online. See more... Read more - members only

PetQuip backs innovative logistics scheme that helps exhibitors attend both PATS shows and Interzoo. See more... Read more - members only

When Garden Expo was announced in June it was with the support of the HTA and Gardenex as founder organisations. The indications were that their backing would be exclusive. Now Gardenex has changed its mind. See more... Read more - members only

With trade strong, attention turned to the battle between the increased number of trade shows in 2010. Many garden centres won planning permission to extend. Corporate activity continued among suppliers. See more... (This article is open to all) Read more - open to all

There was a nervous feel to the start of 2009.  The Banking crisis was in full swing.  No one knew whether consumer demand would come to an abrupt halt after Christmas and garden suppliers were anxiously waiting for confirmation of Wyevale’s financial restructuring.   This review is open to all. See more... Read more - open to all

Competition between the 2010 trade shows is getting keener. With months before many of the shows, they are vying with exhibitor lists and inducements for stand holders and visitors to get more from the shows. Read more - members only

November was another good month for garden centres according to the Garden Centre Association. Sales were 8% higher than a year ago in November and for the last 12 months are 10% higher. See more... Read more - members only

The inaugural Garden Expo in June 2010 is to be a 2-day tradeshow to match the HTA’s National Plant Show. At the same time Hozelock, Stewart and Fiskars / Sankey have been announced as sponsors. See more... Read more - members only