Huge challenge for garden centres as nurseries go peat-free

Garden centres must change the way they care for plants or face losses, say Bransford and New Leaf, as growers transition to peat-free. Read more - members only

Watering advice by Simon Blackhurst

Man wins Japanese Knotweed appeal against council

In a landmark ruling a homeowner has won damages from Bridgend Council for allowing Japanese Knotweed to invade his property. Read more - members only

New supplier for British grown orchids and green houseplants

Double H nurseries is on a mission to transform houseplant wholesale. The Horti House web shop will supply garden centres with British grown orchids and green houseplants. Read more - members only

The Orchid House

Leading turf grower challenges industry to become truly green

A leading UK turf grower is calling for the end of the use of plastic netting in turf – something he says is causing unseen environmental damage.

Read more - open to all

2.	Stephen Fell of Lindum Turf with the company’s plastic-free wildflower turf.

Retail sale of peat in Wales to end

The retail sale of peat in horticulture will end in Wales, Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has announced. Read more - members only

£1m research project to accelerate transition to peat-free

RHS and Government to part fund £1m project with growers and growing media manufacturers to find sustainable alternatives to peat in large-scale commercial operations. Read more - members only

RHS Hilltop: Home of Gardening Science

HTA reassures members over peat ban

Following meetings with Government the HTA reassures members that exemptions to the peat ban would be in place well beyond 2024 for professionally grown plants. Read more - members only

Peat-free growing media

Greenwood Plants named ‘Sustainable Business of the Year’

Greenwood Plants has been named ‘Sustainable Business of the Year’ at the 2022 Central South Business Awards, held at the prestigious Ageas Bowl in Southampton on 28th September. Read more - open to all

Paul Sinha, Greenwood's Melanie Asker & Ellie Coutts (Marketing Mgr), Hazel Warwick (Business South)

Five Ornamental Growers of the Year

Five winners of the first HTA Grower of the Year Awards were revealed at the HTA conference.  They include Allensmore, Ball Colegrave and Palmstead. Read more - members only

Allensmore MD, Mark Taylor with new HTA President, Alan Down

SGD launch Manifesto for Sustainable Gardens & Landscapes

The Society of Garden Designers (SGD) has published a Manifesto for Sustainable Gardens & Landscapes to present its declaration of intent and to establish principles and methodologies that encourage its Members and Affiliated Business Partners to create gardens and landscapes where sustainability comes first. Read more - open to all

Image: Tracy McQue MSGD

Monty Don's Appeal for the Soil Association

Horticulturist, farmer and writer Monty Don will be broadcasting a BBC Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of the Soil Association on Sunday 28th August. Read more - members only

 Monty Don - credit Marsha Arnold

Saving the planet one blade of grass at a time

Johnsons Lawn Seed explains how lawns and other grassy areas are truly eco-friendly. Read more - open to all

Hosepipe ban for London and the Thames Valley

Thames Water which serves 15 million people across London and the Thames Valley is the latest to warn of an intended hosepipe ban. Read more - members only

Wood volumes overtake peat in retail compost

The HTA reveals a dramatic drop in the amount of peat used in compost as the industry awaits delayed Government legislation. Read more - members only

Allensmore production in earlier years

Meta’s award-winning Chelsea Flower Show Garden opens to the public

Meta and the National Forest have teamed up to re-home Joe Perkin’s gold medal-winning garden from this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show: The Meta Garden: Growing the Future. The garden will be revealed today at Conkers Discovery Centre, at the heart of the National Forest in Leicestershire. Read more - open to all

Gardeners invited to help solve aphid mystery

The RHS is calling on gardeners to send in sightings of the giant willow aphid (Tuberolachnus salignus) to help learn more about this elusive species and the ways it interacts with garden plants. Read more - members only

Giant willow aphid (Tuberolachnus salignus) on Willow (Salix daphnoides) - RHS / Andrew Halstead

We are one hot, dry spell away from drought

We are one hot, dry spell away from drought returning this summer, warns National Drought Group.  Rainfall over the next three months will be vital. Read more - members only

Government unveils 5 year plant biosecurity strategy

The Government has set out a new five-year strategy to protect Britain’s plant health, native species and biosecurity, from the mounting threat of invasive pests and diseases. Read more - members only

The headlines that made 2022 unique - a round-up

2022 was dominated by the recovery from the distortions to trade caused by Covid. It was a year of acquisitions. There were some game changers and sadly we lost some leading characters. Read more - open to all

The YPHA - a game changer for young people in horticulture

New studies show environmental benefit of real Christmas trees

Ground-breaking new research shows that real Christmas trees provide a brilliant habitat for wildlife in the UK. Read more - open to all

Westland celebrates with EIGHT GIMA Awards

Sword of Honour in the 2022 GIMA Awards was won by Boost All Purpose Plant Food by Westland, who also scooped 7 other awards. Meadow View Stone retains the Supplier of the Year title. Read more - members only

Westland celebrate receiving the 2022 Sword of Excellence

Highfield Garden World invests in new solar panels

Within the next few days, Highfield Garden World in Gloucestershire will be generating almost half of its electricity from the sun. Read more - open to all

Boningale Limited launches Sustainability Plan to make growing ‘greener’

Boningale Limited has signed up to the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) ‘Sustainability Roadmap Supports pledge,’ publishing its own Sustainability Plan in response to climate and biodiversity issues. Read more - open to all

The future looks good for horticulture

Looking over the horizon, the HTA Conference hears that despite a gloomy economic outlook, the winds are set fair for our sector. Read more - members only

HTA Chairman, James Barnes

British Garden Centres to roll out rapid EV charging

British Garden Centres has partnered Osprey Charging with to roll out rapid EV charging across its UK stores. Read more - members only

The BGC hub at Carmarthen will be similar to Osprey's 8-charger hub in Brackley

Compost bag recycling scheme aims at 40m bags a year

Veolia and Miracle-Gro are extending the recycling scheme for plastic compost bags in garden centres with the aim of diverting 40m bags from landfill. Read more - members only

Yorkshire added to areas of drought

Last week the number of drought areas was extended to the South West, parts of Southern and Central England and the East of England. Today Yorkshire has been added. Read more - members only

Hosepipe ban for the Southeast is announced

As a second hosepipe ban has been announced starting on August 12 at South East Water.  It encourages garden centres to set an example and use watering cans where possible. Read more - members only

First hosepipe ban announced

Southern Water has introduced a Temporary Use Ban from 5 August 2022 in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight.  Will other regions follow? Read more - members only

Guernsey bans retail sale of Glyphosate

From 31 October 2022 retailers on Guernsey will no longer be able to sell products containing glyphosate for use in the garden or as an amateur product. Read more - members only

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive