Budget criticism from the HTA
The HTA says the Chancellor’s emphasis on ‘upskilling’ the workforce does not go far enough. Urgent government action is needed to address the lack of colleges and seasonal labour rules. Read more - members only
Budget criticism from the HTA
The HTA says the Chancellor’s emphasis on ‘upskilling’ the workforce does not go far enough. Urgent government action is needed to address the lack of colleges and seasonal labour rules. Read more - members only
Forestry Commission act on new tree disease
Woodland managers, landowners, the forest industry and tree nurseries are being urged to remain vigilant after the Forestry Commission (FC) and Forest Research (FR) identified the tree pathogen Phytophthora pluvialis in a woodland in Cornwall. Read more - members only
The biggest gardening army since “Dig for Victory."
Garden centres, suppliers, growers, and gardeners are being called on to play a part in supporting the RHS Planet Friendly Gardening Campaign. Read more - members only
The RHS call on the public to go green this Halloween
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) are calling on members of the public to go green this Halloween by sharing the 8 spookiest houseplants that could be used instead of plastic decorations. Read more - open to all
DLF Seeds to invest £3.5m in new UK facilities
DLF Seeds, the worlds-leading grass seed breeder is to invest £3.5m in new state-of-the-art mixing and distribution facilities at its main seed processing site at Inkberrow in Worcestershire. Read more - members only
Veolia innovation increases composting recovery
Following successful large-scale trials, Veolia has demonstrated a new way of treating the 25% of green waste that ends up being sent for disposal or re-composting. Read more - open to all
Seed shortage concerns reported by Wildflower Seed Company
Non-profit wildflower company, Seedball says increased demand and a poor harvest last autumn, has contributed to a nationwide shortage of wildflower seed. Read more - open to all
GIMA supporting members through forthcoming changes in packaging legislation
A recent survey of GIMA has members revealed the challenges faced by companies preparing for new packaging legislation over the next two years. Read more - open to all
Forestry Commission launches Tree Production Innovation Fund
A new £1 million fund to increase and diversify our domestic tree production has been announced by the Forestry Commission today (21 July), in partnership with Defra. Read more - open to all
Forestry Commission act on bark beetle tree pest findings in Kent
Woodland managers, land owners, the forest industry and tree nurseries are being urged to remain vigilant after two new breeding populations of the larger eight-toothed European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) were identified in two woodlands in Kent. Read more - open to all
Cherry Lane offers food bank collections in-store
Discount retail group QD has introduced food bank collection points in 24 of its stores including nine Cherry Lane Garden Centres. Read more - open to all
Dobbies and Evergreen trial compost bag recycling
Waste-aware gardeners will now be able to recycle compost packaging thanks to a trial scheme from Dobbies Garden Centres and Evergreen Garden Care. Read more - members only
Public urged to Plant For Our Planet in a new campaign launched today
A new campaign aimed at inspiring the nation to get planting has been launched today (Saturday 5 June), helping us to build back greener and step up our efforts to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss. Read more - open to all
Amateur peat ban by the end of this parliament
Industry responds to the Government's ban on the sale of peat before the next election with its own proposals and a plea for help to procure alternative materials in a sustainable way. Read more - members only
RHS warns against buying problem plants online
The RHS is reminding gardeners to only buy online plants and seeds from reputable British garden centres or nurseries to minimise the risk from new pests and diseases. Read more - members only
BHETA webinar to update suppliers on plastic packaging tax implications
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) is hosting a webinar for all UK housewares, DIY, garden and small electricals suppliers on the implications and preparations required ahead of the forthcoming plastic packaging tax legislation which comes into force in April 2022. Read more - open to all
From compost bags to Plaswood® furniture
A trial scheme for the collection of used compost packaging will see the material turned into recycled plastic furniture from Plaswood®, a Berry Global product. Read more - open to all
Garden pest that spoils crops could be commonplace within a decade
An invasive stink bug that spoils fruit and vegetables and can overwinter in homes has been found at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey as part of a pheromone trapping project designed to monitor its spread. Read more - open to all
Growers will need help if Government trebles tree planting
Government has announced plans to treble tree planting rates in England by the end of this Parliament. But the scheme will fail without help for UK growers says The HTA. Read more - members only
Tough questions at Chelsea launch of RS Scheme
At the Chelsea launch of the Responsible Sourcing Scheme, Tom Heap challenges the industry solution to eliminating peat as greenwash and asks why not ban peat tomorrow. Read more - members only
GCA winners for Midlands, Wales and the West
St Peter’s, Planters at Bretby, Monkton Elm and Old Railway Line are the first regional Garden Centres of the Year to be revealed by the GCA. Read more - members only
Will SE Water companies ban Nurseries from watering during drought?
The HTA has responded to proposals by Six water companies in south east England to ban, during a drought, watering outdoor plants on commercial premises and watering newly bought plants. Read more - members only
Government U-turn on scope of plastic packaging tax
HMRC has published draft secondary legislation clarifying the scope of the plastic tax. Storage boxes for home use and reusable food and drinks containers will not now be included in these regulations, says BHETA. Read more - members only
Dobbies to create around 1000 jobs over the next five years
Dobbies tells Environment Minister Rebecca Pow that the business is set to create around 1000 jobs over the next five years as it signs up for ‘Plant for our Planet’. Read more - members only
Focus on reducing contamination in food and garden waste collections
The HTA has called for a greater focus on reducing contamination in food and garden waste collections to help the industry transition away from the use of peat. Read more - open to all
The HTA launches Inside Horticulture
The HTA has published the first edition of Inside Horticulture, a new quarterly magazine for business leaders throughout the horticulture sector. Read more - members only
Growers cannot meet Government trees timeframe without support
The HTA calls on Government to support and engage with the industry so it can have the confidence to invest and meet the 2024 tree planting target. Read more - members only
RHS urges switch from mains to rains
The RHS and Cranfield University are calling on the UK’s gardeners to swap mains water for rainwater as they launch a new online tool that calculates the potential savin. Read more - open to all
Government to set timetable for peat sales ban
Tomorrow, industry focus will switch from the reopening of indoor dining in garden centres to peat with the expected reveal of the Government’s Peat Action Plan. Read more - members only
Will garden centres re-open restaurants in May?
There is caution among independent garden centres over the reopening of inside catering, which is likely to be permitted from 17th May, while there's social distancing. Read more - members only