Franchi Sementi has been acquired by Verisem Distribution, with Giampiero Franchi joining the parent company board to develop the company’s distribution, including in the UK. Read more - members only

Yesterday’s Sunday Times reports, “Homeowners who follow government advice to use water butts to hose their gardens and wash their cars risk exposing themselves to a dose of deadly legionella bacteria.” Read more - members only

Despite eye-catching new products at Solex, it’s been tough for garden leisure importers and not just because of the weather.  They have faced delayed deliveries, adverse cash-flows, rising costs and compliance with LOFA Assured. Read more - members only

Farplants, the West Sussex nursery co-operative for ornamental garden plants, has added house plants to its product portfolio for the first time. Read more - members only

Evergreen Garden Care UK is the new name for The Scotts Company (UK) and signals a new strategy and direction for the business. Read more - members only

Terra Firma says it has received a significant number offers for all and for parts of the business and is now considering its options. Gardenforum considers the signs to look out for. Read more - members only

Around 50 firefighters and 12 appliances were called to a major fire yesterday at Shire the garden buildings manufacturer at Wisbech in Cambridgeshire. Read more - members only

Scheurich in co-operation with Baikap is to buy Deroma by the end of 2018. This is the first of several new growth stages for the Scheurich company. Read more - members only

Court victory lifts the threat of jail hanging over Rob Scott after action taken by Wokingham Borough Council against Hare Hatch Sheeplands was ruled unfair and unjust. Read more - members only

Wesfarmers has confirmed 30^th June as the likely completion date for the Homebase sale to Hilco. The industry now waits to see what steps the turnaround specialist will take to return Homebase to health.  Read more - members only

Christie & Co says there is interest in almost every one of the 145 Wyevale Garden Centres put up for sale last month and explains how the sale is likely to progress. Read more - members only

Following the announcement last month that its loss-making non-food on-line business is closing next month, Tesco has launched a series of clearance offers on some of its garden products. Read more - members only

Christies & Co have unveiled a list of the 145 Wyevale garden centres for sale and their valuations, with Woodcote Green topping the list. But what if the group is broken up? Read more - members only

Hilco, the turnaround specialist behind HMV has bought Bunnings UK and Ireland. Job losses are likely to follow. Also a CVA? Read more - members only

Multiple reports suggest that a decision on the buyer for Homebase could come within days. Two turnaround investors appear to be leading the race. Store closures would be likely. Read more - members only

James Whiteley, managing director of the online retailer White Stores, has bought the trading name of Nova Garden Furniture and has started wholesaling. Read more - members only

Wyevale bidders will be anticipating calls after the garden centre group announced the start of stage two of the sale where it will give additional information to those bidders who have made it through the initial stage.  Read more - members only

Stax Trade Centres has added to its own-brand products lines with the acquisition of the Groundsman range of household brooms, brushes and dustpans, which was previously distributed by LG Harris. Read more - members only

Soon after Sky News reported that Edinburgh Woollen Mill owner Philip Day had lodged an offer for Wyevale, their bid was withdrawn. Read more - members only

Hilco has started its remedial action after taking control of Homebase with an announcement that 300 head office jobs will go by November. How many stores will close? Read more - members only

Building starts on a new garden centre in Honiton, while work is nearly completed on an additional retail building for Threaplands in Scotland. Read more - members only

After a terrible start to the year, garden centres prospered in the warm May weather and all but recovered the sales lost in the earlier months. Read more - members only

Till queues were reported to be over 100 yards long at the ‘invitation only’ closing down sale at Reigate Garden Centre. Read more - members only

Cowell’s garden centre, winner of the GCA’s best plant area, has in the last 3 weeks been saved from closure. Read more - members only

The first major phase in the resurrection of Klondyke’s Strikes Stokesley centre is getting underway. Read more - members only

Highly-flammable cushions found at Coletta & Tyson’s garden centre led to a £30,000 fine for manufacturers Rosewood Pet Products. Read more - members only

A disappointing spring has held back like for like growth to 4.7% for y/e March 2018 after a good 2017 Spring/Summer garden and outdoor leisure season.  Read more - members only

ITE has agreed to buy 7 exhibitions from Ascential, formerly EMAP, that include Glee, Spring and Autumn Fair. Read more - members only

Stansted Park Garden Centre becomes the second to be branded ‘Your Local Garden Centre’, having been bought from administrators by Paul Richards and Tim Mason. Read more - members only

Terra Firma has appointed Christie & Co to sell Wyevale Garden Centres as a whole or garden centre by garden centre.  Read more - members only