TGCG chairman expresses admiration for Nicholas Marshall but explains why a new CEO is needed to fulfil a radical transformation of the group. The strategy is to grow revenues from the existing centres and there is the finance to acquire more. See more... Read more - members only

It has been announced that Nicholas Marshall stepped down as CEO of The Garden Centre Group earlier today. The company will be run by its new chairman, while a new CEO is recruited. See more... Read more - members only

The Garden Centre Group has filed results for 2011. Sales increased by 9.3%, including the acquisition of Country Homes & Gardens. There was a reduced loss before tax of £5.5m. See more... Read more - members only

Hortitrends reports that one of West Cork's best-known businesses, Hosford's Garden Centre, has closed down. See more... Read more - members only

Lowaters Nursery have won the farming and horticulture category at this year’s UK Water Efficiency Awards for their new rainwater harvesting system.
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Day one of Glee was marked by the announcement that Smart Solar is to become the sole distributor of Haxnicks products in the UK. See more… Read more - members only

Dobbies plans to extend its estate north to Inverness, where it is seeking permission to open a garden centre next to Tesco. See more…
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Stephen Murphy, who succeeded Richard Branson as group chief executive of Virgin becomes the new chairman of The Garden Centre Group. See more… Read more - members only

Dobbies’ first joint store with Tesco has been approved by planners at Kings Lynn. Work should start next spring. See more... Read more - members only

Scotts will use Flower Magic to head its 2013 TV campaign. Just sprinkle it, water it and within 6 weeks you have a mixed border that will flower all summer. Scotts hope it will be bigger than Patch Magic. See more…
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News will be released at Glee that Henri Studio is closing UK operations and that Kelkay will become the sole distributor of its products in this country. See more... Read more - members only

Next continues its expansion into gardening saying it has identified a further 19 locations for its new format Home & Garden centres. See more… Read more - members only

The poor harvest of grain, fruit and vegetables is already showing in the price of food, which is predicted to increase sharply in the autumn. Mr Fothergill’s expects this to boost interest in Grow Your Own. See more... Read more - members only

Poplars Garden Centre of Dunstable announced today they have joined Future Marketing, making it number 12 for the marketing and buying group. See more... Read more - members only

Here are the plants and products featured in the final episode of Love Your Garden. Alan Titchmarsh, David Domoney and the team created a garden at Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice in South Yorkshire. See more... (open to all) Read more - open to all

Simpsons of Inverness are the latest independent business to join Future Marketing. There is also news that Millbrook Garden Centre have decided to bring their second centre into the marketing group for independent garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

Alfords Garden Centre in Grimsby has been put up for sale as the owners plan to retire. They wish to sell as a going concern but there is also the potential for development. See more… Read more - members only

Sinclair issues profit warning, cuts its dividend and predicts that peat shortage will hit the professional growing sector in 2013. It has also been announced that Bernard Burns will step down as CX. See more... Read more - members only

Here are some of the talking points from Glee including the prospect of a peat shortage, the absence of the new chief executive of the GCA and unrest among sales agents. See more... Read more - members only

Gilbert Evans has announced the recent sale of Roman Way Garden Centre to QD Stores. This is the third acquisition this year for the rapidly expanding group. See more... Read more - members only

A year after ECI took a majority stake in Stewart Plastics, the company has opened a modern factory at Banbury, which will double capacity and streamline operations both in the UK and for export. See more... Read more - members only

Kingfisher, owner of B&Q and Screwfix in the UK, says profits fell 15% thanks to adverse weather and adverse currency movements. It is stimulating demand with YouTube videos and multichannel retailing. See more... Read more - members only

Scotts Miracle-Gro has agreed to pay $12.5m for illegally applying insecticides to wild bird food products and for falsifying pesticide registration documents. Both offences happened in 2008 in the United States. See more... Read more - members only

Marshalls has acted to cut capacity as profits tumble due to the weather and a deteriorating outlook for hard landscaping. See more... Read more - members only

Dobbies increased sales by £24m to £136.4m for the year thanks to the contribution of 7 new stores. Interest free borrowings increased to £96m. See more... Read more - members only

The BBC reports that Highland Heathers in Argyll is likely to close after being placed into receivership. See more... Read more - members only

The Washington Post reports that Jim Hagedorn, flamboyant chairman of Scotts Miracle-Gro, has committed the company to donate $200,000 to Mitt Romney’s Presidential campaign. See more... Read more - members only

William Sinclair reacts to wet weather by buying more peat drying machines and increasing capacity for SuperFyba. But, profits will be lower. See more... Read more - members only

Allwoods Nursery, the specialist Pinks and Carnations nursery is moving to Cheam Plant Centre in Surrey. See more... Read more - members only

Flying Brands has closed its Growing and Live Despatch Business and thus ceases to sell plants. An announcement about the future of the listed company, whose biggest shareholder is Sir Tom Hunter, will follow. See more... Read more - members only