The results of hard landscaping specialist, Marshalls, give an insight into the fortunes of the landscape sector. There has been a slight recovery in sales in the first half of 2010. Installers’ order books have also lengthened. See more... Read more - members only

Vital Earth and Bord Na Mona have agreed terms that give the UK manufacturer of compost derived from green waste, exclusive rights to distribute GroWise to UK independent garden centres. See more… Read more - members only

Freeland has finally perfected the process of creating a peat substitute from garden waste that cannot be composted. Sinclair, its parent company, says this could provide the key to meeting the Government’s 2020 peat reduction targets. It will be made available to competing compost suppliers. See more... Read more - members only

According to the GCA, garden centre sales at the end of May remain 2% behind the first five months of 2009. Last month failed to regain sales lost to the cold spring earlier in the year. See more... Read more - members only

Blue Diamond, the Channel Islands based garden centre group, has continued its rapid expansion and is now fourth in terms of sales, behind The Garden Centre Group, Dobbies and Notcutts. See more.... Read more - members only

Clifton Nurseries claims to be London’s oldest garden centre. It was founded in 1851 and plans to celebrate its 160th birthday with events throughout next year. See more...
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Homebase figures have held up well despite the later spring. Sales of garden furniture and barbecues increased. See more… Read more - members only

Clothing and footwear supplier, G H Tayberry and Co has been put into administration. See more... Read more - members only

Despite the slow start to the season, William Sinclair has increased profits thanks to strong demand from British growers and government action to boost sales of peat free. See more... Read more - members only

Dobbies has announced plans for a new £8 million garden centre at Speke near Liverpool airport. See more... Read more - members only

Flying Brands has bought the assets of Flowers Direct from its administrators. This will strengthen the databases of Flying Flowers and Gardening Direct. It will also give them access to 750 florists. See more… Read more - members only

There is a growing force in the selling and distribution of plants. Landgard started in the UK three years ago and has already achieved turnover of £23 million. It is aiming to double this in the next three years. See more... Read more - members only

The directors of Essex-based Kinglea Plants, the producers of Plug U Grow and Veg U Grow young plants for the multiples and independent garden centre trade, called in the administrative receivers last Friday with the immediate loss of nine jobs. See more... Read more - members only

It has been reported that Cargo’s experiment with garden centre concessions has failed. It is to close its Blooms site. See more... Read more - members only

Grow your own specialist Haxnicks, has continued its expansion with the purchase of the business of Rootrainers from Ronaash. See more... Read more - members only

Scotts Miracle-Gro and industry newcomer Hug Rug, a barrier mat made from recycled materials shared the limelight at last night’s GIMA Awards. See more… Read more - members only

Fiskars, the European manufacturer of garden tools, is to merge its Fiskars and Sankey operations in the UK. From November both companies will operate from Sankey's Nottingham site. See more… Read more - members only

The Dobbies' pipeline for new garden centres is growing. Four new garden centres are scheduled to open next spring, with a further two later in 2011. See more... Read more - members only

Former Notcutts manager Julian Ranson is opening his own centre, Ransons, on July 5 at the Hatton Experience. See more... Read more - members only

B&Q is to end its third-party logistics agreements and plans a huge new distribution centre at Swindon. See more… Read more - members only

Vital Earth's main trading arm is Vital Earth (Derby) Limited. This name will change to Vital Earth GB Limited as the company prepares to open more composting sites. See more… Read more - members only

Deco-Pak is expanding its product range and investing in new premises in a quest to boost turnover to £8 million within two years. See more... Read more - members only

The Frosts Group has announced a consolidating of its company structure. This comes after it has enjoyed its best spring for five years, driven in part by increased sales of garden furniture. See more... Read more - members only

Redfields is being sold to the Blue Diamond Group, who will re-develop the site to be the Trentham of the South. This will be their 12th garden centre. See more... Read more - members only

Paris Natar, who started Gardman 17 years ago, completes the hand-over to the new management team by becoming a non-executive director, this week. But it does not mean that he will be any less involved with the company than before. See more... Read more - members only

The cold weather has disrupted Hillier’s preparations for the Chelsea Flower Show and the nursery’s attempt to extend its unbroken run of 64 gold medals. Follow the Hillier progress day by day on their blog at www.hilliernurseries.blogspot.com. Click on the link below... Read more - members only

Marshalls, the UK's largest manufacturer of natural stone and hard landscaping products, remains cautious despite sales figures that match last year and lengthening order books. See more... Read more - members only

At the time, they say, when other companies are cutting back and shedding resources, Scotts Miracle-Gro have increased their shop floor support for garden centres. And it seems to be working. Despite the cold start to the season, sales are ahead of last year. See more... Read more - members only

The owners of Haskins Garden Centres, Warren Haskins and his family, have agreed today to sell HobbyCraft to private equity group, Bridgepoint Capital. The price for the arts and craft retailer is believed to be around £100 million. See more... Read more - members only

There will be no new store openings this year at Homebase as it concentrates on expanding sales through the Internet. It has launched a new community website, www.getintogardening.co.uk. See more… Read more - members only