What is happening to Marshalls, leading producer of patio and driveway products, is a good pointer to what is happening in the landscape sector as a whole. Sales fell 16% in 2009 and are expected to fall again in 2010. See more... Read more - members only

Each year Which? Gardening tests the performance of major brands of compost for germinating seeds and for growing-on young plants. And each year, they find a big difference between the best and worst performers. For the 'Best Buys' and 'Don't Buys', see more... Read more - members only

With trade strong, attention turned to the battle between the increased number of trade shows in 2010. Many garden centres won planning permission to extend. Corporate activity continued among suppliers. See more... (This article is open to all) Read more - open to all

There was a nervous feel to the start of 2009.  The Banking crisis was in full swing.  No one knew whether consumer demand would come to an abrupt halt after Christmas and garden suppliers were anxiously waiting for confirmation of Wyevale’s financial restructuring.   This review is open to all. See more... Read more - open to all

Former APL chairman, Norman Hambrook of Hambrook Landscapes told Landscape Juice that traders from the Hambrook area have been impersonating his company and he is worried that damage will be done to his business. Read more - open to all

Dobbies has published a new planning application, which includes a supermarket and hotel, at East Kilbride on the south side of Glasgow. Read more - members only

Sales of outdoor products increased 11% during August, September and October at B&Q. However they failed to get back to the levels of 2 years ago. See more... Read more - members only

Dobbies has revealed plans for a new garden centre at Braehead in Renfrew – the town where James Dobbie started his horticultural business in 1865. See more... Read more - members only

Another garden centre has opened a high street shop to introduce a sample of garden centre products into the city centre. See more... Read more - members only

News has been released today that discussions between Webbs Garden Centres and Garden Organic are at an advanced stage for Webbs to take over the commercial operations at Ryton Gardens. See more… Read more - members only

GCA figures confirm that October was a good month for garden centres. Outdoor plants have continued to sell well and there has been a strong start for Christmas lines. See more... Read more - members only

Defra will be actively promoting peat reduction in 2010 and welcomes industry’s undertaking to begin labelling bags with peat content. See more... Read more - members only

Visitors to Beckworth Emporium will soon be enjoying the ultimate winter experience as the owners prepare to unveil an open-air ice rink at the Mears Ashby farm shop and plant centre. Read more - members only

The latest updates in Company Results show the difficult trading conditions of 2008. Nurseries: Roundstone, Allensmore and Burston showed lower profits or losses, as did manufacturers: Hozelock, Plum Products, Solus, Scotts UK, Grange Fencing and Westland Horticulture. Several garden centres also suffered including Garden and Leisure, Tong, Country Homes & Gardens and Shoots. For further results, see more... (This article is open to all readers)... Read more - open to all

Having raised £400,000 for themselves, the Stewart Company is helping to publicise the £100 million of interest-free loans that are available from the Carbon Trust to cut energy costs at small and medium sized businesses. See more... Read more - members only

With snow and ice gripping most of the country, garden centres are having a quiet time and taking stock as customers stay away after what turned out to be a sparkling Christmas for many retailers. See more… Read more - members only

Sinclair is in a bullish mood on the back of improved 2009 results. It believes it has enough peat for 2010, unlike its competitors, and is starting mass production at Freeland. See more... Read more - members only

Having won planning permission last month for a 62,000 sq ft. garden centre in Carlisle, Dobbies has decided to half the size of the project. See more... Read more - members only

November was another good month for garden centres according to the Garden Centre Association. Sales were 8% higher than a year ago in November and for the last 12 months are 10% higher. See more... Read more - members only

The Daily Telegraph has reported that HobbyCraft is to be sold for an estimated £70 million. See more... Read more - members only

Due to the retirement of its original owners, Bosmere Products Limited has been recently sold and now becomes a subsidiary of H&I Trading Limited.  See more... Read more - members only

This week, B&Q are offering free 4-5ft. Christmas trees to customers who spend over £30. Click on website to see the offer... Read more - members only

Which? Gardening has warned its readers against buying potted Christmas trees and advises buying a cut tree. See more... Read more - members only

Hilary Benn encouraged the gardening industry to ‘get the bids in’ for the next round of government funding for research. His priorities are reducing carbon emissions, offsetting the impact of climate change and encouraging people to grow food. See more... Read more - members only

Gates Nursery and Garden Centre has won permission to extend the retail area by 2500 sq m, which will include increasing seating in the restaurant to 450. See more... Read more - members only

According to Carlisle’s News & Star, Dobbies is hoping to overturn earlier objections and win planning permission for a new garden centre in competition with Klondyke’s Houghton Hall. See more... Read more - members only

Scotts Miracle-Gro have had a good year, thanks to stronger than expected consumer demand in the US. Total sales hit $3.14 billion and they bounced back to profit. See more… Read more - members only

Briggs & Stratton intends to double sales of mowers and garden equipment in the next 3 years and has opened a new European HQ and training centre to help achieve this goal. See more... Read more - members only

The national judging of plant areas at GCA garden centres has been completed and the regional winners announced. The national winners will be announced at the Garden Centre Association conference at the end of January. See more... Read more - members only

Profits increased 66% at Homebase despite a 3% fall in gross margin. The successful Argos system for ‘click and collect’ will be rolled out to all Homebase stores. See more... Read more - members only