Anyone who knows the enjoyment of gardening and has a visual impairment should sign up now so that their skills can be recognised and celebrated in Thrive's popular annual Blind Gardener of the Year competition. Closing date is Monday 15 September 2008. See more for details... Read more - members only

The first area winners have been declared in the competition to find this year's Best GCA Garden Centre. The awards, following judging in the North Thames and South Thames areas, were announced at two recent ceremonies. To see the winners, see more... Read more - members only

Internal correspondence between GCA members shows that those who are already active in the controversial AIS/GRO buying group are delighted with the results, even before the imminent appointment of a senior garden buyer. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA is surveying its retail members to support its campaign to extend Sunday opening hours for garden centres. The Government appears open to change and has asked for more information. See more.. Read more - members only

Research launched today has revealed that the importance of reducing our gardening footprint still hasn’t resonated with some gardeners, as over a quarter admit to not considering the environment as they garden. See more... Read more - members only

The RHS is using interest raised by the Chelsea Flower Show to launch a petition to reduce VAT on all ornamental plants and seeds to 5%. To sign the petition, see more – open to all readers... Read more - open to all

Friday's House of Lords debate on the HTA’s bill to extend Sunday trading at garden centres was rewarded a positive response from the trade minister. See more... Read more - members only

Efforts to include more planting in new urban developments are bearing fruit with news that a third council has passed a motion put forward by the HTA with 9 more likely to follow soon. See more... Read more - members only

Returning from the World Retail Congress, the CEO of Kingfisher, Ian Cheshire, has commented in The Retail Bulletin that sustainable retail is one of the hottest topics in the industry at the moment and it is here to stay. See more… Read more - members only

The Horticultural Trades Association is continuing to seek support in government for a relaxation of the laws to enable Sunday trading to take place on Easter Sunday. Read more - members only

At a time of rapid change and little growth within the garden industry, “There is still too much them and us.” The words of Leslie Kossoff set the mood for the first of the HTA’s 2008 one day conferences. See more... Read more - members only

The National Trust for Scotland, concerned about the spread of Sudden Oak Death into Scotland, convened a conference of experts to offer guidance. Their advice applies throughout the UK where 625 sites are now affected. See more... Read more - members only

The recent GIMA meeting heard that 50% of the top 250 companies now measure their carbon footprint. The garden sector has been slow to respond and should act now before being forced by legislation. It is not as complicated as it sounds. See more... Read more - members only

Slugs and snails were the UK’s most troublesome garden pest of 2007, according to members of the Royal Horticultural Society. These slimy predators moved one place up on last year, just beating the recently established harlequin ladybird into second place. See more... Read more - members only

The environment and children are to be the themes that unite all future activities by the Royal Horticultural Society and will feature heavily in the television programmes and articles on the 2008 RHS shows such as Chelsea, Hampton Court and Tatton Park. See more... Read more - members only

Hampshire-based Beefeater Barbecues (Regent Garden Collection) has been hit by a very clever scam involving two telephone orders purporting to be from Bents Garden Centre in Cheshire. See more … Read more - members only

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) advisory service continues to receive many calls from gardeners worried that their crops are being damaged by weedkiller residues from contaminated manures or soil improvement composts. See more... Read more - members only

David Domoney and Julie Peasgood return to host the 2008 GIMA awards, which include entries from companies who are participating for the first time. This year's entertainer is to be TV show host Roy Walker. See more... Read more - members only

Last Thursday, a seminar on effective garden centre marketing held by the HTA, gave a valuable insight into how garden centres should use the Internet and focus on providing an authoritative service rather than selling product. See more... Read more - members only

The Barometer of Trade produced by the GCA gives the first indication of how awful sales were in April compared to a year ago. Worst hit were sales of garden furniture and outdoor plants. See more... Read more - members only

For the second time in three years Crocus has constructed the winning Show Garden at Chelsea. The Best Urban Garden was constructed by Adam Frost. To see the medals earned by Hillier, Notcutts, Chessington and Squire's - See more… Read more - members only

Plant sales soared as the temperature rose over the early spring Bank Holiday and brought much welcome relief after a disappointing April. See more… Read more - members only

Poor weather and an early Easter have been blamed for a slump in plant sales in Q1 which has led to B&Q facing losses of over £1m on unsold plant stock. But growers are still hoping for a good season. See more… Read more - members only

Each year Easter is the time for stories from environmental pressure groups. The focus this year is on peat and a report naming companies that sell garden furniture made out of illicit timber from Laos. See more... Read more - members only

At GIMA’s annual meeting last week, Alistair Lorimer predicted fragmentation of the mass market as baby boomers turn 70, Peter Field was elected President for the next year and Jon Whitely warned against poor insurance policies. See more... Read more - members only

GardenAfrica, a UK registered charity, is looking for garden centres to co-host an exciting weekend of events which will boost sales and fund horticultural projects in sub-Saharan Africa. See more... Read more - members only

DEFRA has listened to the garden industry and has published measures that will prevent householders from laying non-porous paving in their front drives without planning permission. See more... Read more - members only

A fistful of reports from the HTA shows how garden centres prospered compared to DIY superstores in a challenging year; that only 9% of people recognise the environmental benefit of plants; and that orders through home delivery/mail order companies grew 22%. See more... Read more - members only

The RHS is opening up its four gardens to members of the public on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th March to launch the 2008 Grow Your Own Veg campaign. Read more - members only

Here is our review of the News in 2007.
This story is open to all our readers even if you are not a subscriber. See more... Read more - open to all