Whetmans carries the flag for the UK, in Canada

Can Whetman Pinks be named the world’s best grower at the first congress of the AIPH to be organised by Tim Briercliffe, which will be held in Canada, this Autumn. See more... Read more - members only

Longhorn beetle alert

The Government and health authorities are asking the public to be on high alert during August and September for outbreaks of two species of beetle. The predators are capable of destroying a wide range of trees and shrubs if they become established in the UK. See more... Read more - members only

Outdoor garden categories bounce back after challenging start to year

Every garden category tracked by GfK except for pest and disease achieved value growth in May 2013, helping to offset the significant declines seen earlier in the year. See more... Read more - members only

July is forecast to be warmer and dryer

Wiseweather forecasts high pressure for much of July with lots of warm, dry weather. See more... Read more - members only

Which? praises garden centre advice

Which? Gardening tasked mystery shoppers to see if big garden centre and DIY chains deliver the plant expertise they promise. For their comments, see more... Read more - members only

April and May fail to recoup lost March sales

Despite growth in April and May, average spring takings for the largest garden centres were £55,000 lower than last year according to the latest GCA statistics. See more... Read more - members only

Last Chance to enter the GIMA’s

This is the last week to enter the GIMA awards, which provide a unique opportunity to put products before a panel that includes a number of normally inaccessible senior buyers. See more… Read more - members only

HTA gives state of play for UK Nurseries

Many businesses put 2012 down as a climatic blip but with the 2013 weather being the way it is, it has become apparent that weather patterns are becoming much more volatile. This is a real challenge for our industry says the HTA. See more... Read more - members only

Last chance to enter Garden Re-Leaf Day ‘Westland Challenge’ worth £6,000

Garden centres that took part in Garden Re-Leaf Day in March need to act now to stand a chance of winning the Westland Challenge competition. See more... Read more - members only

New Waitrose plant buyer joins GIMA judges

Andy Smith, who has left Dobbies to become the new garden plant buyer at Waitrose, is one of three new judges for the GIMA Awards. See more... Read more - members only

Horticulture: An industry at crisis point

A RHS report says the skills gap in horticulture is threatening Britain’s economy, environment and food security. 70% of horticultural businesses cannot fill skilled vacancies and say career entrants are inadequately prepared for work. See more... Read more - members only

Inexperienced valuers create problems

Quinton Edwards warns that valuers with little garden centre experience are causing problems for garden centres and horticultural businesses seeking bank funding. See more... Read more - members only

RHS to raise £1m to promote jobs in horticulture

Celebrities join in The RHS Chelsea Centenary Appeal to change the perception of horticulture as a career among young people. See more... Read more - members only

Plant sales down 58% in March says GCA

GCA puts figures on the late spring. Sales were down 32% in March as outdoor plant sales fell 58%. Sales for the first 3 months are down 20%. See more... Read more - members only

GCA members invited to big peat debate

Garden Centre Association (GCA) members are being invited to attend a meeting in June (2013) to discuss peat. Read more - members only

Imprecise wording of conditions may mean a Garden Centre enjoys A1 retail permission

Malcolm Scott says garden centres may have open A1 retail planning permission without realising it. This is after a recent appeal ruled that imprecise planning conditions can mean a Garden Centre enjoys open A1 retail use. See more... Read more - members only

Still time to attend the GIMA Awards

Judging of the GIMA Awards has been completed and it will be Giles Brandreth who hosts the presentation of the winners on July 18th. A few tickets remain for anyone wanting to join in the industry’s most important awards evening. See more... Read more - members only

Garden Re-Leaf results to be revealed at the GIMA’s

Companies that raised funds through Garden Re-Leaf are being asked to get funds to the organisers so that the total, which looks likely to exceed last years £53,000, can be announced at the GIMA awards. See more... Read more - members only

Bespokeoffers creates additional traffic for garden centres

Barclaycard is encouraging garden retailers to use Bespokeoffers.co.uk to bring in additional customers after the season. See more. Read more - members only

Waitrose creates TV gardening channel

Waitrose is unveiling an on-line TV gardening channel, featuring Alan Titchmarsh and Matt James. See more... Read more - members only

New website for MorePerformance

MorePeople unveils a new website for MorePerformance offering training and development courses for people within the fresh produce, horticulture, food, agriculture and garden & leisure industries. See more... Read more - members only

HTA prepares for change in law on selling garden chemicals

The law has changed. From November 2015, when a retailer sells a plant protection product a certificated member of staff must be contactable at the point of sale. The HTA and the CPA are preparing an e-learning course to meet the new requirement. See more… Read more - members only

Internet sales up 15% as overall sales fall in April

Those wishing to grow at times of overall decline need to have online presence, says GfK. Although total sales were down in April, Internet sales were up 15%. See more… Read more - members only

RHS sponsors awards at National Plant Show

The RHS is backing UK growers by sponsoring the New Plant Awards at July’s HTA National Plant Show to be judged by five well known experts. See more... Read more - members only

Unwind with a round of golf with GIMA

Now’s the time to book places at the GIMA golf day, where suppliers and their customers unwind after the season with a fun round of golf and raise funds for two charities. See more... Read more - members only

GCA gets everyone guessing

The venue for the 2014 GCA conference is to be kept a secret. Clues will be given over the next few months. There are prizes for the first to guess. See more... Read more - members only

More students get help from GCA to finish studies

The GCA Trust seeks donations as more horticulture students than ever seek financial assistance to complete their courses. See more... Read more - members only

Rosy Cheeks seeks funds for another 10 children's gardens

Last night, Greenfingers launched the Rosy Cheeks Appeal to build more gardens at hospices for children and their families. One mother explained what a garden had meant to her, "Two days after my daughter died, sitting in the garden made me think I could cope with things better." See more... Read more - open to all

The Garden Centre Group is recruiting 100 apprentices

The Garden Centre Group is re-energising its apprenticeship scheme. At the same time the HTA is looking at apprenticeships to help its members attract more young entrants to the industry. See more... Read more - members only

First Franchise starts new recruitment service

First Franchise, who place high street brands as tenants on garden centres, is entering new territory with the launch of a recruitment service, FF-Candidate Select. See more... Read more - members only

To see earlier stories - Look in the News Archive