A new exciting online tool has been launched by the Crop Protection Association (CPA) and Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) to provide training for garden retail staff on the safe use of garden plant protection products. Read more - open to all

Pressure on Government to give greater priority to good landscaping will get a boost at The AIPH Green City Conference in London. It will hear how investing in landscapes can counteract the growing cost of healthcare in the UK. See more... Read more - members only

Between now and mid June a team of judges will be making unannounced inspections of 166 garden centres in the GCA looking into every area of their business. See more... Read more - members only

GroenRijk, the second biggest Dutch marketing/buying group with 50 garden centres, has opened a new webshop. It was designed and developed by Garden Connect, whose e-commerce platform is also available in the UK. See more… Read more - members only

Despite the rain, sales jumped 13% in January, more than recovering those lost to the snow a year ago. So say the latest GCA figures. Plant sales have flourished, the smaller garden centre hasn’t. See more... Read more - members only

Palmstead is offering horticulture students the chance to hear Tony Kirkham, Tom Hart Dyke and David Gilchrist, three of the most inspiring speakers in gardening today. See more... Read more - open to all

Analysis by the HTA suggests the economy is showing definite signs of recovery which bodes well for 2014 although there are still questions over how sustainable or strong the recovery will be. See more... Read more - members only

Will Armitage set clear objectives for his tenure as chairman of the GCA, challenging members to judge him on three criteria. See more... Read more - open to all

‘Loose Change’ is a novel sticker scheme giving suppliers and retailers another way to join in Garden Re-Leaf fund-raising festivities even at this late stage. See more... Read more - members only

Wiseweather says February looks likely to be wetter and warmer than average with a succession of depressions crossing the country, although the month might end colder. See more... Read more - members only

GCA names the country's ten best Garden Centres of Excellence and Taylors Bulbs was voted supplier of the year at last night's GCA conference. Read more - open to all

Van Hage and Cowells win the Ruxley Rose award as the garden centres with the best plant areas in 2013. Poundbury, Chessington and Ruxley Manor take the restaurant awards. See more… Read more - members only

Join Gardenforum at the Garden Press Event and meet 250 writers and broadcasters from TV, Radio, National Press and the home & gardening magazines. See more... Read more - members only

Alan Titchmarsh led calls for the industry to act as ambassadors to raise the profile of Perennial, which helped over 1200 gardeners and their families last year. See more... Read more - members only

Are garden centres right to fear competition from the Internet when selling garden furniture? LOFA research suggests the general public still prefer to see and touch garden furniture and barbecues before they purchase. See more... Read more - members only

HTA, GIMA and HTA urge members to back a campaign devised by the the new Garden Industry Marketing Board to encourage more young people to enjoy their outdoor space. See more... Read more - members only

Paving expert, Bradstone, has launched a clever online Paving Planner tool created to help design your dream patio or driveway in a few simple steps from the comfort of your own home. See more... Read more - members only

The RHS has brought in Manuel Mascarenhas to develop the RHS Garden Holidays brand and to lead the corporate partnerships team. See more... Read more - members only

After unsettled weather in week one, high pressure is likely to take charge for the middle of March. However there’s a risk of snow towards the end of the month. See more… Read more - members only

There's a busy agenda for the GIMA Conference in March. It will hear from the trading director of gardening & DIY at Homebase. There will also be an initiative about protecting designs from copying and a talk from the new chairman of the GCA. See more.... Read more - members only

There’s a waiting list for spaces in UK delegations for two North American shows and Gardenex is urging companies wanting to exhibit at spoga+gafa to book early. See more... Read more - members only

'Loose Change’ is a novel sticker scheme giving suppliers and retailers another way to join in Garden Re-Leaf fund-raising festivities even at this late stage. See more... Read more - open to all

Wiseweather says February looks likely to be wetter and warmer than average with a succession of depressions crossing the country, although the month might end colder. See more... Read more - open to all

Will Armitage set clear objectives for his tenure as chairman of the GCA, challenging members to judge him on three criteria. See more... Read more - members only

A meeting of representatives from UK and Dutch governments and horticulture was declared a great success, building links generally and in particular collaborating over EU legislation. See more... Read more - members only

GCA names the country's ten best Garden Centres of Excellence and Taylors Bulbs was voted supplier of the year at last night's GCA conference. See more... Read more - members only

Retiring director, Neil Gow, cites Buyer Connect at Glee, backed by Gardenforum, as one of the reasons four new suppliers have joined the association. See more… Read more - members only

Sales rose by 4.4% in December bringing growth for the year to 3.5% at garden centre members of the GCA. Gifts, Christmas and catering departments all performed well. See more... Read more - members only

BALI chairman has responded vigorously to a letter from the founder of APL, a rival landscape association, suggesting they should draw a line under past differences and merge. See more... Read more - members only

It appears that garden centres have had a successful selling period, both before and after Christmas. Some lines, including Christmas trees proved sluggish, but most garden centres are reporting increases of 5% and more thanks to gifts, café's and plants. See more... Read more - members only