There is an important new qualification that garden centre managers and supervisers can work towards. It has been developed by Kingston Maurward College, validated by Bournemouth University and backed by the HTA and GCA. See more... Read more - members only

Wiseweather predicts that July will start cooler with temperatures increasing near the end of the month Read more - members only

Gardenex has increased the grants available for exporters wishing to exhibit at Gardex / Ifex 2009 in Tokyo, Asia’s largest flower and garden trade show. There is also an offer from British Airways of free business class seats on their flights. See more... Read more - members only

Last year it was at the Stock Exchange, this year the HTA Conference will be at the Kensington Roof Gardens. Celebrity speakers led by ex-BBC political editor John Sergeant will be joined by key figures from the trade. See more... Read more - members only

Clarion Events has joined forces with the HTA and Gardenex to launch Garden Expo 2010, a plant and gardening show to rival Glee and Solex. See more... Read more - members only

After a cool, showery spell in the second week, Wiseweather expects a warm end to June especially in the North. See more... Read more - members only

At the end of next week the Garden Trade News and Garden Radio judges start visiting all of the garden centre teams that have been nominated by members of the trade as "The Greatest" in their individual sales speciality. See more... Read more - open to all

It appears that some garden manufacturers are in danger of missing the earlier, May 29th, deadline for entering new products for the GIMA awards. See more... Read more - members only

The latest reports from the GTN Bestsellers show sales volumes fell 18% last week compared to 2008. See more… Read more - members only

New research for the HTA, which shows that younger people are showing an interest in gardening more, has spawned a series of initiatives to maintain sales momentum during the recession. See more... Read more - members only

Malcolm Scott Consultants Ltd have won planning permission for Plants Galore that rescues them from closure under an enforcement notice. See more… Read more - members only

"After two disappointingly-wet summers, the signs are much more promising this year. We can expect times when temperatures will be above 30 °C, something we hardly saw at all last year." So says the Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office. See more... Read more - open to all

Garden centres that ignore The Big Lunch will be losing out on an important opportunity to connect with their community. July 19th is likely to become a national focal point of the summer. See more... Read more - members only

The long range weather forecast from Wiseweather predicts rain that will dry up in time for a sunny Easter. See more... Read more - members only

The five most recent British garden product suppliers to join Gardenex export federation have cited the recent falls in sterling, making British products more competitive in overseas markets, as a good reason to join. Read more - members only

The GCA has disbanded GRO, the buying group it established in conjunction with AIS. In its place at AIS will launch a new group, ‘Insideout’. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA’s retail group has backed a survey to counter rising theft from garden centres. It also supports Garden Expo, which is being proposed as a rival to Glee in 2010. See more... Read more - members only

From being a one-year wonder, GYO is set to expand according to speakers at last weeks GIMA business meeting who presented thought-provoking ideas to develop the concept. See more... Read more - members only

Martin Stewart is to become GCA chairman for a second time, in January. His aim is to strengthen links with suppliers. GRO will continue but he said there was no logic in it for core gardening. See more... Read more - members only

Speakers announced for the GIMA Business Meeting on the 11th June include the gardening buyer for leading TV shopping channel QVC, Chris Gardener. Plus Paul Peacock, “Mr Dig-it”. See more... Read more - open to all

Extra seating capacity is being arranged for the GIMA Awards Dinner on the 16th June at the Cotswold Water Park Hotel. The original capacity for 300 guests has been filled. The awards will be presented by Philippa Forrester, with entertainment from Mark Watson. See more... Read more - members only

Northwich-based Acton Bridge Nursery and Shrub Centre has been awarded a £50,000 loan as part of the North West Regional Development Agency’s ‘Small Loans for Business’ programme. See more... Read more - members only

Two months of good weather have reversed the fortunes of garden centres. GCA Barometer of Trade figures suggest that, by the end of April, annual sales were 10% ahead. However, it will be the end of June before reliable comparisons can be made. See more... Read more - members only

Devon County Council is to provide £500,000 for a new learning centre at RHS Rosemoor. More than 6000 primary school pupils will benefit from the new facilities. See more... Read more - members only

"Glee is still the best opportunity to meet the widest possible audience," says director, Dan Thurlow. Additions to the 2009 show will include entrepreneur booths and displays of products in themed settings. See more... Read more - members only

Wiseweather predicts that May will be warmer and drier than average despite a cool unsettled period in the middle of the month. There will be a North/South split. See more... Read more - members only

With judges from B&Q, Tesco and several leading garden centres, just entering the GIMA Awards will provide valuable exposure to new products. Winning is a bonus. The competition is open to all. See more... Read more - members only

Eimert de Graaff, the founder and former chief executive of Hart, has launched a new garden centre incentive scheme, QV. Five garden centres have joined already. See more... Read more - members only

“Retention of title on the invoice is not enough”; “Words I never want to hear again - Stay within budget"'; “Stay calm, listen to your staff, get into a helicopter...” - Just some of the advice offered at the latest GIMA meeting. See more... Read more - members only

Choice Marketing members are celebrating the completion of another successful year with a huge rebate of £850,000 for achieving agreed targets with their key suppliers. See more... Read more - members only