According to the GCA, this is the second consecutive month that restaurant/café sales, with revenue up 14%, have outsold in value all other categories including outdoor plants at the UK’s leading garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

Sefton Meadow and Frosts Woburn Sands garden centres have both been granted permissions to extend their retail area. See more... Read more - members only

Container Centralen have put back the introduction of RFID tagging until November 2010. See more… Read more - members only

For most of the UK, October should be warmer and drier than average with the potential of an Indian summer for a few days. The exception may be the north west. See more... Read more - members only

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has a new website with a modern fresh look, improved navigation and updated content providing members with access to a wealth of information about the initiatives, services and promotions available to them. See more... Read more - members only

The question worrying exhibitors most at Glee 2009 was where to exhibit next year? They will have to make a selection from Glee, GAFA and the new Garden Expo in 2010. See more... Read more - members only

What is the future for Glee, the traditional annual conclave for the garden industry? Malcolm Gough, CEO of EMAP Connect, says the industry wants one good show and it will be Glee. See more... Read more - members only

The UK’s aquatics and water gardening trade has launched a new, stand-alone trade event at The Telford International Centre from 6th – 7th October 2010, in association with OATA and organised by Annie Dyke and her team at Impact Exhibitions. Read more - members only

InsideOut offers deals and expertise to larger garden centres that either are or aim to be multi-channel retailers, selling kitchenware, toys, fashion and/or giftware. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA’s annual salary survey for 2009, reveals that over 40% of businesses in the sector have decided to freeze current wage levels. The salary of Sales Managers showed a marked decrease, while salary paid to Nursery Managers increased. See more... Read more - members only

Former Lebanese hostage, John McCarthy, leads a list of high-profile speakers at this year’s one-day HTA conference that will look at how the consumer and the marketplace is changing. However, there will be space for only 150 delegates. See more... Read more - members only

It is over 10 months before the first HTA National Plant Show and already a third of the space is booked. Interest in the parallel Garden Expo has also been strong enough for the organisers to have extended the floor plan. See more... Read more - members only

Expect gales in West and Northwest in the middle of the month as there is little sign of settled weather till the end of the month. See more... Read more - members only

The RHS is coordinating its first Dig Together Day, this September; bringing together thousands of gardening clubs across the UK, to celebrate the knowledge they hold and to inspire new generations to keep the traditions of gardening alive. See more... Read more - members only

The grow your own campaign gets further impetus as the National Trust launches ‘Window Food’ campaign to turn 600 acres of urban window ledges into vertical vegetable gardens. There will be over 300 events across the country and some great display ideas for garden centres. See more... Read more - members only

Garden Expo 2010, a new addition to the garden business calendar, is scheduled to take place next year on 28 - 30 June at Stoneleigh Park in Coventry. With Glee and GAFA following in September, suppliers to the garden industry have a difficult choice: where and when to demonstrate their products. See more…. Read more - members only

Totally Tools and Totally DIY, the post Christmas trade shows that have moved from Earls Court to join the Spring Fair at the NEC, have changed halls. See more... Read more - members only

It was sad to see Glee Nursery a shadow of its former self this year. Stalwarts like Allensmore, David Austin Roses, John Woods Nurseries and The Anglia Group plus the Italian trio of Colvi Franci, Vannucci and Zelari were very much to the fore. But the problem the show organisers face is how to stop the decline. See more... Read more - members only

‘The 2010 Battle of the Shows’ hots up with PATS issuing a list of companies, that it says will be exhibiting at its venues exclusively this season. See more... Read more - members only

Gardenforum spent 3 days listening to the chat at Glee. Here is a flavour of what was being said. See more... Read more - members only

Glee has slashed its rate card for exhibitors by 20% for 2010. Show director Dan Thurlow says EMAP has been listening and has introduced the new competitive pricing structure to ensure that Glee is a ‘show of scale’ in future years. See more... Read more - members only

Wiseweather predicts fog and frosts by the end of September, especially in the south. See more... Read more - members only

Traditionally September has been a busy month for plant buyers, first with Four Oaks and then a couple of weeks later Glee Nursery. But this year things appear to be different. See more... Read more - members only

Glee 2010 will run from Monday 20th September until Wednesday the 22nd, ending the traditional Sunday opening for the country's leading garden trade show. See more... Read more - members only

The sales growth made during the good spring weather by garden centres is being eroded. Only giftware and restaurants continued to improve. See more... Read more - members only

Dobbies' plans to add 20 allotments to its garden centre in Southport looks set for approval by the planners tonight. See more… Read more - members only

Eastgro, held for the first time this year at John Wood’s Nursery in Suffolk, basked in sunshine while further west the country received yet another soaking. See more... Read more - members only

Read what was said last weekend in the Press. Heinz targets garden centres with BBQ sauces, Dobbies to offer allotments and shoppers flinch at Smith & Hawken closing down sale. See more... Read more - members only

British garden and leisure product suppliers have three more opportunities to access overseas markets following the latest trade show exhibition announcements made by Gardenex. The shows, to be held in the USA, Spain and Italy, attract buyers from worldwide markets. See more... Read more - members only

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