This month is predicted to be one of the cooler and wetter Augusts of the last decade. A few hot days are expected but no protracted warm spells, according to Wiseweather. See more... Read more - members only

Significant training grants are available for HTA members to take advantage of through the Women and Work project, managed by Lantra Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector. See more... Read more - members only

UK retail sales values fell 0.4% on a like-for-like basis, compared with June 2007. Sales have now been lower than a year ago in three of the past four months, the worst since summer 2005. See more... Read more - open to all

LOFA, the association for importers and manufacturers of garden furniture, has asked Dr Alan Knight to help establish a LOFAMARK, an environmental and ethical guarantee for garden furniture and accessories. See more... Read more - members only

After a very average June, Wiseweather expects patterns to change in the next week to a rather more unsettled phase. This will make July one of the coolest of the last decade or so. See more... Read more - members only

The Composting Association is changing its name to the Association for Organics Recycling from August. See more... Read more - members only

Wiseweather predicts that low pressure will be dominant in the south and west for a lot of June while the north east will see higher pressure nearby. See more... Read more - members only

The new management team at Glee realise that it has to make changes if the exhibition is to remain the annual focus for the garden and pet industries. They have responded with a number of initiatives that will improve the value of the show to visitors and exhibitors alike. See more... Read more - members only

Wyevale Garden Centres are to develop an employee academy. It is expected that 275 employees will participate in the academy, which commences in July 2008. See more...
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The first meaningful figures for the spring have been released by the Garden Centre Association. Sales to the end of March of plants and garden sundries fell, while catering and pets increased. See more... Read more - members only

Professional lawn maintenance companies promise to keep your lawn looking good. But is it worth using one? Gardening Which? has put them to the test. Also on trial are lawn edging shears. See more... Read more - members only

Wiseweather predicts soil temperatures will be near average in the north and central parts but possibly slightly above average for southern parts after mid month, with soil moisture deficits near or slightly above average. See more… Read more - members only

Wyevale Garden Centres Ltd (“Wyevale”), the UK’s leading specialist garden centre retailer, has today announced “Plan Apple”, its action programme to address the key sustainable development challenges facing the gardening industry. 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

The HTA is extending its mystery shopper service so that it becomes a 12 month service, available to manufacturers as well as retailers. See more... Read more - members only

This year’s salary survey by the HTA shows that garden centre managers continue to be paid more than a nursery manager. The average plant area manager is paid £19,500 and nursery workers in the Southern region remain the highest paid with average wages of £14700. Sales manager salaries have grown 8%. For details see more... Read more - members only

The HTA is replacing its annual conference with The Garden Industry Leaders’ Conference at the London Stock Exchange in October. It will be chaired by Peter Day of BBC's In Business, and speakers will include HSBC senior economist Mark Berrisford-Smith, Stuart Scott, Edward de Bono’s master trainer in the UK, and Tim How, chief executive of Majestic Wine. See more...
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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

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

Pets and aquatics will have two new regional trade shows for 2009. PATS 2009 is being organised by former organisers of Glee and Petindex. See more... Read more - members only

GIMA has been forced to postpone its June meeting, due to the absence of its Director, Neil Gow, who is unwell. He is expected back before long. 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

Wiseweather’s long range weather forecast for May predicts a month dominated by low pressure. The North and the East will fare best. See more... Read more - members only

The London based DIY & Garden Show is to have a fresh look and a new name, Totally DIY. But organisers are adamant that despite dropping the word, their commitment to gardening is as strong as ever. See more... Read more - members only

The HTA is to launch an electronic gift card to enhance the existing National Garden Gift Voucher scheme. Members will be contacted within 6 weeks so that the scheme is ready for Christmas trading. See more... Read more - members only

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced two new members to its Retail Management Group. They are Philip Evason of Haskins Garden Centres, and Iain Wylie of Grosvenor Garden Centre, Chester. See more... Read more - open to all

Suggestions that GRO is dead, made at the recent GIMA meeting, have been vehemently denied by AIS. For the first time Gardenforum can reveal many of the garden centres that have joined. See more... Read more - members only

The latest forecast from Wiseweather predicts the early spring to continue through March, but watch out for a polar blast at the end of the month. See more... Read more - members only

GRAND Gardens occupies one of the 4 halls at the extended Grand Designs Live. The show is backed by Channel 4 and offers visitors the chance to buy, build and furnish a house and garden, all under one roof. See more... Read more - members only

A year after her management buyout of HART, backed by the Barwell, Jessica Adams is pleased with the progress that the buying group for smaller garden centres has made. See more... Read more - members only