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...
Read more - members only

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

The Gardenex & PetQuip export associations are organising another ‘Meet the Buyer’ event on 21 February 2008. British suppliers will be able to meet retailers from Italy, Finland, Germany and The Netherlands on a one-to-one basis. Read more - members only

A fistful of reports from the HTA shows how garden centres prospered compared to DIY superstores in a challenging year; that only 9% of people recognise the environmental benefit of plants; and that orders through home delivery/mail order companies grew 22%. See more... Read more - members only

After a chilly start, Wiseweather predicts that temperatures will be near average in February with the occasional snow flurry. For details 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

The HTA has raised funding for South East Producers to become involved in an ornamentals transport consolidation project. See more... Read more - members only

Following the unveiling of GRO in December, doubts have started that the GCA’s proposed buying group might not get off the ground. Suppliers have not warmed to what they believe was an ill-prepared launch and it has not been clear how many Garden Centres have signed-up. Yesterday’s GIMA meeting provided the platform to clear the air. See more... Read more - members only

Slugs and snails were the UK’s most troublesome garden pest of 2007, according to members of the Royal Horticultural Society. These slimy predators moved one place up on last year, just beating the recently established harlequin ladybird into second place. See more... Read more - members only