Blog
Fire hits garden centre UPDATED
Fire has destroyed a vacant garden centre building and police have started an investigation. Source: Garden1
Dobbies new garden centre to open on 3 November
Dobbies Garden Centres has announced the opening date of its new flagship store in Tewkesbury. Source: Garden1
Plea to invite MPs to nurseries to talk peat
Bill Esterson MP recently visited Hartley’s Nurseries in his Sefton constituency leading to the retail nursery’s owners calling for other growers to ask their MP to fact find as Defra works on a plan to ban peat. Source: Garden1
GIMA award winners: Westland wins top prize
The 13 product and marketing categories, plus the sustainability award, were judged by garden retailers including St Peter’s Garden Centre; Blue Diamond, Old Railway Line; Ferndale, John Lewis and Wickes. Source: Garden1
Mirfield grows British Garden Centres to 62 as Yorkshire centres consolidate
British Garden Centres (BGC) has taken over Mirfield Garden Centre, formerly known as Whiteleys, as the change in Yorkshire centre ownership continues, Source: Garden1
Truss resigns: horticulture industry reaction
Prime Minister Liz Truss has resigned, raising fears of yet more ministerial change. Source: Garden1
Scottish peat ban plan expected by end of the year
A Scottish government consultation on the future of peat is expected in November. Source: Garden1
Demand high at newly peat-free nursery
Pepperpot Nursery has been peat-free for a season and is now operating at capacity. Source: Garden1
NGO recognises need for peat exemptions beyond 2024
Defra plans to ban retail sale of bagged peat from the end of 2024 and is working on exemptions for growers from the same date. Source: Garden1
Supermarket volume sales falling but core gardeners expected to stay loyal
Young plant growers predict the pandemic-led mass market for plants sold in supermarkets will shrink but remain optimistic that the traditional gardener will be hungry for new plants in 2023. Source: Garden1
Big retailers flag lack of peat-free plants holding up switch from peat
As Defra plans to end growers’ use of peat from 2024 (with exemptions to be announced), few big retailers have a plan to stop selling peat-grown plants. Source: Garden1
Big retailers flag lack of peat-free plants holding up switch from peat UPDATED
As Defra plans to end growers’ use of peat from 2024 (with exemptions to be announced), few big retailers have a plan to stop selling peat-grown plants. Source: Garden1
Loss of peat for ericaceous could put 70 year-old nursery at risk
As Defra seek to ban peat, one nurseryman says 70 years of growing experience could be lost without exemptions. Source: Garden1
YPHA visits north west nurseries and garden centres
Some 20 Young People in Horticulture Association members have reported back from a study tour. Source: Garden1
Domoney to be RSPB garden bird ambassador
The RSPB’s first ambassador programme has included garden broadcaster, David Domoney as garden bird ambassador. Source: Garden1
Garden and landscaping machinery company increases turnover by £20m + updated supplier turnovers
Outdoor powered products manufacturer Husqvarna UK, which also includes Gardena and Construction divisions, increased turnover by 9.8% in the calendar year 2021. Source: Garden1
OnBuy garden sales rise 2500% since 2019
UK online marketplace OnBuy has reported “tremendous” sales growth in their home and garden department with sales soaring by more than 2,500% from 2019-22. Source: Garden1
HortWeek launches policy and legislation tracker portal
The latest developments on legislation for professionals involved in the various horticulture trades including our exclusive Health & Safety Guides, Brexit updates, the latest Government control measures and policy development. Source: Garden1
GCA seeks new CEO at up to £70,000
The replacement for Iain Wylie, who left this summer after nine years, needs to be able to travel in the UK and overseas and to be an ambassador for the garden centre industry. Source: Garden1
