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Olivers Plants owner Oliver Wass says he is not buying any peat this year as he switches to peat-free growing. Source: Garden1

“Positive, with a bit of caution” is how Alton Garden Centre director Andy Bunker sums up the garden season sales outlook this March. Source: Garden1

Two garden centres have new owners. Source: Garden1

Overall sales for January were up 13.6%, the GCA has reported. Source: Garden1

Violence and abuse against people working in retail has almost doubled on pre-pandemic levels, while customer theft was at almost £1bn. Source: Garden1

Southern Trident have launched a series of products including a new indoor compost range for 2023 comprising of a Houseplant, Cactus, Citrus and Orchid Compost all made from their Coco & Coir compressed coir. Source: Garden1

The Scottish Government has encouraged drinks producers to register for Scotland’s deposit return scheme, which they say will go live on 16 August 2023. Source: Garden1

HTA public affairs director Jennifer Pheasey and the Federation of Small Businesses have spoken to the Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) about ‘Sustainable SMEs: Building a Better Future’ at a dinner chaired by Selaine Saxby MP. Source: Garden1

Post-Brexit, Northern Ireland garden centres have had problems bringing in plants from the rest of the UK, but that is set to end as an announcement is expected after more than a year of negotiations between the UK and EU. Source: Garden1

Post-Brexit, Northern Ireland garden centres have had problems bringing in plants from the rest of the UK, but that is set to end as an announcement is expected after more than a year of negotiations between the UK and EU. Source: Garden1

The new role comes after new director general Clare Matterson reorganised the directors at the top of the gardening charity. Source: Garden1

Coolings’ Gary Carvosso paid tribute to the late Paul Cooling at a memorial service in Sevenoaks on 22 February. Source: Garden1

New Forest company Agrumi has made metal animals, without the usual ligustrum coverings, for an innovative display solution. Source: Garden1

Women across the industry have come together to form Women in Horticulture UK, including HortWeek’s own Sally Drury and Rachael Forsyth. Source: Garden1

The Association wants Government cash from the Spring Budget on 15 March for improvements to reservoirs and introduce water-saving innovations, grants for peat replacement, rates relief for garden centres and “action” on trade barriers and border delays. Source: Garden1

Source: Garden1

Source: Garden1

Ben Everitt MP asked if Defra has made an assessment of the potential impact of seasonality in the plant and tree growing industry on (a) testing and (b) assuring the quality of peat-free growing media. Source: Garden1

Tesco has completed its roll-out of LEAF Marque certification. Source: Garden1

Asda is working with Pembrokeshire based supplier Puffin Produce to supply six million stems of Blas y Tir daffodils, to 30 stores in Wales. Source: Garden1