Developing Business In The Garden Industry
UK garden centres ready for customers as weather improves
As the weather starts to turn for the better and with the week long coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on the TV helping to inspire, people are starting to venture out into their gardens at long last and garden centres are ready for them!
Members of the HTA Council, which met this week in London (22 May) conveyed a sense of cautious optimism about trading in the weeks ahead. Following a wash out April across the country, which many reported to be one of the worse ever April’s for trading ever, garden retailers are beginning to see plant sales starting to increase.
Read More >>
APL members win big at Chelsea
It has been another fantastic year for members of the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) with many winning prestigious medals at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this week.
Rutland based New Ground Landscapes, Berkshire based Creative Landscapes, Reigate based GardenLink, Chobham based Landform Consultants and Hampshire based Hillier Landscapes all wowed the crowds and judges by showcasing the very best in garden design, landscaping and plant production.
Read More >>
Landscape industry delight at hosepipe ban exemption
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) today welcome the news from the water companies that landscaping and turf businesses are exempt from the hosepipe ban as of today.
The adjustment to the Temporary Use Ban by the seven water companies in the south and east of England allows gardening businesses and their customers to use hosepipes to water newly laid turf and plants, for up to 28 days from planting.
This decision comes as it was confirmed that the record
... Read More >>
Garden centres bloom with events this summer
It will have escaped nobody’s attention that April was the wettest on record, but with the weather across the country now improving, HTA member garden centres are a hive of activity to encourage their customers to get gardening this summer.
Garden centres across the country are putting on a whole host of activities to keep the family entertained and the trade up in the run up to the Diamond Jubilee and Olympics this summer with themed promotions and events. According to the HTA Member Voice survey (April) 58% of garden retailers planned
... Read More >>
A taste of what’s to come from first time exhibitors at the HTA National Plant Show
The award-winning HTA National Plant Show, sponsored by Hortipak, which takes place at Stoneleigh Park on 26 and 27 June, welcomes a number of companies who will be exhibiting at the show for the first time this year.
These include bedding growers, young plant suppliers, seed companies and a Christmas tree grower.
Exhibitor numbers are growing year on year and 2012 figures are up 16% on 2011 ensuring that all elements of UK plant supply are represented. This makes the event perfect for retail owners,
... Read More >>
Greening the UK joins the Green Infrastructure Partnership
Greening the UK, the horticultural industry’s campaign to promote the role of plants and open green spaces has joined Defra’s Green Infrastructure Partnership.
The Green Infrastructure Partnership was launched by Environment Minister Richard Benyon in October 2011. The initiative, which runs initially for two years, aims to promote green infrastructure to support ecological networks, healthier communities, better quality of life, climate change adaptation
... Read More >>The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is the trade association for the UK garden industry. It is dedicated to helping develop the industry and its member businesses, including most garden centres and other garden retailers, growers, landscapers, manufacturers and suppliers.