cash register

Business

Dull December closes challenging year for garden centres

The December 2024 Horticultural Trades Association Market Update showed a 1% decline in overall garden centre sales compared to December 2023, though with a modest 2% in 2024 from 2023 full-year results.

Man gardening

Health

Gardening is nature’s gym

The Horticultural Trades Association says gardening could be one of nature’s best workouts to improve physical health

Carolside garden for the Scottish Open Gardens taken by Rose Foyle

Gardens

Scottish gardens open for visitors in 2025

Over 400 gardens, including cinematic landscapes, kitchen gardens, urban gems and special green spaces will be opening in 2025 for Scotland’s Gardens Scheme.

The Smart Pebble by elho

Product Launch

Smart Pebble

Designed by elho, this smart ‘pebble’ tells you how your plant is feeling.

greenfinch

Wildlife

RSPB suspends sale of flat bird feeders

The RSPB has withdrawn flat bird feeders due to the concerns they may facilitate the transmission of illnesses such as trichomonosis, which has significantly impacted the greenfinch population.

Dobbies Stratford Upon Avon

Business

Acquisitions of Dobbies locations

Following the Dobbies Restructuring Plan, which included the closing of 17 stores, British Garden Centres and Stratford Garden Centre have announced location acquisitions.

Book Releases

Work by Raymond Zhang entitled Walking on the palette for Earth Photo

Exhibitions

Earth Photo comes to Hever Castle

The international photography exhibition, Earth Photo will be showcased in the grounds of Hever Castle & Gardens this February.

Serge Hill Plant Library

Job

The Serge Hill Project: Gardening Scholar

Supported by the Rockcliffe Charitable Trust, the Serge Hill Project is recruiting for a gardener for the inaugural post in their new scholarship programme.

Coton Orchard

Environment

Saving Coton Orchard

Home to 100-year old specimens, the 60 acre Coton Orchard, the largest traditional orchard in Cambridgeshire and 8th largest in the country is at risk of becoming a new bus lane.

Sunflower - flos solis major

Exhibitions

Gardening

In an exciting new exhibition, the British Library explores the transformative, enriching and sometimes radical, power of gardening in Britain and how it impacts people, communities and the environment.

restaurant food

Business

Restaurant trends for 2025

Compiled by the Sustainable Restaurant Association, an intriguing overview of what we can expect from restaurants in 2025 which may provide inspiration for businesses in our sector offering food & beverage services.