Regulation
Ten-Minute Rule Motion to prohibit the sale of peat
On the 6th of November 2024, Sarah Dyke, Liberal Democrat MP of Glastonbury and Somerton will conduct the first reading of a Ten-Minute Rule bill to end the sale of peat.
Regulation
Horticultural Trades Association & the Fresh Produce Consortium call for urgent government action on the border
The Horticultural Trades Association and the Fresh Produce Consortium have issued a joint letter to the government, calling for urgent action following October roundtable meeting on plants, cut flowers, and border-related issues.
Charity
YPHA’s festive fundraiser: Sowing Stories
The Young People in Horticulture Association have launched a festive ‘Sowing Stories’ fundraiser, to connect horticulturists of all ages through the gift of gardening books.
Business
Despite catering and non-garden category performance, garden centre sales remain flat
Latest HTA Market Update for October 2024 shows overall garden centre sales in September 2024 increased by +1% compared to September 2023, driven largely by catering and non-garden categories.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
The Boodles Raindance garden for the 2025 RSH Chelsea Flower Show
Designed by Catherine MacDonald, principal designer at Landform Consultants, the Boodles Raindance Garden is a celebration of the 25th anniversary of a jewellery collection.
Product Launch
Niwaki: Hori Hori Pro
Japanese lifestyle brand launched upgrade of their popular hand tool, the Hori Hori Pro.
Design
Elemental: green design audit tool
Developed by Nicholsons in association with the Society of Garden Designers, the British Association of Landscape Industries and the Royal Horticultural Society, ‘Elemental’, the green design audit tool will be available to garden and landscape designers in spring 2025.
Regulation
Defra’s new Plant Health Information Service welcomed but needs further development
Defra has published the new Plant Health Information (PHI) Service, which provides information on phytosanitary requirements for importing plants, seeds, and plant products into Great Britain.
Product Launch
STIHL launches first battery-powered pressure washers
Premium garden tools brand, STIHL have launched their new REA 60 PLUS and REA 100 PLUS battery-powered pressure washers for home and professional applications.
Health
Bridewell Gardens marks 30 years of mental health support through horticulture
Bridewell Gardens, a pioneering mental health recovery service celebrated its 30th anniversary this year and launched a new fundraising campaign to aid the fulfilment of their mission.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
Highlights RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
For 2025, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show features gardens with a focus on the future, tackling climate challenges through intelligence and innovation, whilst embracing the wellbeing benefits of gardening through designing for joy.
Regulation
Industry response to 2025 Seasonal Worker Scheme plans
The government has outlined a package of measures for seasonal workers employed by farmers and growers in the UK’s horticulture, poultry and sheep sectors.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025
Monty Don to design RHS Chelsea dog-friendly garden
The RHS and Radio 2 Dog Garden, designed by Monty Don celebrates the country’s love of gardens and dogs.
RHS
Bath crowned RHS Britain in Bloom overall champion
Bath in Bloom, the inaugural winners of Britain in Bloom, crowned champions in the 60th anniversary year of The Royal Horticultural Society’s nationwide gardening competition.
Charity
Firewalks for Perennial at Hever Castle
Hosted on the forecourt of Hever Castle, thirty intrepid fundraisers braved a red-hot firewalk to raise funds for the gardeners’ charity Perennial
Plants
Local fruit heritage celebrations: Apple Days
To mark today’s National Apple Day, we pay homage to the magical Apple Days held throughout the country to celebrate local fruit heritage, all things apples and traditional orchards.
Awards
Green Estate CIC wins national award for green innovation
Best known for Pictorial Meadows, the Green Estate CIC has been awarded the British Chambers of Commerce Green Innovation Business of the Year Award for creating sustainable, resilient urban spaces that support both nature and people.
Wildlife
WWF: 73% decline average size of global wildlife populations between 1970 and 2020
The WWF’s Living Planet Report indicates severe decline in average size of monitored wildlife populations, due to human activity such as habitat destruction and climate change.
