We’ve opened up sponsorship for our 2026 annual conference We’re seeking potential sponsors both big and small for our annual conference taking place from January 25-28 next year (2026). We want to hear from businesses with horticultural industry relevance that would like to be associated with the event, which takes place at Carden Park Hotel…
Details of our regional award meetings & a coach option from Midlands & West We’ve revealed the dates for our summer regional award meetings when members find out who has come top in its 2025 annual inspections. Members are encouraged to attend with their teams and this year those in the Midlands and West also…
May’s BoT shows another ‘healthy’ month Our members have recorded another ‘healthy’ month in our May 2025 Barometer of Trade (BoT) with seven of the 13 categories listed performing positively when compared to the same month in 2024. Figures out today (June 19, 2025) have revealed May’s top performer was gifts at +10.07%, followed by…
Going wild for a flower meadow? If you’ve thought of creating your own beautiful wildlife haven, then next month (July) is the perfect time to start preparing the ground for autumn seed sowing. Here are our tips for creating a field of wildflowers or just a small patch if you haven’t the space for something…
Keeping windowsill herbs With a little love and a bit of care you can keep fresh potted herbs on your kitchen windowsill for many months and use them in your cooking as they grow. To find out how you can keep your herbs in good condition and get the best from them follow our three-point…
Cottage gardens for beginners Cottage gardens and naturalistic planting schemes were once again very popular at the Chelsea Flower Show this year. The easiest way to create a small cottage garden feel within your existing front or back garden is to develop a herbaceous border. Herbaceous borders are much more rigid than they appear on…
June tips Eight key things to do in the garden this month: Earth up late potatoes. Thin rows of vegetable crops when overcrowded. Propagate strawberries from unwanted runners. Keep an eye on slug damage. Begin summer pruning of apples and pears. Continue weeding and watering where necessary. Cut back early flowering herbaceous plants in order…
Roses and how to take care of them The rose was given the title ‘The Queen of Flowers’ as long ago as 600BC. No other flower is more popular in this country than the rose and with its multiple uses can be recommended for the adornment of gardens both large and small. Adaptability Few shrubby…
April’s BoT shows ‘positive’ sales Our Barometer of Trade (BoT) for April has revealed members had another ‘wonderful’ month – with the year-to-date increase now at +12.28% (2025). Data from our garden centres show all 13 categories logged saw a positive increase, when compared to April 2024, with plant sales and core gardening categories in…
Call for applications for Dick Allen Scholarship Award We’re urging members to put forward their staff for the GCA Trust’s Dick Allen Scholarship Award Scheme. Open to GCA garden centre staff The scheme is open to staff within our member garden centres and the recipients of the award will be invited to attend the International…