HTA's Tim Briercliffe predicts reduced plant production for 2013
18 May 2012
HTA business development director Tim Briercliffe has tweeted that garden centre sales are "really bad out there" with trade down 42 per cent last month on April 2011.
Wild flower sales are at least tripling this year as the Olympics and Sarah Raven's TV programme Bees, Butterflies and Blooms have combined with a growing desire among gardeners to attract beneficial insects, according to Nova-Flore.
HTA business development director Tim Briercliffe has tweeted that garden centre sales are "really bad out there" with trade down 42 per cent last month on April 2011.
Sector waits for sun to unlock consumer demand after suffering stock losses from poor sales and a record late season.
Latest Defra figures have confirmed the differing fortunes of Britain's fruit and vegetable growers, with fruit showing continuing strong returns while those from vegetables have slipped back.
The latest equipment can help justify irrigation in water shortage-hit times, says Sally Drury.
Chain pledges to introduce peat-free alternative to its own-brand topsoil product after row over peat content.
Notcutts has launched its own-brand fertilisers and chemicals plus a multipurpose peat-free compost and farmyard manure at prices claimed to be around 10 per cent cheaper than the brands.
Thatchers' 50,000 new trees will also extend cider maker's harvesting window to early season.
Forest Xplorer, the free app from the Forestry Commission, is now available on Android phones and includes an event finder to keep users posted on local woodlands.
Nurseries look for plants to cope with dry conditions as they assess the future impact on sales.



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