Greenside Garden Centre

Garden centres re-opening in Scotland

The Scottish Government has announced that garden centres will be allowed to re-open Friday 29 May as part of Phase 1 of its strategy for exiting lockdown. Scotland is one of the last countries in Europe to re-open its garden centres. Garden centres in Wales and England re-opened more than two weeks ago,…

Garden Avenue Greenhouse

US (MT): Greenhouse seeing rising demand for garden supplies

According to Garden Avenue Greenhouse & Garden Center in Billings, demand for home garden supplies has risen during the COVID-19 pandemic. While some people have turned to movies, video games, and adopting new pets, others have started their own gardens during self-isolation. Garden Avenue Greenhouse’s…

UK: Belfast garden centre owner 'relieved' at orderly reopening after coronavirus lockdown restrictions

The owner of a Belfast garden centre has spoken of his relief at an orderly reopening following lockdown. There was steady stream of customers at Hillmount Garden Centre on Monday morning, but no long queues. Owner Robin Mercer said he was delighted at how things had gone. “I’m very very happy at how it…

Glendoick Garden Centre

Garden centres will not be allowed to open in Scotland until after 28 May

The Scottish Government has announced that garden centres will not be allowed to open in Scotland until after the 28th of May. Garden centres in Wales and England re-opened last week, while garden centres in Northern Ireland are re-opening this week. The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Chairman,…

GIMA welcomes UK Government-backed trade credit insurance guarantee

Earlier this week, the UK government confirmed that it will step in to prop up the trade credit insurance market, bringing welcome relief to GIMA members and other suppliers…

DAERA

Minister welcomes re-opening of garden centres in Northern Ireland

Northern Irish Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Edwin Poots MLA, asked the Executive to lift restrictions on garden centres and HWRCs, which was agreed at Thursday’s (14 May 2020) meeting. Minister Poots said: “Following the Executive meeting yesterday and after considering the most…

Agnieszka Murawska

Massive visits in garden centers in Poland

Tired with lockdown and without perspective for travels abroad Poles visited garden centres to buy ornamental plants for their gardens and balconies. In Poland garden centres were - not like in many other countries - open during the whole lockdown. And with first warm days Poles showed their longing for…

'Lifeline' for plant and flower growers as British garden centres set to reopen

Following the Prime Minister Boris Johnson's statement on 10 May, the government has confirmed that garden centres in England will be allowed to reopen from 13 May. Garden…

Dutch greenhouse builder delivers garden center project

On Wednesday the 29th of April 'Natuurlijk Tilburg' opened its doors for the general public. Unfortunately, a big and festive opening didn't come, but that doesn't make this new garden centre any less beautiful. On the Rugdijk, on the site of the old Overvecht shop, is now a completely new garden center.…

Hillmount Garden Centre

Northern Irish garden centre owner urges clarification on reopening date

A garden centre owner has pleaded with the Northern Ireland Executive to give him a date to reopen. Garden centres and other outdoor retail spaces are set to reopen in the first stage of the five-step plan announced by the Stormont Executive. Robin Mercer, owner of Hillmount Garden Centre, said they…

UK: HTA reinforces the importance of social distancing measures alongside store reopening

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has issued a statement supporting the need for social distancing measures when garden centres reopen: HTA Chairman, James Barnes,…

Mahon Garden Centre

Garden centres in Northern Ireland to reopen

The Northern Ireland Executive has announced the opening of garden centres in Northern Ireland. The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Chairman, James Barnes, comments: “While we welcome the Northern Ireland Executive’s announcement that garden centres will be included in the first group of essential…

UK: Defiant garden centre boss says he feels ‘vindicated’ for ripping up closure notice

A garden centre owner who refused to close his business and even ripped up a notice ordering it to shut says he feels 'vindicated' after claiming the decision 'saved his…

Ian Capper

English garden centres to reopen, Scottish not yet

The UK Government has announced the opening of garden centres in England. The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) Chairman, James Barnes, comments: “We welcome the UK Government’s announcement that garden centres will be allowed to reopen from Wednesday. We are in peak season, when 70% of plants sold…

Herry Lawford

UK garden centres expected to reopen from 13 May

Regarding the news that garden centres in the UK are to be allowed to reopen again from May 13, the Horticultural Trades Association has shared the following statement: “We welcome the news that garden centres will be allowed to open from Wednesday in England. This is a hugely positive economic move and…

Flowers Canada Ontario

Ontario government further eases restrictions on garden centres and nurseries

Premier Doug Ford and the Ontario Government's decision to ease restrictions on garden centres is applauded by FCO and its membership. "I'm encouraged by the decision to open garden centres and hardware stores to the sale of flowers and plants. After the considerable sales losses in our sector this…

Henry Lawford

When will British garden centres reopen?

After being shut down on 23 March, it now looks possible that British garden centres might be able to unlock their doors around May 11. That date falls within the Government’s second three-week lockdown and during the "green light" first phase of non-essential retail openings. Extensive lobbying of…

Lilac Hill Greenhouse

US (MN): Lilac Hill preps to open second greenhouse

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and greenhouses are opening back up just in time. Lilac Hill Greenhouse is getting ready to open a pop-up store in the parking area at Super One on West Arrowhead Road in Duluth. “I love plants, I love seeing the color and if we can do this safely, people aren’t at…

CAN (ON): Garden centres frustrated by measures that only allow partial reopening

One of the few industries granted permission to ease coronavirus-related restrictions in Ontario voiced frustration on Monday, saying unclear rules around the operation of garden centres do little to offer economic relief. The Ontario government’s first tentative steps toward reopening the economy…

HTA

UK: HTA launches safe trading guidance for garden centres

To support the HTA campaign to reopen garden centres, a guidance document has been produced to ensure all garden centres open in a safe manner for staff and customers alike – should the UK Government formally announce a relaxation. The document has been informed by leading HTA retailers, the British…

UK: HTA launches safe trading guidance for garden centres

To support the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) campaign to reopen garden centres, a guidance document has been produced to ensure all garden centres open in a safe…

Fiesta Gardens

'Good news coming' for Ontario's garden centres

The Province of Ontario released guidelines for businesses Thursday on how to safely reopen even as the battle against coronavirus continues across the country. While no dates or timelines were provided for specific industries, there was some encouraging news during Premier Doug Ford’s daily briefing for…

Hillmount

Northern Ireland: Minister calls for review of garden centre ban

Environment Minister Edwin Poots has suggested garden centres should be allowed to reopen, if they can manage social distancing. Executive ministers are engaged in discussions about some lockdown restrictions that could be lifted in Northern Ireland. Last week, they agreed cemeteries could reopen on a…

VanKampen's Greenhouses

CAN (PE): Garden centres predict 'renaissance for the home gardener' during COVID-19 ease-back plan

The COVID-19 pandemic has an increased number of Islanders looking to grow their own food, and P.E.I.'s garden centres are bracing themselves for what they anticipate will likely be a busy spring. In a news briefing on Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Heather Morrison outlined details for the province's ease-back…

Hammarlund Nursery & Landscaping

US (MN): Northland customers flock to garden centers

Northland garden centers are seeing an influx of customers this season as people wish to expand their food sources and also seek activities families can enjoy while isolating. Hammarlund Nursery in Esko on Friday, soldiers in the fight for food security. A barrel of organic, natural fertilizer, or “tea,”…

British garden centres still navigating troubled waters

The boss of a Gravesend garden centre says her company has missed out on more than £1million in sales while DIY stores have been left free to profit during lockdown. Tammy Woodhouse, managing director of Millbrook Garden Centre, said the garden centre has lost out on a "dream spring" as she called for…

UK garden centres doing their best to pull through

Anyone lucky enough to have a garden is making full use of it during lockdown - be it for sunbathing, having a barbecue or gardening. A number of garden centres in London are at hand to help by offering a delivery or collection service so customers can still buy items. Although garden centres have had to…

Risse Greenhouse

Greenhouses remain open in Fairbanks with curbside pickup, service to rural Alaska

With the burgeoning interest in gardening this year, many will probably be relieved to hear that, so far, greenhouses in Fairbanks plan to remain open. They are planning on filling a critical role in helping people improve their own food security, and just as important, their mental health this summer. I…

CAN (ON): Garden centres face wilting spring under COVID-19 restrictions

Garden centres and the growers who sell the colourful flowers and veggies that are a rite of spring in Ontario are asking the province to declare them an essential business under COVID-19 restrictions. That would allow them to operate in the same way as the grocers and hardware stores they supply.…

US (MI): Greenhouses, garden centers want to reopen on May 1

The Michigan Greenhouse Growers Council sent a letter to Governor Whitmer outlining how Michigan retail greenhouses and garden centers would keep their employees and customers safe in these difficult times. The letter showed that retail greenhouses and garden centers can and are ready to operate safely,…

US (CA): Family-owned garden centers cling to prospect of May reopening

Owners of Bay Area plant nurseries are reacting with cautious optimism to a report that health officers in several counties may loosen restrictions on garden centers and…

CAN (ON): Virus forces garden centres to get creative

The COVID-19 public health emergency has forced local nurseries to get creative as the 2020 gardening season approaches. Garden centres sell items that help households produce…

US (NM): Greenhouse hits road to stay open

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's order of April 7 forced small businesses like Traci's to close temporarily in an attempt to further contain the coronavirus. Deemed essential one day, non-essential the next, the businesses were left to shutter completely or scramble for an alternative. Traci…

US (MI): Garden center retail survival strategy series

Like most non-essential businesses in Michigan, garden centers and other retail greenhouse operations in Michigan are currently closed to the public in accordance with the Governor's “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order. Although the duration of this order is yet to be determined, we know it is only a…

US (MI): Greenhouse owners expect tough season, financial strain during stay-at-home order

GreenDorr Greenhouse in Dorr entirely sells their plants and flowers to wholesale distributors. Those distributors are then responsible for getting them to garden centers…

UK: GIMA urging retailers to keep cash flow active during lockdown

There is no doubt that the continuation of the Covid-19 lockdown is placing significant and never before seen pressures on the garden retail supply chain, however the Garden…

UK: Garden centres working ‘every waking hour’ but future after coronavirus remains unclear

British garden centres have reported a surge in demand as people turn to gardening in self-isolation. Some centres have closed all together while others are offering delivery-only services. Business has been buoyant at North Walsham Garden Centre, which has stayed open for deliveries only. Director Ben…

Important messaging garden centers can share with their consumers

Fortunately, local governments, as well as states such as California, Washington, Ohio, Connecticut, New York, and North Carolina, have explicitly classified garden centers as…

One-stop nursery industry resource for COVID-19 launches in North America

The Nursery & Landscape Association Executives of North America (NLAE) have launched a one-stop tool for green industry businesses to see how operations and shipments to and within various North American states and territories are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Agriculture is essential, and…

Belgium garden centers reopening today

Due to COVID-19 a lot of countries ordered many businesses, including garden centers to close their doors to the public. Fortunately, now increasingly more and more garden…

US (CO): How a 50-year-old garden center drastically changed their business to survive

The coronavirus pandemic could not have come at a more inopportune time for local garden centers like Echter’s in Arvada. “Colorado has a short growing season so we do about 80% of our yearly sales in three months (April – June). We spend the entire rest of the year preparing for those three months,”…

"Australian garden centers are open for business"

Glenn Fenton and Peter Vaughan had a teleconference with John van der Horst and Leigh Siebler (Garden Centres Australia), Graham Ross (Australian Garden Council) and Peter…

US (TN): Garden centers see major uptick in traffic as spring time arrives

Gardening has provided a much needed breath of fresh air for those looking to get outside of the house. With rare consecutive days of beautiful and sunny weather, people have flocked to gardening centers such as The Barn Nursery. "Folks are just tired of being cooped up," The Barn Nursery owner Jim…

Garden center retail survival strategy series: Overcoming challenges with a holistic approach

Like most non-essential businesses in Michigan, garden centers and other retail greenhouse operations in Michigan are currently closed to the public in accordance with the Governor's “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order. Although the duration of this order is yet to be determined, we know it is only a…

Corona crisis impact on global market and garden centers

In this article you will find an update from the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV), who are involved in the crisis measures surrounding the Coronavirus and informs Royal FloraHolland about the impact of the virus on the export market. This update also includes information from AIPH –…

Retail garden center and florist strategies to sell in the current environment

If you are a retail garden center or florist, are you currently CLOSED; currently OPEN, but NO in-store contact (online and phone orders); or currently OPEN, but with in-store contact? In this article we will summarize tips to help you navigate through the everchanging environment faced by retail garden…

UK: Cardwell Garden Centre bosses dig in during coronavirus crisis

Cardwell Garden Centre directors Drew, Kieran and Stefanie Gallagher have been looking after thousands of seedlings and plug plants inside a giant greenhouse. The family decided to completely close Cardwell for business on March 23 to protect customers and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff have…

"We still receive orders and have cargo flights"

"Fortunately, we are allowed to continue business, our clients are still ordering and cargo is still being picked up in Zimbabwe", says Roelof Nugteren of Luxaflor Roses, a 16ha rose farm in the Zimbabwean town Concession. Roelof Nugteren at the IFTEX 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya.  Agricultural businesses can continueIn…

British garden centres struggling with COVID-19 crisis

Garden centres across England's North-East are calling for greater support following uncertainty around coronavirus, with one currently holding £80,000 worth of stock, much of which it expects to lose. Fiona Dean, from Ravensworth Nurseries, Richmond, believes this "potential total stock write off" is…

British garden centre owner rips up closure order

The owner of a garden centre has ripped up a notice ordering him to close - and vowed to stay open. Tony Joyner, owner of Plants Galore in Exeter and Plympton, said his stock…

Garden Center 911: Instant online revenue — no tech required

As garden centers across the United States are ordered to shut their doors to comply with shelter in place and social distancing measures in hopes of slowing the spread of COVID-19, Little Prince of Oregon Nursery has launched a new online referral program to help businesses maintain service to customers…

"Spring isn't cancelled"

Even though many garden centers in the US had to (because their business was considered as "non-essential" by their state) or decided themselves to close their doors. Also the garden centers that are still open see decline in sales as orders are being cancelled. But they continue promoting gardening as "Spring isn't cancelled",…

Floral Industry, considered as essential or non-essential?

First it was the panic buying of toilet rolls, then staples like rice, pasta and meat — now it's spread to the nursery industry as demand for edible plants and seeds heats up…

UK garden centres selling more online in COVID-19 crisis

Garden centres in the UK are using upgraded website software that recommends not only plants to gardeners but also care products as sales of gardening goods soar in the wake of COVID-19. Joy of Plants’ Plant Finder plug-in has been added to 46 garden centre websites since it launched in 2018 including…

China: 32 floral companies resumed production in Yunnan Province

Recently, the reporter of k.sina.com.cn learned from the Yunnan Flower Demonstration Park (hereinafter referred to as the "Provincial Flower Park") that the provincial flower…

France: Garden centers can only open animal and general food departments

Following the Prime Minister's announcement to "close all places receiving the public that are not essential to the life of the country" on Saturday March 14 at 8 p.m., the…

Green industry experts join forces to benefit independent garden centers

A new coalition of green industry experts plans to help independent garden centers (IGCs) reap the rewards of the millennial market. Centered around Smart Plant Home, an app designed to track customers’ plant purchasing habits and provide expert growing advice—with the ability for retailers to link directly…

US (TX): North Haven Gardens rebuilds after Dallas’ October tornadoes

Four months after violent weather caused $2 billion worth of damage across a wide swath from northwest Dallas to Richardson, hundreds of homeowners and business owners are still deciding whether to rebuild or move on. At North Haven Gardens, the Pinkus family says, along with the initial disbelief and…

Four strategies for marketing your garden center or nursery

Marketing your garden center or nursery is an ongoing initiative which requires commitment and little know-how. By following the four marketing tips outlined below, you can be assured that your continuous efforts will reap profitable rewards. Understand your customers firstBusinesses which make…

UK: Garden centre for sale near Colchester, Essex

Quinton Edwards offers to the market a substantial Garden Centre which is located just 2.2 miles from the A112 and close to one of the fastest growing towns in the UK. The Garden Centre benefits from approximately 25,000 sq ft of internal space, an extensive planteria and coffee shop with river frontage…