Even though much of the UK was hit by rain and wind at the beginning of the year, a milder start to 2014 has seen outdoor plant sales rise by 41% at GCA garden centres when compared to last year.
According to the group's Barometer of Trade (BoT), member centres also saw bumper sales of hard landscaping. Compared to last year sales were up by 44%.

Will Armitage, chairman of the Garden Centre Association, said: "Despite the wet and windy start to the year our member garden centres have seen good sales and we believe the milder weather has got gardeners out into their gardens earlier than usual."

Member centres also benefited from excellent sales in other departments, including Christmas products, up by 20%, food hall and farm shops, up by 17%, and catering up by 17%.

Mr Armitage added: "In January 2013 and 2012 overall sales were approximately 7 to 8% down on the previous January each year.

"The better sales we have seen in January 2014 is a great improvement and shows people are still keen to visit garden centres and enjoy their gardens despite the rain."

Individual member centres were also keen to share their positive start to the year. Nigel Wait, managing director of Newbridge Nurseries in West Sussex, said: "Lots of our visitors were taking advantage of the unusually mild temperatures and getting back into their gardens, which was reflected in our outdoor plant and hard landscaping sales.

"However, wild bird care products, which tend to sell better during colder spells, were down on this time last year.

"We also saw a 40% increase in sales in our Stooks restaurant as compared to the same time last year and we believe the wetter weather certainly had a part to play in this rise."