Seeds and bulbs were February's garden heroes, with sales in Garden Centre Association (GCA) outlets up 14% on the previous February. 

The headline speakers at next month's Garden Industry Manufacturers Association (GIMA) Day Conference include Julian Winfield and Conna Powles - Haskins Garden Centres ceo and buying director respectively, and Blue Diamond Group ceo Alan Roper. 

The Mica Exchange will be celebrating its fifth year this weekend, when the Royal York Hotel in York will host Mica's conference. 

Home Retail Group announces full-year results, with Homebase up 2.3% on a like-for-like basis, as store closure programme continues and Argos reporting flat sales at 0.6%, whilst seeing growth online and enhancing its store portfolio. 

Leading homeware company Sabichi has announced a new collaboration with Spanish glass manufacturer Vicrila. 

German chemical giant Bayer has failed in its attempt to sue Friends of the Earth Germany over the organisation's claims that thiacloprid, a pesticide manufactured by Bayer, harms bees. 

As garden centre catering continues to be an extremely important aspect of many garden retail businesses, the HTA has revealed that this year's Catering Conference, sponsored by Vision Commercial Kitchens, will be a two day event, complete with a conference dinner and exhibition. 

German chemical giant Bayer CropScience said it regrets the decision by the Dusselfdorf Regional Court to revoke an injunction previously imposed against the German branch of Friends of the Earth. 

In this, National Apprenticeship Week (March 9-13), Topps Tiles says it is continuing its support for the initiative, with 119 people enrolled on apprenticeships across its 340-strong store network. 

Bonnington Plastics, the wholesaler of Kingfisher garden and homewares products, is running a free seminar on protecting brands and intellectual property (IP). 

The online garden products market is growing at twice the rate of the garden products market as a whole, and growth will strengthen further over the next four years. 

Wyevale Garden Centres' Percy Thrower's centre in Shrewsbury is poised for its relaunch tomorrow, following a £40m redevelopment. 

Shurtape has launched a new TV campaign for Duck Tape and Frog Tape in the run-up to Easter - its biggest to date. 

The meaning of the term 'DIY' is in need of a makeover as it is too narrow for today's socially-connected, creative consumer, according to Homebase. 

Shower designer and manufacturer Roman has completed a £50,000 revamp of its testing area, where it ensures all its products conform to the CE marking standards. 

Wirral's Carr Farm Garden Centre has opened a new restaurant as the first phase in a £3m redevelopment backed by NatWest. 

Homebase and Argos's employees and customers have raised over £2.8m to support people living with dementia. 

This month's Future High Street Summit in Nottingham is promising to open the eyes of delegates to the latest reports and programmes that will push town and city centres into the digital age. 

To celebrate the launch of Valspar paint in the UK, the brand has created a piece of illusionary artwork on the side of a building in central London. 

Following its success last year, the employment course for young people has been launched again for 2015 by retail industry charity Retail Trust.