It comes just once a year but Christmas is such a massively important trading period for garden centres that the earlier you start your publicity planning the better.

Leading garden centre decorative aggregate and hard landscaping supplier Border Stone is introducing some "of the moment" lines into its collection for 2009, with the consumer becoming ever more aware of their carbon footprint and hunting down the latest in "green" products.

Yeoman has created pink Gardening Gloves, a Soft Grip Secateur and Bulb Planter which will all be on sale from September 15th. These items are the perfect way to stay looking chic whilst getting out in the garden and also a great way to support Breakthrough Breast Cancer, as the gloves carry a 20 per cent donation and the secateur and bulb planter carry a 10 per cent donation to Breakthrough.

Over 80 members of the South Thames division of the Garden Centres Association attended the first regional award ceremony hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society at Wisley. The evening was presented by Andy Bunt, Chairman of the South Thames division, Roger Crooks and Ian Boardman, who audited the 36 garden centres judged within the region.

Scruffs sponsored the charity volunteers of Article [25] to research new building technology for development projects in earthquake-affected areas. Held at the University of Nottingham where the project designers Linedota Architects set out to build the experimental prototype structure.

Gardman, Britain's leading wild bird care company, has sponsored the shady courtyard garden at the newly opened British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Nunnery Garden at Thetford, Norfolk. The company has provided both financial support and a range of its products for the high-walled site which is further shaded by large copper beech trees.

"When the market gets tough, get the marketing going," is the message from David Saunderson of DSH PR. To help garden centres do just that DSH has launched a range of new cost effective marketing initiatives under the title of "Footfall Drivers". The first set of Footfall Drivers comprises events that centres can run to encourage more people into garden centres, helping to anchor customers for the future.

Celebrity garden designer and TV presenter Chris Beardshaw chose Rolawn Medallion® turf and Blended Loam^TM topsoil for his award winning show garden at the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park, the flagship event of Cheshire's Year of Gardens 08.

There are certain customer demographics that need to be considered.  A visit to the shop floor during an average weekday will show grand-parents, mothers and younger children all frequenting the store, whilst at weekends it's more a family affair.

Products developed by tools specialist Darlac are consistently awarded "Best Buy" in consumer magazines across the board. The reason is simple, Darlac offer exactly what the buying public ask for.

Thule, the world's largest manufacturer of car roof rack systems, roof boxes and accessories has launched the GoBox 8005 - the perfect shopping accessory for consumers looking to "do their bit" for the environment.

House of Sarunds, the leading continental chocolate and confectionery supplier, is now offering a milk chocolate potting kit, complete with trowel, plant pot and two rose buds.

Italy, Bali, Denmark and quintessential England have provided the inspiration for the new collection of lines at town garden this summer, making it the perfect one-stop shop to get this season's look.

The revolution in "grow your own" is here to stay, and with this in mind Westland Horticulture has designed a complete sales package to deliver the perfect in-store potato and vegetable shop aimed at driving link sales across the grow your own category.

Leading walking stick specialists, Classic Canes, will launch over 50 new models of walking sticks, folding canes, seat sticks and umbrellas at this year's GLEE trade fair, including items to suit all ages and all budgets. The family firm's distinctive products are ideally suited to the typical garden centre or gift shop clientele, selling equally well to walking stick users and present-buyers.

Taking an old concept and formalising it into a smart, easy to use and dedicated system, shop-fitting experts CASCO have just started integrating Maturation Systems into aquarium store design. This is a totally new innovation from CASCO.

Eazitools is an innovative range of ergonomic gardening tools designed by experts to maximise safety and reduce the general stresses and strains endured by gardeners.

From a company known for innovation and style comes a new range of freestanding display tanks from CASCO Europe. The unique curves of these tanks creates an eye-catching as well as a practical focal point for any aquarium store. The new Curved Tanks from CASCO are free standing with light systems to create a stunning display. There are several specifications available and the tanks are custom built by CASCO in a variety of sizes to meet customers' specific requirements.

Bosmere Products, producers of the largest range of garden furniture covers and garden bags in the world, is continuing its programme of product innovation and diversification by introducing over 100 new and practical products at this year's GLEE. There will be additions to most of its best selling ranges plus the introduction of a new "Secateurs Range" and a "Patio Brooms Range". 

Sinclair, the company behind the leading J. Arthur Bower's and New Horizon brands, is once again revitalising the gardening market with ground-breaking new developments for 2009.

High Protection Woodstain joins the range as a triple action woodstain that protects, treats and provides a durable finish to new and old wood. Suitable for use both internally and externally the woodstain is highly resistant to UV rays and bad weather and protects timber for up to four years. Its non-drip formula is ideal for vertical surfaces plus with the added benefit of being touch dry within 30 minutes. The High protection Woodstain is available in five colours including Scandinavian Pine, Light Oak, Cherry, Light Cedar and Dark Oak and in two pack sizes of 750ml and 2.5L.

Spear & Jackson's Elements range includes some great value tools to keep lawns and edges in great shape over the summer months. Suitable for the occasional gardener the Elements trio of garden rake, aerator and edging knife provides the user with the necessary firepower to get on with the job.

The Garden Industry Manufacturers' Association (GIMA) has long been a powerful instrument in promoting and defending the interests of British and European-based businesses supplying the UK gardening sector. But after a difficult year, the association is determined to maintain a positive approach to market conditions, continue to be a conduit for the exchange of views between members on key issues, and to act as a robust mouthpiece for garden-product suppliers to share their concerns with media and the government.

After the highly successful 2007 UK sailing regatta, held by the UK's leading quality garden furniture wholesaler, Alexander Rose, it was decided to introduce an international flavour to the 2008 corporate sailing event. In addition to the six UK racing yachts crewed by its garden centre buyers and Alexander Rose representatives, there were also competitors from Poland and Slovakia, both manufacturing partners of Alexander Rose. Needless to say, it was a most exhilarating experience for all participants and fortuitous timing, coinciding with the sailing exploits of Team GB at the Olympic Games, which enhanced the competitive mood.

SOLEX exhibitors agreed the first show was an outstanding success and commented on the quality of the visitors and the lack of "timewasters". Exhibitors suggested that the old fashioned idea of Sunday opening should be consigned to history. For 2009 the new dates for SOLEX will be Monday July 13th to Wednesday July 15th. The Telford International Centre will continue to be the venue after commanding an overwhelming vote of approval from exhibitors and visitors alike.

DMS Group's UK company, Slemcka (DMS) Ltd will unveil new product additions to its successful Antony Worrall Thompson range of barbecues and outdoor accessories exclusively at GLEE 2008. With sales up by 50 per cent on the previous year, the Slemcka team is already working towards an even brighter sales forecast for the 2009 season with its AWT range.

BRAAI MAXX lives up to its promise of offering you more cooking options than ever before. CADAC takes BBQ innovation and outdoor meal preparation to the maXX with the introduction of this stylish, versatile and durable BBQ.

True to form, Weber, the renowned authority on grilling, has responded to customer feedback and tougher-than-ever market conditions to introduce an unrivalled service for 2009.

The Jundor® BBQ Blower is a great new invention proudly invented and manufactured in Wales. How many of us have lit our charcoal BBQ and waited in eager anticipation of fine alfresco fare ... and waited ... and waited.

The Italian company Valagro is launching its plant nutrition product "ONE" in the UK. The company claims that the product has exceeded expectations in UK market trials, designed to assess its potential among the UK garden trade and consumers. ONE is a blend of nutrients and extracts from plants, including seaweed, corn, yucca and alfalfa. ONE has proved very popular in Italy following its launch in 2004 by the company, and will be formally unveiled in the UK at the Glee show in September.

Peat-free, organic composts, fertilisers and growing media manufacturer, Vital Earth, which makes its products by recycling garden waste and blending it with naturally produced nutrients, is showing a massively extended, reconfigured and repackaged range at GLEE 2008.

Haddonstone, the UK's leading manufacturer of fine garden ornaments, is launching new products at GLEE including contemporary planters, classical fountains and gothic garden furniture.

The clean lines and classical proportions of Henri Studio's Kensington collection of original hand crafted cast stone collection of garden fountains and statuary has been enhanced by the introduction of three new items. 

Lafarge Cement will headline GLEE 2008 with a range of innovative products aimed at driving up value in the landscaping market.

Rapid is now moving into the gardening sector. And it is doing so with the Plant Fixer (GP238), an ingenious gardening tool that can be used all year round - spring, summer, autumn and winter. The Plant Fixer GP238 garden pliers show that Rapid is really serious about its move into gardening.

Don't miss out on a visit to Draper Tools NEW bigger and better stand where you will find a comprehensive range of hand and power tools for the home and garden.

The Kingfisher brand promises an exciting line-up for 2009 to show to its new and existing customers at GLEE this year. The product range covers all areas of garden, bird care, kid's toys, garden games, lighting, furniture, camping, DIY, homewares and disposables. In total Kingfisher has developed a one-stop shop with over 500 products and 66 new lines for 2009. 

GLEE sees a major redesign of the most widely stocked gardening product in the country, the Hozelock hose connector which for 2009 has soft touch side pads and a unique flexible hose tail. The company is also introducing a new EasyClear 9000 all-in-one clearwater, fountain and waterfall pump plus significant improvements to the EasyClear 3000 and 6000 models. And, to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2009, Hozelock is announcing a raft of special themed promotional deals.

One of the up and coming companies at GLEE this year is Maingate, the family company managed by father-and-son team Ole and Peter Valentin. Its product range is exceptionally distinctive, and gives a wide berth to mass-market "me-too" products.

Strikeback has regularly featured in the media this year, with regular appearances on TV and in consumer publications including Your Home magazine and House & Home Ideas. A strong presence in trade publications has also been maintained, with regular advertising, editorial coverage and special features such as the Sales Training Guide, designed to help retailers sell more pest control products. Strikeback's commitment to supporting independent retailers as well as multiples and wholesalers has continued to strengthen.

The Lindesberg Pot will be launched at GLEE by Fagerdala Por-Pac*. This is the first product that allows perennial plants to be grown simply and successfully in pots. Although perennials can be grown in traditional pots, they require a great deal of work and the results are uncertain. Traditional pots are not insulated and the roots of perennials suffer from cold in winter and from heat in summer. The Lindesberg Pot works via a system that allows plant roots to breath and at the same time offers insulation to provide the perfect environment for perennials, in both summer and winter months.

Westland is once again taking the lead in the growing media sector by expanding the West+ range, the high performance peat reduced range, the core range for 2009. With the onset 2010 peat reduction targets, and gardeners demanding best performance, Westland have taken the leading step to strengthen and revamp the West + range of compost. Featuring the revolutionary 50/50 mix of peat and West+ material will provide every with the best performing and most sustainable product ever.

Exhibiting at this year's GLEE, Forest will be showcasing all-new garden buildings, playdens, pet homes, decking, landscaping and arbours along with a number of initiatives designed to drive sales of timber garden products.

Open Retail Solutions have a bigger stand at GLEE this year to show all their new product additions. They are pleased to invite you to come along to, grab a seat, rest your feet and see for yourself!

NP Structures have over 30 years experience in the design and manufacture of firm clad structures and our exceptional reputation has helped us become one of the UK's largest manufacturers in our sector. 

Since its inception in the early 1950s, Tetra has become a world leader in the manufacture of aquarium and pond products, which now sell in 90 countries worldwide. Through its network of independently accredited laboratories, the company is also the largest investor in ornamental-fish research and development.

Pet product buyers from around the world will be visiting Glee Petindex and a warm welcome awaits them in the International Buyers' Centre. Located on Stand K2 in Hall 4 of the National Exhibition Centre, the Centre offers a wide range of business creating services to overseas buyers and British suppliers of pet, garden and leisure products.  The Federation of Garden and Leisure Manufacturers, comprising the PetQuip export association and the Gardenex export federation, are sponsoring and manning the Centre again this year.

How do professionals manage overweight dogs? And how can retailers advise dog owners on getting their animals' weight down? Formula K will be unveiling the answers to these tricky questions at a seminar at this year's GLEE.

GLEE 2008 will host a prize draw from CASCO that is even more impressive than the company's 2007 show promotion. The value of the 2008 prize is bigger and the company have even more impressive pet and aquatic store fixtures and fittings on offer. One lucky winner will win a new store fitting worth £20,000. At the show, the company will also be unveiling new style innovation products, very advanced technical equipment and new "budget" store fitting options.

Fish Pod is the new complete aquarium that makes fishkeeping easier and more successful than ever before. Fish Pod contains all you need to start up a coldwater aquarium and even has a tropical upgrade kit, allowing flexibility for beginners and experienced fish keepers alike. Fish Pod's panoramic curved glass design and high specification equipment creates a beautiful underwater world for fishkeepers to enjoy.

8 in 1, a brand with a worldwide reputation for innovation and quality, is proud to announce its new  UK range, giving it a fresh new look and appeal, focused on the top end of the companion animal category. It is part of a European-wide launch that builds on the existing brand attributes of trust, high quality and convenience. This first phase includes a complete new range of grooming and hygiene products for dogs, offering retailers a new concept for today's growing premium market. 

Darlington-based Poopod is delighted to be premiering its new Poopod at GLEE, NEC, Birmingham, on September 21st to 23rd 2008.

Paw Plunger are proud to announce the UK debut of the much-anticipated Mini Paw Plunger, being showcased at their first ever appearance at GLEE this year.

At GLEE this year, Rosewood Pet Products is launching a premium collection of pet bedding and toys made from natural fibres, creating products with wonderful natural textures and colours.

Joni Redpath, a 26-year-old merchandiser from Surrey and her cat, Rubens, are to front a new marketing campaign for Ashapura's market-leading PURA cat litter brand, after winning a photo competition to promote National Pet Month.