Articles
Big (box) thinking
I try to avoid the big box stores, but sometimes you have to pay attention to what they’re doing — because anything they can do, you can do better. A news release recently crossed our... more »Trends in houseplants
One of my favorite things about being part of the green industry is hearing what brought others into horticulture. Take Karli Heineman, who opened a rare and unique plant boutique, Plant Vault, last year. She... more »
Navigating workforce issues between generations
As a 1985 baby, I fall into two categories: millennial and Generation X. This didn’t seem like much of a concern as I was entering the workforce. I recall being grouped as “entitled and lazy”... more »
Tropical plants take center stage at TPIE
The 2023 Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE) brought together approximately 6,500 attendees from 48 U.S. states and 44 countries for the 50th anniversary of the show in Tampa, Florida, in January. Many of the 365... more »
Petitti supports eco-friendly products and practices
Whether it’s reducing waste, implementing recycling programs or finding new efficiencies, garden centers are constantly striving to perform in a more eco-friendly manner. Noelle Clark Akin, manager of training and education at Petitti Garden Centers... more »
Mastering garden center merchandising
The old cliche of “stack it high and watch it fly” couldn’t be further from the truth for independent garden centers. Effective merchandising takes much more planning; it’s an ongoing process to introduce your products... more »
Laying the technology foundation for future growth
As a smaller company, it’s difficult to keep up with technology, especially since delivering these experiences seems to require spending big. However, by partnering with the right technology companies and being creative with implementing them... more »
5 Minutes With … Laura Girbach
This month, we catch up with Laura Girbach, general manager of KBK Garden Center in Saline, Michigan. What brought you to the garden center business? As a child, my mom was a huge influence in... more »
Tips for identifying your staff’s top talents
A few years ago, I worked with a garden center owner on a strategic repositioning and, since it was their fiscal year end, they were in the process of giving annual performance reviews to their... more »
Tropical trendspotting: A boutique houseplant shop focuses on rare and unique plants
A background in fashion might not be commonplace in the plant retail world, but for Karli Heineman, it’s turned out to be a real advantage. Before moving to San Diego from Los Angeles five years... more »
Going Mobile: Considerations for Incorporating a Food Truck at Your IGC
You have a store full of customers — how can you get them to stay longer? Feed them of course. Two garden centers share the different roads they followed to having food trucks on their property and... more »
Focused on Organic Gardening
Nancy DuBrule-Clemente isn’t afraid of a challenge. She founded the landscape company and destination garden center Natureworks in southern Connecticut in 1983 as a woman-led, organically focused company at a time when gardening was chemical... more »
Videos
News
April 24, 2024
Teachers to take field trip to explore horticulture
April 23, 2024
That Flower Feeling names 9 to marketing committee
April 23, 2024
