Blog

Sep 11, 2017
Talking TrendsAbby (Kleckler) McGarry

Each year, Garden Media Group releases its Garden Trends Report for the following year. Today is the first day you can download the trends for 2018! The theme this year is "Nature's Rx for Mental W... more

Aug 21, 2017
Easy to EngageAbby (Kleckler) McGarry

“Your garden center experience is like an amusement park, and the products are just the souvenirs customers take back with them.” The Retail Doctor Bob Phibbs made this statement in the first 1... more

Aug 18, 2017
The Vertical TrendJasmina Dolce

Some homeowners may argue that their outdoor spaces are just as, if not more, important than their indoor spaces. After all, we use our backyards to entertain, to relax and even as a place to "staycat... more

Aug 8, 2017
Ready for the IGC Show?Abby (Kleckler) McGarry

The IGC Show is coming up next week (Aug. 15-17), and show organizers have a couple updates for you. First, they have added a fifth bus for the Monday garden center tour, meaning there’s now more ro... more

Jul 24, 2017
Buses, Keynotes and New ProductsAbby (Kleckler) McGarry

Cultivate’17 is in the books. It’s crazy how fast four days can go when there’s so much to see and so many places to be. Did you attend? Whether you were there or not, we’ve got you covered. ... more

Jul 19, 2017
Florida’s Top Trial PerformersJasmina Dolce

In the June and July issues of our sister publication, GPN, columnist and trusted industry consultant Vaughn Fletcher gave his analysis of the top-performing new variety introductions at Costa Farms' ... more

Jul 10, 2017
Cultivate BoundAbby (Kleckler) McGarry

Who’s heading to Cultivate’17 in Columbus, Ohio, this weekend (July 15-18)? If so, you should hop on my bus for AmericanHort’s Garden Retail Tour Saturday. We’ll be stopping at Oakland Nurs... more

Jun 27, 2017
All AboardAbby (Kleckler) McGarry

I’m writing this letter on Day 1 of the GCA Summer Tour in Virginia (and you’re likely reading it on Day 2). The buses will head to approximately a dozen garden centers over three days— meani... more

Jun 20, 2017
Building Better Pollinator GardensJasmina Dolce

Although National Pollinator Week is coming to an end, it's important to still keep pollinators in mind all season long. This is a great time to promote pollinator health and celebrate bees, birds and... more

Jun 12, 2017
Your Last ChanceAbby (Kleckler) McGarry

I don't want to sound like a broken record, but I do want to remind you one final time to submit your entries to become Lawn & Garden Retailer's 2017 Merchandiser of the Year. You only have until... more

May 24, 2017
Drought-Tolerant PerennialsJasmina Dolce

As temperatures warm up and summer begins, watering and maintaining plants become a daily chore for gardeners and homeowners. I'm not going to lie ... I take my garden maintenance extremely seriously ... more

May 22, 2017
Be RecognizedAbby (Kleckler) McGarry

I just got back from a trip to Colorado to visit garden centers. Every single one I talked to had similar sentiments: "We had our best Mother's Day in the past decade!," "The Saturday before Mother's ... more