Jan 24, 2020
Happy January!By Teresa McPherson

Is it just me, or is January the longest month of the year? I know it’s 31 days, like many months, but for some reason this month just seems longer than the rest. Maybe it’s because the holiday hubbub is over, or it’s the long, gray winter days here in the Midwest.

I hope this month’s editorial brightens your day. In the January issue, we’re highlighting some fresh holiday-driven consumer marketing ideas for you that are tied to unique and interesting plants. These ideas, writes Maria Zampini, can “generate sales tied to holidays throughout the year, featuring plants that serve multiple purposes — ones that work beautifully as indoor décor, dressed prettily on porches, or designed in holiday-themed beds.”

We also have the scoop on the Garden Media Group’s “The 2020 Garden Trends Report: Seeing 20/20.” Spoiler alert: houseplants are still hot. But wait! There are also some notable trends in outdoor gardening, including frogs and fungi. Intrigued? Click here to learn more.

In addition, we’re also highlighting a slew of new crop varieties in this issue. We’ve compiled more than 30 new varieties that will be available for retail this year. 2020 is also a notable year for the National Garden Bureau, as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. Executive Director Diane Blazek and I recently spoke about the organization and how it serves as a source for not only garden centers, but for home gardeners, members of the media, social media influencers and more. Read the interview here.


Teresa McPherson

Teresa McPherson is the managing editor of Lawn & Garden Retailer. Contact her at [email protected].