Baby, It’s Cold Outside
It’s that time of the year again. Autumn is ending, and winter is beginning. For some of you up north, the weather has already turned chilly, but more temperate climates may be less overwhelmed by the changing seasons. However, just because your customers’ focus has shifted away from gardening doesn’t mean you can relax or close up shop yet. Consumers everywhere have something in common right now: They’re preparing their outdoor areas for colder weather ahead. Summer weather and long weekends spent in the garden are long gone, but there’s still much work that can be done outside. In fact, late fall and winter are crucial times for plantings and garden maintenance.
This transition means different things to gardeners across the country. Depending on the region, you may want to keep certain items in stock to help your customers with their winterizing needs.
First things first: Most homeowners will be cleaning up debris after a busy summer of entertaining and enjoying the beautiful gardens you helped them create. This involves removing old leaves, stems and summer mulch. This is also a good time to remove weeds from the garden. All this cleaning requires tools and other cleaning supplies.
This is also a time for gardeners to winterize their ponds and other outdoor water features. Water gardens will need to be emptied and cleaned, and debris should be collected and disposed of. Many plants will either need to be removed, cut back and replanted or completely removed and stored in a different location for overwintering.
All this cleaning and preparation for next year takes a lot of work. Make sure you have all the supplies your customers will need this winter. They will be looking for tools, chemicals and ways to store and preserve things for next year. And if customers have questions regarding how to winterize their gardens, you’ll want to be ready with the expertise they’ve come to expect from you. So bundle up your staff and prepare for a busy fall season.
And remember, falling temperatures shouldn’t automatically translate to hibernation for your customers. Fire pits are becoming increasingly popular, and they are a great way to keep up with the outdoor-living trend even during the winter months. To learn more, turn to page 26. What better way for your customers to relax after a long day winterizing the yard than curling up next to a fire, roasting some marshmallows and drinking hot cocoa?
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