July 2023
Getting it done By Teresa McPherson

I’m all for multi-tasking — listening to a podcast while walking the dogs, washing dishes while cooking dinner, exposing my kids to the best ‘90s music on road trips — so when a press release about a “Low, Slow, & Mow campaign” crossed my desk, it spoke to me.

Outdoor power equipment maker Troy-Bilt paired up with some social media influencers (including a mother of 10 — you just know she’s a multi-tasker!) “to share slow-cook dinner recipes to make while also accomplishing outdoor yardwork projects.” Each recipe on owslowandmow.com has step-by-step instructions and links to a how-to videos on TikTok or Instagram.

My favorite part? Each of the recipes is paired with suggested yardwork tasks to consider accomplishing while the meal cooks. For example, the Kimchi Carnitas Quesadilla recipe gives you two hours to clean up a garden bed and cut the grass. I can’t think of a better reward to come home to after working in the garden.

Now if only my slow cooker could take care of the weeding.

Travel Time

It’s July, which means we’re in the midst of travel season. The Garden Center Show will return to downtown Milwaukee next month. The event draws garden center operators, suppliers, educators and business thought leaders in one place to help independent business owners to compete with big box operations.

Lawn & Garden Retailer is again the exclusive media sponsor of The Garden Center Show and will host the Lawn & Garden Retailer Networking Lounge, a place on the show floor to give your feet a rest and network with other garden center folk. Our editors will be in the lounge throughout each day to engage with participants and encourage and foster discussion. Come say hi if you’re there, and click here to learn more about the event.

Welcome, Julie!

I’m thrilled to announce that Julie McCallum, co-owner of Lawn & Garden Retailer’s parent company Great American Media Services, has been appointed retail group publisher, taking the helm of L&GR, as well as Gift Shop Plus and Stationery Trends.

She has been covering the specialty retail industry for more than 20 years and was the editorial director of Gift Shop Plus and Stationery Trends prior to taking on this publisher role.