January 2026
Happy 2026! By Teresa McPherson

Happy New Year! Don’t you just love cracking open a new planner for the upcoming year and filling the pages with fresh ideas for the coming months?

And my January pages are already filling up! As I type this, I’m planning my travels to Baltimore for The Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE). I’ll be covering both shows on our social media channels, as well as in a future print edition. And please say hi if you see me!

Also In This Issue

I’m happy to announce that submissions are once again open for the Lawn & Garden Retailer Innovator Awards. Now in their third year, these awards recognize garden retailers that elevate the customer experience in progressive ways. We’re looking for IGCs that are making a difference in one or more categories, including: community involvement, merchandising, social responsibility, technology, marketing, events and more.

Nominations can come from garden centers themselves or other industry professionals, including suppliers and consultants, and winners will be announced this summer. Find all the details at lgrmag.com/innovators.

With the new year comes opportunities to rethink your assortment. Here, senior manager of content Kelly Kozakowski provides a sneak peek at Dallas Market Center, exploring the latest outdoor trends and fun new product categories. For more outdoor living trends, click here to read about the top five trends your customers will be asking about in the new year.

Cheers to a successful 2026!