Making connections
As I write this, my internet is down — somewhat ironic since I was going to write about making connections at the Garden Center Group Fall Event. Danny Summers and Co. always put on a stellar event, and this year was no exception. With more than 150 people registered, the three days included thoughtful (and thought-provoking) ideas, a phenomenal garden center tour that culminated in visiting the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (which actually began as a zoological garden in 1875) and its trial gardens, and a lot of, yes, making connections.
Find snapshots of the retail tour here, and be sure to visit cincinnatizoo.org/horticulture to learn more about its trial gardens and plant research.
Speaking of retail tours, I also visited several garden centers in the Milwaukee area while there for the Garden Center Show, but due to press deadlines, I haven’t been able to share what I saw until now. Click here to see the photos.
Also In This Issue
Adding new varieties to your retail benches is essential if you want to grow sales and cater to new trends and customers’ ever-evolving wants and needs. But how do you choose which ones to include? Here, editorial director Abby McGarry has compiled a list of award-winning varieties that industry organizations have tested to ensure success for breeders, growers, retailers and gardeners.
And if you’re wondering what trends might be on customers’ radars in 2024, click here, where I caught up with several trend watchers to share home garden ideas you should keep an eye on. From goth gardening to growing in new ways and small spaces, you just might want to try these ideas out in your retail space as well.
As 2023 comes to an end, we’re busy planning out editorial for the next year. What topics would you like to read more about? I’d love to hear your insights! Drop me a line at [email protected].
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