Articles

Welcoming Potential Customers

Attracting new customers. It's an on-going problem for any retailer, lawn and garden retailers included. Especially if you've been in an area a long time, it's easy to get into the mindset that everyone knows... more »

Atrium Garden Center:

After getting through 3 feet of frost and a seven-month-long construction project, retail and nursery owner, Tim James and his wife Diane opened the newly renovated and renamed Atrium Garden Center on April 4, 2003.... more »

Is Your Team Costing You?

How often have you read articles in the press about the big box store retailers becoming the garden retail category killers and closing independent garden centers as they increase their market share? Yes, it is... more »

LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER HEADLINES

From OFA to You - By Joe Boarini Joe Boarini is president of OFA and Grande Greenhouse Inc., Indianapolis, Ind. He can be reached by phone at (317) 271-4446 or E-mail at [email protected] and the... more »

Can selling water gardens be profitable?

Nine years ago, I debated whether I should handle more water gardening products — at least more than five pumps, two pillbox-size filters, two liners and a few other miscellaneous products. Some of my garden... more »

The Invaluable Training Coordinator

One person can make a difference! Before you embark on a long-term training program, consider enlisting a training coordinator, other than yourself, from your team. The person should be motivated to help others and want... more »

To Be or Not To Be

How often do customers come into your garden center strictly for a gift? Not as often as you'd like I'm sure. Your customers probably come in for their garden needs and happen to pass by... more »

Stop The Insanity

In the upper Midwest over Memorial Day weekend, a major home improvement chain ran an ad for 10-inch annual hanging baskets for $4.99. And the quality wasn't bad or much less than what was available... more »

Life after Labor Day

In late August, September and October, there isn't a lot happening in most perennial borders. Even the long bloomers, such as coreopsis, are winding down. While the spring flowers slide into their time of rest... more »

Two is better than one

Gone are the days of a single birdfeeder in your customers' backyards. You know, probably better than most, that birding has become more than just a hobby; people are going nuts over birds. Even the... more »

Family Fun Month

August — the kids go back to school, the weather will start getting colder, the days will start getting shorter; families will be rushing to get in some quality time with each other before fall... more »

Tomorrow’s Gardeners

Cindy Underwood's job may look like child's play, but this children's gardening program presenter knows that her work is propagating future sales for Pike Family Nurseries. Underwood is the face of the Plain Dirt program,... more »