Consumer Information

July 2006

Tapping The Organic Trend

Even though we have recently seen a "movement" of sorts toward an organic lifestyle, organic gardening is not new — it has been in existence since long before the term "organic" was coined (the term... more »

May 2006

Soil Basics

When customers stroll down the potting soil aisle in your garden center, do you often notice confused looks on their faces? This confusion may be brought on by the wide array of soil products that... more »

April 2006

The Winter Shows

The first trade show season of the year may be over, but it was full of new and exciting information for the 2006-07 seasons. AmericasMart, Mid-Am and TPIE were just some of the many shows... more »

March 2006

Recipe For Success

Let's face it; recipes are good things: They help guide us through the steps needed to prepare a masterpiece! As with all types of recipes, the quality of the finished product is linked to the... more »

March 2006

A Gift Market Overview

With so many gift shows throughout the year across the country, it can be hard to know which ones will suite your gift-purchasing needs: Some feature educational sessions or target specific regions, and some only... more »

January 2006

Does It Pay To Have A Web Site?

Many people may ask themselves these days if it really matters whether or not they are on the Web. Long gone are the days when a company could add a dot-com to their name and... more »

January 2006

Happenings in Holland

The International Horti Fair, by far the world's largest horticultural trade show, has taken a decidedly retail bent the past few years. In addition to the latest in production technology, you can now find several... more »

January 2006

Energy-Efficient Landscaping

Heating, cooling and fuel costs — three phrases we have been hearing a lot lately, phrases that have brought many people to the point of panic. Manufacturers are scrambling to find less-expensive fuels, cost-efficient coolants... more »

January 2006

First Impressions: Costly Impressions

It's not a recent discovery that first impressions — such as curb appeal, parking lot design and maintenance — mean a lot when it comes to customers' perceptions of your store. But, what happens after... more »

January 2006

Industry Leader Forecast

Even with a magical crystal ball most people think predicting what will happen in the future is more entertainment than science. We disagree. We may not be able to know details with 100-percent accuracy, but... more »

Creating Relationships And Revenue

Creating Relationships And Revenue

In a world already inundated with overcrowded inboxes; overstuffed mailboxes; and newspapers overflowing with inserts, coupons and brochures, the decision to implement a promotional campaign might seem like a waste of finances, time and energy.... more »

August 2005

Winner’s Circle

Being selected the best plant in a given category is no small accomplishment. Each group that bestows awards — from All-American Selections to the American Ivy Society — has its own set of criteria to... more »