Management
Staff training: Making safety a top priority in the garden center
A number of considerations should be examined when creating or updating a workplace safety program for the garden center. Here, Zach Bruce, safety services manager for Hortica, shares why it’s important to have a program in place... more »
6 expert tips for setting customer expectations
Consumers have almost unlimited choices on where and when they can spend their money. Brick and mortar and online, products and services, necessities and experiential (things like travel and entertainment) are all viable options for... more »
The importance of treating garden center customers as guests
A few fundamental questions for you to ponder: Are you selling plants or providing solutions and fulfilling the needs and expectations of your customers? Are you in a transactional mindset, selling one plant at a... more »
Bring on the dragons
You may not realize it, but the story of your business — of any small business — is an epic one. It is a story about taking magnificent risks for elusive rewards, about shouldering burdens,... more »
Beyond the brick and mortar: A race for revenue and relevance
In Simon Sinek’s book “Start With Why,” he addresses the “Law of Diffusion of Innovation.” It’s a fancy way of saying there is a wide range of decision-making for IGCs who want to leap into... more »
What’s your focus: How to differentiate the vital from the trivial in your business
Productivity isn’t necessarily about how many things you get done every day, but rather how many of the right things — the things that add the most value to your customers and your business —... more »
Reaching new customers — while keeping the current ones
As an industry, we were blessed during the pandemic when our sales and profits exploded, thanks to both existing customers who were flush with cash and more leisure time, and an estimated 16+ million new... more »
Navigating workforce issues between generations
As a 1985 baby, I fall into two categories: millennial and Generation X. This didn’t seem like much of a concern as I was entering the workforce. I recall being grouped as “entitled and lazy”... more »
Laying the technology foundation for future growth
As a smaller company, it’s difficult to keep up with technology, especially since delivering these experiences seems to require spending big. However, by partnering with the right technology companies and being creative with implementing them... more »
Tips for identifying your staff’s top talents
A few years ago, I worked with a garden center owner on a strategic repositioning and, since it was their fiscal year end, they were in the process of giving annual performance reviews to their... more »
Steps for Improving Your Business
Winters get pretty dang cold in my home state of Minnesota. Whether you’re a transplant to the state as I am, or you're native born, the winters are long, and you have to make a... more »
New Nonprofit to Provide Grants and Resources to Independent Retailers
Heart on Main Street is a newly formed non-profit organization focused on four main pillars to help independent retailers thrive: financial grants, education, mentorships, and partnerships. “Independent retailers are the heart and soul of our... more »
Videos
News
December 4, 2025
Voting now open for NGB’s 2026 Green Thumb Awards
December 4, 2025
Pantone names 2026 Color of the Year
December 3, 2025
Oase North America makes leadership changes
December 2, 2025
America in Bloom marks 25 years, launches 2026 program
December 1, 2025
Time and money spent gardening in 2025 highest since 2022
December 1, 2025
AmericanHort announces micro-credentialing program
December 1, 2025
