Marketing

June 2018
Selling to 4 Generations & More

It's a fascinating time in retail lawn and garden right now! We are actively selling to FOUR generations. I’m not sure if this has ever happened before — and it certainly hasn’t happened with so... more »

May 2018
All About the Neighbors

Swansons Nursery has a long history in the Crown Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, opening at its current location more than 90 years ago. A lot has changed from the Roaring ‘20s to today, but... more »

May 2018
Beyond Tomatoes: What’s Trending in Home Grown?

Edible plants have always been a component of the home garden, and their popularity continues to increase. According to last year’s National Gardening Survey, the DIY yard and garden industry is growing at a slow... more »

May 2018
Practical Organic Gardening in Retail

You are what you eat. While a little cliché, it makes a good point. What we put into our bodies is the fuel that keeps us going. Eating food is the all-inclusive unifier. Breaking bread... more »

May 2018
Making Social Media Work for Your Business

Every business should have a Facebook page. But social media success relies on what your business does after it launches that page. Here are 10 very basic things to do to make sure your Facebook... more »
Proven Winners ColorChoice

April 6, 2018
Proven Winners ColorChoice Announces 2018 Shrub Madness National Champ

After a month-long battle, 'Zinfin Doll' hydrangea paniculata has been crowned Proven Winners ColorChoice 2018 Shrub Madness champion. The plant bracket competition, Shrub Madness, is based on the college basketball playoffs. The contest is populated... more »

April 2018
Strategic New-Media Marketing is Worth the Investment

New-media marketing seems like something that should be easy to understand and execute, doesn’t it? You’d be surprised, as I was, to study the many ways members of our industry approach marketing with new-media technologies... more »

April 2018
Top 10 Considerations for Selling Online

While I was at MANTS in January, a garden center owner asked me, "Is this e-comm thing going to be big someday?" This left me completely speechless. Whether you believe it’s a t for your... more »

April 2018
What Your Customers Should Hear

The importance of a good brand image is high on the agenda for garden centers. Businesses know that seeing wilted plants or poorly maintained facilities aren’t going to be a selling point for customers so... more »

April 2018
Trending Overseas

The Garden Retail Experience 2018 was in full swing this year. In February, the even location in Nieuwegein, the Netherlands, was converted into Garden Centre TREx: At the very entrance, you stepped into a completely... more »

March 9, 2018
The Perfect Plant to Feature AAS Winners

All-America Selections and The Perfect Plant have teamed up to help garden centers by featuring AAS winners on The Perfect Plant’s website and in-store kiosk plant database. “We are very appreciative to All-America Selections for making The... more »

March 2018
Art in the Garden

Driving up to Calgo Gardens, I first noticed a large painter’s palette near the road, and I immediately knew I was in for a treat. A tour of the grounds from owner Mark Estomin unearthed... more »