Marketing

April 2008

Let’s Get Technical

High-tech gadgets and the World Wide Web are increasingly things affecting the way people make purchasing decisions. This month, we asked our panelists how technological advancements have affected their gardening practices. Becky, 49 Dallas, Texas... more »

March 2008

Spring Shopping List

Kelly, 28 Ithaca, N.Y. "I have made a loose plan of how I want to design my garden and what I want to grow. I typically order seeds online from a few reliable websites in... more »

March 2008

Web 201: Complementing Design and Function

Good websites don't just happen. A lot of forethought, planning and organizing goes into creating a website that is useful, purposeful and resourceful. Once you have a master plan for your website — the things... more »

March 2008

What’s Hot, What’s Not?

Robert Mondavi, a famous California wine maker, was once quoted saying that wine is part of a gracious lifestyle. For many Americans, decorating with flowers and plants is another part of a gracious lifestyle. Gardening... more »

February 2008

Embracing Eco Efforts

Claudia, 61 Gainesville, Fla. "The dream yard with a lush, green, weed-free lawn bordered by an English garden is but a dream in these times of water restriction and knowledge of water runoff polluting our... more »

January 2008

Starting Fresh

This month, we asked our panelists to share their 2008 gardening plans with us. What lessons from 2007 are they taking with them into this season? With spring just a couple of months away, homeowners... more »

January 2008

Making Your Wishes Come True

Yes, it's true; the Christmas season is behind us (and I hope it was a great season for everyone), but the time for making wishes come true and fulfilling dreams is right in front of... more »

January 2008

A Mixed Bouquet

In recent years, garden centers have become increasingly diverse, offering more than plants and plant care supplies. Product lines include gifts, food, furniture, perhaps even pet-care accessories. Oddly enough, though, cut flowers don't often seem... more »

January 2008

Just What the Doctor Ordered

With so many garden pharmacy products out there, it can become quite overwhelming to choose which ones to keep in stock and on display in your garden center. There is so much to choose from... more »

January 2008

It’s A Girls’ World

A lively crowd of about 2,500 women (with a sprinkling of men) gathered at Mahoney's Garden Centers' Winchester, Mass., location one Wednesday evening in November. While admiring the garden center's holiday decorations and displays, they... more »

January 2008

Catering to a Changing Customer Base

Q: I understand you were an independent garden center owner for several years and currently work closely with local nurseries in your design business. From your experience as an owner, consumer and gardening spokesman, how... more »

November 2007

Publicizing In-Store Events

In-store events are far more than just a service for your customers. Events can attract new customers to your store and provide existing customers with fresh ideas or regular maintenance reminders. And they reinforce your... more »