July 2016

Celebrating a Decade of Success

The IGC Show Chicago celebrates its 10th anniversary this year at Navy Pier Aug. 16-18. Lawn & Garden Retailer caught up with some attendees who have been to nearly every show, and they talk about why they’ll be back again this year.

Outside the Vines: All About Community

River Sports Outfitters (RSO), in Knoxville, Tennessee, has become a staple in its community as a resource and social gathering place. RSO began as an outdoor boating store in 1983 but quickly grew... more

A Realistic Dreamer

I’m writing this column in the peak of spring, but it’s now July as you read this, and the busiest part of your spring season has passed. Hopefully the weather gods look down favorably upon you th... more

Evolution Before the Store

The road a plant must travel to reach a retail bench is a long one. Here’s an inside look at the breeding of this month’s cover star, the dahlia.

Exit Your Business — Build Today to Sell Tomorrow

Discover what areas of equity can help build the value of your business before you ever think about selling.

Minnesota Marvels

A spring trip to the Twin Cities and some of the area’s finest garden centers supplied numerous ideas you can implement this season and in the years to come.

Bringing Gardening Indoors

A new garden center department called Modern Homesteading at Homestead Gardens in Maryland has seen lots of traffic.

New Variety Standouts

With hundreds of new introductions making their debut at the 2016 California Spring Trials, it can be difficult to pick favorites. Here’s a glimpse into the latest varieties that may make their way to your retail shelves.

Selling a Better Hanging Basket

The commitment to quality starts now for next year.

A Customer’s Perception

I drove out to Rockford, Illinois, to visit my mom on Mother’s Day this year, and I barely got through the door before she said she wanted to head to the garden center to get her plants for the year... more