Changes to 2026 Top 100 Independent Garden Centers List

In 2026, Garden Center magazine is continuing to improve the way it showcases the best of the industry through the Top 100 Independent Garden Centers List.

We’re once again asking for those seeking a place on the list to submit retail revenue for all locations combined. While the full list will be ordered based on revenue for all locations, we’re also asking for additional information that will help readers better understand the results.

This year, along with recognizing the Top 100, there will be additional accolades, including:

• The Top 10 single-location stores by revenue
• The Top 10 employers (based on number of employees)
• The Top 10 operations by year-over-year growth (comparing 2024 total retail revenue to 2025 total retail revenue)

The list will also include information about what percentage of revenue is dedicated to landscaping and metrics related to the local economies where businesses are located. The result will be a list with more information and more nuance, allowing for increased recognition of a larger variety of businesses.

The goal of the list has always been to share an accurate representation of the best of the best, and the changes in 2026 will offer new insight for those who make the list and those who want to be included on the list in the future.

But we cannot do it without you. Submit your information here by April 1, 2026.