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Jeavonna

@jchapstk

Too often a homeowner takes on a project too big for them. Or mess up a small job because they don’t have the skills. #landscapechat

RetailWire.com

@retailwire

Americans are clueless when it comes to ‘natural foods’ http://hubs.ly/H01Zjwf0 by @usatoday via @retailwire

Outdoor News

@OutdoorPRnews

Grown-up coloring books are latest hot sellers (photos)

Plants and pigskins

With Cort Smith, Sporticulture

During the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show in Baltimore, Md., Kelli Rodda, editor of sister publication Nursery Management magazine, spoke with Cort Smith of Sporticulture about his company’s football-inspired plant containers. Retailers can appeal to the sports fans in their market with containers bearing the logos of NFL favorites like the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos and many more.

Watch the video here: www.gardencentermag.com/video/mants2016-sporticulture

Watch more: interviews from MANTS at www.gardencentermag.com/videos

What’s trending on social media

Facebook

When the digital edition of the January issue went online, we shared some of the key features in the issue with our followers. When this digital edition preview was posted to our Facebook page, it reached more than 3,500 people.

http://www.gardencentermag.com/article/January-2016-digital

5 Stories in brief

Top Industry news from our website

1: IGC merger

Dave Stoner, President of Sloat Garden Center, explains his company’s purchase of Navlet’s Garden Centers. Sloat will own 13 stores after the sale is final.

bit.ly/1SgxO9j

2: Variety awards

Plant of the Year 2016 selections by the Wisconsin Nursery and Landscape Association include a woody ornamental and a perennial of the year.

bit.ly/1NBeRG9

3. Neonic update

EPA releases first of four preliminary neonicotinoid reports. Agency says insecticide may pose a risk to bees at certain levels and on specific crops.

bit.ly/1S4HTpf

4. Plants in space

Zinnias successfully bloom on International Space Station in a historic experiment to grow the first flowers in space.

bit.ly/23aQUB7

5. Bees bite back

A research co-op of about 100 beekeepers has bred a honeybee that will attack the varroa mite by biting its legs.

bit.ly/1Ts49Jn

Get on the list!

The search is on for the Top 100 Independent Garden Centers of 2016. Our list ranks North American IGCs by annual sales volume.