Garden Center web news and social media highlights from June 2018

Multimedia | Podcast

Gardening for Wildlife

Our gardens, although beautiful, serve a larger purpose beyond their aesthetic value. Whether it’s a bed of perennials or a landscape packed with ornamental grasses, these plants play a vital role in the ecosystem, providing a food source and habitat for local wildlife. The Garden For Wildlife program is on a mission to educate the public about this critical ecological relationship. Senior Director Mary Phillips recently joined the Hort Report Podcast to discuss the project’s goals and share ways that independent garden centers can get involved.

Listen here: bit.ly/2J8xRlH

What’s trending on Facebook

In May, the staff of Garden Center magazine was fortunate enough to be honored with two national awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors. Editor Michelle Simakis won an editorial silver award in the Company Profile print category for the March 2017 cover story “Bet the farm,” an article about Tangletown Gardens in Minneapolis. Art Director Stephanie Antal received a gold award for her infographics design, which included examples of our monthly Last Look department. We’d like to thank our Facebook followers for their kind words and congratulations when we announced the awards.

See it here: bit.ly/2LVLIh0

Your Turn

Each month, we ask readers a different question about their retail operations, inviting them to answer via email or social media. You can send your answers to associate editor Conner Howard at choward@gie.net.

THIS MONTH’S QUESTION:
“Several parts of the country are experiencing higher-than-average temperatures this summer. How hot is it in your region? How has it affected sales?”

Answers to this question will be published in a future issue of Garden Center.

5 stories in brief

Top industry news from our website

1. Playing catch-up:

After a gruelingly long winter, many garden center retailers are struggling with compressed spring seasons and shorter windows in which to make a profit.
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2. What’s up with Amazon?:

In our May cover story, we took a look at the role Amazon is playing in the online world of plant retail.
bit.ly/2In1PGe

3. Knupper Nursery closes:

Sadly, another independent garden center is closing its doors, with Knupper Nursery in Palatine, Ill., shutting down after 88 years in business.
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4. The under-35 crowd:

Garden retail consultant Ian Baldwin cautions IGCs to be conscious of the up-and-coming demographic of 35-and-younger gardeners.
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5. What mom wants:

Statistics from Offers.com offer an interesting look at commonly requested Mother’s Day gifts and what people actually plan to buy.
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