Cha-ching! (2-8)

Almost every garden center would love to get a jump on the spring season. How to do it is the challenge. Here's a great idea reported by PRNewswire.com that Otten Bros. Garden Center & Landscaping in Minneapolis, Minn., came up with that could work almost anywhere. A little background first, though ...

In late 2010, Otten Bros. formed an association with Sue Whitney of JUNKMARKET Style (JMS) to create a fresh and innovative approach to gardening and outdoor living for 2011. Sue's latest book, JUNK Beautiful, Outdoor Edition and her continued contributions to Country Gardens Magazine make this partnership with Otten Bros. a natural fit.

The partners realized that a beautiful 15,000-square foot greenhouse lies dormant during winter, so they decided to combine Otten Bros.' gift for gardening with Sue's talent for stylish recycled garden decor and will host the first "Flea Market Under Glass" March 3-5 -- in that very greenhouse. Top notch flea market vendors, landscape experts, birding authorities, and plant professionals will all be on board for the first official spring event of the year at the garden center.

Otten Bros. will showcase hot outdoor products, along with pansies, new succulents and other plants.  Fairy gardens and terrariums also will be part of the mix. Meanwhile, JMS and a carefully selected group of flea market vendors will converge for the occasion, offering uncommon -- and uncommonly good -- treasures in the not-so-garden-variety selection of wares.

The careful combinations of old and new have been planned to provide inspiration to all who attend. Not to mention, a heapin' helpin' of customer goodwill and -- yep -- "Cha-ching!" for the principals.

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