The 16th National Lawn & Garden Show concluded Thursday in Colorado Springs, as more than 100 vendors and 60-plus buyers finished the last of their appointments. The show, which is based on 10-minute meetings between gardening supplies vendors and buyers such as garden center operators and distributors, has become popular with participants because of the quality "face time" it ensures.
"We do it every year because it's the only place you really get this kind of quality meeting time with so many buyers at once," said Andy Conrad of Contech Enterprises in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. As usual, the show featured a wide range of new products, along with some adapted favorites. To wrap up our show coverage, here is a collection of products that had the buyers we talked with buzzing. First, though, a note about nex year's NLGS. It will be held June 14-16, 2011, in Chicago. For information, or to sign up, click here.
Now, on to the products ...
Frost Protek plant covers provide effective and easy protection for annual flowers, tomatoes, berries and other sensitive outdoor plants from damaging weather such as frost, heavy rain and drying wind.
Repellents of all kinds were prevalent at the this year's NLGS. Bird-X has introduced a line of professional-grade electronic ultrasonic pest repellers, including Deer Gard, which features motion-sensor operation to protect yards and gardens against deer intrusion and damage.
The Elevated Garden Kit from Easy Gardener lets the consumer garden without bending or kneeling. It's ideal for senior citizens, and it is wheelchair accessible. The unique "V-shaped" design allows for growing deep rooted vegetables on the patio or deck.
Ethel Gloves has introduced the Port Royale, an elegant yet durable glove that has two-way stretch fabric to make it flexible in the garden. This glove has a rubberized grip and extended cuff, and it is machine-washable.
The Naked Bee offers a line of organic hand and body lotions and lip balms that feature natural scents that are not overwhelming. These products contain certified organic aloe vera, honey, spirulina, Vitamin C, white tea extract, certified organiic sunflower seed oil and hyaluronic acid.
I Must Garden not only had one of the greatest company names at the show, it had a comprehensive line of natural animal repellents that work without harming the unwanted guest it is formulated to repel. The company offers repellents for deer, rabbits, groundhogs, squirrels, dogs/cats, armadillos, moles/voles, geese and insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and ants.
The U Can 2 gallon watering can from The U Can Brand LLC is ergonomically designed with comfortable rubber grips and a textured handle for easy lifting, carrying and pouring. It’s made with recycled plastic, and all parts are manufactured in the U.S.A., except for the new liquid pump, which allows gardeners to add liquid fertilizer to the contents of the can to produce the perfect plant-growth formula -- straight from the watering can.
The Worm Factory 360 is a unique, worm bin composting system designed to convert kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost. The easy-to-manage, compact design offers odorless operation and features a self-sorting migration worm bin system that will house up to 12,000 worms that can process up to five pounds of food wate and junk mail a week.
Nature's Solution "Fresh" Compost Tea is ready to use, and it lasts one full year. Six years of research produced patent-pending technology that is unmatched in the industry. Nature's Solution Compost Tea has organic approval and no chemicals. It requires no refrigeration and is good for all plants.
One of the most talked about product lines among buyers -- particularly the female buyers -- was the Rockpaperflower canvas tote bag collection. The company also markets art-based serving trays (another big hit with the female buyers), espadrille shoes and paperweights. The company uses nature-based designs, focusing on flora, fauna, botanicals, fruit and earth.