Weekend Reading 11/3/23

Welcome to Garden Center magazine's Weekend Reading, a weekly round-up of consumer garden media stories meant to help IGCs focus marketing efforts, spark inspiration and start conversations with consumers.

This week: Everything you need to grow your coffee indoors, the UK's oldest gardening magazine is saved after nearly ceasing publication, xeriscaping tips to reduce water use and preparing your yards and gardens before extreme weather evacuations.

How to grow your cup of coffee, indoors, The Associated Press

AP gardening writer Jessica Damiano shares how coffee can be grown indoors and, with proper care and some patience, will even produce beans that can be used for brewing, although likely just enough for a cup or two. Still, with its beautiful glossy green leaves, fragrant white flowers and shrubby habit, Coffea arabica makes a handsome and fun houseplant, she writes.

Kelsey Media saves Amateur Gardening from ceasing publication, Better Retailing

After the UK’s oldest gardening magazine announced in September that it would be ending, with its final issue going out in October, Amateur Gardening has been saved from cancellation after the brand’s acquisition by Kelsey Media from current owners Future Publishing.

Things to consider as you design your xeriscaping project, The Denver Post

Tamara Yakaboski writes that the overall goal of a xeriscaped outdoor space is to reduce water use. Xeriscaping also mimics more resilient, drought-tolerant ecosystems that are naturally better prepared for increasing climate emergency weather patterns.

What To Do Around Your Yard And Garden Before Evacuating For Extreme Weather, House Digest

Cynthia Anaya writes that although there's no way to predict exactly how much damage will occur to your property during extreme weather events like hurricanes, taking extra precautions to prepare your yard and garden can reduce some of the damage, not only to your home but to your neighbors' homes. And making arrangements to take plants with you can save their lives, which may be important to anyone who has a plant with sentimental or other value. If time allows, you can trim your trees and shrubs, secure loose items and/or strategically cut any plants you plan to take with you.

Enjoy your reading, have a great weekend and we'll see you next week!