Weekend Reading 11/22/24

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: How genetic engineering could be creating a "race of superweeds," a guide to vertical gardening from The Old Farmer's Almanac, a researcher exploring if cultivars or natives are better for pollinators, a check on retail sales as holiday shopping begins and how Trump's stance toward China could affect U.S. companies.

The weeds are winning, MIT Technology Review

As the climate changes, genetic engineering will be essential for growing food. But is it creating a race of superweeds? MIT Technology Review digs into the issue.

Growing Up! How to Grow Vertically in Your Garden, The Old Farmer's Almanac

The Old Farmer's Almanac shares four DIY gardening projects to try at home: a garden arch, a pallet garden, a bean teepee and a living wall.

OSU Researcher Tries to Resolve Gardening Debate: What’s better for Pollinators, Cultivars or Natives, The Corvallis (Oregon) Advocate

A doctoral candidate at the Oregon State University College of Agricultural Sciences is completing her dissertation on native plants, their cultivars and pollinators. Learn more about the research.

Retail sales rose in October as early holiday shopping began, Retail Brew

The sales bump was a "good early step forward" for the season, NRF's chief economist said, according to Retail Brew.

U.S. companies could be caught in the crosshairs if China retaliates to fight Trump, CNBC

CNBC reports that U.S. companies are increasingly concerned a hard-line approach could stunt their prospects in the world’s second-largest economy — and turn them into targets of Chinese retaliation, which could range from economic changes to matters of diplomacy and security.

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