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Eileen Nelson
UW-Madison Department of Horticulture
608-265-5283 |
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Are you an Authority?
Customers appreciate authoritative help when they go shopping, so the garden center that lends that assistance is usually held in high regard. A couple of examples that seem to work are the "Our staff's favorite (fill in the blank with the appropriate product)" promo and "This month's best (again, fill in the blank) display." If you say it's a good plant or product, customers believe you.
Souce: Garden Center Magazine
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Two out of Three Customers have walked out! |
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Just how frustrated are Americans with the state of customer service? According to a new Consumer Reports' survey, 65 percent are "tremendously annoyed" by rude salespeople and 64 percent of respondents said that they had left a store in the previous 12 months because of poor service.
This survey is part of a larger investigation on customer service featured in the July issue of Consumer Reports and online at www.ConsumerReports.org. The report names Walmart among the worst in customer service for its retail service in eight out of 21 industries evaluated.
Consumer Reports also found that 71 percent of survey respondents were extremely irritated when they couldn't reach a human on the phone. Sixty-seven percent said they hung up the phone without getting their issue resolved.
"There's a feeling on the part of Americans that companies are deliberately making it difficult for them by burying phone numbers, sidestepping calls and steering customers to online FAQs instead of live human beings," said Tod Marks, senior project editor for Consumer Reports. |
| Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic | | |
The PDDC receives samples of many plant samples from around the state. The following diseases/disorders have been identified at the PDDC from June 15, 2011 through June 21, 2011:
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PLANT/SAMPLE
TYPE |
DISEASE/DISORDER |
PATHOGEN |
COUNTY | |
HERBACEOUS ORNAMENTALS | |
Hosta |
Alternaria Leaf Spot
Heat Stress |
Alternaria sp.
None |
Dane
Dane | |
Jack-In-the-Pulpit |
Uromyces Rust |
Uromyces ari-triphylli |
Dane |
For additional information on plant diseases and their control, visit the PDDC website at pddc.wisc.edu.
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| Coleus Downy Mildew | | |
Michigan State University Extension recently published an article about the symptoms and pathogen signs of coleus downy mildew, as well as which cultivars will hold up against the disease.
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| Ball Seed Customer Day - July 29, 2011 | | |
http://www.ballcustomerday.com/
Ball Horticulture Co. recently announced that Ball Seed Customer Day has been scheduled for Friday, July 29. Customers of Ball Seed can visit The Gardens at Ball for a full day of activities and festivities.
Highlights this year include tours of the new state-of-the-art Ball Premier Lab, which features eco-friendly construction and efficient mechanical systems. Guests will also take guided and self-guided tours through the expanded evaluation gardens; see presentations from industry experts; network with vendors and fellow guests and more.
An RSVP is required to attend the July 29 event. Ball Seed customers can reserve their visit today at ballcustomerday.com. The website has access to local hotel information, maps and directions, and featured activities. Customer relations representatives are also standing by at 800 879-BALL to help with any questions.
New online is The Gardens at Ball virtual tour hosted by Google Earth. Anna Ball and the Ball Team guide visitors through this year's display gardens. The tour also shows local attractions visitors can explore during their visit to Ball.
For further information about Ball Seed Customer Day, visit www.ballcustomerday.com. |
| Raker Summer Trials | | |
All are invited to visit the Raker Trial Gardens, opening this summer on July 13, 2011. The Raker Trial Gardens cover more than 4 acres of countryside in Litchfield, Mich. C. Raker & Sons, Inc. uses the Trial Gardens to evaluate the new varieties in true side-by-side comparison trials, to research existing varieties, and to share the data we gather with horticulture professionals and the gardening public.
Trial data is gathered every two weeks beginning early July and is downloaded immediately to the trial garden website. Data collection generally includes height, spread, an overall performance rating and images.
Trial dates are July 13 to Sept. 2, 2011. Garden hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
http://www.gpnmag.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/showNewsItem/newsItemID/23642 |
| Master Tag Introduces Consumer Website | | |
Source: GreenhouseProductNews
MasterTag, a leader in horticultural tagging solutions, is introducing an exciting new consumer website called MyGardenInsider.com. The website will be live and demonstrated at the upcoming OFA Short Course in July.
MyGardenInsider.com will offer gardeners a unique experience. Created by industry professionals, it provides an insider's perspective on the horticulture industry that is integrated with clear instructional information, inspiring projects, beautiful images and a searchable library.
The website is designed to have a dialog with gardeners through social media and consumer surveys. The site is mobile ready and can be accessed via a smartphone to provide instantaneous information at the retail store.
MasterTag will be conducting demonstrations at booth #1821 at the OFA Short Course in Columbus, Ohio, July 10 to 12, 2011. |
| Weed Management in Greenhouses | | | Weeds are an aesthetic problem in themselves, but they can also harbor pests and diseases. In this episode of Floricast, Ray Cloyd shares photos of weeds to look out for and four solutions to manage them. |
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Terra Nova Introduces 15 new varieties | | |
Source: Greenhouse Product News
Terra Nova Nurseries, Canby, Oregon, announced 15 new plant introductions and a new series called Crocosmia Twilight Fairy. The plants are from a wide range of genera including 10 individual varieties, five plants added to four existing series and one brand new series.
For more information, check their website. |
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