We are bombarded with information from all directions.  Everyone has an idea on how we can be better, smarter, richer, etc. etc. etc.

Instant on-line information has its pros and cons. 

Pro -- Immediate access to the latest information from educators, industry, and trade journals. Easy to read, reclaimable, saveable.

Cons --  No human interaction.

We can't debate the fact that if you want to know something you can usually find it on line. 

But what about the abilty to ask additional questions, carry on a conversation, debate a point as you form opinions.

Earlier this summer someone pointed out to me that they would consider going back to meetings when they knew they'd hear something game changing. 

A game changing idea can be introduced anywhere.  And, a game changing idea can only be considered such in the eyes of the beholder. 

I would posit that the opportunity for a game changing idea to hit its mark, however,  would be far more likely to happen in an arena of live conversation, debate, and questions and answers than it would jumping off a computer generated page. 

My humble opinion only, obviously. 

But consider this. . . our industry's professional groups are striving mightily to keep you and your business afloat and they are doing it a number of ways from multi-media to educational events.  They are, so to speak, leading horses to water.  But, as we all know, they can't make them drink.

Go looking for those game changing ideas -- or better yet, provide an idea to someone else -- it may be their game changer! And, if at all possible, do it the old fashioned way -- face to face.

Do you have a present for yourself under the tree this year?  If you don't, let me make a suggestion!

Give yourself the gift of knowledge by attending The 2012 Garden Center Symposium!  It is an investment in yourself!

Two days at the Garden Center Symposium, for a price far lower than other venues, will provide you with the following:

• Innovative techniques for marketing your business in 2012
• First hand information on what trends are forcasted
• Practical pointers on how to reach new customers and keep old customers
• Information on resources that willl help you keep your business lean and mean
• Roundtable: The ability to speak one to one with our speakers
• Garden Center Profile: The Flower Factory, Oregon WI
• Tricks of the Trade
• Live and Silent Auction
• Conversation with colleagues on what is working with them
• Food, drink and convivial socializing 

Speakers:

Ian Baldwin

Bob Negen

Chris Beytes

Barry Callen

Barry Roberts

 Currently Registered Trade Show Vendors: 

              *  Bailey Nursery          

*  BFG Supply             *  McKay Nursery

*  Bobbex                   * Olsen Distributing

*  Carlin Sales             *  Pearl Valley Organics

*  Evergreen Nursery    *  Prince Corp.

*  Fosters, Inc.           *  Seedway Solutions

*  Hoffie Nursery          * Sungro

*  Holland Beauty         * W. E. Radtke

*  Hortica Insurance     * Wisconsin IPM

*  HSU Compost           * Xylem Ltd 

Will you be there?  You are worth the investment!

Pantone has announced the 2012 Color of the Year: Tangerine Tango.  Here is how to fit this into garden retail  according to Ellen Wells of Ball Publishing's Green Profit:

Think of the color's very-cool applications at garden retail. Lantanas, gerberas, that new-for-2012 Hells Bells petunia, among others, will make some incredible on-trend combo containers for the spring. Justin Hancock, Better Homes & Gardens' online editor extraordinaire, suggested a mix of orange lantana, purple angelonia and a cascading chartreuse sweet potato vine. How lovely would that be? I'd pair it with yellow for a bit of a "tequila sunrise" flavor, too. And, Dramm has got to have a hose, water wand or nozzle in a matching color that can be used as display accents, am I right? 

 

 Source:  Ball Publishing

The consumer research retail-info-gathering folks at Mintel this week released 25 holiday trends they've spotted so far for 2011. I've pulled together the most applicable ones here for you:

• About 30% of U.S. shoppers start holiday shopping in November. Of the 15% that start their holiday shopping in December, about 18% are men.
• 32% of American shoppers expect stores to offer boxes for holiday gifts. (Do you?)
• 27% of shoppers say that when they go shopping for others, they usually buy something for themselves (I was guilty of that this week!). How about your cashiers asking, "And a little something for yourself today, perhaps?"
• 21% of Americans say they skip wrapping paper altogether or use it rarely.
• 42% say they bought Christmas decorations within the past year, compared to 24% for Halloween and 14% for Easter. More on the decorations later.
• 11% of American pets (yes, pets) have sent a greeting card.
• Winter holidays are the peak season for fragrance sales, with 29% of U.S. consumers gifting that for Christmas.
• 28% of consumers buy seasonal-specific candles for the holidays.
• 18% of U.S. consumers claim they "absolutely have to entertain guests for the holidays." Are you helping them out?
• 61% of Americans purchased chocolate in seasonal packaging this year. Put some of those chocolate "oranges" on your counters as impulse items! (and send one my way, too!).
• Christmas is the second most-popular holiday to purchase alcohol for (New Year's Eve is No. 1). Sell wine at your store?
• 24% of Americans say they buy specialty cheese samplers as gifts.
• 18% try to volunteer or do some sort of charity work during the holidays. For incomes more than $100,000, that number rises to 22%. Are you offering volunteer and charitable opportunities to your customers?

BFG Supply has announced the acquisition of Midwest Horticulture LLC dba J.R. Johnson Supply of Roseville, Minn.

Rob Glockner, president of BFG Supply Co. said, "One of the biggest benefits to this acquisition is the positive impact it will have on J.R. Johnson's customers. The Roseville facility is only 10 minutes from our Minnesota branch, which means 'will call' pickups will be right around the corner from where they are today. Add the expanded product lines we offer as well as access to a larger group of industry experts, and J.R. Johnson customers should see the benefits of this acquisition immediately. We're excited about this acquisition; we hope J.R. Johnson customers are too!"

Coming on the heels of BFG's purchase of Wetsel, Inc. a few months ago, this acquisition is the second made by BFG in the 2011 calendar year. Glockner added, "We are going to continue to strengthen our team, resources and relationships so we can offer a broader product line and better service at a more competitive price. We want to ensure the needs of our customers are continually met."

Source: GardenCenter Magazine 

In today's world where news travels at the click of a mouse and technology changes at the speed of now, people are finding balance and purpose tapping into the power of plants and cultivating a "new good life," according to the 2012 Garden Trends Report from Garden Media Group.

Recent garden trends unveiled at the FloraHolland Trade Fair focused upon the benefits of plants as the 3 Vs: Vital, Vogue and Voyage. Plants are necessary for health (vital); for their versatility and ability to elicit emotions (vogue); and for their cross cultural influence (voyage).

"Plants are no longer a luxury, but a necessity for our lives," said Susan McCoy, trend spotter and outdoor living expert. "Plants can live without us, but we can't live without plants."

The power of plants. For a growing army of environmentally conscious members of Gen X and Y, it's part of a new lifestyle that includes recycling, re-purposing and upcycling, and blending old with new, to preserve and protect the earth's resources.

Dr. Charlie Hall, holder of the Ellison Chair at Texas A&M, said, "Gen Ys are embracing a connection with plants based on economics, environmental impact, health and wellness."

These rural and urban curators of culture are planting home and community gardens and renewing urban spaces, with an eye toward functionality and artistic design.

Why nature? According to Harvard professor Edward O. Wilson, we have an innate bond with living things and nature called biophilia.

McCoy agrees."Studies prove that plants are more than just a pretty face," she said. "From the power of healing to restoring neighborhoods, plants are vital for healthy, balanced lives."

Here's a glimpse of what McCoy and her team of Garden Media trend spotters see on the horizon for 2012 and beyond.

Urban Knights
Generation X and Y are taking up the mantle to protect and defend the earth. "These new 'urban-knights' are creating oases wherever they can find a patch of earth," said McCoy. "They're planting shrubs, flowers, edibles and pop-up gardens on balconies, in alleyways, and on street parklets - even in abandoned buildings and walk-in shipping containers."

At this year's Chelsea Flower Show in England the youth urban-grit influence was apparent. Commitment to the earth's resources was punctuated in reclaimed materials mixed with windmill turbines, metal sheds, water-saving plants, and vertical walls that challenged formal gardens.

From raising chickens and goats to step gardening, harvesting rain water and composting, these urban knights are establishing a 'new good life' by getting grounded with the earth.

Eco-scaping
From rocks in the garden to rocks in the living room, nature's influence can be found both indoors and out.

"Borders are blurring between indoors and out as nature becomes more important in our lives," said Bobbie Schwartz, FAPLD, and president of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, www.apld.org. "Many people want their gardens and their homes to be sanctuaries of tranquility, reflecting their ideal concept of nature."

Beauty and sustainability are key. Gardeners want easy, low maintenance plants like the new Bloomtastic! dwarf butterfly bush series from Hines Growers (www.hineshort.com).

Occupy Local
People are "occupying" local farmers markets and joining CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) groups for fresh produce, plants and products.

"Farmers markets are our new backyard veggie gardens," said McCoy, "and are becoming our local grocery store."

According to the U.S. Dept of Agriculture, sales of "locally produced food" reached $4.8 billion in 2008.They project that locally grown foods will generate $7 billion in sales dominated by fruit and veggies this year.

Mindful consumption
According to the 2010 Cone Survey, 83 percent of consumers still want to see more brands, products, and companies that support worthy causes.

"We've finally moved from 'me' to 'we' and consider our earth and each other when we purchase," said McCoy.

Examples of this trend abound in the green industry, including Costa Farms' "Plant for the Cure" to American Beauties Native Plants (www.abnativeplants.com) partnership with the National Wildlife Federation.

Water-watchers
"There is no single issue greater than water," said Hall. And, he added, Gen X & Y want gardening to be simple with easy, low-maintenance plants that require less water and are "earth kind."

Recent drought and regional water restrictions are forcing people to seek out ways to grow plants, flowers and vegetables with less water.

One method becoming increasingly popular is hydroponic gardening. You can grow plants year-round in nutrient rich water that actually uses less water.

In living color
Neon colors, pop art and color blocking are influencing fashion on the runways to fashion in the garden.

Rich, gem colors create a personal piece of paradise for gardeners. Costa Farms is responding to this trend with its Tropic Escape Hibiscus line. And Hines is getting in the game with its Bloomtastic! Bambino Bougainvillea and Patio Tropics multi-colored bougainvillea grafted patio trees.

The inner garden
"If you don't have your health you don't have anything" is an old slogan with a 21st century upgrade.

Trend watching says our pursuit of health and quality of life is the number one influence on the goods and services we choose. That said, decorating our "inner gardens" with houseplants for better, healthier lives is catching fire.

"Houseplants are a modern interior decorating niche and absolutely necessary for wellness," said McCoy. "These natural oxygen machines clean indoor air and bring life to any room with color and texture."

And for those who want a fashionable alternative to just another picture on the wall, vertical green walls are a practical and artistic expression. "Green walls as living art make a wonderful conversation piece as plant designs go vertical, horizontal and circular," said McCoy. "They freshen and change the atmosphere in any space."

Techno-gardening
With the rise of smartphone technology, QR-codes, apps and Groupon, living social is bringing power to the people and consumers into the buying experience. One example: Costa Farm's GrowingStyle digital e-zines, offering designer tips and plant info in a free app.

"From conspicuous consumption of the nineties to today's savvy shoppers, it's easy for consumers to get in on everything from flash sales to secret finds," said McCoy.

According to TrendWatching, 'dealer chic' is on the rise where securing the best deal is both accepted and admired.

Children's gardens
From the White House to the neighborhood schools, kids are discovering firsthand how to grow their own food and take care of the planet.

McCoy said we've ignored two generations of gardeners and need to get kids back to having fun growing things. She said the popularity of fairy gardens, which has more than doubled since last year, is ideal for kids and the young at heart to share the whimsical world of plants and appreciate the joy of gardening.

For a complete look at the GMG 2012 Garden Trends, visit: www.gardenmediagroup.com.