Stormy Weather, Royal Weddings & Plants, Going To Bat For Your Customer

Covering Ground

1.800.672.4964

www.groundcovertogo.com

April 29, 2011

Availability

4" Availability

Starter Plugs

Perennial Pipeline

www.groundcovertogo.com

Pup of the Week

Most dog lovers have wondered at one time or another what dogs would say if they could talk. We'd like to introduce you to McMurray. We're pretty sure if McMurray could talk he would say, "Hey, I like you! Is that a kitty? Do you think it would like to play? Another dog? Yay! Hey, you want a hug?"

McMurray is a Labradoodle who is loving, friendly and playful. He weighs about 50 lbs & is about 4 years old.

McMurray is available for adoption through the

Bill Foundation. Click

here to learn more.

A Step Beyond

We've all seen the above cartoon before and we all know that feeling. But every now and then, a situation occurs that requires more than the routine response. Last week a very good customer called out for help and immediately I knew that this was one of those times that you just have to get it in gear.

I received the call around noon last Thursday, informing me of the need for the delivery and installation of 5,000 plants by Saturday (the day before Easter!) to be in time for a grand opening on Monday, on a job site 700 miles away. Ever tried to find a reliable driver willing to leave on a 1400 mile round trip on Good Friday?

Fortunately the great people I work with grasped the situation too. With everyone pitching in, and with everyone bending the guidelines by which we normally operate, I am glad to say that it all worked out. The plants arrived on site before 9 AM Saturday and were installed in time for the big event.

The crux of the matter is NOT that I did back flips to make another sale. But the point is that I did not say "We can't do that or we don't do that". Instead I CHOSE to FIND A WAY to resolve a dilemma for a great customer even though it took using unconventional means and it involved a lot of extra time, focus, and effort to make it happen.

Most importantly, I did not abandon my customer to deal with it on his own. So often I find that being a good nurseryman involves an understanding of the needs of people as well as the needs of plants.

Thought for the Day

One ship sails East

Another West

By the self same winds that blow

T'is the set of the sail

And not the gale

That determines the way they go.

Like the storms at sea

Are the ways of fate

As we voyage along through life

T'is the set of the soul

That determines the goal

And not the calm or strife

-Emma Wheeler Wilcox

A Storm System

For The History Books

Greenhouse devastation

From Texas to the Carolinas, the southeastern part of this country has been pummeled by high winds, hail, thunder-storms and, on Wednesday, April 27, historic tornado outbreaks.

All of this follows the devastating tornadoes that struck North Carolina on April 16, 2011. To say that April has been a bad month for tornadoes is a gross understatement. The loss of lives, properties, and in some cases, livelihoods is difficult to comprehend. Those of us who were spared this historic devastation are fortunate indeed.

There are many ways to help:

- You can make a $10 donation to the Red Cross by texting: REDCROSS to 90999.

- People across the country can donate blood.

- Contact your state nursery association to see how you can help your fellow nurserymen the most.

- Visit http://www.ncnla.com/ to learn how to specifically help those dealing with destruction in North Carolina.

- Remember that many communities need manpower, equipment, and skilled laborers and operators as much as anything else.

- And above all else, please keep these people and communities in your prayers.

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Perennial Pipeline

Perennial Pipeline plants are delivered on company trucks within a 300 mile radius of Baltimore or via palletized freight or common carrier for greater volumes or distances.