The top 12: A roundup of Garden Center magazine's cover stories

As you reflect on 2016 and begin planning for the new year at your garden center, take a look back at 12 of Garden Center magazine's top articles of the year -- our cover stories. The articles touch on a variety of topics, including selling products online, the latest in green roofs and garden technology, company name and brand changes, the value of providing CSAs and farmers markets, and what students pursuing horticulture careers are looking for in their first jobs. We also profiled a handful of companies, and we hope their stories and ideas inspire you as you prepare for 2017.

JANUARY

Preserving the past, focusing on the future
Bachman’s treasures its more than 130-year, family-owned history, all while adapting to the evolving industry.

FEBRUARY

Building toward a better spring
How SummerWinds Nursery cultivates excellent customer service and a strong staff across three states.

MARCH

Farming consumer interests
Capitalizing on the locally grown food trend, retailers host farmers markets and CSA programs to bridge the gap between busy seasons.

APRIL

Marrying clicks and bricks
Independent garden center retailers share their experiences of venturing into online shopping.

MAY

Fresh faces of horticulture
We surveyed students to discover what drew them to the green industry and what they expect from a career in horticulture. Professors and hiring managers also weigh in on their experiences with this new generation of professionals.

JUNE

Enhancing, evolving but remembering their roots
Wingard’s Market refreshed its branding and name to give the business a modern feel and promote a profitable new department, inspired by its founder.

JULY

Bringing themes to life
Customized gardens that reflect and accentuate personalities and interests are on the rise.

AUGUST

Elevate gardening to new heights: Where green is going
Professionals weigh in on the current and future state of green rooftops, and how it can apply to retail, landscaping and beyond.

SEPTEMBER

The Top 100 Independent Garden Centers of 2016
20 of the top retailers in the country share their stories, strategies and ideas.

OCTOBER

New tools of the trade
Cutting-edge programs and technologies to help retailers improve their customer service, sales, branding and local connections.

NOVEMBER

The 2016 State of the Industry Report
A regional look at the trends, challenges and overall health of the independent garden center industry.

DECEMBER

'Proud to partner'
After a devastating flood in Baton Rouge, LA., destroyed the 63-year-old Naylor’s Hardware & Garden Center in August, the owner and longtime staff were facing an uncertain future. That’s when Clegg’s Nursery stepped in.

RELATED: Most-read Garden Center magazine articles of 2016
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Garden Center’s Top 15 most read news stories of 2016
See which industry topics made our 2016 most-read list, from politics and customer service to color trends and more.

The top 11 Garden Center videos of 2016
On-the-floor trade show coverage and interactions with industry personalities were popular with viewers last year.