Marketplace news

Scientists develop sustainable, environmentally friendly potting medium
A new type of sustainable and environmentally friendly potting medium made from thinned pine trees has been created by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists and their university cooperators. WholeTree is a new material that can be used alone or mixed with other materials to make substrate. As its name suggests, WholeTree is made from all parts of a tree, in particular the southern pine tree (Pinus taeda). But the trees aren’t cut down in natural forests. Instead, the trees used to make WholeTree are harvested from tree plantations at the thinning stage, when some trees are removed to achieve a density the site can support. Once processed, WholeTree can be used as an alternative substrate.
 

2011 California Spring Trial dates set
The dates chosen for 2011 California Spring Trials are Saturday, March 26, 2011 through Friday, April 1, 2011. Individual locations may choose to extend those dates on either side to accommodate additional visitors, but those seven days make up the core of the event. The California Spring Trials have been held annually for more than 40 years. Hosted by the participating breeding companies, the California Spring Trials is a venue for unveiling new and innovative plants and programs, peer-to-peer networking, unique educational opportunities, inspirational displays and much more.

Target will close its 262 garden centers
All 262 Target garden centers, which are primarily in Florida, Arizona, Nevada and California, will close late this month, The Orange County Register reported. “This is no longer a profitable business for us and does not provide significant value to our guests,” according to a statement provided by Target spokeswoman Jenna Reck. ”Our garden centers do not represent a meaningful portion of our operations.” Garden centers are at only about 15 percent of the chain’s stores.

Monrovia, Proven Winners ColorChoice team to bring new shrubs to independent garden centers
Monrovia and Proven Winners ColorChoice have  formed a strategic partnership for 70 flowering shrubs to be sold exclusively in independent garden centers in 2011. Newly designed containers and plant tags will bear both Proven Winners and Monrovia logos. “This is a fantastic partnership for both of us,” said Bob Smiland, chief sales and marketing officer for Monrovia. Marketing support for the line of plants will include advertising, in-store posters and featured locations in Monrovia Boutiques in select garden centers.