Garden Center web news and social media highlights from October 2017

Multimedia | Podcast

Looking for biological alternatives

Growers and retailers alike are always on the lookout for ways to keep their plants safe from pests while minimizing the chemical impact of traditional pesticides. The Biological Products Industry Alliance is an organization dedicated to advancing knowledge of and advocacy for biological pest management and growth stimulation products. BPIA Executive Director Keith Jones joined us on the Hort Report podcast to discuss the structure and goals of the BPIA, as well as to spread word of upcoming events, including the BPIA 2017 Fall Meeting Oct. 9-13 in Orlando, Fla., and the Spring Meeting & International Symposium March 5-9 in San Diego, Calif.

Listen here: bit.ly/2xV9bKz

What’s trending on Facebook

We’re always happy to share interesting news about the greater horticulture industry as it relates to independent garden retailers — even if the news doesn’t come from us. Earlier in September, a report from the Washington Post indicated that Millennial consumers were displaying a strong interest in beautifying their living spaces with houseplants and other ornamentals. The story posited that these young plant buyers were attracted to the personal, internal satisfaction that comes from surrounding oneself with greenery. Our readers were intrigued by this new insight into their youngest customers and reacted strongly with likes, comments and shares when we posted the article on Garden Center magazine’s Facebook page.

See it here: bit.ly/2yibrg0

Your Turn

Each month, we ask readers a different question about their retail operations, inviting them to answer via email or social media. You can send your answers to Associate Editor Conner Howard at choward@gie.net.

THIS MONTH’S QUESTION:
“Do you host any special fall-oriented events at your garden center? How well-attended are they?”

Answers to this question will be published in a future issue of Garden Center.

5 stories in brief

Top industry news from our website

1. Grower acquisition

Roberta’s Unique Gardens of Waldron, Ind., has entered into an agreement with C. Raker & Sons of Litchfield, Mich., to acquire 100 percent of Raker’s business.
bit.ly/2wIQwiC

2. The Top 100 issue arrives

An announcement on gardencentermag.com of the release of the 2017 Top 100 IGCs issue was well-received by readers eager to see the rankings and stories from top retailers.
bit.ly/2x9mkAx

3. Standout products

A list of 18 interesting garden center products seen at the 2017 IGC Show in Chicago.
bit.ly/2xa2Vuu

4. Best bathrooms

Garden Centers of America announces the winners of its 2017 Best Garden Center Bathrooms Awards.
bit.ly/2wqVxMD

5. Houston strong

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Houston-area garden centers pull together to help their neighbors, employees and communities.
bit.ly/2xoVcg0