Natural remedies

Before the spring rush hits, now might be the perfect time to take a look at the shoppers who will come streaming through your doors and consider why they garden.

Many of your customers turn to gardening as a stress relief — a way to connect with nature and forget about the worries of the day. And they view your garden center as a key part of their joy. Whether it’s a stop during a lunch break to unwind and do a little shopping or a weekend escape from the demands at home, a garden center can be an oasis for shoppers.

In this month’s cover story, starting on page 20, we explore ways to create a sense of peace and wellbeing at your garden center. Since the pandemic hit in 2020, consumers have shown increasing concern for their mental and physical health, so it’s the perfect time to start thinking of ways to offer solutions.

We’ve long heard about the air purifying qualities of houseplants and the benefits of getting a little exercise in the garden, but there is more research out there to share with your customers. Spending time immersed in nature has been shown to lower blood pressure, decrease cortisol levels and even enhance immune system functions. In fact, spending as little as 20 minutes in a natural setting can do wonders to relieve stress, according to a study published in Frontiers in Psychology back in 2019.

(If you want more info on this, I highly recommend reading “The Nature Fix” by Florence Williams.)

So when your customers walk into your store this spring, do they know plants can do all that? Do they walk into a happy and peaceful environment that they can easily shop? Or are they frustrated trying to find what they need and navigate aisles? Before the rush hits, consider walking your own store as a customer and/or spending a shift at the register to see what the shopping experience is really like. You might be surprised what you find!

And if you’re looking for ways to educate customers even before they walk through your doors, social media is a great way to reach them. With fun and informational content, you have the chance to tell them all about the benefits of plants and gardening. Head over to page 40 for suggestions from growers on how to better connect with customers and tell them what your stock can do for them.

I hope this spring brings you a renewed sense of purpose and joy in all of the good plants can do!

Kate Spirgen kspirgen@gie.net