Market Buzz

Dig.Drop.Done launches trade website

Flower bulb retailers in North America and Canada have a new resource when it comes to bulbs. DDDRetailer.com, a new website from Dig.Drop.Done, will get retailers all of the information they need to prepare for the fall selling season.

Dig.Drop.Done is a three-year education campaign to promote the simplicity and beauty of flower bulb planting.

The Bulb Browser can help garden centers find the right flower for their customers’ desired bloom time and their light exposure. There’s also an image library for those who know what the flower looks like, but not what it’s called.

The one-stop shop includes marketing resources and customizable materials to help move bulbs. There is also extensive information on bulbs, in-store display templates, ad templates, frequently asked questions, social media help and more.

Retailers can sign up for the e-newsletter for regular updates, learn about the Dig.Drop.Done campaign and plan promotions in alignment with their North American paid media campaign.

“We are so pleased to be able to offer a resource of this caliber to our North American retailer,” said Henk Westerhof, spokesman for the Dig.Drop.Done campaign and a 26-year veteran in the bulb industry. “The Dig.Drop.Done campaign has been working tirelessly to educate customers about the simple beauty of bulb planting, but our effort would not be complete without providing retailers materials to enhance their sales and amplify their individual marketing strategies.

To learn more about Dig.Drop.Done, visit www.ddretailer.com.
 

Ballek’s Garden Center makes switch to solar energy

The Ballek family is going green and eliminating fossil fuel use in their East Haddam, Conn. garden center as they celebrate 350 years of family history on the land.

“It’s just part of our strategy of trying to convince people we have to be good stewards of the land,” said Anita Ballek.

This spring, Ballek’s Garden Center installed a new photovoltaic solar electric panel system and a solar hot water system. The center will be able to produce all of its electricity through solar power, and will use surplus energy to heat water with solar thermal units.

Over the system’s projected 30-year lifespan, the company expects it to produce more than $1 million worth of electricity.
 

Raker Trial Gardens to open for testing July 18

The Raker Trial Gardens will open on July 18 at the Raker facility in Litchfield, Mich. C. Raker & Sons Inc. uses the Trial Gardens to evaluate new varieties in side-by-side comparison trails, research existing varieties and share the data with horticulture professionals and the gardening public. Trial data collected from the five acres of grounds is gathered every two weeks starting in late June. The data is posted on the trial garden website and generally includes height, spread, overall performance rating and images.

The Raker Trial Gardens feature an annual row trial, alternatives for shade, 14-inch hanging basket trial, sponsor beds and rows, hanging baskets and container showcase areas, the All-America Selections (AAS) Trial Ground and Display Gardens, AAS Summit and facility tours. The Raker Trial Gardens take place July 18 to August 31. Grounds are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

To learn more about the event, visit trialgardens.raker.com.
 

Aquascape debuts water gardening app

St. Charles, Ill. – Aquascape, a manufacturer of pond products and supplies, debuts its new smartphone app designed for pond and garden enthusiasts. The Aquascape app offers water gardening tips and information, divided into five sections. Notable features include:

• Hundreds of water photos including landscape transformations, fish, aquatic plants, and beautiful outdoor living spaces.
• Latest news on Aquascape pond products and events.
• How-to videos on pond installation, maintenance, fish and plant care.
• Water gardening articles that cover fish and plant care, water quality, design tips, seasonal maintenance, and more.
• Online store that showcases a variety of pond supplies.

“The Aquascape app is like a miniature version of our website right at your fingertips,” said Greg Wittstock, founder and CEO of Aquascape. “Our goal is to provide useful information on all things related to water gardening on a convenient, easy-to-use mobile device.”

The Aquascape App is available for Apple’s iPhone and Google Android-based smartphones. To preview and download the app, visit the iTunes Store or Android Market, then search for Aquascape Pond app.
 

Consumers spent more on lawn and garden projects in 2011

So. Burlington, Vt. — There is good news for the green industry, according to the results of the 2012 National Gardening Survey report from the National Gardening Association. Nationwide, household participation in do-it-yourself lawn and garden activities showed a welcome increase of 3 million more households (3 percent) in 2011 compared with the year before, translating into an extra $688 million (2 percent) in retail sales of Lawn and Garden across the nation. In total U.S. households spent $29.1 billion on their lawns and gardens last year. Average annual spending on lawn and garden activities per household was flat at around $351 per year.

But a new survey question asking householders how much they spent at each type of retailer that sells lawn and garden products provided a revelation for retail operators and suppliers alike. The 2012 National Gardening Survey confirms that US households now spend more at Home Improvement Centers (30 percent of the total gardening retail market) and at Mass Merchants (21 percent) than they do at local Garden Centers and Nurseries (17 percent) or local hardware stores (14 percent). Many industry insiders have speculated about this shift in market “channel” share for years and the 2012 National Gardening Survey has confirmed their suspicions. With a collective 51 percent share, large national chains now drive the L&G market. This market share data has not been collected before in this or any similar survey and will give industry insiders something to think about.

However, the national chains have their own challenges. Homeowners 18 to 34 cite their local hardware store as their preferred lawn and garden supplier ( 23 percent of sales) ahead of Home Centers (17 percent of sales) and Mass Merchants (19 percent of sales). “At National Gardening Association, we’re delighted to see more people doing lawn and garden activities for themselves and especially pleased to see an increase in lawn and garden sales last year after being down the previous two years,” said Mike Metallo, NGA President.
 

Vegetable seed brands to unite under one name

Greensboro, N.C. – During the 2012 calendar year, ROGERS, Synergene Seed & Technology and Pybas Vegetable Seed Company brand varieties are being transitioned to the Syngenta brand, which has been in the industry for over 135 years. This brand approach goes along with the recent integration of its crop protection, seed care, seeds and traits businesses into one Syngenta.

The transition to one brand is intended to leverage the power of the Syngenta brand as an R&D innovator and leader in breeding, and eliminate market confusion from multiple brands.

Syngenta will also continue to incorporate the broad range of proprietary germplasm and excellent breeding and production capabilities that both Synergene and Pybas have brought to its lettuce offerings. The company foresees a one-year sellout period for packaging branded with the legacy company labels. During this transition period, all brands will be active in the market.
 

Husqvarna releases Global Garden Report

Charlotte, N.C. — Husqvarna released its 2011 Global Garden Report, which aims to estimate the value a garden can have on the market value of a property.

The 52-page report covers what type of horticultural improvements pays off the most, the effect a well-maintained garden can have on property prices, and the return on investment homeowners can expect from caring for their lawn and garden.

Husqvarna surveyed 5,000 homeowners from nine different countries for the report. One of the aims of the report was estimating the average effect that a well-maintained garden has on property prices -- what Husqvarna calls the “Garden Effect.” Globally, this effect was estimated at 16 percent, compared to 18 percent in the U.S.

After taking costs of maintenance, plants and garden makeover into account, the average hypothetical payback on garden investments globally was 3.1 times the money invested. However, the return in the U.S. was lower at 1.8 times the money invested.

Husqvarna also spoke with real estate agents for the report. More than 70 percent of real estate agents surveyed said they believed a neglected garden lowers property values by between five and 15 percent. Another 17 percent said the effect could be even higher.
 

OFA Short Course Garden Center Live! features contests, workshops and more

The biggest horticulture event in the U.S., the OFA Short Course, is gearing up for the big show July 14 through 17 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Not only will there be a huge lineup of educational sessions, new product releases and service and networking opportunities, but there’s also the Garden Center Live! area with lots of chances to learn all about marketing.

Garden Center Live! offers more than 30 educational sessions and workshops on everything from signage and trends to staff training and communications.

Stop by and watch the always-popular Merchandising Contest, where four seasoned experts will battle it out to create the best display. The Marketing Lab will help you connect with a great marketing experts, plus office hours with business professionals. Or, drop in at the Merchandising Concepts space to get inspired.

The 1,500-exhibit, 7-acre trade show floor hosts all kinds of new plants, pest threats and product lines, and features keynote speaker Joe Lamp’l.

To register, visit www.ofa.org/shortcourse.
 

Rachadi forms company, makes acquisitions

Mohamed Rachadi recently formed a new international consulting company, Morach Regulatory. With headquarters in Atlanta, the new company provides customized regulatory, product development and marketing services to US based and International manufacturers, formulators and distributors of specialty chemicals for the PCO and green Markets.

“There is a good number of companies in our markets (PCO and Turf & Ornamental) who depend on outsourcing regulatory, new product development and marketing services as well as assistance with access to those market segments,” Rachadi said. “Our company is well positioned to partner with these companies and deliver their needed services on a timely manner and under one roof.”

“We are also pleased to announce that Morach has acquired UPMA Labs and IPM Products,” Rachadi said. “Our goal is to continue to offer the IPMM tools for the pros to both PCO and green markets.”
 

Francis Meilland rose wins 2013 All-American Rose Selections

West Grove, Pa.— The Francis Meilland rose is the 2013 winner of the All-American Rose Selections, marking the first time a hybrid tea rose has won the honor under no-spray conditions.

The new type is a tall hybrid with a very large bloom, strong scent and good exhibition form, bred by Meilland International and introduced by Conard-Pyle.

The Francis Meilland is named in commemoration of the centenary of Francis Meilland’s birth, and as a nod to the longstanding relationship between Conard-Pyle and Meilland International.

Conard-Pyle won the same honor last year with the Sunshine Daydream rose.

All-American Rose Selections winners are chosen through a two-year testing cycle in 10 gardens across the U.S. Judgment is based on disease resistance, flower production, fragrance and more. The rose will be available to consumers in spring 2013.
 

Difference Makers

Bobby LeBoutillier inherited more than a green thumb his mother; he also got her giving nature.

Last year, LeBoutillier, president of Waterloo Gardens, and his Bible study wanted to help feed hungry families in the Philadelphia area by planting a 5,000 square foot vegetable garden and donating the produce to Lord’s Pantry, a local food bank.

“My mother had parties like a New Year’s Eve party, and would invite people from her church,” LeBoutillier said. “Your ticket in was to bring a couple of nonperishables. Then I would load up a vehicle the donations and bring them to the food pantry.”

The need was so great in the first year that LeBoutillier and his fellow gardeners decided to expand the garden to 20,000 square feet. But when Linda LeBoutillier took ill and Bobby had to spend a lot of time away from the garden center, the Waterloo staff and community pitched in.

I was with my mother pretty much nonstop and while I was there, I didn’t even realize that they went out and built the garden,” he said. “I didn’t see it was done until after the funeral.”

Two separate church groups now volunteer their time in the garden, and members of the community are coming to help in their spare time. The community garden only uses organic fertilizer and no pesticides or sprays are allowed, so the food is wholesome, safe and good. And the response has been overwhelming.

“[Lord’s Pantry] said, ‘If you bring fresh produce in here, it goes right away,’” he said. “People love it no matter what it is.”

Picture above - The Waterloo staff back left to right: Dave Palmen, Mike Ratka, Donna Farhrenholtz, Tom Hartman, Lauren LeBoutillier, Lucy LeBoutillier, Bobby LeBoutillier, Bruce Bari, Kristie Beers, and Keith Beers. Front Left to Right: Jackie Longo, Ginger Baker, Denise Judy, Jerry Monagle, Patti May, Tracy Smith, Heather Carlson and Nancy Shirk