Marketplace News

U.S. market for lawn and garden products to reach $26 billion in 2014
Bucking a trend of declining growth since reaching its peak in 2003 and 2004, the U.S. market for lawn and garden products will total $26 billion in 2014, according to the latest report from market-research publisher Packaged Facts. Annual growth rates between 1 percent and 2 percent are expected. The report cites several trends contributing to growth in the market, including homeowners sustaining property value through lawn appearance, the food gardening trend, the industry’s ‘greening’ momentum and aging Baby Boomers engaging in at-home pursuits.

Retailers feel fallout from late blight outbreak
Garden retailers in New England pulled tomato plants off shelves this summer in response to a widespread outbreak of late blight. The disease, caused by Phytopthora infestans, has never occurred this early and been this widespread, according to the University of Massachusetts extension. This very infectious disease threatened home gardens and commercial crop production in Massachusetts and across New England. The most common early symptoms on tomato transplants are brown lesions on stems, with white fungal growth developing under moist conditions.

Monrovia Georgia facility receives nursery certification
Monrovia is the first nursery outside the West Coast to be accepted into the U.S. Nursery Certification Program (USNCP), a program launched four years ago by the USDA that standardizes pest management practices and allows nursery stock to be shipped outside the U.S. without an export inspection. The Cairo, Ga., nursery is Monrovia’s fourth facility to earn such designation. Its Dayton, Ore., nursery was among the first accepted when the program began pilot testing; and its Visalia and Venice Hills, Calif., facilities were accepted in 2007.

Garden Centers of America announces garden center, supplier of the year
Garden Centers of America has named Hillermann Nursery and Florist in Washington, Mo., its 2009 Garden Center of the Year. Conrad Fafard Inc., headquartered in Agawam, Mass., was recognized as GCA’s Supplier of the Year. The official award ceremony took place June 28 in Portland, Ore., during the organization’s annual Summer Tour. Hillermann Nursery and Florist has been involved with GCA since the early 1970s. Sandi Hillermann McDonald, CEO of the company, served on the organization’s board and was its first female president. Conard Fafard is a leading manufacturer of packaged growing media for growers and retailers.

WHO'S NEWS?
New positions
John Vikupitz to president and CEO, Netafim USA, Fresno, Calif. Igal Aisenberg to president and co-CEO, Netafim Ltd.

Jay Cushman to sales representative, greenhouses/greenhouse supplies, OBC Northwest Inc., Canby, Ore.

Dave Dagen to director of marketing and sales, Oglesby Plants International, Altha, Fla.

Honors
ValleyCrest Landscape Companies, Calabasas, Calif., celebrated its 60th anniversary in June.

Missouri Botanical Garden received the Horticultural Landmark designation from the American Society for Horticultural Science.

SummerWinds Garden Center, San Jose, Calif., was voted best gardening shop in the San Jose Mercury’s Best of Silicon Valley survey.

Calloway’s Nursery, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, received a Development Excellence Award from the City of Southlake, Texas, for its new store location that opened in March.

Business changes
Growers Greenhouse Supplies Inc. purchased Niagrow Systems and formed a new wholly owned subsidiary, JGS Limited, to serve specialized greenhouse markets including research centers, institutional glass enclosures and teaching greenhouses. Frank Jonkman Sr. will serve as manager of JGS Limited; Ray Gohn as plant manager.

10-20 Media, Woodbine, Md., launched its online Home and Garden Marketplace Network.

Associations
The Minnesota Green Expo, sponsored by the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association and the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation, has a new name: Northern Green Expo. The event will next be held Jan. 6-8, 2010.