Top 9 Garden Center magazine posts of August 2018

Most-read online articles of the month included an update on Corso's Flower & Garden Center, a story of succession planning success, the closing of Orchard Supply Hardware stores and more.


In the month of August, most-read news topics on gardencentermag.com included an update on Corso's Flower & Garden Center (the Sandusky, Ohio,-based grower/retailer/landscaper that was raided by customs enforcement agents in June), the story of Harb's Oasis - an IGC in Baton Rouge, La., the found new owners in the form of long-time clients, Cultivate'18 coverage, Horticulture Research Institute news and more.

Read on for the most popular articles of August, ranked below by total page views:

1. Corso's Flower & Garden Center maintaining standards after raid - The Sandusky, Ohio, retailer, grower and landscaper has continued operations since authorities raided the business in June on suspicion of employing undocumented immigrants.

2. Future for sale - How one garden retailer found new ownership in an unexpected place and other innovative succession planning ideas.

3. Key retail takeaways from Cultivate'18 - After attending some of the more than 150 educational offerings AmericanHort has each year, we boiled it all down to 16 highlights for independent garden centers.

4. Orchard Supply Hardware stores to close - Parent Company Lowe's said it will shut down all 99 locations in California, Oregon and Florida by February 2019.

5. Horticulture's age problem - As nursery managers reach retirement age, the lack of qualified replacements has become a problem.

6. HRI raises $300,000 - In addition, four new endowment funds were created at the Horticultural Research Institute's summer donor reception.

7. GCA Names 12 Winners in 2018 Best Garden Center Bathroom Awards - Three companies received Gold Awards, two were given Silver Awards, and seven earned Merit Awards for providing especially comfortable and creative facilities.

8. Bower & Branch acquires Organic Plant Magic - Organic Plant Magic founder Kerry Richardson will continue to serve on the Bower & Branch Board of Directors, and co-founder Kevin Richardson will join the Bower & Branch product development team.

9. Bayer/Monsanto acquisition complete - The Monsanto name and branding are gone, but Bayer commits to jobs, research and agricultural innovation.

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