Tuesday, December 18, 2018

New Year, New Beginnings


Once the holidays have passed, turning the calendar page is exciting for garden centers – at least it should be! The anticipation of a new spring season fuels us with renewed energy to plan for our stores. How we execute those plans will determine whether we reach our goals down the road.
It’s natural to feel a bit weary at the end of the year. Winter’s gray skies, cold weather and stormy days can further dampen the soul. Spring is on the horizon, though, and January is the perfect time to build an exciting in-store foundation for your customers. Let’s consider the possibilities for early sales opportunities.

The New Norm
Have you noticed how much earlier national retailers begin to promote sales for an upcoming season? It seemed that kids were just heading back to school and the race was on to sell Christmas and holiday this year. Truth is, it’s getting earlier every year.

The internet and especially Amazon have changed the way consumers buy. There’s no prep time, no shift in operational manpower or waiting to complete the seasonal look to launch a selling season. It’s instantaneous: a few taps on the keyboard and they’re done. Consumers have noticed, too! They’ve adjusted their buying habits to start shopping further in advance.

Are we keeping up with earlier promotions? Setting the store a bit earlier each year? In many instances, I’d say yes. Much can be gained between November 1 and Thanksgiving Day, through excitement and anticipation of the next holiday season. While weather dictates the selling season of plants and outdoor activity, the calendar still rules the event timeline and what moves people to consider buying. Thus the new norm is being “retail ready” well in advance of the typical start of a selling season, especially spring.

What’s New?
Once upon a time, mail-order seed catalogs and the Jackson Perkins rose circular were readily available by January 1. Today, though, printed catalogs aren’t viable or profitable for many companies. Even Amazon’s Alexa isn’t able to answer my question when I ask what’s new in lawn and garden. Her reply is “I don’t know.”

Our industry is the best at communicating and selling lawn and garden products, plants and solutions. We continue to be the most reliable source for what’s best for our customers. It keeps them coming back for more! You are far more valuable than Alexa when it comes to garden knowledge. Your New Year’s resolutions might include how to promote your store, your staff and your brand even better in 2019. 

The Calendar of Events
Mark your calendar with key delivery dates of plant material to your store. Orchids, kalanchoes, African violets, succulents, small foliage and ferns, primrose, pansies, miniature roses, all of these need a formal announcement to arriving customers to your store. A simple easel and chalkboard can do the trick. Plan ahead and create “point of decision” signage for new plant varieties and new products, and be sure to educate your staff on these. Don’t forget to include your selling price! More than half of sales failures are attributed to lack of a visible sale price.

Your newest items often drive higher profit margins, so you’ll likely want to put promotional focus there. When consumers see or hear about a product first in your store, you stand a higher chance of capitalizing on this selling opportunity over another store. Keep in mind dates like St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) and Easter (April 21), so you’re highlighting the newest arrivals in your store well in advance of the first warm day of spring. Fair warning: It might be earlier than the calendar suggests!

Here are some new items from Griffin to consider:




This Month's Featured Products


12 in Clever Clean Seed Feeder - Nyjer
No 81210241

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12 in Clever Clean Seed Feeder - Sunflower
No 81210242

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HDI Root Riot Bag of 50
No 81860090

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HDI Root Riot Bag of 100
No 81860089

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HDI Root Riot Tray of 50
No 81860091

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Arcadia Orchid Pot Round A 5" (4 Assorted Colors) w/Saucer
No 80690256

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Arcadia Orchid Pot Square 5" w/Saucer 4 Assorted Colors
No 80690254

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Arcadia Orchid Pot Hexagon 5" (4 assorted Colors) w/Saucer
No 80690252

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Syndicate Plant Mister - Clear
No 81510153

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Syndicate Plant Mister - Sea Glass
No 81510155

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Syndicate Plant Mister - Assorted
No 81510285

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Jacks Classic 1.5 Lb 20-10-20 Citrus Food Fertilizer
No 80060019

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Zenport Straight Blade SS Euro-Style Harvest Shear
No 81930061

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Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Timberrrr! Tree-Pruning Tips for Late Fall


Timber can be a blessing or a curse, depending on the circumstances. With the last of the leaves falling to the ground, a small window of opportunity exists for tree pruning -- but we often don’t think about it until it’s too late. 


Many homeowners heavily prune their trees at improper times during the growing season. If you read through the Old Farmer’s Almanac, you’ll find suitable dates for suggested tree pruning. No kidding!


Late fall and early winter are ideal times to trim away branches and limbs that might be weak or diseased before they break from the season’s wind, ice and snow load. With leaves out of the way, damaged or diseased branches become more clearly visible. Since trees aren’t actively growing at this time, it’s safe to prune without causing harm.


Make sure your shelves are stocked with a couple of products to protect fresh tree cuts. Pruning paint or pruning sealer spray, applied to fresh cuts, can help protect a tree against disease issues. Some gardeners prefer to wrap damaged trunk bark as another measure to prevent future sun scald or insect damage. In areas with abundant rabbits and deer, protecting the bark of young trees is as easy as installing a plastic tree trunk protector.


This is also a good time to check stakes and guidewires to ensure that newly planted trees are protected from harsh winter winds that may topple your evergreen or deciduous tree. Advise your customers to take time to inspect the wire or rope around their tree trunks. If it’s not secure or tight enough, it may girdle or cut into the bark causing severe damage when spring returns. Cut up pieces of garden hose, usually 6-10 inches in length, make great and inexpensive sleeves around the wire or rope to help protect against rubbing. 


Specific tree species may have additional needs to tend prior to onset of winter. Tree roses, for example, are vulnerable to extreme winds and temperature swings. Many rosarians recommend installing four wooden stakes as a surround to attach a burlap wrap surrounding the plant after an application of Wilt Pruf. The Wilt Pruf is an anti-dessicant that prevents the plant canes and crown union from drying out.


Another tree rose winter protection method is called “heeling.” If the tree rose is planted in the garden, you may choose to cut around the ball of the roots about half way around. Once this is performed, you may tilt and lay the entire tree rose stock on its side, and carefully secure it to the ground. Cover the plant with mulch or straw and place a burlap cover over the top of your entire plant. Use ground staples to keep the burlap in place from winter winds.


Last but not least, urge your customers to keep an active eye out for heavy snow or ice on their tree branches during the winter. Some trees, like the densely branched Japanese maple, are very susceptible to breaking under the weight of wet snow. This can be prevented by brushing away snow from the branches soon after a new snowfall. Don’t delay this important garden chore or you might hear your trees whisper in the winter night: snap, crackle, pop… and timber!




This Month's Featured Products


Old Farmer’s Almanac
No 80460001

Buy Now

Wooden Tree Stake Kit
No 80010003

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Natural Burlap
3 ft x 12 ft
No 80010004

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Natural Burlap
3 ft x 24 ft
No 80010005

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Coated Paper Tree Wrap
3 in x 50 ft
No 80470171

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Coated Paper Tree Wrap
4 in x 150 ft
No 80470173

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Treekote Tree Wound Dressing
No 80470158

Buy Now

Hardwood Garden
Stakes 4 ft
No 80970001

Buy Now

Hardwood Garden
Stakes 5 ft
No 80970002

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Hardwood Garden
Stakes 6 ft
No 80970003

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Fabric and Garden Staples
No 80180002

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Anti Transpirant
32 oz RTU
No 80380001

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Anti Transpirant
16 oz Concentrate
No 80380002

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Anti Transpirant
32 oz Concentrate
No 80380003

Buy Now



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