Scented wreath workshop

Today is our scented wreath workshop. You never know how people will respond to these workshops until you publicize them and wait for sign ups. We have had workshops where nobody signed up, and we have had workshops where more than expected signed up. Today is one of those days. Over 20 people have signed up to learn how to make a scented wreath to take home. We will have snacks and coffee or tea.

I think this workshop is popular in part because its so timely, but also because its about fragrance. Monica has gathered California bay, Incense cedar, and other fragrant and non-fragrant items to use. The one common theme is they are all from the area, gathered locally. The grape vines that make up the body of the wreath are local as well as the Toyon berries.

We will keep putting on various workshops about every week or two. We are starting to get a handle on which ones are popular and which ones are not. Never the less we will keep trying even if no one signs up. We look at each other and ask why, then move on. I think the most important thing is to keep trying until you figure out which ones work.

Thankful

I have been meme'd by Angela, Billy, and now Eric. I guess three is a charm so I'll play along. The theme is eight things for which you are thankful for.

1. My youngest daughter just moved out of the house. No, I am not thankful she moved out, but thankful she has learned to live on her own like her older sister. While she has a lot to learn she will do just fine.

2. My wife and I are somehow able to work together. I don't know a lot of couples that can live and work together without going crazy. I am already crazy so it just a mater of her keeping her sanity.

3. We got another year under our belt and will be here to open again next year.

4. Living in the foothills of The Sierra Nevada. Having been born in So. Cal and growing up in The San Francisco area I can say that where we are now is the best.

5. The Internet. Despite the negatives the positives have changed my life. I am learning more about things I am interested in faster and more enjoyably than ever. It's true, the Internet changes everything.

6. My families as well as my health.

7. Great credit. I knew it would come in handy someday.

8. That I live in a place and during a time where I have the freedom to do things like this meme. Life is good.

Now I know I should tag some others but I don't follow the rules well so your all off the hook.

Here is one more thing I am thankful for. I just read that Amy has bought herself a used bookstore in Eureka. What a great place for an author to hold court. I am thankful that there are people out there proving that small independent business can make it. Thats why I listed number 5 as The Internet. This medium allows like minded individuals to connect and support one another, despite physical distance. We, who are involved in this medium are changing the world is ways we can't even imagine today. What an exciting time!

Rain, Toyon, and "old" California

It's raining in northern California. That's good since we haven't had rain in weeks! I took the picture of the Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) on the way to work. You can see in the background how dry the hills are. Now with the rain the hills will start to green up.

The Toyon seems to be putting on a great show this year. These native plants occur all through the chaparral and on up into the forest. It is sometimes called Christmas Berry, or California Holly. Some people believe the origin of the name Hollywood was derived from the Toyon growing in the hills.

The second picture is of David Girard Vineyards, well after harvest. They are nice enough to bring their wine to our Creekside festival in summer. I have watched this vineyard from the start, as I drive by it just about every day. Its amazing the amount of time it takes to get a place like this planted and up and running. I am glad to see these wineries going in as it preserves more space for agriculture, with the option being more homes. This is one of the fastest growing areas in the state and land is being swallowed up for subdivisions. Christmas tree farms , vineyards, olive oil production, and other small horticultural endeavors help maintain the agricultural feel that makes the foothills the last example of what old California was.

Blotanical and Edenmakers

I want to congratulate Stuart on his website called Blotanical It is a great resource for people interested in gardening blogs. I don't know where Stuart find the time to do these things. He is surely one of the hardest working bloggers out there.

I noticed that when my blog comes up on his site only part of the home page comes up. I realize that its because my old Blogger address is being used. I have it redirect to my new blog address, but because it redirects strange things happen. If you don't mind could you do me a favor? If you have my old Blogger address on your blog roll could you change it to my new blog address, thegoldengecko.com/blog. It might prevent some blogging mischief from occurring.

I want to welcome Edenmakers Blog to the blog roll. Shirley Bovshow is an “in-demand landscape designer in Los Angeles and the designer/co-host of the television show, “Garden Police” airing on the Discovery Home Channel.” I am so happy Shirley has started a blog. Its hard to get a feel for the people that appear on the garden shows. By starting her blog she has given me an everyone an insight into the person behind the “personality” on the T.V.

We want to start a nursery

I received a comment from Spike Zelenka in southern Iowa. Here is the comment, “My girlfriend and I are looking seriously at 5 acres in Southern Iowa. With minimal bills, our monthly 'nut' is going to be a lot easier to crack. Our idea is lillys in the spring, periennials spring and summer, and pumpkins in the fall. we have also considered trees…and a friend almost had me talked into selling orgainic herbs to resturaunts. Between farmers markets, festivals, and hopefully building up relationships with small stores who could possibly buy seedlings from us, I think it’s a viable future for us. Keep in mind, we’re not looking at getting rich, but again, with minimal money going out in bills, are looking at doing something together, and enjoying life.

any thoughts, ideas, suggestions?

I have read alot of your blogs….and although you are much larger than we plan to get, feel you would have some great insight for us.”

Our nursery is a lot smaller than you think. My wife and I get along with a seasonal helper(s) to help run the place. We have just under two acres of land but the business is still small and we have a long way to go to reach our goals.

It sound like you are planning to be more than just a nursery as you want to sell pumpkins in season, herbs to restaurants, etc. This is a good way to look at the potential business as something more than just a nursery. Being new to the business with a fresh perspective is a good thing. Sure its nice to have experience going in but sometimes that can put blinders on that prevent you from seeing the possibilities. That may be a problem for me, who has been doing this so long its hard to know whether I am doing things just because thats how we did them in the past.

The other neat thing is you want to do something with your girlfriend that allows you to enjoy life. A business venture will certainly test your relationship. I have been fortunate that Monica and I are on the same page and work well together. I think its a rarity for mates to run the same business together, but it does happen.

The most important thing I read in your comment is you want to spend time together enjoying life. With my kids now out of the house that is the one thing I keep telling my Monica. I want to enjoy life which includes the occupation we have chosen. There are of course plenty of opportunities to get stressed out, and there are certainly times when I wonder why I stick with this business. You have to remind yourself each and every day to see the big picture and not get overwhelmed by the details. Yes, the details pay the bills, but the overall theme of having fun is what I think life is about. When you stop having fun its a clue to change strategies. I know plenty of stressed out nursery people and just people in general who have stopped having fun.

It great to hear people wanting to start small garden centers. It is a hopeful sign that this type of business will not go the way of the buggy whip factory. It means there is something that is still inspiring about working with plants and the people who like them. The one thing I have never done, but should or should have is come up with a written business plan. Run the potential figures and see if the business makes sense beyond just "I want to start a nursery". Sometimes all the good intentions in the world won't make a profit in a poor location or a market that wont support you. Never the less keep the dream alive and remember the journey, not some mythical "I have arrived" is the most important thing.

Rent a Living Christmas Tree

Here is an interesting concept, the rented Christmas Tree. Dwell Magazine, (one of my favorite reads) had an article on Seattle based company One Earth One Designs Living Christmas Tree Service. Basically you rent a living Christmas tree that is delivered to your door between December 17^th to the 21^st. Going along with the Eco theme of the company they are native trees like Western red cedar, White fir, and Douglas fir. After Christmas, according to Dwell “Once the holidays end, the same folks will pick the tree up again. All you have to do is decide whether you want it planted in your yard or donated to EarthCorps, a non profit committed to reforestation.”

I like the idea and think it could be expanded to other areas, although I would guess urban areas would be most responsive to this. The only stumbling blocks that I can see are the price, $291 per tree. It may seem like a lot but I would guess there are plenty of urbanites that would love to pay extra for the convenience.

The Dwell article prefaces the story with, “At the holiday season’s end, there’s nothing more depressing than the castaway Christmas trees rotting in our streets.” Of course there is no reason for this as the cut trees could be mulched and used in the garden. In addition we talked about the benefits of cut tree farms in reducing urban sprawl. Never the less having lived in The City I know most urbanites just don't know a lot about the natural world and mulching as well as planting a living tree is beyond their skills or interest.

It would appear that this isn't the first time this has been done.

It's hard to wear out your welcome here.

Sid Raisch is a consultant with The Garden Center Group. Sid commented on a post I made back in January on Nursery Trade Shows. Sid gives an impassioned defense of his trade and prefaces his comment with “me here to defend myself as a consultant again. I hope I'm not wearing out my welcome.” No Sid, you are not wearing out your welcome. This is exactly why I started this blog, to speak my mind and facilitate the free exchange of ideas concerning the horticultural world.

While I speak my mind I would certainly expect no less from any of my visitors or commenter’s. I am just one nursery person trying to figure out the magic formula to nursery nirvana. I enjoy the creative side of the business and tend to ignore, for better or worse the “nuts and bolts” of the business. Sid hits it on the head when he say’s “I won't speak for the other consultants or experts but for me, most of the time the real value I bring is helping owners actually do what they already know they need to do but aren't getting done.” So often it’s the kick in the butt by someone outside the organization or family that forces the owners to make the needed changes to stay profitable.

While I have never hired a nursery consultant I have worked with a business consultant before and found the experience a great benefit. If you feel the need to hire a nursery consultant I would have no hesitation to say “do it”. Trying to choose which consultant could be difficult. Sid has taken the time to introduce himself and share his ideas so I would welcome him back anytime and his organization would be one I would check out first.

When I started this blog there were few in the horticultural industry blogging. Things have changed in the years since, and it can only be a good thing. What I like about this blog is that both professional horticulturists as well as avid gardeners can read it and share. I like the fact that Sid feels strongly enough about his business to have commented at this blog. This is my reward for writing the blog. Being able to facilitate conversation that causes us to think about and share ideas.

The shine starts to come off Starbucks

It would appear that some of the shine has come off Starbuck's. Store visits are down 1% (this is the first time store visits have dropped). In addition the stock price is dropping. So what's their solution? Start advertising, which they haven't done on a large scale before.

What I find interesting is that Starbucks has made changes to its stores over the last few years that you might not have noticed. Did you know they use “flavor locked packages” of coffee instead of freshly ground. Now the smell of fresh ground is gone. They also stopped “hand pulling espresso shots” in favor of automated machines. Finally they have streamlined the stores so they all start to look the same. They have lost the “funky”. One more thing, it's now possible to make a cup of coffee at home that competes with the taste of Starbucks. While its still doesn't make cappuccino or espresso that competes, our Tassimo one cup coffee maker makes regular coffee just as good .

While the problems Starbucks is having are one most of us could deal with it serves as a reminder that its still the cutomer experience that makes the difference. They don't seem to realize this or they have just gotten to a point that it doesn't seem relevant to them. Public traded companies must keep those shareholders happy and one way to keep the growth is build more stores and cut costs. Something to consider when we talk about places like Urban Outfitters opening garden shops. They may pull off the corporate “cool” like Starbucks, the question of whether they can really be original and funky remains to be seen.

"Black Friday" wrap-up

I couldn't resist posting once more on the "Black Friday" phenomenon. It turns out it wasn't the slowest day of the year at the nursery like I predicted in my last post. Some people actually came in and Monica and I looked at each other and we're happy we opened. Let me assure you though that its wasn't busy like the malls. Little things that will pay off down the road did happen. Example, a young couple moving here from Berkley stopped in and bought a couple of kiwis and the fertilizer and planting mix for them. What's neat is they we're in a couple of weeks ago looking for grapes when we started talking about the kiwis. Didn't know if anything would come of it but here they we're. As they left they said they will see us soon! Another connection made!

I came across this report at Yahoo Finance. It looks like every report we get every year. Yes, deep discounts brought in people but it must continue through the holidays to be a success. Some people are doing they're part like Tina Dillow of New Richmond, Ohio who said "'I'm really looking for the bargains this year because I'm losing my job; they're moving our plant to Mexico after the first of the year, so I have to be careful.'" She had "camped out at a Best Buy store near Cincinnati at 3 a.m. because of a great deal on a laptop."

Let me see, she is loosing her job but needs a laptop. I guess I just don't get it. If I was loosing my job I think spending money on a laptop is the last thing I would be doing. You know they have free internet access art the library here. I wonder how many people are in the same situation as this women that shopped at these sales. The consumer has been so throughly brainwashed that they believe that spending money at a sale is somehow smart even when you source of income is about to dry up.

This year the goal we have at the nursery and home is to reduce our debt. I am tired of carrying debt, even though much of it is for the business. I tell my kids the same thing, don't get us anything that involves paying for it with credit. If you can't afford it we don't need it!

P.S. The Golden Gecko gladly accepts Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, and Paypal.

P.P.S. We don't want you to use your credit card is it means going broke! We want our customers to be around for the long haul.

Go shopping today? Not me

On this so called “Black Friday” shopping day we will be open. I don't know about other nurseries but this day is traditionally one of our slowest days of the year. It would appear that most people would rather shop the malls with the crowds than shop the nursery. We decided to open because I have to work off yesterdays huge meal, and we just enjoy going to the nursery and enjoying ourselves.

I think if you asked most of the people shopping today if they could honestly afford what they are purchasing they would say no. Its almost like the stores and credit card companies invented today to help everyone get further in debt. I love the holidays but the push to shop for things that could be bought any time of the year simply because its the holidays turns me off.

There are others like me out there. They look at today and just shake their heads. Oh well, it takes all kinds to make the world go around. I prefer more authentic experiences than are available at the mall. I would rather receive a hug and a visit from my kids and granddaughter than have them spend money they don't have (credit) to buy stuff that I really don't need. When you get down to it there is little that I need. I have food, shelter, clothes, and friends and family which is more than most have in the world.

Gardening is going to be coming back strong as more people look to enjoy the simple things that don't require large amounts of debt. I believe that vegetable and fruit tree gardening is going to lead the way. Some people want to re-connect to the earth and the source of their food. Most of all they are discovering the wonderful flavor of home grown as well as the pride that comes with producing your own gourmet food.

You can sense it. There is great change in the air. I don't subscribe to the negativity that some people hold about theses changes. I instead look positively to what the future holds. Some feel the change needs to be mandated and political. I feel the change needs to come from within each of us. We each hold within us the power to change "our" world.

My world today will consist of no shopping. I'll be working in the garden.

Save a tree from what?

Around this time every year someone comes out and says “save a tree” and buy an artificial Christmas tree. I guess these people imagine folks going through the woods chopping trees down wily nilly as Bambi and friends scurry away in fear.

These ideas are usually forwarded by people divorced from the realities of the natural and agricultural world. The places where these trees are grown are farms. We live in the mountains where Christmas tree farms abound and can assure you the farms are not destroying the environment, rather its one way to make the farm profitable and prevet the spread of urbanization into the foothills and mountains.

So where does this “save a tree” concerning Christmas trees thinking come from? I have been hearing this since the 70's and it so “played.” Don't get me wrong, there are many trees that do need to be saved, just not Christmas trees which are a crop like carrots or soy beans, which are replanted every year.

I have no opinion on weather a living Christmas tree, cut Christmas tree, or artificial Christmas tree is a better choice. I see no harm in any of them. So let's quit picking on Christmas tree growers who have many of the same concerns as the rest of us in agriculture, one of which is a consumer so removed from the natural world that decisions are made based on poor information.

The author of the post mentioned above claims " in support of our country’s effort to go GREEN, I would like to dedicate this post to the wonders of “Indoor Artificial Christmas Trees !!!" My suggestion is to help the country go green by supporting your local Christmas tree growers who's farms are suppling needed oxygen and green space rather than increased urbanization.

Tough times for nurseries in Georgia

According to Open Register Pike Family Nurseries is filing for Bankruptcy Chapter 11. This is no small deal as it consists of 20 retail outlets scattered about Atlanta. Pikes is the largest independent retail chain in The United States with over 700 employees. Having been founded in the late 1950's it as well as other nurseries are feeling the effects of the historic drought plaguing the area. I have been through this before here in Nor Cal and the feeling of helplessness is overwhelming. Every nursery should look at this and ask themselves what they would do in the same situation. I am not sure what those nurseries could do in Georgia but we should at least ask the question.

One thing Pike Family Nursery should do is address this via their web site. I know its not a pleasant thing to talk about but it would be better if they air this stuff in the open and explain what they plan to do to come out of bankruptcy.

Here in California the next drought is always right around the corner. We haven't had a major drought in over ten years, we're due. Just not next year, please!

The nurseryperson as entertainer

Hanna at This Garden is Illegal says “I know why gardening shows fail”. She compares the popular cooking shows to the not as popular garden shows. This isn't the first time this stuff has been talked about in the blogosphere. We have all asked why most garden shows don't hold a candle to the popular cooking shows. Hanna nails it when she says, “Gardening should be fun but most of the time… on the TV… it just looks like work. Who wants to watch that?” I found this post interesting since we have been talking about having fun at the nursery.

When Emeril Lagasse's show was first conceived and someone said, “why don't you have a live band in the kitchen” people would have thought the idea CRAZY! Yet the band is a big part of the show now. Its taken the time between dishes and turned it into a party. The whole show is a party! Audience members are given food and wine to nibble on while Emeril entertains. Notice I say entertains, not cooks. Sure Emeril is a chef, but he's really an entertainer.

When I fill out an application and it asks “occupation” I usually either write “nurseryperson” or “business owner”. Maybe next time I'll write “entertainer”. That will get some attention! When I think about what the most important thing I do at work its entertaining people. Every store needs to have people who can “entertain”. Sure we sell plants, water plants, and do all sorts of gardening activities, but the area where we make our money is in the entertaining of our guests. They have taken the time to enter our world and we need to make sure that visit is “entertaining”. Entertaining does not mean having to be “on” all the time, its more about being aware of the “vibe” your business has and being able to enhance the positives to the benefit of the our guests.

Our business, like gourmet cooking is a luxury that people choose to enjoy, not because they have to. There was a time when the knowledge of how to garden was a life or death concern. Didn't grow enough root crops to make it through winter? The family might go hungry. Not anymore.

We need to show people that gardening is not a “serious” business. Its the exact opposite, or should be. It should be the antidote for a world that tends to see everything as “serious”. Experimentation should be encouraged, and a sense of playfulness maintained. The impression that our customers have of us should be anything but serious. I generally don't like hanging with serious people unless the situation calls for it. Gardening shouldn't.

Tin Punch Workshop

We had our first non-gardening oriented workshop on Saturday. Betsy Afdenkamp held the class and fun was had by all. I took the Tassimo Coffee Maker out to our new event tent so everyone could make coffee as they wanted. Great idea as soon the ladies were hyped up banging away on the tin. We had one lady come all the way from Davis which is about an hour away. The next class will be taught by Monica and will be making a ginger bread house for the holidays.

Its fun coming up for ideas for workshops when it doesn't have to be just garden oriented. The main thing is it get people into the store and sure enough buying stuff before they leave. Even if we didn't sell anything the idea behind the workshops is to raise the visibility of the nursery as a resource for the community.

Living the good life, at the garden center!

Today is our Tin Punch Workshop with Betsy Aufdenkamp and Monica. Its our first workshop in out new events tent. While Tin Punch really has nothing to do with gardening, so what. People are signed up, coffee and snacks will be served, and tin will be punched.

We are going to try and have a workshop at least every two weeks. This year we are going to try and get more help putting these on. While Monica and I enjoy teaching these classes it will be helpful to have experts like Betsy, to help hold some of these. In addition these workshops do not have to be about gardening. Tin punch, BBQ cooking class, home wine making, etc. as well as fruit tree pruning and other garden related subjects will all be part of the plan.

When your business deals with gardening you tend to group activities around that subject since we assume thats the reason people come to us. I think a lot of people come to the garden center looking for inspiration, not necessarily a certain plant or fertilizer. I think we need to think beyond the conventional and do the things that we find fun, since it would appear that our tastes are not that much different than many others.. I think a sense of discovery and fun is the key to keeping things lively and fresh at the nursery.

Of course this all dovetails with my goal of building a really cool BBQ and smoker so I can retire the Weber. I love cooking BBQ and sharing it with our friends (customers). Why not have a regular Friday after work BBQ and wine tasting featuring one of the local wineries? As a matter of fact we want it to be a local only produced event. Meat, vegetables, and drink can all be local. Why shouldn't our garden center be the place to discover and enjoy all the things that brought us to the foothills in the first place?

I know this sounds crazy as just running a garden center can be taxing, but this stuff is fun. It seems like when we are having fun the business just flows. My goal is to create a place that is fun for Monica and I to work at since we are here so much. When we are having fun the people around us tend to also have fun. Its weird, but when we focus on trying to make money we don't, but when we focus on having fun the money seem to flow better. The secret is to get beyond the fear of failure, which raises its head now and then. Since we are going on our fourth year now the fear of failure is a little less menacing. Now its time to focus on whats important, enjoying life and spreading that joy to our friends (customers)!