We've got to get ourselves back to the garden

Things have changed!

Just a year ago with the economy booming, we had a different set of assumptions about how to appeal to a customer base that seemed to be giving up on gardening.

Here we sit today with a completely different set of circumstances. Interest seems to be growing in vegetable and fruit tree gardening, and I believe this may translate over into ornamental sales as well. Most folks have no chance to sell their homes for a profit, so many will be staying put. They will soon want to “feather their nest”, creating a refuge from the world outside their yards. I believe we are entering an era not unlike what we saw in the seventies with a new appreciation for “the garden”. Do you remember the song Woodstock by Joan Baez with the verse, “We are stardust, billion year old carbon, we are golden, caught in the devil's bargain, and we've got to get ourselves, back to the garden?” We are, 40 years later.

The nursery industry has tried to use semantics to try and sway people to the garden. Let's not call it a garden, lets call it an “outdoor space”, complete with a television, and enormous BBQ. There we can entertain our friends in our professionally designed, “outdoor room” that we so surely deserved.

Sorry, but that's played out, and not going to come around again for awhile. Now people want to grow stuff in a garden that supplies food for the family, a hangout for friends and family, as well as enhances the neighborhood and world. Bird sanctuaries, herb gardening, vegetables, fruit, beauty, and most important, people seem to be willing to put the effort in to be successful.

What a fantastic opportunity for the garden center business. “Let's get back to the garden” and do what we do best, teaching people how to be accomplished gardeners. I think the whole, “let's not call it gardening, because that means work”, is dead! Let's face facts, and be honest with our customers. It's called gardening, it can become a hobby, and it requires a certain amount of work. Yes, you should test your soil pH for the best results. Yes, you should apply dormant spray three times in the winter for best fruit production. Yes, having a great garden may mean getting a sore back after a day in the garden. It means monitoring the vegetable garden every day, and if you want to do it organically, it's the only way. We need to become aware of the seasons again, as well as what it means to put food on the table. The above doesn't mean it won't be fun, we just need to change our priorities.

The horticultural businesses have fragmented, and it's time for the small, locally owned garden centers to take advantage of it. The large concerns have to worry about appealing to the masses, we just need to appeal to the people who want to learn how to make their way through the new reality that we are all experiencing. Teach them why it's important to know your pH, and they will buy pH meters, and other soil testing devices so they, and we can be successful. They will spend money if shown why it's important. Let's stop the term, “add on sales”! That sounds like we are just adding on more stuff to buy. Teach, teach, teach! We are teachers, and our students don't want sugar coated pablum. They want the truth!

Here is the truth as I see it. It's called gardening, and those that practice it are called gardeners. The term “gardener” will once again be a source of pride, especially amongst the younger generations. It can become a hobby, if you lucky enough, and stick with it. Plants have Latin names for a reason. Like any hobby there are times when it's hard work, but you look past it because you love the results. Those of us that have businesses that sell plants have a place called a “garden center”, or “nursery”. Gardens sometimes don't come out the way we expected, or what the garden magazines pictured. DIFM (Do it for me) is being replaced by IDIM (I did it myself), or WDIO (We did it ourselves). Organic is here to stay, and you best get on that bandwagon.

All this doesn't mean we are regressing to some type of agrarian society. There are loads of modern devices and techniques that can be utilized to make gardening better, and more fun. We are entering into a golden age for gardening. We need to stay positive, get to know our customers, and quit reacting to every breathless media report about, “the death of gardening”. It's not dying, it's gaining a whole new lease on life. What a wonderful time to be in the garden business!

What's new at the garden center

Today, between 11 and 12, is my annual talk with The Auburn Garden Club. I will be talking about what's new at the garden center.This year, more than ever in the past what's new is not a plant or tool but a new attitude. People are looking to take control of their lives and one way they seem to be expressing this is through renewed interest in gardening. They seem very interested in new ideas about gardening like 'Backyard Orchard Culture", which shows how to have more fruit varieties, successively ripening, in your backyard. Another area of renewed interest is in organics, and how to create a more healthy garden environment. My sales of conventional snail bait has all but washed up compared to organics like "Sluggo". Most all my fertilizers are now organic, as well as our pesticides. There also seems to be a willingness to put in the extra effort to garden. It would seem to me that for the time being, DIFM (do it for me) is waning. Not the DIFM that involves putting together a color bowl already finished and selling it, but rather the 'install my landscape for me". I am glad we never started a landscape division when it was so popular. People are buying pH meters to test the soil, they are buying seed starting kits and starting vegetables and flowers now. They seem more willing to invest time an material into doing it right and having success with their efforts.

I see plenty of younger people just starting out with their first gardens. The interest and willingness is there, just not the practical knowledge. We have a whole generation or two that has been off the farm, and the things that we in the business take for granted are brand new to them. What a fantastic opportunity for us to lead them in the right direction and build a customer for life. My only advice for dealing with this new generation of gardeners, as well as all gardeners is be "authentic".  "Authenticity' is in such short supply these days that those that do posses this atribute will have no problem kepping and gaining customers. Authenticity means no sugar coating what it means to get dirty and garden. Yes, it's sometimes it's to hot or cold outside. You can also fail at some gardening attempt and have to try again. Sometimes your back might hurt after a day in the garden. These are not negatives if you look at what gardening means in the long run, a better world just outside your door.

One thing garden clubs should do is have a web page. It doesn't have to be fancy, it can even be free.  We started our preschool and daycare blog at Wordpress for free. 

I don't want to worry about SEO (search engine optimization) or other reasons it might be good to own your domain, etc. Just get that web page or blog up and running so members, or potential members can become involved. Lot's of younger people might be interested in joining a garden club, but working during the day when most meetings are held makes it hard to ever attend. So what? Let them attend virtually via the internet. Sure it might be better to get out and physically be with others in the club, but if you can't attend at least you can keep up with what's going on via the blog.

 

Is the horticultural industry dying?

I read an interesting post today at Seth Godin's web site. The post "Music vs. The Music Industry" has crossover appeal to those of us in the garden industry. He say's, "the music industry is really focused on the ‘industry’ part and not so much on the ‘music’ part." As we all know the music industry is dying, while the interest in music grows. Um...could this also be written as "the garden industry is really focused on the 'industry' part and not so much the 'garden' part? Seth continues, "The shift that is happening right now is that the people who insist on keeping the world as it was are going to get more and more frustrated until they lose their jobs. People who want to invent a whole new set of rules, a new paradigm, can’t believe their good fortune and how lucky they are that the people in the industry aren’t noticing an opportunity..." It seems to me that gardening is growing in interest, while the industry is going through a decline. That's why I never bought into the "is gardening dead?" mantra. It's more like the garden industry as "we know it" that's dying. Horticultural media, including all those glossy magazines that asked if gardening is dying are now the ones dying, not gardening. The job of information gathering and dispersal has fallen to the garden bloggers. Just like music where indie groups and their fans are taking down the music industry. They are not taking it down on purpose, just finding the music they want without the industries help.

Maybe I am wrong. I am sure every large horticultural concern hopes I am. I have lots of friends in this industry, and I hate to see them out of work. That doesn't change the facts that confront us. Gardening is growing in interest, being spread by people with passion, while our industry seems to be caught in a time warp, trying to keep alive a way of life that is quickly disappearing.

What do you think?

Ingo Arndt visit's

There are a lot of articles out now about businesses that blog. Here is a good article titled "Do Garden Blogs Matter?" It's aimed at the garden center trade. Here is why I blog. I blog because I get to meet the most amazing people. I published a post on May 25th 2007, about the ladybug breeding ground near here.   Just yesterday I had Ingo Arndt, a German wildlife photographer here taking pictures of the breeding ground. This guy flew all the way from Germany based on e-mails from me, and that blog post. He is doing a project on hibernating for a European version of National Geographic. How did he find me? Google "ladybug breeding ground" and see what comes up. What an amazing wonderful world we live in! Could this have happened 10, or even 5 years ago? He promised to send some of the photographs, which I will post when they arrive.

I have found my most popular posts are ones where I simply write about what interests me. The Patent Navel Orange Tree Post from 2005 is another. It may be my most widely read post over the years. I get visitors to that post everyday. Why? It got picked up by Wikipedia for its article oranges.  I am footnote #2.

Blogging should be fun for the blogger. Don't blog just to blog, or because it's "the thing to do". Blog because it opens up a world of wonder, that I am amazed at every (well almost) every day.

Updated news on Smith and Hawken

According to Home Channel News, Jim Hagedorn, CEO of Scotts/Miracle Gro say's, "he would sell Smith & Hawken for a reasonable offer. But until then, Scotts intends to 'run it hard.'" At a recent investors conference on February 10th it was learned that, "Scotts upscale Smith & Hawken lawn-and-garden chain recorded a 23 percent drop in sales to $31.9 million, suffering from a big decline in holiday sales". Some major reductions have taken place including, "'job cuts and pay cuts. Anybody who stayed, unless they're operating a store, had to agree to a 25 percent pay reduction, and they did,' Hagedorn said." Interesting is the news that, "overall, Scotts Miracle-Gro reported a first-quarter loss of $57 million, on sales of $318 million -- up 3 percent over sales in the same quarter last year." Scotts has put their hope in Pat Farrah who was one of the founders of Home Depot. According to Hagedorn, "'He is one of the best merchants in the world, for sure, and he's got some team members he added that, I think, can get this thing righted.'"

Any bets?

Local garden leadership needed

One of the things I enjoy most about the internet is the ability for like minded people to find one another. I mentioned awhile ago how I was burning out on social sites. Just too many to keep track of. I have finally narrowed it down to LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. These three sites seem to offer something just different enough to keep me interested. Between the three I am making lots of great connections with old friends and classmates, as well as a whole world of great new people. One of the things that impresses me is the positive attitude of most of the people I meet. Perhaps its the nature of the medium, attracting outgoing people who enjoy interacting. Or maybe people are a lot more realistic and positive than the main stream media, or our state and national leaders seem to be. With all the negativity out there it provides a perfect opportunity for local leaders to step forward and provide a positive message. This is one area where I feel the local garden center has a place. Rather than just sit back and wonder whether people will return to the center in spring, we need to provide a positive message than compels people to rethink gardening. Gardening, not landscaping or accesorizing the outdoors.

Here is an opportunity to show people how to take back control of their lives. Through gardening we become more in tune with the natural world, which naturally provides  a more positive outlook. The local garden center should be a place where enthusiasm and a "you can do it" spirit prevails. Let's not sugar coat what it means to garden. Yes, it sometimes involves sweat, dirt, and precious time, but where else can you connect with nature, and contribute to creating a better world without driving anywhere.

I think we have been  making too much about how different the younger generations view gardening. I think we are going to find out that many of the younger generation are very interested in gardening. Real gardening, not DIFM (do it for me) or other "trends." I think there are a lot of the younger generation who would agree with Katie at Garden Punks. She say's "I started this blog (Garden Punks) back in 2006 because I felt like the only 20-something that was remotely interested in gardening. From there, this blog grew into more than just dirt and plants, namely our efforts to leave a lighter footprint on this earth, mixed with our commitment to cut our consumption and energy use, with a few recipes and failures mixed in."

With the internet we find out that she is not the only "20 something" that is interested in gardening.  I think there are plenty of 20 somethings out there that are dying to dig up the ornamental trees and plant fruit trees in their yard. Check out what Katie did at her home. I guarantee that other 20 somethings read that post, and are inspired to do it themselves.  Katie makes a point of shopping locally and with independent, locally owned business. This bodes well for smaller garden centers, that can inspire a whole new generation of gardeners. Yes, there are differences between how the younger generation looks at gardening and gardens, yet I feel we are making way too much about those differences.

George Ball of Burpee responds to blog!

Over at Zanthan Gardens they are having a discussion about Burpee's 2009 catalogue. What's interesting is the discussion got the attention of George Ball, President of Burpee. George writes his own blog, Heronswood Voice. George has jumped into the discussion by commenting at Zanthan Gardens, responding to other comments. This is the first example I can find an executive of a large horticultural corporation responding to garden blogs. I give George credit for reading garden blogs, and taking the time to respond. This is very important stuff. It will be watched by other executives to see where it leads. Some will say George is crazy to open himself up to this kind of interaction, yet for all the possible down sides I have to think that at least he is trying to get involved. He has made his point known, and now it's up to the blogosphere to sort it out.

This is exactly what we have been asking for. To be heard by these large corporations, and have them respond! Now, at least you know that the President of Burpee is listening, whether you agree with him or not.

By the way, I learned about this through Twitter! Don't let anyone tell you Twitter has no value.

Smith and Hawken's future decided on Feb.3rd?

Received a comment from Marc who say's he is an employee of Smith and Hawken. He say's, "on Feb 3 2009 there is a VERY important meeting regarding Mr Farrah’s analysis of Smith & Hawken." According to Marc, "if given the chance, I think he (CEO Pat Farrah) will be bringing back the glory of days gone by. If not, Scott’s will close Smith & Hawken and it will be completely gone by June 1 2009." We have talked about Smith and Hawken before.

If fellow business owners wonder why gift card sales we're down this Christmas, the comment from Xris (Flatbush Gardener) right after Marc's comment explains why.

Some reasons to be upbeat

I am excited about the opportunities that exist for small garden centers in the upcoming year. A couple of things have happened over the last few months that give me reason to be upbeat. First is the economic problems that exist. People are cutting back on their expenditures, only buying what they need. “Need” is a loaded term. What one person “needs” to get through the day, may be looked at as a luxury by someone else. With less money to spend on big vacations or extravagant expenditures one realizes what is really important. Since the house is most likely worth less than what you paid for it, you might as well not look at it as a asset. Instead look at it like it should have been looked at all along, as a home. A place to live and enjoy life, not to turn over after two years, and move on. With the realization that you most likely won't be moving anytime soon, we start looking for ways to improve are lifestyle right at home. A garden retreat may just be what does the trick.

Dovetailing with the macro-economic reasons, is a realization by many that where they spend their money matters. Do you want to continue having the option of visiting that great little nursery down the road, or do you really want to see nothing but Home Depots and Lowe's in town? The locavore movement is a part of this realization. We lost a great little restaurant on Main St., Placerville the other week. Poof, gone! I don't know the details of why they quit. We lost a great lunch spot.

The “green” movement is another factor in my feeling for a positive year in the nursery business. Without going into details, every garden center should be able to position themselves as authorities on “green”. We are “The Green Industry”. Smaller concerns will have a easier time with this than the larger corporations. The shear size of an operation like Home Depot precludes it from being “green”. No matter how hard they try to “green” their stores, you can't compete with the smaller footprint of a dynamic “green” nursery.

Finally, the desire to get and know who you do business with will benefit those that reach out to the community. How well can you really get to know a publicly traded company? The board of directors really want to be your friend! This is something that all generations, but especially generation Y, will embrace. Having grown up with Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter generation Y finds it very easy to gather information on anyone, and every business. Just being online won't help. You have to build “street creed” before you are accepted. Jump in with advertising or spam, and your toast. That's what is so frustrating for the big corporations. They have a harder time connecting, and instead use the interruption marketing that worked for them in the past. AT&T, Discover Card, and anyone else that interrupts my day by calling me on my business phone, to sell something is just wasting their time. Same goes for spam and junk mail.

Four different reasons that I feel optimistic about the future of small nurseries. The economy, the locavore movement (which is bigger than just where you get your food), the green movement, and finally, the need to connect, understand, and make a difference within the community.

Over 220 members, and growing.

In the past the only way to meet your fellow nursery people was through the local chapter of the association of nurserymen. We have the California Association of Nurserymen, or now called "California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers.There is our local chapter "Superior",  that puts on monthly meetings. Oh, and there is also the trade shows where you can meet vendors and other nurserypeople. These are great if you can get to them. I can't always get to the meetings. One, because of the distance involved. We are in the foothills, and the meetings are almost always an hour drive away. The trade shows are the same, although I think in my case it's just laziness that keeps me from attending. That's why I love the Internet. Yes, I know it's no excuse for actually "pressing the flesh" (sounds awful, but isn't). It's just the way it is, and besides when would I have ever met 5% of the people I "know" on the web.

The problem with the web now is there is to much information. Almost everything you might want to know is out there, it's just hard to wade through all the other stuff to find what you are looking for. If your interested in garden centers or nurseries there are now lot's of  nurserypeople blogging, and all sorts of forums and groups available. Access to the wealth of information available is possible, if you know where to look.

One place I would recommend visiting is Garden Centers, Nurseries, and New Media. This group is located at LinkedIn, the social utility. What I am amazed at is how quickly our group has grown. We now have over 220 members! Not just horticulturalist. That's what's exciting, seeing how various occupations can be integrated into the garden center world. Our latest member is involved in media. She is a "Video Producer with five years of multimedia production experience. Interested in providing cost-efficient, quality media to clients." Ah, ah! There is someone you might not meet at the trade show, yet could be invaluable to your business ideas concerning multi-media.

This "mashup" of talent is what get's me excited. Trade shows and trade meetings are just that, about the trade. What about outside of our trade? How can an nursery person in Belgium connect with a garden media personality in Los Angeles? What might come from such a meeting? Perhaps the next big idea! Maybe just a small idea that changes your world.

If your interested in joining check out this link. You'll have to join LinkedIn, but it's painless.

Early indicators?

We have had fantastic weather over the last few weeks. With temperatures in the mid 70s F you couldn't ask for a nicer mid-January. Of course every time I would comment on the beautiful weather the response would be," but we need the rain". Why can't people just enjoy the warm breeze and not stress about our lack of rain? This is northern California, and we are either in the middle of a drought, or flooding every January. Well, after the last few weeks of no rain it has started to rain again, and it looks like the chance of rain is on for the next week. Soon, very soon, people will start complaining about how wet it is. My fellow Californians are a bit spoiled when it comes to expectations about the weather. During those few weeks of glorious weather you would have to wonder where all the customers where? We had some very slow days, until we hit the new year and the arrival of bare root. Yes, it would seem people are planting fruit trees and bushes! I am re-ordering fruit trees as we speak, and look forward to more bare root sales.  The first to run out was"Granny Smith" Apples, followed by "Pink Lady" Apple, and the Pluot's. We are going to get more next week, and it's great to see the interest level high for these plants. Looks like Blueberries will score big again, and for the first time Figs are on the radar.

Not one to count my chickens before the eggs have hatched, I do think we will have a decent season coming up. Interest level is high for fruiting plants, and I assume for the warm season vegetables when they arrive.  We will have to see how the ornamental business is this year, but with all the doom and gloom around, it's nice to see one strong area at the garden center. I also can't discount the fact that we have  have been here now for over four years, and the community does seem to be embracing the garden center a bit more this year. In my opinion it takes years for a new business, especially a garden center, to be tested and embraced by the community. Maybe we have reached that level.

As we enter the new year I hope my fellow garden centers will be reporting the same thing from their regions. Increased interest in fruit and vegetable gardening, that translates to an appreciation of our backyards, and their relationship to the outside world.  We could all use some good news, and I hope these early season indicators translate into a better year for us all.

"Now if it would just stop raining..."

Just kidding, we need the rain...

Rural California faces expensive new law

I received a letter from the California Farm Bureau concerning an upcoming law. According to The Bureau, "The State Water Resources Control Board is calling them Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, which basically is just a fancy way of saying septic tanks.These septic tanks, which can be found on virtually every rural property in California, are the latest targets of proposed state regulations—and accompanying fees." Basically the state want's to make sure that septic systems be installed properly and function correctly. Fine so far. To make sure they do function properly the state say's, "property owners must have their septic tanks inspected for solids accumulations every five years by a qualified service provider. The estimated cost is $325. Owners whose existing septic systems are within 600 feet of a surface water body that does not meet water quality standards (impaired water body) will be subject to additional requirements."

I really don't have a problem having our septic system pumped every five years or when necessary. The inspection fee could be absorbed. What's concerning is the following. "Where existing septic systems have been identified by a regional water board to be contributing to the water quality impairment (pollution) of nearby surface water bodies, owners of those septic systems within 600 feet of the impaired surface water body will be required to have a qualified professional determine whether the septic system is contributing to the impairment. If so, retrofit of the septic system with supplemental treatment will be required at an estimated cost of $45,000."Yes, that's 45,000 dollars. What happens to someone who can't afford this? Most everyone here in the foothills have a septic system.

The Farm Bureau states, "In these times of limited resources, why would the state put these requirements on everyone rather than paying attention to specific areas where there are known concerns with contamination of ground or surface water. There's something wrong with priorities when the city of San Francisco is allowed to knowingly dump sewage into the bay following heavy rain events and the state instead goes after all of these individual property owners."  Yes, why are they going after individuals instead of cities like San Francisco, that dump sewage into the ocean in volumes much greater than any individual? Because the City has the resources and legal eagles to fight something like this. Grandma and Grandpa don't, and will have to cough up the money.

I am all for keeping our water way's clean. I am wondering if anyone else, in other locations has to deal with this type of over site? If you are a resident of California and live in a rural area you will be affected. If you within 600' of a small creek or stream, hold on to your wallet!

The future of garden reporting

Two post that touch on the same topic. The first from Amy at Garden Rant about the Seattle Post shuttering it's doors. Amy say's, "The Seattle Post-Intelligencer will be sold or shut down in 60 days. Those of you who don't get to Seattle much may not realize what a remarkable thing it is that the city has two lively daily newspapers--and that BOTH of them have great garden coverage." The second post is from Sarah at Open Register. She tells us what a marvelous opportunity this is for garden centers to pick up the slack by becomming the "new" garden reporters. Sarah say's, " When I travel for business, I always pick up a local paper. What irks me is when you open the Home/Garden section and find a plant-related story that was pulled from a national wire service. Too often the article is offering plant recommendations and tips that don’t jive with the local climate. (And then we wonder why newbie gardeners come into stores so confused. Sheesh.)"

I would add one more idea. Be sure to find out if you have local garden bloggers in your area, and touch base with them. Link to them. Comment at their posts. Ask them to write an article for you. We have a garden blogger in Sacramento that has put together a fabulous web page on the local garden scene. Angela at Garden Bliss also put's out "sacramentogardening.com" Check out the listings for garden centers in the area! We are there, too. See if you can spot us. Keep scrolling, we are the first one you come to with pictures added. What a marvelous resource!

I beleive that in the future we will see a colabrative effort from local nurseries, garden bloggers, bird watching groups, etc. working to enhance the local garden scene. As people start to realize how important the LOCAL ecomony is to our well being, different groups can work together to keep intrest high, and local businesses in business.

Big news in a small world

I wanted to comment again on the Bordier's Bankruptcy. I agree with Doug Green that most gardening enthusiast don't have an interest in whether Bordier's or any other wholesale nursery closes. I also agree that, "The trade press might find it of interest if it’s a singleton item - or of national importance (or even of major regional importance) but if it’s one of many happening right now - it isn’t news or even a story an advertiser wants to support. (Would you want your advertising next to stories of business failures?) I had an editor I respect very much tell me once that it was my first amendment right to write anything I wanted but an advertiser had the same right to decide not to advertise next to it. Guilt by association." Think about what Doug just said. When you accept advertising dollars it becomes harder to bring up stories that might offend the advertisers. This is of course why the main stream media is having fit's. Most blogs are written by people who like what they do, and don't have anyone to answer to. I was recently asked if I had said anything on my blog that I might regret later. Not yet! Who am I? Just some guy living in the foothills of California that happens to own a nursery. Our store is a tiny speck in the whole horticultural scheme of things. Have I offended Scott's/MiracleGro? Hines Nursery? Trade Media? Nursery Consultants? Other Nurseries?

The was a huge number of visitors that used "Bordier's bankruptcy" as the search term coming to my blog. The spike in readership that was spawned by these searches indicated to me that there we're lot's of people interested in this. Most are fellow nurserypeople wondering where they will get their plants next year. Others are wholesale nurseries wondering what's happening with the competition. Some are media outlets. In the insulated world of horticultural business this is big news.

The tie that exists between advertisers and media is one reason I feel the advent of blogs is a breath of fresh air. You have to wade through a lot of bad ones, but you will soon find the ones you trust. It's through these blogs that we can hash out the problems and solutions that need to be addressed. Time moves quickly these day's. Reading about the Bordier's or Hines Bankruptcies two months later when the print addition comes out is too late. You need the news today.It's March, and you just found out one of your major suppliers might not call on you. Now you can make educated decisions that will effect your business like, "where am I going to get my plants now?"

Where is the horticultural media on this?

Maybe there is just so much news out there to bother with this. Bordier's Nursery, a $27 million year operation with over 600 employees filed for bankruptcy. They listed over $50 million in debts. This is big news, yet when you Goggle Bordier's Bankruptcy the only news is from , Court House News, and other legal web crawler services, and this blog. Where are the horticultural news services?

While we hear the main stream media bemoan the advent of blogs, you have to wonder what we missed over the years. This is one reason why garden bloggers are becoming more and more important to the gardening world. They are the ones bringing up subjects that we need to address in our businesses.

The horticultural industries are in a rapid state of change. What we need now is to address areas that might have seemed taboo before. Sure it can be painful to address some issues, but that's what needed. Garden Bloggers often bring up issues that are painful, or don't fit with the image we have of ourselves. Yet these are the very people who often shop at our stores, and want to continue shopping with us.

Ilona's Garden Journal, a blog from Ohio, had a good post on this. She basically tells us what she want's from garden centers. If I owned a  nursery near where Ilona gardens, I would make contact with her. Let Ilona know that we appreciate her taking the time to express her views. Link our blog to her's, etc. This is the future as I see it. Sure we will look at the big name blogs for the big news, but it's the locally involved garden bloggers that will wield a lot of influence in each of our locales. This is the grass roots support we need.