Open Register

New standards rate “greenness” of the garden

A recent article in The New York Times talks about the Sustainable Sites Initiative and its quest to formulate sustainability standards for landscapes. A 179-page report produced by the group includes a point system for rating a landscape, much like the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, which rates the sustainability of buildings.

-- Sarah

Don’t put away those trowels just yet!

Staying on top of home and garden trends is part of my job. In any given week, I scan dozens of gardening e-newsletters, magazines and newspaper articles from across the country.

And each year about this time I’m treated to the same tiresome round of gardening advice. “Time to put the garden to bed!” one article proclaims. “Clean up your garden tools before storing them for winter,” another chides. “Prepare your garden now for the winter onslaught,” advises another.

None of this advice applies to me. I’m lucky. Here in North Texas, fall is a second spring. The weather is fantastic right now. My daylilies, which lay curling and dormant during the wretched summer heat, are promising to bloom before cold weather comes in December. I’ve got a fall vegetable crop in: cucumbers, tomatoes, mini-pumpkins and hot peppers. New flowers are appearing every day on my rose bushes, and my cannas are putting out their fall display.

In short, it’s the perfect time to garden. The garden gurus in my part of the country are kept quite busy doling out information.

I realize that not everyone lives in a temperate climate. But that’s no reason to close up shop. I want to read articles about bulbs to plant for the new year, houseplants to experiment with indoors, living holiday-decor, seeds you can start in preparation for spring…

In short, anything that’ll get consumers into the garden center. (I’ve got a vested interest in generating traffic. I admit it.)

Here’s my challenge to you fine retailers out there: If your local gardening personality isn’t drumming up excitement, do it yourself. Let customers know that cultivating plants can be a year-round endeavor. Give consumers a reason to visit the store today.

-- Sarah

Versailles gardener takes hands-off approach

The garden caretaker at the Palace of Versailles in France is spurring a horticultural revolution in his country, the Washington Post reported. Alain Baraton advocates bio-gardening. He has stopped spraying insecticides on the area’s famed chestnut trees, introduced more native plant species and quit planting rows of identical trees. Baraton’s radio program and books encourage home gardeners to follow the example he’s set on the lavish grounds of Versailles.

-- Sarah

Retailer shares a garden moment

Jeff Griff, owner of Lowe’s Greenhouses, Florist & Gift Shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, shares some thoughts on a recent morning spent wandering through his own garden. His essay is also slated to appear in a local newspaper.

God is calling… are you in?

This morning I heard a tree fall in the woods… because I was listening.

It was going to be a busy day, so I didn’t have much time. I poured a cup of coffee and headed out into the early morning sunshine to walk the yard. The bluebirds were taking turns delivering nest materials to their box. Grasses from the edge of the woods seem to be their order of the day.

I was worried that my peaches may not be pollinated for the lack of bees, but was pleasantly surprised to find a bumble busy at the task. The wild dogwood at the edge of the woods has more flowers this year than last. It is happy in its home.

Consumers consider environmental impact of garden products

A majority of American households are concerned about the environmental impact of gardening products, according to the 2008 Late Spring Gardening Trends Research Report released by Garden Writers Assoc. Foundation.

The survey found that 68% of households were either very concerned (34%) or somewhat concerned (34%) about the environmental impact of gardening products they buy. Respondents also said they’re recycling more: 48% always recycle plastic nursery pots/trays, 48% always mulch or compost grass clippings and 41% always mulch or compost waste.

Additional findings:

• Weed and insect control continue to be the top two activities Americans are planning for their lawns this year (48% and 32%, respectively).
• One out of three (33%) said their primary reason for gardening is better mental health, nutrition or fitness.
• The number of gardeners planning to add more perennials to their properties this year continues to grow, increasing from 31% in 2005 to 41% this year.
• Blogs have a strong following among gardeners, with 23% reporting they read blogs of all types. Among those who read blogs, 27% said they read garden-related blogs either frequently (5%) or occasionally (22%).
• Fertilizing is the number one activity for this spring and summer, cited by 31% of respondents. Working in manure and compost comes in a close second with 28%, followed by the addition of store-bought soil mix (25%) and peat moss (14%).

-- Sarah

Warming trend shifts hardiness zones

Dueling maps have gardeners questioning plant hardiness zones, USA Today reported. A growing number of experts said that because of the warming climate, the 1990 USDA map doesn't reflect a gradual shift northward of growing zones for many plants. A map published in 2006 by the Arbor Day Foundation shows marked movement of zones.

-- Sarah

Bloomin’ fun

In this day and age of technological everything, I am what’s known as a point-and-dig as opposed to point-and-click.

Spring is here in Texas and my mom has decreed it to be planting time. However, since she’s getting to be up there (you don’t have to tell her I said that!) and likes to see me sweat, I get to do the digging and planting. On the other hand, since I have killed just about every plant I’ve ever put in ground or pot, she claims dominance on the caretaking.

I will admit to a seasonal bit of envy, though. Whenever we do our garden center buying, I’m always tempted to buy and plant something myself. Having learned the hard way that it only brings heartache for me and death to the plants, I refrain.

I want to grow huge blooms of something (besides weeds!) like marigolds or morning glories or something big and bright and beautiful. Or herbs that I can use to cook with. Or cacti – seriously, how much water and care do they need?

Unfortunately, all my flower colors appear to be black.

Good thing I can dig, I suppose.

-- Jennifer

Garden writer offers plant picks from MANTS

New York Times garden writer Anne Raver visited the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show in Baltimore earlier this month. Check out which plants she’s bringing to the attention of consumers in this article.

-- Sarah

Stoke the spring fires

It gets cold even in Texas. And during chilly weekends there’s nothing better than curling up with a good gardening catalog. Right now, I’ve got the latest catalogs from Plant Delights Nursery, Park Seed and Jackson & Perkins stacked on my desk at home. Maybe I’ll get around to them on Saturday…

And, like so many other gardeners, I’m dealing with a deluge of promotional e-mails from the mail order companies. They’re kind of annoying, but I still end up opening them. (Hey, I’m working. I’m doing trends research. Yeah. That’s it.)

I’m a sucker for full-color photos and dreamy plant descriptions. I make wish lists and complete order forms that I may or may not actually send in.

In the midst of these mail-order missives, I stumbled across a postcard from one of my favorite local garden centers.

Was it offering a sneak preview of the best new plants for spring? An overview of hot perennials for 2008? Nope. It was a friendly reminder that they offer free soil testing.

Don’t get me wrong, this is a valuable and useful service. (Which confirmed last year that my soil has enough clay to start a pottery factory.) But there’s nothing fun or exciting about soil testing. It’s certainly not a message that got me in the mood to buy. In fact, it dampened my enthusiasm. It got me thinking about all the soil amendments I need to bring my front flower beds up to par. Sigh.

I know retail reality hits hard this time of year. Most businesses are just trying to keep the lights on and key staff employed until spring rolls around. But here’s my point: If you’re going to invest money in early season marketing, make sure you do something inspirational.

Take a cue from the mail-order catalogs and create something that whets the appetite. Sure, you can mention the houseplants, soil testing and stuff that will bring in a trickle of customers now. Just do yourselves a favor and give people a reason to rush in right after the last frost date. You’ll be glad you did.

-- Sarah

Fiskars to award gardening grants

Fiskars Garden & Outdoor Living has launched Project Orange Thumb, a grant program designed to encourage community gardening.

Ten grants will be awarded to community organizations, schools, gardening clubs and other groups. Recipients will receive up to $1,500 in garden tools and $800 for plants.

Application deadline is Feb. 15. Winners will be announced March 15. Complete details are available here.

-- Sarah