Kent Holly's Five Questions-Garden Center Magazine

2021-11-12 11:00:16 By : Mr. Yuyun Zhang

Kent Holly of Haiku Shade explained the importance of installing the correct shading structure and accessories to frame the product and increase customer satisfaction.

KH: There are several good reasons for using shading structures. When the plant material gets some relief from strong sunlight, it will look better, and customers will spend more time in the center of your garden when they are more comfortable. Both of these advantages translate into reduced losses and increased sales.

KH: Shade structure provides shade. Obviously, this is the main reason for having them. But elements as large as the sunshade structure have a great influence on the characteristics of the retail space. Consider aesthetics. You need a structure that enhances the overall shopping experience. When you sell beautiful things, it makes sense to display them in the most inspiring environment.

KH: The ability to create large shadow areas without permanent layout is a huge advantage. With the movable shading structure, you can keep the display area dynamic and interesting for returning customers. You can also rearrange areas according to different seasonal uses. Using multiple independent structures may be the best way to create different sales units. However, they may need to be combined for special events. The corners of the parking lot can be used as retail space during peak months and then cleaned up during the rest of the year.

KH: Signage and graphic programs are becoming more and more important in outdoor retail environments. The shading structure is the perfect tool to extend these programs. Signs safely installed on the shading structure not only help to organize the garden center, but can really help promote your products.

KH: At Haiku Shade, we have developed hanging basket hardware, sign hardware, column benches, seasonal lighting solutions and integrated irrigation kits for our shading structure.

More information: www.haikushade.com

Matt Harris of Vegepod explained three reasons why consumers have failed in vegetable gardening, and shared that the gardening center can provide customers with suggestions to help them succeed.

MH: When growing vegetables at home, there are three main failures: soil quality, watering, and proper protection from weather and pests. The foundation is soil. Growing vegetables in the ground requires knowledge of soil conditioning. Properly conditioning the soil to grow vigorous vegetables may take up to 12 months. Using a raised bed means you can fill your garden with compost and soil purchased from the garden center and start growing immediately. Another problem that may arise when growing vegetables underground is that nearby trees and shrubs looking for nutrients can interfere with the growth of vegetables. Using containers will completely eliminate this problem. Using potting soil that is aerated and designed to drain quickly will promote faster growth.

MH: Growing vegetables in the ground and on raised beds without foundations, especially in drier climates, will require a lot of water. Another problem is excessive watering in colder climates or poorly drained soils, which can affect the growth rate because the roots of plants need air to thrive. Container gardens that include automatic watering reservoirs are by far the most effective watering method. The wicking system can help send water back to the roots of plants, even in warm climates, large reservoirs can store water for up to three weeks.

MH: Strong winds, heavy rain, hail, snow, frost and overheating will destroy crops. Then there are hungry animals, they now share our city-squirrels, rabbits, deer, gophers, groundhogs, moles, possums, pests, birds, cats, dogs-can you name it? . It is a miracle that anyone can grow anything! The use of a cover that contains breathable materials ensures that air and water can penetrate. In the cold morning, a clear plastic cover may be great, but if the temperature rises above 85 degrees Fahrenheit while you work, you may lose all your crops. They are also easily decomposed by ultraviolet light. A grid is a better choice, but you don't want too much light to be blocked because it will inhibit the growth rate. Ensure that the lid is durable and can withstand various factors.

MH: The safest materials are plastics that are considered safe for food and used in food containers, such as polypropylene and polyethylene. Recycled plastics are not considered safe because they may contain trace amounts of other materials. The UV-treated Virgin PP will provide you with the safest garden and the longest life span. Treated wood and sleepers may contain toxic substances, which are not toxic substances near the plants you want to eat. Metal will rust, wood will rot, and some plastics will leach out.

MH: Usually, soil quality is the first issue. It is important that when you plant in a container, buy a good-quality potting mix. It will cost more, but as you grow larger plants longer, you will get ten times the return.

More information: www.vegepod.com

Geranium Rozanne® has long been a favorite in the industry and introduced to consumers through a website where people can learn more about Rozanne and her "friends" in the perennial garden. The about page is the incarnation of Geranium Rozanne, giving her qualities such as "flexibility" and "adventure". Justin Wisniewski, general manager of Must Have Perennials, discussed how the company can cultivate brands that resonate with consumers.

JW: At the end of 2014, a social media campaign was launched to introduce Rozanne as a friend. Regardless of the level of experience, you can rely on their gardening advice and inspiration. This venue has a variety of communication methods, allowing the benefits of Rozanne to be presented in a conversational, very personal and engaging way. Now she introduces her friends through the consumer brand rozanneandfriends.com.

JW: Perennials have similar performance and beauty in the landscape, such as Achillea Little Moonshine, Coreopsis Creme Brulee, Euphorbia Bonfire and Helenium Mardi Gras. New varieties are added every year, and each variety has undergone extensive trials and garden performance evaluations. Visit musthaveperennials.com (trade brand) for detailed information on 75 varieties.

JW: Through targeted social media efforts to raise awareness of Rozanne, Rozanne has long been the main product of our industry and is the annual PPA factory. This is done by producing compelling content, while providing meaningful opportunities to learn more about this species and other perennials that are great for gardens. People greater than me once said: "Great plants will market themselves," but a great social media campaign can also help. Check out our blog on this topic on musthaveperennials.com: "How Geranium Rozanne increased website traffic by 500% in a year." There, you can sign up to receive new blog posts.

JW: A key component that drives traffic and engagement is content creation. The team of Geranium Rozanne and her friends strives to provide content that is creative, relevant, and consistent with the values ​​of the target audience. Take time to understand your consumer group and their needs or desires. Then provide information and opportunities for participation through your social media channels. Don't be afraid to have fun! Follow Geranium Rozanne on Facebook and Twitter to see how we continue to expand our fan base. Subscribe to blogs on our consumer (rozanneandfriends.com) and trade (musthaveperennials.com) website for inspiration.

JW: Go to musthaveperennials.com and register as a retail supplier of Rozanne and Friends varieties. These varieties will be included in the "Purchase Location" list of rozanneandfriends.com. Then check out our new regional garden design plan, which includes downloadable point-of-purchase materials. Including posters showing practical applications (three size options), work table cards, and care sheets. The garden is designed by our regional experts and is also located under the garden design tab of the consumer website.

For more information, please visit: www.musthaveperennials.com

Natalia Hamill, Brand and Business Development Manager at Bailey, described the main consumer trends of hydrangea and explained why Summer Crush is different from other hydrangea on the market.

NH: We introduced it as raspberry red or pink, but if it grows in acid soil, it may turn purple. In areas of the country where the soil is acidic, even if consumers may buy raspberry pink or red, it may eventually turn into a vibrant purple due to the pH of the natural soil. If they want to maintain the pink or red hue, they must do something to modify the soil.

NH: It is a compact plant, which is a big selling point for hydrangea. Among all the products in the Endless Summer series, it is the most compact plant. This will depend on the area of ​​the country where it is grown, but 2 to 3 feet in width and height are about the maximum size it will obtain. It is ideal for gardeners with small spaces, and because of this habit, it is a very suitable plant for containers. Even if those older flowers are still on the plant, it will continue to set new buds and new flowers, so it is a big lantern. BloomStruck is one of its parents, so like BloomStruck, it is very heat-resistant and resistant to wilting. It has dark green leaves and waxy cuticles. This is what prevents it from withering at noon. Many large leafy plants do this.

NH: Texting is still the easiest resource we have to make gardeners successful with plants. All they have to do is to register, and then they will receive prompt reminders of what needs to be done, whether it is [when] fertilize or [water], because you register according to your country/region. We don’t try to sell anything; it’s just to help them succeed. The text feed is very useful, and we know it is very effective because people who register will not opt-out. There is also a lot of information on our consumer website. We receive a lot of questions on Facebook and other social media platforms, so we use these questions to provide information on the website so that these resources are there. A very common question is, what should I grow with it? Therefore, we are committed to providing consumers with design concepts and plant combination concepts.

NH: One of our breeding goals at Bailey Innovations is to continuously improve the ability to regenerate, or the ability to form new flowers during new growth. When I say improvement, I mean faster, so it started to re-bloom and bloom more flowers earlier in the season. We are cultivating double-flowered hydrangea. We are cultivating special colors and patterns. No matter what category we pursue, we are still looking for the kind of cold tolerance, cold tolerance, speed of reblooming and compact habit.

NH: People use hydrangeas as seasonal objects in decorative flower pots on terraces or balconies. We have also received many questions about overwintering hydrangea in containers. I told them to move the container to the protected area when the weather started to get cold. (I have an unheated garage connected to the house.) Then, move the container back outside in the spring and you will have this large root system, the stems are protected, and you will get very good plants. People also like to cut flowers and bring them in.

More information: www.baileynurseries.com

According to Buzz Sierke of Gothic Arch Greenhouses, the correct greenhouse structure can differentiate IGC from its big competition.

BS: Over the years, the "garden center" has evolved from the typical small community sources of seasonal vegetables, annual transplants, and ornamental shrubs grown in greenhouses. Today's structure should be regarded as the "profit center" of the enterprise. The more attractive and larger the greenhouse, the longer the time customers spend shopping, resulting in a larger average purchase volume, thereby bringing more profits to the garden center owner.

BS: The owner of the garden center can do several important things to improve the efficiency of the greenhouse. The most important thing is to ensure that its design has an attractive appearance and appearance that complements the other buildings in the garden center. Fascinating entrances, impressive landscapes and signage, displayed internal layouts, expanded product portfolios and effective lighting are all key to the success of retail.

BS: As a leader for more than 70 years, Gothic Arch Greenhouses has a unique understanding of the various elements of this dynamic industry. Our portfolio includes a wide variety of projects, from entry-level backyard enthusiasts to vocational education systems, wholesale commercial products, plant and flower growers, and vibrant retailers. This kind of practical experience tells us that we need to listen to the opinions of customers well. Extensive discussions with all parties involved in the greenhouse project, from project initiation and planning to implementation and installation, are the keys to our success.

BS: Think outside the box, be creative and pay attention to the local and global trends of the retail garden center stores. Priority to participate in one or two major trade shows each year. Two outstanding organizations hosting major conferences are the AmericanHort Cultivate exhibition in Columbus, Ohio and the IGC exhibition in Chicago. These are great programs that provide opportunities to visit other successful garden centers, compare notes, share knowledge and discuss possibilities with other professionals.

BS: What sets us apart is the strength and experience gained from serving this amazing industry as a manufacturer and distributor for more than 70 years. We are aligned with many domestic and international alliance companies. This allows us to provide a wider selection of greenhouses, equipment and supplies at an affordable cost. Our greenhouse products cover a wide range of applications in all areas of the market: from entry-level household hobby departments to high-end glass greenhouses, economical drainage-connected polymembrane covering structures, huge free span fabric structures, institutions and research-level facilities, of course There are also customized "profit center" retail greenhouse fences. Another unique advantage that sets us apart is that we focus on design-build customization for projects that require more "hands-on" interaction. When needed, our experienced consultants will provide on-site inspections to ensure that every aspect of your project is suitable for your specific needs. Therefore, if you are thinking about future projects, please visit our website, view our products on www.GothicArchGreenhouses.com, and call toll-free 800-531-4769 to discuss with one of our friendly people, knowledgeable expert. We look forward to the pleasure of working with you, and sincerely appreciate the opportunity to serve you.

More information: www.gothicarchgreenhouses.com