For nursery and greenhouse growers, the crops they cultivate are often dictated by consumer demands and directly related to design trends proliferating throughout other business sectors. But crop cultivation might soon be dictated by an environmental need for more drought-tolerant plants. According to Michigan State University, “Drought-tolerant plants have built-in features to minimize water loss and…
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For years, outdoor growers have tried using gardening mesh to deter insects from destroying valuable crops. While gardening mesh can be successful in some applications in keeping smaller insects at bay, the mesh limits the penetration of other crucial elements necessary for growth. Senior researcher Mike Roe, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Entomology at…
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In our previous post, Labor Shortages Are No Longer a Cut and Dry Problem, we discussed how labor shortages in horticulture aren’t simply a matter of people not wanting to work but wanting to work differently. Colleges and universities are listening by offering horticulture degrees more aligned with today’s increasing interest in sustainability. Washington Post reporter Heather…
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The word “sustainable” is a common buzzword currently attached to everything from clothing, energy, coffee, and even gardening. But beyond all the marketing jargon, growers, garden centers, and retailers want to know just how receptive today’s consumers are towards purchasing sustainable growing containers. Here are a few reputable statistics to provide clarification on the subject.…
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Over the past 50 plus years that Earth Day has been commemorated, the initiative has helped mobilize billions of people worldwide to demonstrate support for the environmental protection of the planet we all call home. This year’s theme is Invest In Our Planet. From EarthDay.org: “We need to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). It’s going…
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Urban cities throughout the United States have long admired outdoor hanging baskets for their ability to add the bounties and beauties of nature in smaller dwelling spaces where planting in the ground is not an option. Traditionally, outdoor hanging baskets provide the perfect growing environment for overhanging or creeping flowers such as Impatiens and Million…
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This year, the first day of spring is on Sunday, March 20, 2022. It signals the arrival of a new growing season when plants and trees awaken from dormancy with a subtle burst of bright green color, which ignites and inspires one’s soul. But just because the first day of spring arrives on our calendars…
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While many of us have probably heard of the concept of urban agriculture, few fully understand what it means. According to the USDA, “Urban agriculture allows for the development of a variety of environmental, economic, and social benefits to the surrounding communities.” It helps preserve green spaces in cities where buildings have taken over neighborhoods, a…
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In prior years, the greatest threat to a garden center’s seasonal business was often the weather, which could devastate plant inventories in a single night. But today’s challenges go beyond Mother Nature and include increased competition from big-box stores, challenges influencing and reaching the younger digital generation, and most recently, struggles to acquire and maintain…
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Regardless of what you’re growing, water and proper drainage are essential components in helping plants thrive throughout their life cycle. Whether in the ground or a plant container, water is required for initial seed germination, as a carrier of nutrients after a plant has sprouted, and to encourage growth as cells only increase in volume…
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