Monrovia’s Georgia Nursery Accepted into U.S. Nursery Certification Program

Monrovia has been accepted as the first nursery outside the West Coast into the U.S. Nursery Certification Program (USNCP), launched four years ago by the USDA to standardize pest management practices and allow nursery stock to be shipped outside the U.S. without export inspection. The Cairo, GA, nursery is Monrovia’s fourth facility to earn the designation; its Dayton, OR, nursery was among the first accepted when the program began pilot testing, and its Visalia and Venice Hills, CA, facilities were accepted in 2007. Monrovia has established a system of policies and processes that have been approved by the USDA. As part of the program, each of the four nurseries will be audited on a regular basis. The protocol is designed to ensure plants remain pest-free during production, eliminating the need for inspection by the USDA or State Agriculture officials of all plants leaving the nursery. Phytosanitary certifications will be issued on a state level, based on Monrovia’s continued compliance with USNCP.

IGC Show Registration Trending toward 10 Percent Increase in Buyer Attendance

Organizers of The Independent Garden Center Show report early registration among qualified buyers is up a full 8 percent over last year and continues to trend higher as the event’s August 18 opening date approaches. The show, now in its third year, draws IGC professionals from all 50 states and 11 countries. This year’s three-day run returns to Navy Pier, Chicago, August 18-20, 2009.

More than 900 vendor booths showcasing products and services available exclusively to independent garden centers will span 5 acres of exhibit space at Navy Pier. In response to overwhelming demand among vendors to secure a spot on the show floor, the IGC Temps section has been added; for this special area, show organizers hand-pick each vendor, pulling together a consolidated “what’s hot” section for buyers.

In education, this year’s IGC Conference features a lineup of more than 35 sessions focusing on profit strategies in six targeted tracks: EcoChic, Store Management, International Trends, Consumer Trends, Displaying Plants and Profiting with Plants.

Special events include a free IGC Show concert by the Grammy Award winning Charlie Daniels Band, a Chicagoland garden center tour, a Chicago green roof tour with a special welcome from the mayor’s office and networking opportunities in the afternoon and evening.

The Independent Garden Center Show is produced by the industry’s leading magazines, Garden Chic and Nursery Retailer. It is endorsed by Garden Centers of America (GCA), True Value’s Home and Garden Showplace, ECGC Distributors, Master Nursery Garden Centers, The Garden Center Group, the National Interiorscape Network and Gardenex.

For more information about The IGC Show, visit igcshow.com.

Anderson’s Home & Garden Showplace Begins Expansion

Anderson’s Home & Garden Showplace is expanding its Newport News, VA , location. The 55-year-old independent has torn down the greenhouse behind the main building and is building a new greenhouse with a retractable roof. Expansion plans also include constructing a climate-controlled pavilion for garden supplies, doubling the size of the nursery and adding outdoor seating in the garden cafe. The official groundbreaking is scheduled for June 30, and work is expected to finish in late October. The garden center and cafe will remain open during the construction.

Scotts Sees Continued Demand in Consumer Lawn & Garden

Scotts Miracle-Gro reports purchases were up 17 percent on a fiscal year-to-date basis through the end of May, with particular strength in gardening-related categories. Consumer purchases of growing media products improved 23 percent through May compared with the same period last year. Consumer purchases of lawn fertilizer increased 19 percent. Similar trends remain in place this month.

Scotts Opens Retail Store at Site of Original Shop

Scotts Miracle-Gro has opened a retail store in Marysville, OH, at the site of its original shop more than 100 years ago. In addition to selling Scotts branded products, the store highlights the company’s history by incorporating classic products, packaging and equipment throughout the layout. A museumlike display occupying the second floor is also under development.

Proven Winners Extends Deadline for Display Contest

The deadline for submissions to this year’s Proven Winners (PW) Destination Contest has been extended to July 30. Judges will evaluate displays using PW products and POP on the basis of their ability to attract customers, make it easy for customers to shop and demonstrate ideas of what PW plants and products work together. Four garden centers selected as winners will be presented with a $1,000 prize.

Philadelphia Garden Centers ‘Thriving,’ According to Report

Despite the recession, most area garden centers are thriving, The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper reports. Customers are doing it themselves this season, favoring edibles and perennials with lasting value. Customer counts are up at many of the city’s area garden centers, even as average purchases are down slightly. Mark Delaney, who studies home-improvement trends for the NPD Group, a market research company in Port Washington, NY, told the newspaper a recent survey showed 41 percent of consumers said they expected to cancel or change summer vacation plans. “From where I sit ... that says to me, OK, I’m going to be spending more time around my house and probably spending more on the outside of my house.” He continued, “So when I pull up the driveway at the end of the day, or I go outside with a cool drink on a Saturday night, or invite my friends over and fire up the grill instead of going out to dinner, I want the place to be reasonably attractive.” Watch for an in-depth look at how garden centers across the country registered this spring in Nursery Retailer’s IGC Show Issue, arriving to mailboxes soon and distributed at The Independent Garden Center Show, August 18-20, Navy Pier, Chicago.

LGMDA Board Dissolves Organization

The Lawn & Garden Marketing and Distribution Association (LGMDA) is ceasing operations after nearly 40 years of representing L&G manufacturers and distributors. In a news release, LGMDA stated: “Changes in the channel have left the organization with insufficient support and funding to carry out its mission. Consequently, the board of directors has voted to dissolve the organization effective June 30, 2009.” A portion of LGMDA’s remaining funds are being disbursed back to current members. Pursuant to the association’s bylaws, funds remaining after all bills are paid must be disbursed to another non-profit organization. The board has selected the Barbara Hauf Cancer Foundation as the recipient of the remaining funds. The Barbara Hauf Cancer Foundation was recently established to support families in the lawn and garden industry who are dealing with cancer and its financial burdens.

Industry Mourns Thomas Hoerr, Founder of Green View Companies

Thomas Hoerr, Chairman and CEO of Green View Companies, died on Sunday. He was 70. In addition to founding one of the most successful independent garden centers, Hoerr served as past president of the board of directors for a number of organizations, including ECGC Distributors, the Illinois Nurserymen’s Association and the Mid-Am Trade Show. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 28, at the Apostolic Christian Church, 3420 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria, IL. Memorials may be made to the Thomas D. Hoerr Memorial Garden or the Apostolic Christian Skylines Nursing Home Endowment Fund. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.mem.com.

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