The Search for Amazing!

by Danny Summers

Last week, I shared a blog post through our main eList GroupEs featuring Ball Publishing's video coverage of the California Spring Trials 2026 (aka: CAST) as they visited each site and the participating genetics firms.

Each morning after their previous day's tour, they shared what they found in video, how each new introduction was unique and why each new plant impressed them. A special THANK YOU to Chris Beytes, Jen Zurko, and Bill Calkins for guiding us through all the Amazing Plants and Osvaldo Cuevas for his professional videography!

California Trials 2026

Coverage by Ball Publishing's GrowerTalks

Most Garden Centers do not attend the California Trails in-person, but you can see what's coming in new plants through the GrowerTalks coverage. Chris Beytes, Jen Zurko, and Bill Calkins provide your best seat to not only read but to see their video coverage.

This is a preview of what we will see at upcoming trade shows and the exceptional new plants that may be selected by you for the Retailers' Choice Awards or Cool Product Awards!

Who Is the Real Customer of Your Garden Center’s Online Store?

by Souny Kennedy

A recent order inside the E-Commerce Connect network made us stop and think. The order totaled $1,900—all placed in a single transaction with larger quantities of plants. When we first saw it, our initial thought was simple: maybe it’s a homeowner tackling a major landscape project. That certainly happens. Many passionate gardeners will invest heavily when redesigning a yard or installing new beds.

But it also raised a bigger question - Who is the real customer of your garden center’s online store?

Round-Up... for a Cause!

by Danny Summers

Your Garden Center may have local or favorite "causes" that you promote, fundraise for, and get involved in throughout the year. Do you know we actually have one for our industry, including Garden Retailing? It's Seed Your Future.

Most Centers have had challenges filling staff positions over the last few years. Yet, we have a growing audience of consumers who love nature.

Plugged In: The Value of Being Connected

by Danny Summers

Some weeks, things simply come together for this message. It becomes obvious what I should share by what is in my notes for the week.

Events that have happened that we can share results, new programs that are or will be available soon, and even things that have developed from what we have done in the past, all bring important details to share with you here in GROUPtalk and in our blog.

The Right Place at the Right Time

by Danny Summers

You know this is true. I bet you could give me an example of this in your own life or work.
Being in the right place at the right time, and with the right people, can open many opportunities.

This is true for our personal lives, our career and of course, even business. The business element has the potential to make the biggest impact. It can drive your career to a new level and add so much to your life.

What Did You Miss?

by Danny Summers

Three weeks ago, in the February 02 GROUPtalk, the title of my message was: "February - Loaded with Opportunities." It highlighted the many things scheduled that you could be a part of this month, including the three GROUPtalk LIVE sessions.

It's unusual for us to have three scheduled in one month, but we wanted to cover these topics before you get too busy with spring. If you missed any one or more, here's a recap plus more details.

Will You Be Ready?

by Danny Summers

These are the weeks of preparation. For the Garden Center, it's like the late summer practice for the football team just before the first season game. Or, the late weeks of track work for the thoroughbred before the big race.

Years ago, a great friend, Louie Hillenmeyer, took us to Keeneland early one fall morning. Keeneland is Lexington, Kentucky's famous horse racing track, with stables and a training center. In comparison to Louisville's Churchill Downs, you might say Keeneland is the aristocrat. In a quick search I found this amazing description of the two...

The Easy Button!

by John Kennedy

This past week, Souny and I were invited to facilitate the strategic plan for the Northwest Nursery Buyers Association in Vancouver, Washington. Although we have been working on setting the table since September, the heavy lifting of assigning timelines, tasks and talent were the focus of the three-day event, and there were a few familiar faces of The Garden Center Group members in attendance, which made our time there even more amazing.

The event took place at the Heathman Lodge, a rustic, log-cabin like property with a PNW charm and weather that matched (cold and raining upon arrival).

Tell-Tale Tell-Tail Signs

by Danny Summers

A week or so ago, as I was walking into our favorite Pet Supply Store (Petco), I saw an English Pointer walking his owner towards the door. For anyone who is not familiar with the English Pointer, they are a short-haired spotted bird dog.

I was especially attracted to this one since it was a liver and white (dark brown and white), much like one our family had when I was about five years old.

February is Loaded with Opportunities!

by Danny Summers

February is a unique and busy month of the year... it's the shortest month of the year, the coldest month of the year, and the month of the Groundhog Day, Presidents' Day, Valentines Day, the Super Bowl, the Oscars, and the Grammies. But most importantly for you, February is Loaded with Opportunity for you within The Group!

You may have already seen Rachel Reynolds is presenting But is it Shoppable? Creating Displays that Customers Actually Buy From, a new session on Visual Merchandising during our regular GROUPtalk LIVE on Tuesday, February 10th at 2:00 PM Eastern (our new day and time for 2026). Full details on her message is below.

Keep it REAL!

by Danny Summers

Last week many of us were at TPIE in Ft. Lauderdale. It was the largest TPIE ever with their newly expanded show floor and more booths - featuring many more amazing plants!

The General Session Keynote featured on Wednesday morning was Jill Hawkins, born in the UK and now living in Denmark. She says, "I'm a trends and human insight researcher and fashion psychologist, exploring the relationships between fashion, lifestyle, well-being and creativity."

Reading the Tea Leaves

by Danny Summers

The ability to read your audience (and market) is probably one of the most important roles in managing any business today. I sometimes call this "reading the tea leaves."

I wonder if anyone truly has all the secrets for doing so. But establishing a culture or practice for you and your team to monitor trends and understand your audience on an ongoing basis is essential. With this in mind, I want to challenge you to develop a regular schedule for discussing this topic as a team. Maybe call it "Trend Watch" or perhaps even... Reading the Tea Leaves. (just kidding)

Our Promise - Part 2

by Danny Summers

In Part 1 of Our Promise, I shared examples of several Group Centers' 5 Star Commitments. They help set the standards for how each Center expects the Guest should experience should be.

I ended Part 1 with, there's more to this story...

Our Promise - Part 1

by Danny Summers

One of the most important connections a customer can have with you and your Garden Center is a sense of trust and dependability. And the most successful brands are those with well-established and well-known consistency in their products and services.

Dan Gingiss, our keynote speaker at The Fall Event 2025, told us...

Forest Bathing – A New Event in Your Center?

by Danny Summers

The term "Forest Bathing" might sound a little weird at first glance. Just the basic perception might conjure up an image of filling your bathtub with every green leaf you can find and soaking in it. But put any "that's weird" thoughts out of the way and let's explore further

Here in The Group, the first time Forest Bathing has been shared was this past May in the GROUPtalk LIVE session when Nicholas Staddon presented "What's Your Therapy." Nicholas covered a number of the benefits and activities of plants and nature in our lives. One of those he mentioned was Forest Bathing.

Lots of Stuff! (Group News)

by Danny Summers

As I was trying to decide what to share this week, I quickly realized... I have a lot to share... so why not just title this... Lots of Stuff?

So, here goes... a quick overview of lots of stuff I want you to know:

To Be a Gardener

by Danny Summers

Last week, I received an email from Dr. Allan Armitage, sharing news of his newest book, "The Common-Sense Gardener." Through the process of ordering a copy, I read some of the preface. I have to admit, as I read the words, I realized that Allan is absolutely right. Here's a sample...

Trial Box Program for 2026

by Danny Summers

On April 7th of this year, I shared news of the new Trial Box Program by Peace Tree Farm. You can see that announcement HERE. Here's a quick recap of how this began...

Last September I first shared "A Surprise Inside" as I explained being part of the Ball FloraPlant New Introductions Sample Box Program the past several spring seasons. You can see that Blog message HERE.

Leveraging Group Knowledge & Experience

by Danny Summers

The Fall Event 2025 set new records for The Group. Obviously, the easiest one to recognize is overall participation. It was the largest attendance since The Fall Event began in 2001.

But if you were with us, there are several other areas that are easily recognized as gaining momentum... Peer-Sharing and Use of Technologies.