The Search for an Oasis
by Danny Summers
Everyone needs some form of an Oasis. It's a place to escape the day-to-day activities, routines, and stresses. For some, it may be exercise or sports. For others, it could be curling up with a good book. There are a number of ways to find or create an Oasis.
Years ago, an industry effort called The Garden Council had a number of program themes they promoted for everyone to use. They produced text and graphics, as well as some POP. This was well before any social media or internet options.
One of the program themes The Garden Council created was Plant a Little Paradise. The idea of creating a backyard Oasis was at the heart of this theme. Another theme they crafted, and the one I'm sure you recognize, and one that has seen the most use since then, is Fall is for Planting. A few others I remember were Have a Real Christmas and Windowsill Gardening.
The Plant a Little Paradise theme supports the idea of creating an Oasis - this one with plants and the activity of Gardening.
While we are seeing a gradual shift in our audience (your Garden Center Customers) from the historical base of Baby Boomers to younger groups, there is evidence we all have seen a few years back that has set the stage for The Search for an Oasis or Plant a Little Paradise idea.
Remember when we began seeing younger audiences creating an Oasis with Tropical Plants? This was pre-2020. This is the same audience that has since begun to buy their own homes, start their families, and widen their interests in almost everything you offer in a modern Garden Center today.
Even though their lives may be more complicated with more responsibilities today, what started as their desire to create an Oasis with Tropical Plants is still there. So, I believe this concept is an important opportunity for you in your messaging to reach them, connect with them, draw them in, and develop an experience for them.
In this message, we are suggesting ways of inspiring our audience to enjoy the beauty and satisfaction of gardening by reviving some of the themes promoted by the Garden Council in the 1990’s. Thanks to Overdevest Nurseries, one of our Partners for Success and an early supporter of the Garden Council, the theme of Plant a Little Paradise® was preserved for industry promotional purposes via a trademark registration after the Garden Council wound-down their activities. They are glad to share the use of this slogan with Group members through a relatively brief licensing agreement – which is necessary to preserve the legitimacy of the trademark. If interested just reach out individually to [email protected] for the appropriate authorization.
However you craft your themes or messages... Plant a Little Paradise, Create Your own Oasis, Get Lost in Your Garden (or Backyard), or even Plant a Little Happiness (like Meadows Farms uses), you can offer an idea and help them create the Oasis they need and want.
As I write this message, I am suddenly hearing Nicholas Staddon's words to us in the most recent GROUPtalk LIVE... What's Your Therapy? Have you watched this session? If not, you can see it HERE. Here are a few more ideas...
- Plant Therapy
- Garden Therapy
- Hands in the Dirt Therapy
- Nature Bathing Therapy (or Forest Bathing... yes, that's a real thing)
- And countless more
The opportunities for you to reach, connect, and create meaningful experiences and relationships with your audience are endless.
And creating meaningful experiences is the perfect lead into reminding you of Dan Gingiss, The Experience Maker, who will be presenting at The Fall Event 2025.
Maybe... you are not just a Garden Center selling Plants and related products.
Maybe... you are a Purveyor of Nature, Oasis, or Paradise.
One thing is for sure...
You are so much more than just a Garden Retailer... if you believe it!
Sharing is at the heart of The Group and your ideas are very important. If you have any trouble logging into The Group WebSystem, please let me know. Are you and your staff all subscribed to our eLists such as GroupEs, Retail-Grower, Retail-Landscape, Owners-Only, and a number of others? Need help subscribing? Let me know so I can show you how you can sign up.
Danny Summers
[email protected]
Tel: 678-909-7770
Cell: 678-761-7145
REMEMBER: Your interaction (by phone and email) with Group Service Providers such as Tim Quebedeaux, Sid Raisch, John Kennedy, Jean Seawright, and of course Danny Summers are included in your retainer!