2013 Gardening Trends Unveiled at Ohio Florists Association

Right now I am posting from the 2012 Ohio Florists Association (OFA) Short Course, the largest horticulture event in North America.  OFA speakers at this year include Sam Kass, White House Assistant Chef and the Food Initiative Coordinator and Joe Lamp’l (a.k.a. joe gardener®), who will speak about healthy eating and ways to find and influence the ever elusive consumer in today’s market, respectively.

Also speaking are Green Profit Magazine’s editor-at-large, Ellen Wells, and me! We will address trends in gardening for 2013 and beyond. Gardening for a healthy life, finding your bliss, and ‘plants with a purpose’ are some of this year’s prevailing trends. 

We research global consumer trends to see what’s happening from home design to fashion and we talk with our trusted media sources and garden experts worldwide. Trends drive consumers and consumers drive sales. When you’re ahead of the curve, your company becomes a trendsetter.

The 2012 OFA Short Course offers education, products, and events for all areas of the industry: growers, garden centers, florists, interior plantscapers, nurseries, landscapers, and the next generation of horticulture professionals.

Michael V. Geary, CAE, chief executive officer of OFA said, “The horticulture industry can play an important role in helping to solve some of society’s greatest problems. Plants are more than just pretty. Research has shown that plants, flowers and trees, are important to our health in a variety of ways.”

Gardening trends aren’t just about what colors and shapes we are seeing in the garden, but how gardening affects our overall happiness. And consumers are beginning to unplug and tune in to nature.

The OFA Short Course is held July 14 - 17, 2012 at The Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH. McCoy and Wells speak July 17th at 3pm.

For more information or to register for OFA visit http://ofashortcourse.org
-Suzi @SuziMcCoyGMG

Where ISN’T Mark Highland?

This just in on Green Profit's GP Buzz from Ellen Wells, who says she channeled Chris Beytes to write this clever headline and news report:

Where ISN’T Mark Highland?
He’s popping up everywhere these days. If being recognized by a non-industry publication is a sign of success, than the founder of the soil company Organic Mechanics has achieved it. In the pages of the December issue of Entrepreneur Magazine, no less! By all accounts, the magazine has had Mark on their radar for some time, and they’ve wanted to highlight the company’s meteoric rise since it was founded in 2006. Entrepreneur, uh? Some exposure!

It also helps that Mark’s line of organic potting soils is now in more than 50 Atlantic and Northeast region Whole Foods locations, that Mecca for the organic shopper. And, he’s now peddling his organic potting soils to eco-friendly gardeners in the Midwest with a new partnership with Midwest Trading Company. Retailers in Chicagoland and the surrounding states now can add Organic Mechanics soils to their organic soil offerings.

As Mark expands the business, he’s expanding the product line. A 100% organic seed starting blend comes online in January, just in time for gardeners to get their spring seeds going. What a busy guy! Where’ll he pop up next, I wonder?

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Right On!
Suzi

Garden Media Group

Stacy's Paper Trees

I'm lifting this right from Ellen Well's Green Profit Weekly Buzz. thought it was too cute not to post. Here it is . . .


Speaking of the holidays and crafting, our Euro trendspotter Stacy Sirk is spot on this week. This time around, she’s not just spotting the trends—she’s creating them herself!


Try your hand at “potted” paper trees for the holidays or any day, depending on what paper is used. “So easy to create,” says Stacy, “any size, any color. Use recycled paper, or do it in brown craft, white paper, green, or a complete mix. Can be made full size or smaller. Brilliant!”

Here’s the how-to:
• Secure a stick/dowel/broom handle in an appropriate pot (or decorative gift bag) with cement or plaster of Paris. For small trees up to 3 ft. fill the pot with aggregate to secure the stake for easier disassembly

• Fold the edges in on a length of paper, then fold in half, giving it a puffy look of a bough

• Tie or wire the paper along the “trunk” starting from the bottom
• When you get to the top, form a pointy or lilting tree top and attach, bending to shape.

Stacy, who’s creating a 6-ft. paper tree, suggests using old stocks of branded paper, craft paper or holiday wrapping—even cellophane or bubble wrap!

Garden centers can make them for display or for sale. You can make them just for fun! Send us pictures if you do.

Suzi, Garden Media Group