January 2008

The independent garden centre is constantly changing as a model. Thermafor, in their latest newsletter, reveal their view of the future garden centre. I like their thinking process and I beleive this could be a great model for future discussion. One thing is for sure, the old model in garden centre design is rapidly changing.

I started my working year in Seattle, the home of the sitcom “Frasier”. Apart from presenting a workshop for garden retailers in Washington State, Oregon, Utah and British Columbia I also worked for the award winning Swansons Garden Centre (Nursery Retailer Garden Centre of the Year in the U.S.A. for 2007). Swansons is situated in

I was in the USA at the start of the primaries in New Hampshire and Iowa. At this stage in the presidential elections there are about ten candidates wanting the top job. Put C.N.N. on and listen to their speeches and every one of them was repeating one word “change”. At the same time Tom

Alot has been written about local foods in recent months. In the January edition of Time magazine, Joel Stein in his essay article took a controversial approach, it’s worth a read. Extreme Eating By Joel Stein I knew the farm-to-table movement was out of control when Chris Dodd mentioned it at a presidential campaign event

Definition: A person who eats food raised and harvested within a 100 mile radius. For more info visit http://www.locavores.com/

Thanks to Norman from Johnsons of Whixley for sending through this article from their company newsletter. Click on the image to read the article …..

“Job Slump Latest Omen of Recession” Pick up Saturday the 5th January Los Angeles Times and this would be the heading that would have greeted you. A news headline to welcome you to 2008, with an effect that could affect retailers around the world. We are being warned that 2008 could be a tougher year

The 2008 Independent garden centre trade Show and Conference in Chicago is already proving to be the event to be at this year. Keynote speakers include Diarmund Gavin the Irish Landscape designer talking on Landscaping on the Home front Diarmund is recognised as one of the most adventurous designers on the planet. On Thursday John