Trends: Ideal ideas
A declaration of independence... There are, I have decided, several self-evident truths in this world. For example, I have waited two decades for People Magazine to telephone me to note that I have been named "The Sexiest Man Alive." I am just about convinced that I will not get that call — or that the People people have lost my number.

Another thing of which I am virtually certain: There aren't many real "geniuses," but the guy at Starbucks who figured out a way to sell a cup of coffee for five bucks-plus is one. Think about what he accomplished: First, he elevated coffee from a commodity to a chic luxury item. AND... he ensured himself a lifelong customer base, what with coffee's addictive powers. Yes, that guy was smart.

Speaking of smart, you no doubt fit the bill, given how you've tapped evolving technology and turned the Internet into a valuable resource. This newsletter and countless others are created to edify/entertain/inform, thus giving the independent garden center operator mass quantities of quality ammunition for whatever battle he/she endeavors to fight. One of the challenges facing any retailer is the quest for the new idea. In fact, of all the things you do, finding new and better ways to do them might be your best way to connect with customers who share a thirst for all manner of new and different items for the garden.

I recently ran across a Web site created specifically for said consumer. It's appropriately called www.gardenideas.com, and it offers dozens of "how to" articles by gardening experts on gardening topics that run the gamut.

About that gamut thing: I've often wondered if anyone ever just walks it. If you can find out, the committee of self-evident truths would be most appreciative.

Puzzling pictures
So, do I get a prize if I win?... One of the pictures below is a puzzle. Find the right one and then piece the product together again. Do that five times quickly while singing "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues," and you'll get that long-hoped-for transfer from the person in the cubicle next to you.

"Some inspirations from the pack trials"
Check the *BLOG*

Pick 'n Click
You mean, I can get access to products, just like that?... Are you searching for garden/gift items? The suppliers listed here can send you the information you seek — and in a flash. Click the company for e-reader service.

Achla Designs Allsop, Inc. Alpine Corporation Amturf Enterprises ATLAS Glove Consumer Products, a Div. of LFS, Inc. Bamboo Accents Bar Harbor Cedar Bartlett Bench & Wire, Inc. Benchmaster by Structural Plastics Bird Brain, Inc. Bowling Enterprises Brook & Hunter Carson Industries Chicagoland Grows Clean Air Gardening Collier Metal Specialties, Inc. Color Wheel Danove Corporation Deer Out Discount Pond Supplies, Inc. EasyPro Pond Products EbioExpress International Echo Valley Echo, Inc. Exhart Company Fabriscape Fafard Fiskars Brands Gardenware Gifts That Bloom Horticopia, Inc. Horticultural Marketing & Printing Hydrofarm

Imperial Ponds Inca Imports Jamaica Cottage Shop Landscape Ontario Listo Products Little's Good Gloves Magnet Works Maine Bucket Company Melrose International Michael Gordon LTD National Lawn & Garden Show New Creative Enterprises North American Bancard Novelty Manufacturing Co. Par A Sol Parker Davis Company, Inc. Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association Principle Plastics Radius Garden LLC Red Carpet Studios Riverside Enterprises Ruibal's Topiary Systems & Ironworks Savio Engineering, Inc. SeedBallz Simpos Software Southern Nursery Association (SNA 2007) Sunlight Supply, Inc. Tetra Pond Topiary Art Works & Greenhouses Two Dogs Designs White Cedar Gazebos Woodstream

 

"Some inspirations from the pack trials"
Check the *BLOG*

Oh, yeah, the riddle answer...
Edam.

 
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