The Weekly Dirt - 01-29-08

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	JANUARY 29, 2008 Urban Outfitters acquires Pa. garden center Urban Outfitters will launch its long-anticipated garden retail venture, Terrain, by acquiring J. Franklin Styer Nurseries, just east of Chadds Ford, Pa. The nursery already carries a full line of plants, garden goods and accessories. The site also has a garden cafe and provides landscape services. According to Urban Outfitters, the goal of Terrain is "to transform the local garden center into an experience that celebrates the beauty and abundance of nature while offering an eclectic mix of garden-inspired products tailored for the contemporary customer." Read more about Urban Outfitters' foray into garden retailing here and here. Ga. Assembly passes state's 1st water plan The Ga. Assembly passed the "state's first water plan," Atlanta Journal Constitution (free registration required) reported. The plan creates 11 water districts and calls for a 3-year study to assess current human demand on water supplies, assess future demand and to craft a plan that will supply those needs without harming the resource. The project will start with $11 million in seed money from existing funds, and will be allotted $36.5 million overall. Garden writer offers plant picks from MANTS New York Times garden writer Anne Raver visited the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show in Baltimore earlier this month. Check out which plants she's bringing to the attention of consumers in this article. Nat'l. Retail Federation urges economic action Nat'l. Retail Federation has asked Congress and President Bush to act quickly on an economic stimulus package. "Quick enactment of legislation to put dollars back in consumers' pockets would fuel consumer spending and create additional demand throughout all sectors of the nation's economy," NRF president and CEO Tracy Mullin wrote in a letter to legislators. "We believe such legislation could be the boost our economy needs to set it on an upward path once more." The letter did not endorse any specific legislation or proposal. Retailers sack plastic bags Whole Foods is the latest retailer to ditch plastic sacks, USA Today reported. The store will still offer free paper bags made from recycled paper. They will also sell reusable plastic bags for 99 cents and canvas bags for $6.99 to $35. IKEA charges for plastic bags and also sells reusable sacks. The backlash against plastic bags is expected to grow as more communities ban the sacks and create recycling ordinances designed to keep them out of landfills. Deadline nears for America in Bloom entries America in Bloom, a national community beautification campaign, will accept entries for this year's competition until Feb. 28. A registration form and additional details can be found online. Judges will visit competitors this summer to scrutinize floral displays, urban forestry initiatives, tidiness and other beautification efforts. MGA presents Green Thumb Awards 10 gardening products received the Mailorder Gardening Assoc.'s 2008 Green Thumb Award. Winners were chosen by an independent panel of garden writers and editors. This year's plant winners include petunia 'Opera Supreme Lilac Ice' from Park Seed and Changing Colors dahlia from Dutch Gardens. Winners in the tools, supplies and accessories categories include Nature's Avenger Organic Herbicide and Kombi Forever Shovel, both from Beaty Fertilizer Inc. Society names conifers of the year The American Conifer Society has named Picea pungens 'The Blues' and Picea abies 'Pusch' as its Collectors Conifers of the Year. 'The Blues' reaches 5-6 ft. tall over a 10-year period and features a horizontal mounding pattern. 'Pusch' is a dwarf selection that reaches 12-16 ft. tall in 10 years. It performs well in sun or partial shade and prefers slightly acidic soil. View from a blog • Garden centers should take a serious look at how they can help gardeners organize their garden stuff, Garden Center Asst. Editor Sarah Martinez says. Open Register • After much consideration, grower group editor Jyme Mariani has replaced "d'oh" with "greenwash" as her favorite word. Project: Green Industry Worth a visit The NMPRO New Plant Pavilion highlights some of the latest introductions to the ornamental market. Only on GreenBeam.com.

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Looking for new or alternative sources for what you use or sell? Search our online listings for full company contact information.	Open the register to see what is shaping your business. Carol, Sarah, Yale, Jennifer and Kevin add new material on a regular basis.	What? When? Where? Use our events calendar to plan out your travels for trade shows and conferences.

Info Now! Use our Directory of Suppliers to easily research supplies or contact suppliers directly.
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