Garden centers still top shopping venue
Garden centers and local retail stores will again be the top destinations for spring shoppers, according to 2008 Early Spring Gardening Trends Research Report released by Garden Writers Assoc. Foundation. Garden centers were consumers' first choice last year, and the trend continues this year, with 48% planning to shop at these locations. More than half of consumers (54%) said they'll spend money on lawn and grass products. Vegetable and fruit plants came in second with 39%, followed by annuals (38%), trees and shrubs (35%) and perennials (31%). Last year, veggies came in 4th on the list of spending priorities. GWAF said rising gas and food prices coupled with a fluctuating economy contributed to increased popularity of edibles.

Plant tags featured in art exhibition
Watercolor paintings by artists studying with Wellesley College's Friends of Horticulture will be on display next month alongside plant tags featuring the original designs. Eastern Shore Nursery in Keller, Va., will reproduce the art on tags for its Hollybrook Orchards brand of fruit trees, nuts and berries. The botanical artwork will be on display May 1 through June 13 at the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens visitor's center. The tags have already received good reviews from retailers. "The tags are beautifully done, very creative," said Jon Shafer, buyer for Holdridge Farm Nursery in Ledyard Center, Conn. "I really like the natural look and it depicts the fruit and plant well. Customers get a good idea of just what they're buying. It is definitely a marketing plus."

Wal-Mart will recycle tires into mulch
More than 2.5 million tires will be recycled by Wal-Mart in 2008 to manufacture garden mulch. Majestic brand rubber mulch mini nuggets hit store shelves earlier this month, joining the mass merchant's other eco-friendly offerings. Wal-Mart said the product is ideal for landscaping and covering play grounds, pool decks and pond areas. The rubber mulch, available in red or black, is non-toxic and latex-free.

Baby born in garden center parking lot
A baby born in the parking lot of a U.K. garden center received a fitting name, Amy Rose, The Northern Echo reported. The child was born last month in a car parked at Steam and Moorland Garden Centre in Pickering, North Yorkshire. Amy Rose was delivered by her father on his 35th birthday.

Gen X, Y research will be topic at IGC Show
A special preview of research investigating Generation X and Y consumers will be presented at the Independent Garden Center Show, Aug. 19-21 at Navy Pier in, Chicago. "Gen X and Gen Y: What IGCs Need to Know to Profit from the New Gardener" will address several key questions about this demographic. Topics include how the product and service mix should be altered to appeal to this group and the most effective media to reach these consumers. Research will be conducted by StandPoint Marketing Research in April.

Some states consider sales tax holiday
Lawmakers in some areas are debating if a sales tax holiday could maximize the impact of tax rebate checks scheduled to be mailed this spring, USA Today reported. Missouri, for example, is considering a 3-day tax holiday starting June 27. Items of any category costing up to $600 would be exempt from the 4.225% tax. A state senator told the paper the holiday is needed to spur immediate spending of rebates.

View from a blog
• Stranger danger! Help customers overcome their fear of new, unfamiliar plants. Open Register
• Go green by ditching inconvenient packaging. Project: Green Industry

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