GCA, Better Homes and Gardens partner
Better Homes and Gardens signed on as a sponsor of Garden Centers of America's Fashion in Bloom, Sept. 20-22. Editors from BHG's Special Interest Media will be present at the event's 2 locations: Conard-Pyle, West Grove, Pa., and Homestead Growers, Davidsonville, Md. FIB will be promoted on BHG.com through editor blogs, which will be updated live from the event. As part of the sponsorship, GCA's HotNewPlants.com Web site will become a plant locator on BHG.com. Plants featured at this year's FIB will be posted on the site in late September.

Congress approves minimum-wage hike
The first increase in the minimum wage in nearly a decade was approved with little fanfare. Minimum wage will grow from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour over the next 2 years. President Bush plans to sign the bill.

Analysts debate Wal-Mart's upscale strategy
Some analysts and retail watchers think Wal-Mart's strategy to attract upscale customers is falling flat.
• Spurned customers. Forbes.com
• Too cheap? The New York Times
• Back to basics. The Morning News

Urban Outfitters launches garden division
Urban Outfitters, the company behind the hip store Anthropoligie, is delving into garden retail, the Motley Fool reported. The new concept will offer home and garden products, live plants, flowers and antiques. The 1st stores are scheduled to open early next year.

Novalis introduces Nooks & Crannies program
Grower consortium Novalis introduced a new program last month: Plants that Work in Nooks and Crannies. The line features more than 300 varieties suitable for rock gardens, pathways, terraces and green roofs. The program offers co-branding opportunities and POP for retailers.

Burt's Bees proposes 'natural' standards
Burt's Bees, a line of personal care products, is asking its rivals to adhere to rules governing use of the word "natural," Advertising Age reported. Burt's is promoting the standards to industry groups and has set up a Web site devoted to the cause.

Eco-friendly lawn machines get mixed reviews
Manual lawn mowers are slowly making a comeback, The Chicago Sun-Times reported. Meanwhile, eco-friendly machines for commercial use are getting a tepid response. According to a report in USA Today, products like Dixie Chopper's propane-powered lawn mower aren't catching on quickly. James McNew, v.p. of Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, told the paper alternative-powered machines, "are not economical to produce at this time."

View from a blog
Guerrilla gardening explained. Open Register.

Worth a visit
Learn to grow Baptisia spp. These perennials, more recently known as redneck lupines, are gaining selections and popularity. Only on GreenBeam.com.