Home Depot gets less for Supply division
Home Depot finalized a deal to sell its HD Supply unit to a private equity group for $8.5 billion -- about $1.8 billion less than the original asking price. A soft housing market and credit difficulties led to the lower sale price. The sale of HD Supply is not expected to impact the company's 2007 financial results. Home Depot expects its earnings per share from continuing operations to decline by 12-15% for fiscal 2007.

Are urban greenhouses on the horizon?
Urban planners and academics are exploring ways to bring vegetable-producing greenhouses within city limits, The Washington Post reported. These "vertical farms" or "sky farms" would resemble skyscrapers with several floors devoted to hydroponic food production.

Halloween decor market reaches $3 billion
Halloween is second only to Christmas in the holiday decorations market, according to a new study from Unity Marketing. In 2006, consumers spent $3.2 billion buying Halloween decorations, an increase of more than 21% over 2005. "We expect this Halloween season to be even stronger thanks to people's fascination with ghosts and the supernatural spawned by popular cable shows like Travel Channel's 'Most Haunted' and SciFi's 'Ghost Hunters,'" said Pam Danziger, Unity Marketing president.

Tree loss unsettles communities
Tree losses caused by human activities and Mother Nature have caused concern in communities across the United States.
• Hemlocks in jeopardy. Asheville Citizen-Times
• Weak trees get the boot. Chicago Tribune
• Trees or a view? The Bulletin

Crocs: If the shoe fits, add clothing
Crocs Inc., maker of the ubiquitous line of colorful casual shoes, unveiled a clothing collection for men and children last week. The collection, which goes on sale this fall, will be made using Croslite, a lightweight material used in Crocs footwear, the company said. The line will include men's T-shirts and shorts as well as boys' pants and girls' pants and skirts.

Registration open for Garden Center University
ANLA is accepting registrations for the next class of Garden Center University, a 2-year course designed to improve both small and large garden centers. The class of 2010 begins Feb. 7-8, 2008, in conjunction with the ANLA Management Clinic in Louisville, Ky. Registration information is available online.

View from a blog
Garden centers, rev up your blogs! Open Register

Worth a visit
Learn to grow Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert.' Japanese anemone provides a dash of fall color. Only on GreenBeam.com.