Green goods should be top sellers this fall
Plants will be at the top of shopping lists this fall, according to the 2006 Fall Gardening Trends Research Report from Garden Writers Assoc. Leading items for fall gardening purchases will be fall flowers (cited by 25% of respondents), indoor plants (24%) and perennials (21%). When buying plants this fall, 35% of households said their primary criterion was buying for spring. Buying plants to extend fall color is the selection criterion for 27% of households. The report also offered insight on indoor gardening. Lack of time is the reason 30% of households give for not doing more indoor gardening. Limited space is an obstacle for 27% of households. Lack of knowledge was reported by 11%; lack of light by 9%.

Retailers get a jump on holiday sales
'Tis the season for Christmas selling, according to several major retailers. USA Today reported most retail powerhouses have already rolled out holiday merchandise. Wal-Mart started selling decorations and holiday-specific toys this month. Costco has decorations, lighting and gift-wrap packs for sale. T.J. Maxx and Marshalls began selling Christmas goods the third week of August. The article cites statistics from Nat'l. Retail Federation showing more than 21% of consumers do some Christmas shopping before the end of September.

Conference highlights health benefits
The health benefits of gardening took center stage at the Gardens for All Conference held Sept. 7-8 in Des Moines, Iowa. Joel Kimmons, a nutrition expert for the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, told attendees that active gardening offers health benefits matching those of sophisticated health clubs. According to the CDC, tasks like raking leaves and weeding offer the exercise equivalent of low-intensity aerobic dance or biking at 5-9 mph. More strenuous jobs, such as digging or moving large loads of dirt, are the equivalent of race walking or working out on a stair-climbing machine.

Outdoor living is 'in,' trend watcher reports
Garden Media Group released its 2007 garden trends report this month, highlighting what's in and what's out. Outdoor living is at the top of the list. "Living large outdoors is a luxury everyone is embracing," said GMG president Susan McCoy. The group also reported that escape gardens --spaces that include exotic floral elements -- are in, while everyday gardens are out. Small gardens are in vogue, while colossal landscapes are passé. Twenty-four-hour gardens are hot; day-only gardens are not.

Endangered pine on display at FIB
Wollemi pine, an ancient tree species growing in Wollemi National Park near Sydney, Australia, will make its American debut at Fashion in Bloom later this week. Small specimens will be on display at White's Nursery in Chesapeake, Va., Sept. 20-22. Wollemi Pine North America is partnering with National Geographic to offer the trees in its upcoming holiday catalog. Wollemi pines will also be distributed exclusively in independent garden centers in spring. A portion of sales will go to support continued conservation efforts.

Worth a visit
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