Home Depot to close Landscape Supply outlets
Home Depot will close its 11 Landscape Supply stores in Georgia and Texas, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reported. The doors will close by Nov. 19. Home Depot spokesperson Ron DeFeo told the paper that the company can serve landscape supply customers at its traditional stores.

Spring Meadow to offer shrub guarantee
Spring Meadow Nursery, the grower behind Proven Winners ColorChoice shrubs, is offering a sales guarantee on liners purchased directly through the nursery. The company guarantees ColorChoice shrubs will sell or they will replace them at no charge. Dale Deppe, owner and president of Spring Meadow, said demand for ColorChoice shrubs has outpaced supply, leaving customers searching for the brand. For more information on the guarantee and qualification details call (800) 633-8859 or e-mail a representative.

EPA fines retailer over cancelled insecticides
U.S. EPA fined a Fallon, Nev., garden supply company $2,000 earlier this month for allegedly offering 5 cancelled insecticides. Nev. Dept. of Ag. inspectors found chlorpyrifos- and diazinon-containing pesticides at 2 HFI Enterprise stores in August 2006. The stores were offering the chlorpyrifos products Cooke Dursban-Plus Lawn Insecticide, Dexol Dursban Lawn Insect Killer, Green Light Borer II and Spectracide Lawn & Garden Insect Control. Diazinon Ultra Insect Spray was also on the shelf.

Scotts Miracle-Gro makes leadership changes
Earlier this month, Scotts Miracle-Gro announced several management changes. Barry Sanders has been named exec. v.p. for the company's North American businesses. A new chief marketing officer, sr. v.p. of global technologies and operations and head of Scotts LawnService were also appointed. Scotts also announced it's searching for a new chief operating officer.

Backyard retreats on the rise
Backyard cabins and cabanas are becoming more popular, USA Weekend reported. Homeowners are using these structures for recreation space and even home offices.

Retailers push Halloween early
Retailers and consumer media outlets have begun touting Halloween right after Labor Day, The New York Times reported. The holiday has gained importance in the past few years, as more adults join in the festivities.

Baby boomers predict cashless society
According to a study released by Visa USA, 79% of baby boomers and 74% of echo boomers (18- to 29-year-olds) believe our society will one day operate without cash and checks. The report cites stats from the Nilson Report showing more than three-quarters of U.S. adults have a debit card. Also, more than 30 states have switched from cash to reloadable prepaid cards to disburse child care, unemployment and social benefits.

Botanist wants money for rare garden
Botanist Mardy Darian, 74, has developed his 3.2-acre home garden into a rarity, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported. The 25-year-old garden boasts all 17 known species of staghorn fern, more than 100 types of palms and dozens of rare plants Darian collected from around the world. Darian, who is running out of money to maintain his garden, is seeking researchers, plant breeders or anyone who will appreciate his garden to buy his home.

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