California wildfires threaten growers
Fires in Southern California threatened the state's nursery industry, the Los Angeles Times reported. Wildfires passed through agricultural areas in San Diego, and officials worried that the county's avocados, citrus, nursery stock, flower crops and vineyards suffered damage. San Diego produces about $1.4 billion of crops annually, including nearly $1 billion of flowers, trees, shrubs and bedding plants, as well as more than $100 million of avocados. Last Wednesday, mandatory evacuation orders were issued for Bonsall, Calif., home of EuroAmerican Propagators -- the largest supplier of Proven Winners liners and 4-inch finished plants. Ron Vanderhoff, nursery manager for Roger's Gardens, a retailer in Corona del Mar, Calif., said his store escaped damage. Wholesale grower El Modeno Gardens in Irvine, Calif., lost several outbuildings to the fire, the local ABC affiliate reported.

Report scrutinizes ground-up tires in mulch
Conn. Nursery & Landscape Assoc. updated its members on a new report from Environment & Human Health Inc. scrutinizing the use of ground-up tires in garden mulch and playground surfaces. The report claims ingredients in the mix contain volatile organic hydrocarbons with cancer-causing properties.

Wal-Mart scales back spending again
Wal-Mart lowered its spending forecast for the current fiscal year and expects to spend even less building new stores over the next 2 years, The New York Times reported. Spending for the current fiscal year should range from $14.7 billion to $15.4 billion. In June, Wal-Mart gave a $15.5 billion forecast, lowered from an original annual budget of $17 billion. The company's current plans include shifting capital into overseas expansion.

Bailey introduces 2-year rose guarantee
Beginning in 2008, Bailey Nurseries' Easy Elegance rose collection comes with a 2-year money-back guarantee. The company will offer refunds of up to $60 to gardeners if their plant doesn't thrive during the 2-year period. "Our goal is to take the fear out of growing roses," said Jonathan Pederson, brand development manager at Bailey Nurseries. "We know that anyone who plants Easy Elegance roses will have great results. We're so confident in the quality of our roses, we're standing behind our plants with the industry's first rose guarantee."

Watch for 2007 economic census
More than 4 million businesses will receive economic census forms in December 2007. Forms ask for basic operating statistics -- employees, payroll and value of goods and services produced in 2007. Responses are confidential and compliance is required by law. Forms are due Feb. 12, 2008. Businesses can return paper forms in the mail or submit information online.

Gather 'round the Halloween tree
Trees are the perfect accent for every holiday season it seems. Treetopia unveiled its new Black Tiger Tree earlier this year. The solid-black artificial tree is pre-lit with bright orange lights. According to Treetopia, the spooky design is perfect for eclectic homes or pumpkin patches.

View from a blog
Are we too white? Garden retail customers are overwhelmingly white and middle class. Is that because only white, middle-class Americans are interested in gardening? Garden Center Magazine editor Carol Miller doubts it. Read more on Open Register.

Worth a visit
Pasquesi Home and Gardens raises the design bar with its latest store. Only on GreenBeam.com.