Growers cope with wildfire aftermath
The San Diego Union Tribune reported widespread fire and smoke damage to Southern Calif. ornamental crops. Kendall Farms, an outdoor cut flower grower in Fallbrook, Calif., lost 95% of its 200-acre crop. The San Diego County Dept. of Ag., Weights and Measures and the county Farm Bureau are collecting data from growers as they return to their businesses. Some growers came through the ordeal unscathed. EuroAmerican Propagators — the largest supplier of Proven Winners liners and 4-inch finished plants — was not harmed in the blaze. "This near miss is something that all employees, customers and friends of EuroAmerican and other area businesses and residences are all hugely thankful for," said Sharon Gravitt-Warschauer with EuroAmerican.

Clorox acquires Burt's Bees
Burt's Bees, makers of natural personal-care products, has been acquired by Clorox. The company was purchased for $925 million. Clorox plans to expand U.S. distribution of Burt's Bees products and perhaps take the brand overseas.

Road construction causes garden center grief
The Barn Nursery & Landscape Center in Cary, Ill., was dealt a double blow recently, Chicago Tribune reported. A new Wal-Mart opened across the street. But it's the new highway median that's causing the bigger headache. The median prevents northbound traffic from turning left into the store's parking lot. The newspaper's consumer advocate helped the retailer tackle the problem.

Luxury consumer confidence plunges
Unity Marketing's Luxury Consumption Index fell to its lowest level in more than 2 years. The recent survey of affluent consumers showed a drop of more than 20% in average amount spent on luxury goods. Income played a deciding role in spending cutbacks. Consumers with household incomes from $75,000 to $149,999 were most likely to curtail their purchases.

Average consumers also feel the pinch
Consumer confidence fell for the 3rd month in a row and is now at the lowest level since just after Hurricane Katrina, USA Today reported. The New York-based Conference Board said its consumer confidence index fell to 95.6, from 99.5 in September. "Consumers are growing more pessimistic about the short-term future, and their rather bleak outlook suggests a less-than-stellar ending to this year," said Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board Consumer Research Center.

Registration opens for Management Clinic
Growers, retailers and landscapers can pick from more than 90 educational sessions at the 2008 ANLA Management Clinic. The event will be Feb. 8-11, 2008, in Louisville, Ky. More details and registration information are available online.

Word-of-mouth still powerful selling tool
Recommendations from other consumers are the most trusted form of advertising, according to a survey released by Nielsen Co. earlier this month. 78% of respondents said they rely on word-of-mouth buzz in making purchase decisions. "Advertisers around the world are able to reach consumers across an increasingly diverse range of media platforms," said David McCallum, global managing director for Nielsen's Customized Research Services. "Even so, the recommendation of someone else remains the most trusted source of information when consumers decide which products and services to buy."

Peat interests file complaint against Organix
Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Assoc., Premier Horticulture and Sun Gro Horticulture are suing Organix, a manufacturer and distributor of organic-based soil amendments. At issue is Organix's RePeat, marketed as a renewable peat moss substitute. The soil amendment is derived from dairy manure and contains no peat. The complainants allege the product's name is misleading and confusing to consumers.

Green Industry blog launches in December
Operating in an environmentally friendly way isn't always easy or straightforward. Starting in December we'll be tackling sustainability issues head on with our new blog, Project: Green Industry. Get in on the conversation! Visit us each week for news and tips on making the green movement part of your business.

View from a blog
Is it time to dethrone customers? Garden Center's managing editor Jyme Mariani wonders if we are rolling the carpet out too far, too fast and for too little money. Open Register

Worth a visit
Learn to grow disease-resistant Populus tremuloides Prairie Gold, quaking aspen. Only on GreenBeam.com.