How many fellow retailers have you visited where the plant yard is organized in alphabetical order by Latin name? How many forget to place a price on each plant? And how often do you see signs that help customers get around and understand what to do with the plants?

Each of these major retail mistakes can only stem from thinking customers know as much about plants as the garden center management.

After several years of poor weather, garden centers cannot simply put out plants and expect them to sell. If they do, then they will join the string of store closings that have punctuated industry news over the past year.

To survive, a garden center must understand its customers. Understand their fears, their habits and what motivates them to buy. Only then will owners and managers be able to lay down a business plan that will allow them to survive the economic and natural storms to come.

Garden Center Merchandising & Management is offering you a window to consumers through a 12-month series. We have gathered a consumer panel of 12 Americans from various walks of life. Some are just starting out with their first gardens; others are passionate longtime gardeners. Some are struggling to make ends meet; others have plenty of disposable income. In short, we have a diverse group of people who have agreed to share their thoughts about gardening, garden centers, the shopping process and -- very generously -- a little about their lifestyles.

I contacted several garden center owners last summer and asked what questions they would like to ask a consumer panel if they had the chance. I received hundreds of questions, added a few of my own, and came up with 12 topics for the series. Each month will deal with a different topic.

Let's get started! To view the topics in this series, select from the list  on the navigation bar. Each link becomes active as we publish the magazine each month.