June 2020 - 6

FROM THE EDITOR
AN ATYPICAL SPRING
As I sit in my home office writing this, it's a very rainy Sunday afternoon. But I
can't complain - all my newly planted flowers need to drink it up! And now that my
garden babies are safe in their new homes, I'd like to share my recent garden center
shopping experience.
I live in Illinois, where garden centers and nursery operations have mostly been
restricted until May 1 when they were able to fully open back up.
I did the bulk of my spring shopping and planting the weekend of May 16-17. That
Saturday morning, I hopped in my car, rolled the windows down, soaked in the sun's rays
and headed over to my local garden center. I arrived and could not even pull into the
parking lot. Cars were waiting, trickling into the busy road, for their turn to even attempt to
squeeze into a spot or create their own.
I eventually walked in, face mask on, and did my best to follow the 6-feet guidelines and
walk the aisles according to the arrows on the ground. I would be lying if I said it was easy
to follow the rules. Plants were flying off the shelves; I've never seen anything like it.
I was too late for some items. Hanging baskets were almost entirely gone; same with
many vegetable varieties. While I was slightly disappointed, I was filled with a sense of
relief. I thought to myself, " We're going to be alright. "
I also attempted to run to my local Home Depot for a few items, and there was a line to
enter the store! Unfortunately, I didn't have time to wait and will have to return another
day. But a crowded garden center is a happy garden center. If I have to postpone some
of the finishing touches on my garden, I'm happy to wait. The crowds, the lines, the slim
pickings ... these are all positive signs that make me hopeful.
I grew curious about the rest of the country and reached out to some growers to see how
their spring was shaping up; they each had nothing but positivity to share. Easter sales
weren't great, but Mother's Day seemed to make up for any losses. And sales have since
been strong. If anything, they're working 'round the clock to keep the stores stocked!
TIME TO THINK ABOUT NEXT SEASON
As spring comes to an end and the heat of summer approaches, the chaos at the garden
centers will likely subside - just like any other typical year. And it will be time to start
thinking about 2021.
While 2020 didn't exactly turn out the way any of us had hoped, it's been a learning
experience for many. We've learned to adapt, work under more pressure than usual and
implement new practices.
The time to reflect on the season is near, and it's never too soon to begin planning for
what's next. The annual California Spring Trials event typically provides a good foundation
of newcomers to trial and possibly add to your production for the following season. While
the event did not physically happen this year, most of the exhibitors found alternate means
to share their new varieties with growers.
I " visited " every virtual tour, spent hours on the phone with product
reps, flipped through hundreds of catalog pages and viewed multiple
PowerPoint presentations. Not exactly the ideal Spring Trials format, but
I was able to learn about all the new varieties and put together a report
for you. To learn about what grabbed our attention, turn to page 18.
Were you able to virtually attend any of the 2020 CAST exhibits?
What caught your eye? Shoot me an email and let me know; I'd love to
hear from you.
And stay tuned for July GPN, where we'll share even more CAST
introductions with you.
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EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
DIANE BLAZEK NATIONAL GARDEN BUREAU
MARSHALL DIRKS PROVEN WINNERS
PAUL FISHER UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
JUSTIN HANCOCK MONROVIA PLANTS
LELA KELLY DOSATRON
ANNE LEVENTRY PANAMERICAN SEED
DANNY TAKAO TAKAO NURSERY
BRIAN WEESIES MAST YOUNG PLANTS
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June 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2020