February 2022 - 6

EDITOR'S LETTER
From Winter to Spring
As I write this, there are exactly 60
days until the first day of spring. While
the days are (thankfully!) getting
longer again, we're still in the midst of
winter here in western Pennsylvania.
Nearly a foot of snow blankets the yard
and I'm dreaming of days when I don't
feel cold all the time.
While it might not seem like much
is happening outside this time of year,
it's easy to forget that there are still activities to do, like feeding
the birds. In fact, according to the Humane Society of the United
States, bird feeding is most helpful in late winter or early spring,
when natural seed sources like plants are depleted.
Need some tips on how to draw customers to your store
during the winter months? Turn to page 14, where three experts
explain how to garner interest in " off-season " birding - it can
also be a great way to increase those off-season sales numbers.
Also in This Issue
This time of year is a great time to evaluate your social media
strategy and plan ahead for the busy spring season. Whether
you're building your social audience from scratch or trying to get
a handle on the latest changes, you can find the best ways to
increase and maintain your garden center's social impressions
on page 40
The garden center world - and the green industry in
general - is a people industry. This month, columnist Stan
Pohmer explains how the lowest-paid members of your
IGC's team - the ones watering the plants while answering
questions about where to find products, stocking the displays
and helping customers load plants into their cars, sweeping
up the dirt from a plant the customer's kid knocked over, and
the cashiers who keep smiling despite being on their feet all
day - are the ones who are the most visible representatives
of your brand. They're the ones who have the most
interaction with your customers, and have more impact on
your customers' experience than you and your management
team do.
" You've mastered the skill set needed to grow and nourish
plants, " he writes, " but have you honed the skill set needed
to grow and nourish your employees? " Flip to page 20 for his
thoughts on how to help develop and nurture your new and
existing employees.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that people in the U.S. " spent
$8.5 billion more on gardening-related items in 2020 than they
did in 2019, an increase of 18.7%, according to data from. " In
other words, houseplants are still a big business. We take a look
at what's trending in the world of houseplants on page 28.
What's the biggest challenge you'll face in 2022? Send me an
email at tmcpherson@greatamericanpublish.com.
@LGRmag
Teresa McPherson, MANAGING EDITOR
616.520.2163 | tmcpherson@greatamericanpublish.com
6 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | FEBRUARY 2022
@lgrmag
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EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Bob Wasson
Crystal Cady
Kate Terrell
John Karsseboom
Pamela Baker
Lisa LeFevre
Stan Pohmer
Christina Salwitz
Wasson Nursery
Sunflower Acres Farm & Garden
Wallace's Garden Center
The Garden Corner
Baker's Acres Greenhouse
Distinctive Gardens
Pohmer Consulting Group
The Personal Garden Coach
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February 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2022