May 2021 - 6

EDITOR'S LETTER
Here We Go!
The above is not only a
common phrase here in Steeler
Nation in the Pittsburgh area,
but also very fitting for these
first few weeks of the spring
season. As gardeners new
and old are heading to garden
centers to stock up on seeds,
starts and soil (and other
products that might not start
with an s), it's appropriate that
this is our edibles issue, celebrating all the vegetables
and other fresh goods your customers want - especially
as the pandemic continues.
" People are gardening in part to make sure that there
is enough food on the table during times of so much
uncertainty, " says scientist Celina Gómez, University
of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
faculty member in environmental horticulture.
And not only are they growing them outside, but
indoor gardens continue to grow in popularity as well.
She recently co-hosted a webinar on new edible varieties
and how home gardeners can grow them indoors. While
those plants aren't expected to produce enough fruits
or vegetables for an entire family, " I think of them as
both ornamental and edible crops, as they are typically
grown for the pleasure of growing a plant - like most
ornamentals - with the added benefit that they
will produce a fruit or vegetable to be harvested and
consumed, like most edible crops, " she says.
On page 18, we're highlighting some of the new homegarden
crops you might want to add to your vegetable
offerings - including some that your customers can
grow inside on a sunny windowsill or counter.
Edible landscaping is another trend that's getting more
attention lately. Many homeowners are incorporating
edibles into their home landscaping or including fruit
and vegetable varieties in containers with ornamentals.
On page 20, Ball Horticultural Co.'s Katie Rotella explains
how you can market your vegetable and herb offerings as
elements in ornamental landscape designs.
And for those customers who might not have the time
or desire to get their hands dirty in the garden, many IGC
offer fresh-picked produce in a farmer's market, whether
on site or in the local community. On page 14, I spoke with
three IGCs who went from selling their own produce on-site
to establishing a community-supported agriculture (CSA)
program. They explain how adding a CSA brought customers
into their store during less busy times and allowed them
to retain staff who may have normally been more seasonal.
How have your spring sales been so far? Any new bestsellers
flying off your benches? I'd love to hear about it!
Drop me a line at tmcpherson@greatamericanpublish.com.
@LGRmag
Teresa McPherson, MANAGING EDITOR
616.520.2163 | tmcpherson@greatamericanpublish.com
6 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | MAY 2021
@lgrmag
Winner of 2010, 2012, 2014, 2017 and 2018 EDDIE awards for Best Full Issue
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Tim Hodson, 616.520.2161
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Teresa McPherson, 616.520.2163
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Jasmina Dolce, 616.520.2162
jdolce@greatamericanpublish.com
Greg Ryan, 616.520.2145
gryan@greatamericanpublish.com
Kristina Howell, 616.520.2168
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Bob Bellew, 616.520.2164
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Kim Meyers, 616.520.2137
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Becky Stovall, 616.520.2138
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Jess Schmidt, 616. 520. 2141
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Deb Carnes, 616.520.2169
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Kimberly Baker, 616. 520. 2135
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Matt McCallum, 616.520.2133
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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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May 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May 2021