Digger magazine

Written to make you a nursery industry expert.

September Digger features fetching conifers, Farwest highlights

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Fascinating foliage and shifting colors are just two of the captivating qualities that landed Cryptomeria (PDF) on the cover of the new issue of Digger magazine. Other features in the September 2014 issue include: • “Farwest continues its momentum in 2014” (PDF) — The 2014 Farwest Trade Show was a smashing success, with exciting new […]

Invasive species cook-off set for Sept. 28

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Chef Philippe Parola and his Asian Carp dish with Tour Eiffel Invasive species, such as nutria and Japanese knotweed, pose a major threat to native habitats, costing the U.S. an estimated $120 billion annually. One way to beat them is by eating them! Promoting this idea is the “Eradication by Mastication” event. The fundraiser, now in its […]

Farwest Show: Spring Fleecing Fringe Tree and Lemon Lace™ Elderberry Win Top Honors in the New Varieties Showcase

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Press release from the Oregon Association of Nurseries: Every year, the New Varieties Showcase at the Farwest Trade Show features dozens of outstanding plants that are new to the trade. This year was no exception. The 2014 showcase featured 52 different trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals with interesting shapes, colors, growth habits and other characteristics. […]

Farwest Trade Show continues strong momentum in 2014

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Press Release from the Oregon Association of Nurseries: Portland, Oregon — The 2014 Farwest Trade Show concluded its three-day run (August 21–23, 2014) with exhibitors and attendees in an upbeat mood. While attendance did not meet raised expectations, falling just shy of last year, the mood of the exhibitors was upbeat, the quality of attendees […]

Farwest Seminar: So, you want to launch an online store?

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An industry forecast that has much talked about on and off the show floor is keynote speaker John Stanley’s comment that “30 percent of sales will be online in the next five years.” From left to right: Sid Raisch, Kristin VanHoose,Jonn Karsseboom and Nicholas Staddon. Sid Raisch, owner of Horticultural Advantage, who moderated this panel […]

Farwest Retailers’ Choice Awards winners announced

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The Retailers’ Choice Awards are a new addition to the Farwest Trade Show this year. The idea is simple: first, a group of retailers explores the show floor and finds the plants and products — whether old or new — that excite them. Then, they get together to compare notes. “It’s a real synergy effect,” […]

Farwest Seminar: Kelly Norris on ‘Growing a Nation of Gardeners’

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According to Kelly Norris, the key to the Green Industry’s future is not getting more people interested in gardening. “It is a waste of time to recruit people who are not interested,” he said. Rather, it’s getting those who are already interested, more engaged. “In order to succeed with our present day situation, we have […]

Farwest Seminar: Garden Retailing

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John Stanley, renowned garden center and retail consultant, gave tips to garden retailers that will help them build a successful business now and on through to 2020. Stanley started by discussing customer demographics:    Millennials (those 33 and under) are very interested in gardening, but they are more interested in buying experiences, not products. To […]

Farwest Seminar: Crazy Plants for Crazy Gardeners

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Led by Dr. Alan Armitage, this seminar combined the academic with the aesthetic. Dr. A, for short, stressed that his subject should be serious, but also fun. “Everybody wants to know what’s new, but the more important question is ‘What’s good?’ ” Dr. A said. The plants he went on to feature are those varieties […]

Farwest Trade Show Preview: Day Two: Friday, August 22, 2014

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Welcome to Day Two of the Farwest Trade Show! Are you thoroughly recovered from last night’s Pub Crawl yet? No matter — the show has several great things happening throughout the day, including a trifecta of great presenters (Armitage, Stanley and Norris) right off the bat at 9 a.m.: Garden Retailing: Getting to 2020 with John […]