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You are here: Home / Archives for Columns / Mike Darcy

Open gardens, open minds

By Mike Darcy — Posted October 1, 2017

Gardening is a constantly changing hobby for many of us. When we visit garden centers, we are often not only buying plants that are familiar to us, but we are on the lookout for something new. Many private gardens have signature plants that might be a tree or shrub, or perhaps it is a plant(s) […]

Filed Under: Columns, Mike Darcy Tagged With: Business, Consumer trends, Digger, Digger magazine, Home gardening, Mike Darcy, Operations, Plants, Retail Nurseries

Stepping outside the box

By Mike Darcy — Posted August 1, 2017

From produce stands and cafés, to expanded product lines and cooking demonstrations, retail garden centers are trying novel approaches to attract new customers.

Filed Under: Mike Darcy Tagged With: Business, Consumer trends, Digger, Digger magazine, Operations, Plants, Retail Nurseries

Little vanguards of the garden

By Mike Darcy — Posted June 1, 2017

Schools and retail garden centers can help nurture a new generation of plant lovers.

Filed Under: Mike Darcy Tagged With: Business, Consumer trends, Digger, Digger magazine, Edibles, Education, Home gardening, Marketing, Operations, People, Plants, Retail Nurseries

Ready, set, spring!

By Mike Darcy — Posted April 3, 2017

After a harsh winter in the Pacific Northwest, retail garden centers better be prepared for a rush of eager gardeners.

Filed Under: Mike Darcy Tagged With: Business, Consumer trends, Digger, Digger magazine, Edibles, Home gardening, Landscaping, Plants, Retail Nurseries

A night for plant nerds

By Mike Darcy — Posted February 1, 2017

Gardeners eager for spring’s arrival will rejoice when Plant Nerd Night returns for a 16th consecutive year.

Filed Under: Mike Darcy Tagged With: Business, Consumer trends, Digger, Digger magazine, People, Plants, Retail Nurseries

Positive signs for garden centers

By Mike Darcy — Posted December 1, 2016

Retailers are looking to build on last year’s strong sales by capitalizing on the key trends for 2017.

Filed Under: Mike Darcy Tagged With: Consumer trends, Digger, Digger magazine, Home gardening, Plants

Trees and shrubs for fall color

By Mike Darcy — Posted October 3, 2016

With the Pacific Northwest’s superb growing climate, fall is a great season to plant something.

Filed Under: Mike Darcy Tagged With: Digger, Digger magazine, Landscaping, Plants

Warning about the downside to insecticides

By Mike Darcy — Posted August 2, 2016

Gardeners who use pesticides should take heed about the potential harm they could be doing to beneficial insects.

Filed Under: Mike Darcy Tagged With: Digger, Digger magazine, Pesticides, Plants

The middle number

By Mike Darcy — Posted June 1, 2016

Fertilizers high in phosphorus have surprisingly little value for some Northwest gardens.

Filed Under: Mike Darcy Tagged With: Digger, Digger magazine, Home gardening

Interest in tender perennials heats up

By Mike Darcy — Posted April 1, 2016

Brugmansia, Lantana and other not-so-winter-hardy plants offer gardeners seasonal interest, while spurring repeat buyer sales potential.

Filed Under: Mike Darcy Tagged With: Digger, Digger magazine, Plants, Retail Nurseries

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NURSERY NEWS

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FARWEST SHOW UPDATES

2026 Farwest Show issues calls for speakers

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The Value of Membership

AmericanHort president and CEO to step down

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Meet the Leader: Patrick Peterson

More member stories

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