Cultivating Postive Experiences

Its been almost a month since my last post. That means I've been busy, which means you have as well! For those that are just now opening up, you will undoubtedly be inundated with customers (hopefully) for the next month. Either that, or you are in the middle of it right now.

Obviously upselling, and special promotions play a part of spring sales, and a lot of it depends on factors beyond your control: economy, weather, etc. There is one thing you can control though, CUSTOMER LOYALTY. 

How do you create loyalty? A lot of a customer's willingness to visit you before all others will be determined by past experiences. There is nothing you can do about the past, but you can certainly strive to create new experiences that will remain in your customers' minds for years to come.

Customer loyalty is created by positive experiences. Positive experiences are created by friendly, knowledgable staff and quality products that go above and beyond customers' expectations (notice I said beyond expectations, its easy to meet them, but if you can really WOW your customers, they are yours for life!). This will cause customers to share their positive experience with their friends and family. Word of mouth is always more valuable than the most intriguing piece of advertising.

Its a simple concept, but I am surprised at how many fail to really consider this most basic piece of information! Sometimes, people just need to be reminded. This spring, make sure you cultivate positive experiences and you will see the benefits for years to come.

-JK

Plant Profile: Gerbera Glamorous Mix

UPDATE: Raker is now sold out of these, so hopefully I can trial them next season!

Today I'm going to start a new section in this blog where I profile various varieties of plants that I enjoy, as well as new introductions and my thoughts on them. Being that it is early spring, it will only be an overview of what the plants are supposed to be like instead of my actual experience with them. Once I've had a chance to trial some of them, I will be able to relay my first hand experience.

The above is a new introduction: Gerbera Glamorous Mix exclusively from Raker. My wife loves gerbera, so I will definitely be trying these out to see how they perform. A few great points:

• ü  Glamorous has dark green, deeply crinkled foliage – a totally new & unique look for gerbera

• ü  Plants are compact, but have large, showy blooms in a mixture of light and dark eyed colors

• ü  The dark green leaves are tougher and more drought tolerant than other gerbera

• ü  Glamorous plants are more sun and heat tolerant as well as more mildew resistant, opening up new possibilities for outdoor applications

• ü  Ideal for premium pot production as well as color bowls, patio containers and garden combination planters.

• ü  45mm liner size is perfect for finishing 5”pots in 4-6 weeks

    There are plenty on availability for week 14 (next week) in TR18s so I will be getting some in. I will also share my experience and photos! If you need any additional information, let me know, and I can send you growing instructions.

    Thanks for reading!

   

-   -JK

 

Is This What You Are?

Well, are you?

Earlier this morning, I tweeted the following: "Value is the word. Customer relationships are important, but you have to provide the type of value that no one else can."

There are many definitions of the word "value", but the one that fits best in this case is: "Worth in usefulness or importance to the possessor."  I like to think that I am value-centric in what I do, focusing on creating useful information and methods to grow your business. To me, that's the first thing I try to provide for my customers, because I want to be an asset, and not just the guy you call when you want to place an order.

I may not always know the answer, but I will definitely try to find it for you. If I can't, I will point you in the right direction. The greatest thing about thinking this way, is it makes me aware that there is always more to learn, and new ideas to explore.

How many businesses do this? Not many. I know of a few places that would rather pretend the product they don't have in stock is not in existence than recommend the customer go elsewhere to get it. I have no problem doing this, as I am confident that my customer will come back to me because of what I can offer: value.

Value in this blog, value in my tweets, value in my emails, and most of all, value in my service to you. I draw a lot of parallels between what I do, and what you do, because we are really striving for the same thing: customer satisfaction. To do that, you have to be a valuable resource, and more importantly THE resource. If you are THE resource, why would they go anywhere else?

What else can you do to provide value to your customers?

Thank you for being a valuable asset to me. Please let me know how I can create more value for you!

-JK

St Patricks Day

If you don't wear green today, you are going to get pinched. For those who actually look good in green, its not a problem. Some would rather go all day getting pinched than wear green, and some are aggravated by the idea that just because they don't wear a certain color, someone is going to pinch them.

No. You are literally asking for it.

I thought today would be a good day to go over pinching plants. Corny, yes. Practical...also yes.

Obviously, this is something that a seasoned veteran in the industry has a handle on. But even those vets can learn from going back over the fundamentals. For those that benefitted from my last blog post: Your First Spring? This may be something you have no idea how to do.

What is pinching a plant?

Its just pruning that encourages branching. When you pinch, you are removing part of a main stem, and forcing the plant to grow two new stems below the pinch.

There are many great reasons for pinching a plant, mainly to create a fuller, more compact plant. Pinching it forces the plant to focus on growing new stems outward instead of adding more height, and becoming lanky.

To do it, just pinch off the upper most small leaves and stem. Do it at the end of all of your stems, and you will have a fuller, more bushy plant. If its still not as bushy or compact as you'd like, do it all over again.

Your thumb and forefinger are not magical (as some people seem to believe when pinching plants), so you can use scissors or pruning shears instead. If you are pinching with your fingers, try not to twist and tear the new growth off, as it takes longer for the plant to heal from this.

Plants will probably be the only green things getting pinched today, unless you've got that uncle who pinches you because your shirt is actually emerald or jade. Of course, you could just carry this around all day:

Just pin it to your jade-colored shirt.

Happy St. Patricks Day!

-JK

Your First Spring?

Park Seed has long been an advocate for small growing operations. We believe this is at the heart of what this industry is all about, and its how our company began. There is a certain passion that comes from a small grower. Even businesses who have grown to epic proportions remember the days when overhead was low, and trial and error was how they learned.

 

There are many benefits to starting out small, the biggest being an opportunity to create your own identity, and way of doing things. Thankfully, we are in an industry that has decent room for profit, unlike some others where they are lucky to make 1 or 2 percent on every sale.

 

Some ideas if you are just starting out:

 

• Buy in small perennials (or start from seed), and bump them up to sell next year for better profit.

•  Try putting your eggs in different baskets - don't just declare yourself a garden center, landscaping company, or nursery. Try it all, see what fits, then create a strategy around that.

• Don't be afraid to fail. Obviously, first impressions are lasting impressions, but at this point, you have enough flexibility to bounce back and learn from your mistakes.

• Be different. Don't do what everyone else is doing. Certainly there are staples in the industry, but you can deviate from that, and put your special twist on it. Everyone selling hanging baskets? Sell those, and sell flower pouches.

 

There are so many neat things you can try when you are just beginning. I am always amazed at how innovative and resourceful people are when they have only imagination to work with.

 

Happy Spring! Its almost here!

 

-JK

2011 AAS Seed Winners

Check out these new introductions that will be in our 2011 catalog. They are available for this spring, so call me with any questions!

Gaillardia ‘Arizona Apricot’
AAS Flower Award Winner

Gaillardia ‘Arizona Apricot’ offers a new and unique apricot color for this class. Blooms have yellow edges that deepen to a rich apricot in the center. Judges noted the award-winning distinctive flower color of the 3 to 3.5 inch daisy-like flowers, described as exceptionally lovely and lighter in color than traditional gaillardia. Just 105 days after sowing seed, this Gaillardia x grandiflora will bloom from early summer into autumn. The compact 12-inch tall plants offer bright green foliage and a tidy uniform habit best viewed when planted to the front of the flower bed. ‘Arizona Apricot’ is free-flowering, blooming heavily without vernalization, covering the plant with bright blooms that look great in mass. This long-flowering perennial is hardy in USDA Zones 2-10, is relatively maintenance free, and drought-tolerant once established. Gardeners will want to remove old flowers to encourage additional blooming. Bred by Ernst Benary of America Inc.
AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Gailardia x grandiflora
Common name: Blanket flower
Unique qualities: Earlier flowering, unique color for gaillardia
Flower size: 3 to 3.5 inches
Flower form: Daisy-like single flower
Flower color: Apricot
Foliage color: Bright green
Plant height: 12 inches
Plant width: 12 inches
Garden location: Full sun
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 90 days
Closest comparisons on market: ‘Granada’ and ‘Golden Goblin’





Ornamental Kale ‘Glamour Red’ F1
AAS Cool Season Bedding Plant Award Winner

This is All-America Selections’ first winning kale (edible or ornamental) in seventy-eight years of trialing! ‘Glamour Red’ is an excellent achievement in breeding for its unique shiny leaves. The waxless quality of the leaves makes them shiny with a more intense, vivid color as compared to existing ornamental brassicas. Judges noted that the shiny foliage is striking in the landscape and it out-performed comparisons with outstanding success. It is a fringed leaf type Brassica oleracea with flower head size of 10 to 12 inches. This full sun annual will bloom 90 days from sowing seed to first color. Leaf coloring begins when night temperatures fall below 55°F for approximately two weeks. Expect good disease tolerance in all regions and frost tolerant blooms from November to March in warmer climates. Bred by Takii & Co., Ltd.
AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Brassica oleracea
Common name: Ornamental kale
Unique qualities: Non-waxy shiny leaves, brighter color tone
Flower size: Head size is 10 to 12 inches
Flower form: Fringed leaf type
Flower color: Purple
Foliage color: Green
Plant height: 12 inches
Plant width: 14 inches
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 12 inches apart
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 90 days (for leaf coloring)
Closest comparisons on market: ‘Kamome Red’ and ‘Nagoya Red’



Salvia ‘Summer Jewel Red’
AAS Bedding Plant Award Winner

This Salvia coccinea was consistently rated “superior” or “above average” by the AAS judges because of its early and generous flower blossoms, continuing from spring to autumn. Additionally, each dwarf and densely branching plant remains a tidy 20 inches tall, even at full maturity. The bright red flower spikes are covered with half inch blooms making it perfect for the bird lover’s garden where the bright red color acts as a magnet for hummingbirds. As an added bonus, goldfinches swarm the plant for seeds. Even the leaves add beauty with their finer-textured, dark-green color. ‘Summer Jewel Red’, just 50 days from sowing to first flower, is approximately two weeks earlier than comparisons. Expect long season performance and superior holding ability in both wind and rain. This annual is ideal for full sun containers, mixed beds and borders where uniformity is desired. Bred by Takii & Co, Ltd.
AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Salvia coccinea
Common name: Hummingbird sage, Scarlet sage, Texas sage
Unique qualities: More compact and earlier to flower
Flower color: Bright red
Foliage color: Dark green
Flower form: Spike
Flower size: ½ inch
Plant height: 20 inches at most
Plant width: 16 inches
Plant type: Dwarf, branching
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 10 to 12 inches apart
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 50 days
Closest comparisons on market: ‘Lady in Red’



Viola ‘Shangri-La Marina’ F1
AAS Cool Season Bedding Plant Award Winner

This winning Viola cornuta is an early-flowering, mounding viola in a vibrant new color for this type. In trials, the 6-inch tall plants kept a low-growing mounding habit. Colorful and prolific 1¼  inch blooms have light blue petals with a velvety dark blue face that is surrounded by a narrow white border. Judges noted earlier (70 days from sowing to first flower) and showier blooms with noticeable drive-by flower power. Flower color was a consistent deep Marina blue throughout the season. This vigorous frost-tolerant biennial provides a solid mat of fall color until covered with snow followed by a great recovery in spring. Grow in full sun as a low edging in the garden or in hanging baskets and pots. Bred by Tokita Seed Co., Ltd.
AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Viola cornuta
Common name: Viola
Unique qualities: Early flowering, new color
Flower color: Marina (light blue with baby face)
Flower size: 1.25 inches
Flower form: Single flower
Foliage color: Green
Plant type: Low growing, mounding habit
Plant height: 6 inches
Plant width: 12 inches
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 8 inches apart
Length of time from sowing seed to flower: 70 days Frost tolerant
Closest comparison on market: ‘Four Seasons Cooler Improved’



Pumpkin ‘Hijinks’ F1
AAS Vegetable Award Winner

‘Hijinks,’ defined as lively enjoyment and unrestrained fun is an apt name for this pumpkin winner that offers loads of seasonal fun for kids. This winning pumpkin variety produces small-sized, 6 to 7 pound fruits, of a very uniform size and shape. Smooth deep orange skin with distinctive grooves gives a very classy appearance to fall decorations and is ideal for painting or carving. The strong durable stem makes a great handle. Gardeners can expect high yields, notable resistance to powdery mildew, easy fruit removal from plants and excellent stem attachment. Allow plenty of space in the garden for long vines that spread up to 15 feet. Early to mature, this Cucurbita pepo is ready for harvest in about 100 days from sowing or 85 days from transplant. Bred by Sakata Seed America, Inc.

AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Cucurbita pepo
Unique qualities: Uniform shape and size, easy harvest, excellent stem attachment
Fruit size: 5.6 inches long, 7.4 inch diameter; 6 to 7 lbs.
Fruit color: Deep orange
Plant type: Typical long vines
Plant height: 2 feet
Plant width: Up to 15 feet
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: Allow 10 feet between rows of plants space plants 2 to 3 feet apart in row
Disease tolerances: Powdery mildew
Length of time to harvest: 100 days from sowing seed, 85 days from transplant
Closest comparisons on market: ‘Orange Smoothie’ and ‘Hybrid Pam’



Tomato ‘Lizzano’ F1
AAS Vegetable Award Winner

‘Lizzano’ is a vigorous semi-determinate tomato variety with a low growing, trailing habit excellent for growing in patio containers or hanging baskets. In the garden, some staking will benefit this plant despite a nice compact and uniform growth habit. The durable, appealing plants grow 16 to 20 inches tall with a compact spread of only 20 inches. Expect abundant yields of high-quality, bright red, baby cherry sized fruits. The small 1-inch fruits weigh about 0.4 ounces. The plentiful fruit set allows for continual harvest beneficial for the home gardener. Judges noted better eating quality, yield and plant habit than comparisons. ‘Lizzano’ is the first Late Blight tolerant cherry fruited semi-determinate variety on the market. Disease resistant plants will last later into the growing season. Harvest begins 105 days from sowing seed or 63 days from transplant. Bred by Pro-Veg Seeds Ltd.

AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Solanum Lycopersicum
Unique qualities: First Late Blight tolerant cherry fruited semi-determinate variety on the market
Fruit size: 0.4 ounces
Fruit color: Red
Plant type: Semi-determinate small cherry, compact bush, trailing habit
Plant height: 16 to 20 inches
Plant width: 20 inches
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 20 inches apart
Disease tolerances: Late Blight tolerant
Length of time to harvest: 63 days from transplant
Closest comparisons on market: ‘Tumbler’ and ‘Tumbling Tom Red’

Tomato ‘Terenzo’ F1
AAS Vegetable Award Winner

‘Terenzo’ is a high yielding red cherry fruited ‘Tumbler’ type of tomato that is a prolific producer on a tidy low-growing, trailing plant. The round fruit is a standard size cherry having an approximate size of 1¼ inches and an average weight of 0.7 ounces. A brix sugar content of 6.0% ensures this is sweet tasting tomato. With a plant height of only 16 to 20 inches, this compact variety is suitable for growing in hanging baskets or containers as a patio type tomato. This very easy-to-grow determinate bush variety requires little maintenance and produces fruits that are more resistant to cracking. ‘Terenzo’ is loaded with a bountiful harvest of flavorful, easy-to-pick fruits throughout the summer heat. Bred by Pro-Veg Seeds Ltd.

AAS® Winner Data
Genus species: Solanum lycopersicum
Unique qualities: Tidy trailing plant, easy-to-grow, little maintenance
Fruit size: 0.7 ounces
Fruit color: Red
Plant type: Determinate cherry, trailing habit
Plant height: 16 to 20 inches
Plant width: 20 inches
Garden location: Full sun
Garden spacing: 20 inches apart
Length of time to harvest: 56 days from transplant
Closest comparisons on market: ‘Tumbler’ and ‘Tumbling Tom Red’

I certainly look forward to trying these new varieties this spring, and I think your customers will enjoy them as well.

-JK



5 Things to Look Forward to in 2011

Happy New Year!

Its hard to believe it is actually 2011. I'm sure I will eventually adjust after a few weeks of writing 2010 on my checks. There are so many exciting things to look forward to this year, as our industry evolves and approaches the light at the end of the tunnel.

We are making adjustments as well, and hopefully you will enjoy the changes we are making here at Park Seed:

#5. More Useful Content

I am by no means a social media or blogging expert, but I am making strides in learning how these very important tools are used to provide valuable content to you. There a lot of ideas I have in mind on how to make your experience with us better and grow your business, so expect to see more blog updates this year.

While I already have a social media presence, and dabbled in providing insight and ideas last year, this year I am looking forward to learning and sharing even more with you. I also hope you will provide feedback on your experiences.

#4. Website Update

It is no secret that our wholesale website is in need of an update to bring us out of the stone age. I am making a push for this to happen, so please share your ideas on the changes we can make. I have a poll over on the side of this page, if you will take a moment to vote on the features you would most like to see implemented (you can choose more than one).

#3. FarWest Trade Show

This August, I will be attending the FarWest show in Portland, OR. I hope to meet those of you who attend the show, and hopefully I will be able to learn a thing or two (or ten) while I'm there. We will also be doing multiple shows across the country.

Trade shows are a very important part of our industry, and as we grow, expect to see us at even more shows in the years to come.

#2. Seed Availability

We are bringing in more and more seed than ever before, and even looking to expand on a few variety offerings. Backorders and crop failures will always be a part of the industry, but this year we will have a much more solid foundation to provide the seed you need, when you need it.

#1. GROWERS!

I am so excited to announce that we will be adding more growers to our plant and plug catalog for next season. Center Greenhouse in Colorado, and Syngenta Flowers shipping from Washington are two that will help with shipping costs since they are closer to the west coast. They also have great product lines and quality plants.

We are still hoping to have EuroAmerican back as well, so we can provide the Proven Winners you need with better shipping.

I hope you have a prosperous and profitable 2011, and let me know if you have any questions about the changes we are making.

-JK