If you’ve found your way here via my guest article on Open Register, the blog of America’s garden center association, welcome to the home of a loyal customer. Do I suggest to readers or clients that they shop at Home Depot? Not on your life. In fact, I haul them to independent nurseries and show them the ropes. Do I promote the excellent free talks and workshops offered by the Behnkes Nurseries? Often enough to be boring, I’m afraid. And I consult horticulturist Mitch Baker at another outstanding Maryland nursery, American Plant Food, for so many of my articles I may be wearing out my welcome with him (hope not – he’s a star in my book).
So consider me a member of the family and take my suggested improvements in the friendly spirit in which they’re offered. Now if you’re reading this, you clearly have a computer and surf the Web, so how about using it to more effectively reach your current and potential customers?
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Well done, Susan. Thanks for passing along all the ideas! Hopefully some garden centers around me (Indianapolis) will pay attention and make some changes. There are several good ones, but they could all be better!
Your website is especially refreshing to browse. Thanks! I was looking for *cool people* with great gardens AND a story to photograph in May around the DC area. Why? I’m a displaced garden designer from VA (wishing I still had that drafting job in Indiana), living with my family in Des Moines, IA. I’ve recently done some freelancing for the midwest printed word/picture: magazines.
I recently wrote a garden article for a major garden publisher here, and can tell you they want topics that appeal to the average household garden enthusiast (even in Washington DC). Tell a story of transformation (hey it works for the tv networks) or what motivated a gardener. Know your reader, probably not old, wealthy people, more like suburban, 2 income families that like the everything about the outdoors; or well informed, serious gardeners. I was amazed by shade gardens in the MD/VA/DC area because they are such a generous natural relief to the humid summers there. Write about that if you come across one! Everyone needs a garden for relaxation, serenity and the creative process, as you said. Loved your community awareness in Takoma Park-tell how other communities can organize better “gardening clubs” what Takoma Park did.
Enough advice. I am seriously searching for beautiful, private gardens with a story to photograph (amateur not professionally designed). Any ideas, please email me back! Thanks.
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