| Same-Store Sales Coming Up Roses
"It looks like an earlier Easter and strong job gains helped overcome the impact of Jekyll and Hyde weather and an upswing in gasoline prices," said Frank Badillo, senior economist at TNS. Department stores (especially upscale stores), apparel and accessory stores, drug stores and warehouse clubs all fared better than average. Lagging behind them, but still reporting gains, were discount department stores and dollar stores. The big growth category was gardening and landscaping — which is not a big surprise, considering the season. In fact, shoppers said they planned to increase spending on greenery for the second year in a row. More than a fourth of shoppers plan to spend more on gardening and landscaping this year than they did last year, and almost half expect to spend the same amount.
Box makes patio gardening easier
After a couple of farm visits last week, I stopped by His & Hers Greenhouse as I returned to the office. At this time of the year my green thumb starts to itch just as it does with many of you. I wanted to take a look at some of the flowering plants Wayne Price had available, and get some idea of what I could do with my landscape this spring in order to add a little color and beauty. I also wanted to check on his greenhouse tomatoes to see how they were doing this year. As Wayne greeted me the first thing he said was, "Come back here. I want to show you something." Wayne and I walked back to one of his greenhouses, and as we walked in the door I was totally surprised when I saw two huge tomato plants, loaded with tomatoes, some of them completely ripe and ready to pick, growing in an attractive tub.
Landscape Contractor Launches Effort to 'Re-Elm' the Twin Cities
Minneapolis landscape designer Bob Harvey is on a mission to "re-elm" the Twin Cities, and eventually America, starting this Arbor Day with the introduction of two new breeds of American Elms that are resistant to Dutch Elm disease.
In the 1960s and 70s, hundreds of millions of elms nationwide were lost to Dutch Elm disease, including more than 200,000 elm trees in the Twin Cities alone. Harvey's company, Edelweiss Design, has been the main Minnesota supplier of Princeton and Valley Forge elms, which are resistant to the disease. Elms, often called "America's Tree," do well in cities because they grow fast, can survive subzero winters, scorching heat, air pollution, soil compaction, road salt, chemicals and physical damage -- all the while turning ordinary streets into places of beauty with their shade-inspiring canopies.
Landscaping includes leisure
Cycling and jogging tracks will be included as part of a major landscaping plan for Dubai roads, Gulf News reported. The Roads and Traffic Authority has earmarked around $50m this year for 45 landscaping projects. Dubai Municipality is aiming at achieving 8% green space for urban areas by 2020. .
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