Veggies were a big feature of the tour at Syngenta Flowers’ California Spring Trials stop, where Greenhouse Grower editors visited Monday. Jeanine Bogard, Syngenta’s vegetable business product manager, highlighted four separate types of veggie gardens that demonstrated how today’s consumers will likely use vegetables: community gardens, urban home gardens and patio containers. She says most garden varieties will work in these settings, but consumers just need guidance to understand how to use them and where.
1
of
9
1
of
9
Veggies Are Hot
Consumers want to grow their own food, and vegetables will continue to be hot items. Syngenta provided information on why, what and how to sell this category at its spring trials display. Patio gardening is the reality of the future, but consumers need to understand that they can grow veggies in small spaces. Syngenta wants to help growers and retailers communicate that message.
2
of
9
Veggies And Flowers
Patio gardens like this hanging basket can incorporate veggies with flowers, for some functional beauty. This planter contains snap peas and pansies. You just have to be careful about which flowers you include with veggies, so they don't compete for space, says Syngenta's Jeanine Bogard.
3
of
9
Urban Home Gardens
This placard provides examples of what plants consumers can use in raised bed gardening plots, which have become more prevalent way of growing vegetables.
4
of
9
Urban Home Gardens
Urban home gardens are on the rise, and raised beds are a great way to do it, says Syngenta's Jeanine Bogard. They reduce weeds, allow consumers to grow many different varieties and improve their success.
5
of
9
Planting Community Gardens
Community gardens are a growing area that growers can serve. This placard shows what varieties will work best in community garden settings, and how they can be planted for maximum yield.
6
of
9
Community Garden Plants
These flats of starter plants are perfect for sale to a community garden.
7
of
9
Cool Season Veggies
Garden centers can bring consumers back into their stores by getting them to plant veggies in the spring and then encouraging them to come back to get their cool-season crops, which should be started in late summer.
8
of
9
Bring Consumers Back To The Stores
Cool season crops include broccoli, greens and many others, and will draw consumers back to retail with proper displays.
9
of
9
Broccoli Is A Cool Season Veggie
This broccoli is impressive in a container. Most consumers don't realize they can grow plants like this on their patios, Bogard says.
April 9, 2014 
