Need Some Growing Inspiration? There’s a List for That
July 28, 2025 I like lists. I’m one of those people who’s always making Top 5s in my head. And I’ll click on almost any headline that includes a list — whether it’s objective (“Top 10 Books from the 2000s Based on Sales”) or completely subjective (“Top Cleveland Browns Quarterbacks from the 2000s”- though that one’s much shorter).
When it comes to the time I’ve spent working with folks across the floriculture industry, there’s another thing I like: any sort of information that offers insights for all growers, regardless of their size or location. This could be anything from a print or digital article to a panel discussion at an event. It’s always refreshing to get a range of perspectives on any given topic, because it will often spark new ideas and solutions.
So, in keeping with the opening theme of this column, here’s a list of three recent examples.
1. Bringing a Safety-First Mindset to Your Greenhouse Business
One of the panel discussions that took place at Cultivate’25 focused on how to bring a safety-first mindset to your greenhouse business. The panel featured a range of growers, big and small: Metrolina Greenhouses, Goodmark Nurseries, and Millcreek Gardens. Prior to Cultivate, I talked to two of the panel members (Katie Jent of Metrolina Greenhouses and Lyndsey Zinni of Millcreek Gardens) for an episode of the Greenhouse Grower to Grower podcast. Each of them mentioned that they come from diverse companies, but they each share a common goal: to protect their employees and ensure smooth, productive operations.
2. Succession Planning Amidst Market Uncertainty
Chris Cimaglio and Ken Lane at PivotPoint Business Solutions recently wrote an article on how you can prevent market volatility from affecting your exit planning strategy. Now there’s an issue that’s relevant to everyone. Every business in this industry will face a time of transition, and we’ve unfortunately seen too many examples of what might happen when you’re unprepared for this transition. One example Cimaglio and Lane cite is owner-centricity, which can be a value-killer in the green industry:
“This is much of the reason why 80% of businesses are not saleable — they may be sole proprietorships or simply too dependent on the owner. When asked where they spend most of their time, owners stated overwhelmingly operations and production, followed by sales and financial management. Strategy was a distant fourth.”
3. Taking Series Seriously at CAST 2025
Finally, one of the videos our team recorded at California Spring Trials 2025 was at Ball Horticultural facilities. The overall theme at Ball this year was “We Take Series Seriously.” From classic series to new introductions, many of the plant programs at Ball had displays and signage that emphasized sizes from compact to large and vigorous. The goal is to make decisions easier for growers, landscapers, and plant retailers. In other words, something for everyone.
The common theme for each of these examples is common ground. By hearing from other greenhouses that may be hundreds of miles away, and much bigger or much smaller than your company, you’re likely to discover shared challenges and success stories. Case in point: shortly after we posted the podcast episode mentioned above, I heard from a different grower who has a similar role in safety management and wanted to connect with the panelists for a follow-up discussion (which I was happy to facilitate).
Like I said, I like lists. Perhaps you’ll see more of them in this space in the future.
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