Speaking, Courses, & Events

Event Website: us02web.zoom.us/j/89266433859?pwd=uMSbIyhiPWUFBzRbc4FUuj7RCmaAr3.1

Did you get a copy of my new book "Home Greenhouse Revival"? Or are thinking about it? Come join my complementary online greenhouse growing Q&A and we'll chat about all your greenhouse questions, challenges, or ideas.

You must have a Zoom account, be registered for the event prior to it's starting, and log in to Zoom using the same login information that you registered with. Click the event link to register.

Event Website: lesliehalleck.com/shop/guided-forest-therapy-walk-tyron-creek

Guided Nature & Forest Therapy Walk

Friday, April 10th, 1pm-3:30pm PT

Are you seeking a deeper embodied connection with nature and the ecosystems you're a part of?

Desperately need some "me time" in nature where there's no pressure to perform, achieve any goals, meet any expectations, or do any mental work? Join me for a guided forest therapy walk!

Event Website: community.gardencomm.org/gather-and-grow-26-partners/ww

Live Discussion & Q&A: LinkedIn Marketing: Leveraging Existing / Future Content to Boost Exposure, Networking and Potential Employers

Thursday– January 29, 2026
7:00PM (ET) / 6:00PM C/ 4:00PM (PT)

Event Website: northerngreen.org/northern-green-january/

GREAT EXPECTATIONS!

People expect more from the staff at independent garden centers. I always told my staff during my time at an independent garden center the following: “Customers take all the questions they can’t get answered and expectations that can’t be met at the big box stores and they put them in a bag. They then bring that bag to you each time they visit. They dump that bag out at the service desk. The second you can’t deliver on those questions and expectations, they’re disappointed. They expect us to be better before they ever walk in the door.”

We all know that training and retaining staff can be one of the toughest tasks a garden center manager has on their plate. Yet, it’s often one that gets neglected or pushed to the back burner because it can seem so daunting. I don’t have time. I have to deal with all these customers! Sound familiar?

We’ve all been there. But the bottom line is, without smart, friendly staff that differentiate you from mass merchants, the kind of sales you want just don’t happen.

Kicking off the break out sessions for the 2026 Northern Green show, I'll be discussing your customer expectations, and how best to manage them through targeted staff training.

Event Website: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1RhaXwNoQZyCcx7g4NosXg

Come ask any questions about your existing business, ideas for a new business, make some networking connections, and see what it might be like to work with me as your business consultant or coach!

Thursday 2/13 7:30pm CENTRAL TIME

The session will be held on Zoom and is free; click the link to register for the free session!

Buds Group: WEDNESDAYS 12pm-1:30pm CT, 6-Weeks, Starts 1/8/25

Blooms Group: WEDNESDAYS 6pm-7:30pm CT, 6-Weeks, Starts 1/8/25

Buds: https://lesliehalleck.com/shop...

Blooms: https://lesliehalleck.com/shop...

Plant a Seed. Germinate a Passion. Grow a Practice.

Are you a budding plantrepreneur? Longing to start or grow your own botanical business? Maybe you already work in the horticulture industry, but are looking for strategic ways to grow. Perhaps you're "hort curious" and yearn to transition or transform your career from plant passion to plant profession.

AFFORDABLE + accessible

In our intimate 6-week group coaching sessions I'll help you visualize your individual goals in a supportive and collaborative group setting. We'll hybridize horticultural know-how with industry marketing & business savvy to provide focused guidance to help you and your botanical practice bloom.

WEDNESDAYS 3-4:30p CT, 6-Weeks, Starts 9/25/24
+
WEDNESDAYS 5p-6:30P CT, 6-Weeks, Starts 9/25/24

https://lesliehalleck.com/shop...

https://lesliehalleck.com/shop...

Plant a Seed. Germinate a Passion. Grow a Practice.

Are you a budding plantrepreneur? Longing to start or grow your own botanical business? Maybe you already work in the horticulture industry, but are looking for strategic ways to grow. Perhaps you're "hort curious" and yearn to transition or transform your career from plant passion to plant profession.

AFFORDABLE + accessible

In our intimate 6-week group coaching sessions I'll help you visualize your individual goals in a supportive and collaborative group setting. We'll hybridize horticultural know-how with industry marketing & business savvy to provide focused guidance to help you and your botanical practice bloom.

Event Website: www.uclaextension.edu/landscape-architecture-horticulture/horticulture-gardening/course/general-botany-gardeners-biolgy-x#:~:text=About%20this%20course%3A&text=Topics%20include%20types%20and%20functions,hands%2Don%20experience%20with%20plants.

Want to grow your plant passion or profession?

This course provides a general introduction to the study of plant structures and functions, emphasizing these aspects as they relate to the natural survival and cultivation of plants. Topics include types and functions of leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits; plant-water relations; basic genetics; ecological tolerances; and an introduction to plant names and groupings. Many of the topics include ample hands-on experience with plants. This course is a requirement in the UCLA Extension Horticulture Certificate Program.

UCLA Extension BIOLGY-X 496.2
11-Week Course

What you can learn.

• Explain relationships among different modes of plant reproduction and genetic inheritance
  
• Establish literacy in botanical nomenclature and terminology
  
• Recognize plant adaptations and connect them to the environment
  
• Develop foundational familiarity with plant diversity

Event Website: https://greenandgrowin.com/

Keynote Session

When it comes to keeping up with trends, are you in the driver’s seat or a passenger hanging on for dear life? Keeping up with trends in the marketplace can feel like riding a roller coaster. By the time you react and start to tap into a new gardening or houseplant trend, your customers may already be moving on. Would you rather let social media influencers determine what you need to sell then chase down that product…or would you rather control that conversation from the start? As new and inexperienced gardeners search for guidance and inspiration, now is the time to take charge and lead from the front. Leslie will dig deeper into this idea and inspire you to quit chasing trends, and take the wheel as trend setters.

Event Website: www.gardencenterconference.com/

Keynote Session at the Garden Center Conference & Expo.

When it comes to keeping up with trends, are you in the driver’s seat or a passenger hanging on for dear life? Keeping up with trends in the marketplace can feel like riding a roller coaster. By the time you react and start to tap into a new gardening or houseplant trend, your customers may already be moving on. Would you rather let social media influencers determine what you need to sell then chase down that product…or would you rather control that conversation from the start? As new and inexperienced gardeners search for guidance and inspiration, now is the time to take charge and lead from the front. Leslie will dig deeper into this idea and inspire you to quit chasing trends, and take the wheel as trend setters.

Event Website: community.bloomandgrowradio.com/

The topic of water quality gets thrown around online, a lot. But what is the real difference between tap water, RO water, distilled, and rainwater? What's potentially in each, how do you measure water quality, and what impact does each (and what they potentially contain) impact your plants? Water quality and Plant Nutrition go hand in hand (even in the outdoor soils), especially if you grow hydroponically.

MEMBERS: when you join you'll have automatic access to the video recordings for this class.

Event Website: bloomandgrowradio.com/

Understanding the naming system for plants can be confusing to the beginning grower or gardener. It can be confusing for experienced plant keepers as well. And with everyone on the internet playing fast and loose with the rules of plant naming, I can imagine how challenging it just be to sift through what is or isn't correct. Yet, it is crucial to both understand and correctly use plant names for purposes of proper identification and care information. Especially if you have professional aspirations. We’ll cover the basic structure of botanical nomenclature, dip our toes into a little plant taxonomy, and break down the basic rules of how to correctly write plant names. And yes, we’ll address pronunciation as well!

CLASSES IS RECORDED for future on demand viewing by B&G Society Members.

Event Website: community.bloomandgrowradio.com/

Humidity and temperature drive plant transpiration. But how? We'll dig into how plant transpiration works in your plants (indoors and out), and learn the difference between absolute humidity, relative humidity, and vapor pressure deficit- and how you measure them. We'll cover strategies for growing more challenging high-humidity species indoors, as well as learn to recognize signs of plant stress in the garden.

MEMBERS: when you join you'll have automatic access to the video recordings for this class.

Event Website: locongress.myconexsys.com/

VIRTUAL EVENT

Are you Digitally Relevant? As a brick and mortar retailer, grower, or service provider, you might be struggling to compete for exposure (and sales) in the online marketplace. During the 2020-21 pandemic shut downs, you may have been forced to dive into digital commerce in a way you were not prepared for. Digital relevancy today is a non-negotiable component of a successful comprehensive marketing strategy; and to staying relevant to an evolving customer base. We’ll cover the ins and outs of current online technology, apps, social media, e-commerce and other digital distribution channels you should employ so you can be “face-to-face” with your customers in the online world to capture market share.

Event Website: locongress.myconexsys.com/

VIRTUAL EVENT

The zeitgeist of nurturing ownership, thoughtful collecting, and creative display is in full bloom in the world of houseplant hobbyists. Houseplants, both old and new, are hot again with homeowners, apartment & dorm dwellers, and at the office. Succulents, orchids, and unusual foliage plants fill the feeds of millions of social media users. Indoor edible and ornamental gardening is gaining momentum. More than simply looking for ways to bring nature indoors, or grow their own food, people are also looking to collect, connect, and nurture. This session will cover current growing plant-keeping trends, the future of the houseplant craze, current and future popular plants + sales & marketing opportunities and strategies for independent garden centers.

Event Website: bloomandgrowradio.com/community

We’ll explore the basics – and specifics – of grow lighting 101. Let's break down the types of grow lights you'll find on the market and introductory strategies for using them, depending on your indoor growing project. Light and photoperiod play a big role in potential dormancy, or slowed winter growth, of many of your favorite houseplants. So I'll introduce you to these concepts, as well as how light is properly measured, then we'll dive deeper into those topics in future Nodes of Knowledge. Plus, this class will gear you up for your January seed starting activities, and our January seed starting class!

• Photosynthesis 101 (Heads up this class is getting really PHAT, so I may pull out this section on photosynthesis and reserve it for a full class on Photosynthesis with a dive into C3, C4, CAM plants etc. if you all are interested!)
• Light Quantity & Quality
• Types of Grow Lights
• Lighting Techniques

MEMBERS: when you join you'll have automatic access to the video recordings for this class.

Learn how light, temperature, water, and time influence development and dormancy in your houseplants and garden plants.

Did you know? Seeds and Plants have a biological clock that helps them rest and conserve resources to avoid adverse environmental extremes; and grow and develop when environmental conditions are ideal. Not all seeds and plants have a required dormancy or rest period, but some plant species do. You may have discovered this tendency in some of your indoor plants, such as Alocasia spp, Lithops spp., and Amaryllis spp., to name a few recognizable genera, as well as many other garden plants. However, some plants you've been told go dormant aren't REALLY going dormant. Plant dormancy cycles (or rest periods) may have tripped you up in your plant care regimen – especially with indoor plants - and may even have resulted in plant loss. Or, you might have struggled to germinate certain seeds that also have a dormancy requirement (we'll dive more into that in our January seed starting class). We'll sort out all the science in our inaugural "Node of Knowledge"!

MEMBERS: when you join you'll have automatic access to the video recordings for this class.

Event Website: www.us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0FzmEhisQ3yXmO_szqEpyA

Take Back Control: The Importance of Driving Trends Instead of Chasing Them: Leslie Halleck

When it comes to keeping up with trends, are you in the driver’s seat or a passenger hanging on for dear life? Keeping up with trends in the marketplace can feel like riding a roller coaster. By the time you react and start to tap into a new gardening or houseplant trend, your customers may already be moving on. Would you rather let social media influencers determine what you need to sell then chase down that product…or would you rather control that conversation from the start? As new and inexperienced gardeners search for guidance and inspiration, now is the time to take charge and lead from the front. Leslie will dig deeper into this idea and inspire you to quit chasing trends, and take the wheel as trend setters.

Event Website: www.cultivateevent.org/

*Please note that date may shift depending on final schedule*

Getting your voice heard – and respected – can be one of life’s biggest challenges. While technology and social media have made communications more possible than ever before, they haven’t made us better communicators. If you find yourself struggling to be heard, succeed in your job, grow your career, or advance your company or product goals, it’s probably time for an internal communications audit. Being a powerful communicator involves controlling the “conversation” – both literal and figurative – using specific behaviors and tactics. Halleck will address common communication struggles as well as strategies and tactics for self-analyzing and developing your own personal power as a communicator.

Event Website: www.cultivateevent.org/

*Please note that date may shift depending on final schedule*

Research shows that men and women equate being a leader with being male. If leadership itself is male gendered, how do we as women ever achieve our career aspirations? Whether you have your eyes on a top leadership role, are early in your career, or are a student, you must first learn to recognize understand gender dynamics and bias in the workplace and academia. Halleck will help you build your power tool box by covering how to recognize gender bias, navigate the “double-blind” effect that punishes you for your personality and communication style, negotiating skills and using your emotional intelligence to your advantage. Concepts and strategies covered can be used both by individuals seeking to improve and grow their professional path and make better career choices, and by organizations who recognize they need to improve gender dynamics and weed out gender bias.

Event Website: www.cultivateevent.org/

*Please note that date may shift depending on final schedule*

Keynote Presentation: (20 minutes) “Discover Your Power”

• So much of being successful, in any field, is dependent on you learning how to discover and develop your personal strengths and power. In this short keynote, Halleck will offer guidance and inspiration for digging deep to bring your inner superpowers to the surface. In her afternoon programs, she'll dive deeper into how to develop and deploy your power for career growth.

Women in Horticulture Power Panel (30-40 min):

• Leslie will moderate the panel discussion, and audience A&A. Leslie will also help develop, in advance, several key questions for the panel discussion that relate to how each panelist discovered and acknowledged their own strengths and power to find a successful career niche.

Event Website: www.cultivateevent.org/

*Please note that date may shift depending on final schedule*

If you think mentoring isn't a lot of work - or you think you're entitled to a mentor - think again. Being a successful mentor and mentee requires understanding that a mentoring relationship is a meaningful transaction between two accountable parties. A relationship that requires a combination of structure and organic chemistry. While your organization may be looking for ways to structure a formal mentorship program - and you as an individual may be seeking a mentor - it's important to first understand what's involved in being a good mentor - and a good mentee. Halleck will cover perspectives from both the mentor and mentee standpoint and strategies for success. She'll also cover when to say no to mentorship, and what to do when you don't have a mentor.

Event Website: www.greatgrowalong.com/

The Great Grow Along is a three-day virtual garden festival designed to help gardeners learn, connect and grow. There will be 40+ sessions in 6 different tracks focusing on edible gardening, pollinators & plants, DIY landscaping, urban gardening, houseplants & more -- all presented by some of the best minds in horticulture!

I am hosting the houseplant track + Green Room lives & giving a program on Grow Lighting 101.

All times are CST.

FRIDAY, MARCH 19th

1:15 pm: Q&A with Leslie F. Halleck and Green Room Live Track Hosts

1:45 pm: Q&A with Nick Cutsumpas and Houseplant Track Host Leslie F. Halleck

3:00 pm: Indoor Lighting 101 with Leslie F. Halleck

3:30 pm: Q&A with Lisa Eldred Steinkopf and Houseplant Track Host Leslie F. Halleck

SATURDAY, MARCH 20th

11:30 am: Q&A with Summer Rayne Oakes and Houseplant Track Host Leslie F. Halleck

1:30 pm: Q&A with Darryl Cheng and Houseplant Track Host Leslie F. Halleck

2:30 pm: Q&A with Susan Betz and Houseplant Track Host Leslie F. Halleck

3:45 pm: Q&A with Bloomscape's Codi Leitner and Houseplant Track Host Leslie F. Halleck

Event Website: www.glte.org/

Are you Digitally Relevant? As a brick and mortar retailer, grower, or service provider, you might be struggling to compete for exposure (and sales) in the online marketplace. During the 2020 pandemic shut downs, you may have been forced to dive into digital commerce in a way you were not prepared for. Digital relevancy today is a non-negotiable component of a successful comprehensive marketing strategy; and to staying relevant to an evolving customer base. We’ll cover the ins and outs of current online technology, apps, social media, e-commerce and other digital distribution channels you should employ so you can be “face-to-face” with your customers in the online world to capture market share.

Audience: Garden Center Retail/Growers Owners, managers, Marketing, HR -All industry segments.

Event Website: www.glte.org/

What's holding you back from what you really want in your career, business, or life? Chances are, fear - specifically fear of change - might be driving your choices, either consciously or unconsciously. When you learn how to embrace and employ it, change can be a powerful force for your success. Leslie will coach you on strategies for learning to remove fear from your decision-making process, using friction to breed creativity, and embracing change as a tool for progress and success.

Audience: Business track, young professionals, career transitioners, owners, all industry segments.

Key Messages:

• RECOGNIZE YOUR COMMUNICATION STRUGGLES
• DISCOVER YOUR AUTHENTIC VOICE
• STRATEGY AND TACTICS FOR CONTROLLING YOUR CONVERSATION

Event Website: glte.org

The zeitgeist of nurturing ownership, thoughtful collecting, and creative display is in full bloom in the world of houseplant hobbyists. Houseplants, both old and new, are hot again with homeowners, apartment & dorm dwellers, and at the office. Succulents, orchids, and unusual foliage plants fill the feeds of millions of social media users. Indoor edible and ornamental gardening is gaining momentum. More than simply looking for ways to bring nature indoors, or grow their own food, people are also looking to collect, connect, and nurture. This session will cover current growing plant-keeping trends, the future of the houseplant craze, current and future popular plants + sales & marketing opportunities and strategies for independent garden centers.

Audience: Garden Centers Retailers, but also benefits growers, breeders, brokers

Key Messages:

• PLANT KEEPING & HOUSEPLANT TRENDS
• WHAT CONSUMERS WANT
• MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES & STRATEGIES

Event Website: northerngreen.org

The zeitgeist of nurturing ownership, thoughtful collecting, and creative display is in full bloom in the world of houseplant hobbyists. Houseplants, both old and new, are hot again with homeowners, apartment & dorm dwellers, and at the office. Succulents, orchids, and unusual foliage plants fill the feeds of millions of social media users. Indoor edible and ornamental gardening is gaining momentum. More than simply looking for ways to bring nature indoors, or grow their own food, people are also looking to collect, connect, and nurture. This session will cover current growing plant-keeping trends, the future of the houseplant craze, current and future popular plants + sales & marketing opportunities and strategies for independent garden centers.

Audience: For Garden Centers Retailers, but also benefits growers, breeders, brokers

Key Messages:

• PLANT KEEPING & HOUSEPLANT TRENDS

• WHAT CONSUMERS WANT

• MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES & STRATEGIES

Event Website: northerngreen.org

Are you Digitally Relevant? As a brick and mortar retailer, grower, or service provider, you might be struggling to compete for exposure (and sales) in the online marketplace. During the 2020 pandemic shut downs, you may have been forced to dive into digital commerce in a way you were not prepared for. Digital relevancy today is a non-negotiable component of a successful comprehensive marketing strategy; and to staying relevant to an evolving customer base. We’ll cover the ins and outs of current online technology, apps, social media, e-commerce and other digital distribution channels you should employ so you can be “face-to-face” with your customers in the online world to capture market share.

Audience: Garden Center Retail/Growers Owners, managers, Marketing, HR -All industry segments.

Event Website: ttps://www.cultivatevirtual.org/wih

10:30 am CST/11:30 am EST

Strategic Networking and Mentorship; Accessing and Building Power through Relationships

Garnering a position of leadership, that next important promotion, or achieving your entrepreneurial goals, require hard work and credentials. But what most women are not taught is that who you know is often as - or more - important than what you know. We keep our noses to the grindstone assuming our accumulation of skills, achievements, and talent will get us where we want to go. How many of you have watched a younger or less qualified candidate be rewarded with a job, raise, or important project - one you were more qualified for? Who you know, your access to people with power, and how you leverage your professional network and mentors matter more than you realize. Halleck will help you evaluate your existing network and develop strategies for improving it, as well cover perspectives from both the mentor and mentee standpoint with strategies for cultivating successful relationships.

Update: Cancelled. We will attempt to reschedule event in the future.

I'll be hosting a plant swap and question & answer session during the horticulture student's annual plant fair.

Event Website: mnla.wildapricot.org/

Expand & Extend Your Selling Seasons: Get to know your customers and develop strategic buying skills to extend and expand your selling seasons

We are all looking for ways to break the “seasonal curse” of being a garden center and keep customer traffic moving during slow times of the year. Are you maximizing seasonal transitions and pre-selling your seasons? Are you pushing ahead of, or creating, new trends that help existing and new customers find new ways to use your perennials? IGCs need to differentiate and focus on increasing average sale when there are open spaces in the parking lot – as well as expand existing in-season opportunities. Successful season expansion and extension depends on clearly defining existing target customers - and fine-tuning your marketing messaging in relevant ways to evolve and expand your customer base. We’ll cover tips and strategies on how to extend your seasons, how best to pre-sell your seasons, perennial plant niches, and relevant customer targeting strategies.

Key Messages:

BUYING STRATEGIES
PERENNIAL TRENDS
CUSTOMER TARGETING AND MARKETING MESSAGING

Event Website: mnla.wildapricot.org/

Due to concerns over water shortages (or flooding), habitat destruction and wildlife preservation, and pollinator support, the demand for native plant varieties is growing with consumers – even if they don’t know what native plants look like. Trends in public spaces and landscape design are also shifting. Landscape architects, designers, contractors now need the plants they use to not only be beautiful, but also resource-smart and beneficial for wildlife. Yet, even with this shifting trends, consumer expectations don’t always connect with the realities of native landscape aesthetics. How is your plant growing business responding to meet these shifts in designer and consumer demands? As designers are you considering plant trends and wildlife concerns? How do you work together in the industry to both educate the consumer and manage expectations about adapted or native plants? Leslie will address plant and and landscape design trends, challenges for designers and landscapers, and how to work together to better educated and market the evolving naturalistic landscapes.

Key Messages:

• Evolving Plant & Design Trends
• Tactics for Teaming Up in the Industry
• Tips for Educating & Marketing Native Plants/Design to Consumers

Event Website: www.centertonnursery.com

Expand & Extend Your Selling Seasons: Get to know your customers and develop strategic buying skills to extend and expand your selling seasons

We are all looking for ways to break the “seasonal curse” of being a garden center and keep customer traffic moving during slow times of the year. Are you maximizing seasonal transitions and pre-selling your seasons? Are you pushing ahead of, or creating, new trends that help existing and new customers find new ways to use your perennials? IGCs need to differentiate and focus on increasing average sale when there are open spaces in the parking lot – as well as expand existing in-season opportunities. Successful season expansion and extension depends on clearly defining existing target customers - and fine-tuning your marketing messaging in relevant ways to evolve and expand your customer base. We’ll cover tips and strategies on how to extend your seasons, how best to pre-sell your seasons, perennial plant niches, and relevant customer targeting strategies.

Key Messages:

• BUYING STRATEGIES
• PERENNIAL TRENDS
• CUSTOMER TARGETING AND MARKETING MESSAGING

Event Website: www.nhg.com

Swap plants, rooted cuttings, and seeds with fellow plant parents while you enjoy refreshments. Commune with fellow plant lovers, chat about plant-keeping challenges or what’s exciting you in your plant collection. Make plant friends in real life! #plantfriendsirl -And, get a cool new-to-you plant or two out of the deal.

At the start of the event, Leslie will give a short overview of her new book “Plant Parenting; Easy Ways to Make More Houseplants, Vegetables, and Flowers”, demonstrate a plant propagation technique or two, and spend some time answering questions about plant propagation and plant care. The plant swap will follow the demo and Q&A. Venue will have refreshments, but more details to come!

When the swap is wrapping up, Leslie will also give away a freebie from her own collection + a signed copy of her Plant Parenting book!

Event schedule:

• 3:00-3:30 Plant Parent Check-in and plant set up. Leslie will answer open plant propagation Q&A.

• 3:30 – Intro/announcements

• 3:40 – You may swap for as many plants as you brought to trade! Swapping starts with Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 – approximately 15 minutes will be allotted for each group to take a turn trading – then you can all open trade until the end of the event. While Group 1 “shops” for swaps, Groups 2 & 3 will stay with their plants, etc. (You will be assigned a group number when you check in, and also given a raffle ticket for 1 Plant Parenting book & plant giveaway from Leslie, plus 10 additional giveaways.)

• 3:40-4:45pm Leslie’s Meet/Greet Book Signing & Sales – Leslie will sell and sign copies of her books “Plant Parenting” & “Gardening Under Lights”.
  
  
• 4:50: Raffle Drawings!

How the Plant Swap & Sip Works:

▪ Bring a healthy pest-free plant to trade. Variety is good! Plants can come in the form of rooted cuttings (no fresh cuttings), potted cuttings, transplants grown from seed, potted houseplants, potted succulents, perennials, citrus, veggie transplants, bulbs, or seeds. Also, consider the outdoor gardening season at the time of the event.

▪ Keep in mind that you want to bring a type of plant that will be desirable to other plant parents, so you also get a good swap!

▪ Plants/seeds/bulbs can be from your own collection or purchased new from your local plant shop. Your choice.

▪ You can bring one plant or several – it’s up to you. The more you bring the more you get to trade.

▪ Plants can be potted, in plastic nursery pots, or in a water propagation container if they are rooted cuttings. Seeds should be in a labeled secure container or seed packet. Bulbs can be potted, in a labeled paper bag, small basket or pot.

▪ When you arrive (or download in advance) fill out your plant baby profile sheet to provide its adoptive parent with information such as it’s common name and botanical name (if you know it), any nickname you’ve given it, and basic care instructions. NHG will have the forms.

▪ Grab something to sip and snack on as you swap. Peruse the plant babies to and meet other plant parents to make your swap. Enjoy making new plant friends and learning new plant factoids!

Leslie will be selling and signing copies of both her books Plant Parenting & Garden Under Lights

Event Website: www.cultivate19.org/

This panel discussion, moderated by Leslie Halleck, assembles notable plant consumers and social media influencers to talk about their experiences as plant parents in the current marketplace. The goal is to connect green industry members with their consumers for a real-time face-to-face discussion about challenges and opportunities for targeted plant sales, service, and experience. This panel follows the program "Plant Parenting: Connect & Cultivate Plant-Keeping Trends and Marketing".

Panel participants:

Darryl Cheng, Creator of House Plant Journal

Maria Failla, Founder and Host of Bloom & Grow Radio Podcast

Summer Rayne Oakes, Founder of Homestead Brooklyn

Event Website: www.cultivate19.org/

The zeitgeist of nurturing ownership, thoughtful collecting, and creative display is in full bloom in the plant world. Houseplants, both old and new, are hot again with homeowners, apartment & dorm dwellers, and at the office. Succulents, orchids, and unusual foliage plants fill the feeds of millions of social media users. Indoor edible and ornamental gardening is gaining momentum. More than simply looking for ways to bring nature indoors, or grow their own food, people are also looking to collect, connect, and nurture. This session will cover growing plant-keeping trends, sales & marketing opportunities and strategies for the green industry.

Event Website: www.cultivate19.org/

CareerUP is a day-long workshop designed to teach emerging professionals the more soft or intangible skills needed to be successful and progress in your career. This year’s speakers will focus on improving team dynamics and communication, the skills needed to resolve conflict and have tough conversations and show how you can better deal with change and let go of the fears that may be holding you back. This event provides an invaluable opportunity to network with horticulture industry peers who are also trying to figure out how to navigate and develop their career in an industry where career progression isn’t always obvious. Meet people in the industry who face the same challenges you might face and come share your experiences. Skills learned at this event will help you not only at work, but also help you be a better you.

1:45 p.m.: Dealing with Change and Letting Go of Fear

What's holding you back from what you really want in your career and life? Chances are, fear - specifically fear of change - might be driving your choices, either consciously or unconsciously. When you learn how to embrace and employ it, change can be a powerful force for your success. Leslie will coach you on strategies for learning to remove fear from your decision-making process, using friction to breed creativity, and embracing change as a tool for progress and success.

Other Presenters:

Neal Glatt, Managing Partner of GrowTheBench

John Kennedy, Owner of John Kennedy Consulting

Additional registration required. See website for details.

Event Website: www.facebook.com/Weekend.Gardener.with.Niki.Jabbour/

Heads up, I’ll be chatting all things #plantparenting with host Niki Jabbour, Author of "Veggie Garden Remix" and co-owner of SavvyGardening.com, on The Weekend Gardener Radio show this Sunday 6/23! I’ll be on at 9:30am Central/10:30am ET.

The show airs live on News 95.7 in Nova Scotia (9-11ET) as well as live online at www.news957.com.

Event Website: www.nhg.com

Swap plants, rooted cuttings, and seeds with fellow plant parents while you enjoy refreshments. Commune with fellow plant lovers, chat about plant-keeping challenges or what’s exciting you in your plant collection. Make plant friends in real life! #plantfriendsirl -And, get a cool new-to-you plant or two out of the deal.

At the start of the event, Leslie will give a short overview of her new book “Plant Parenting; Easy Ways to Make More Houseplants, Vegetables, and Flowers”, demonstrate a plant propagation technique or two, and spend some time answering questions about plant propagation and plant care. The plant swap will follow the demo and Q&A. Venue will have refreshments, but more details to come!

When the swap is wrapping up, Leslie will also give away a freebie from her own collection + a signed copy of her Plant Parenting book!

Event schedule:

3 pm: Leslie's propagation demo and Q&A
3:30: Plant Swap
4:15: Drawing for book giveaway/Leslie's book signing
5 pm: Event wraps up

How the Plant Swap & Sip Works:

▪ Bring a healthy pest-free plant to trade. Variety is good! Plants can come in the form of rooted cuttings (no fresh cuttings), potted cuttings, transplants grown from seed, potted houseplants, potted succulents, perennials, citrus, veggie transplants, bulbs, or seeds. Also, consider the outdoor gardening season at the time of the event.

▪ Keep in mind that you want to bring a type of plant that will be desirable to other plant parents, so you also get a good swap!

▪ Plants/seeds/bulbs can be from your own collection or purchased new from your local plant shop. Your choice.

▪ You can bring one plant or several – it’s up to you. The more you bring the more you get to trade.

▪ Plants can be potted, in plastic nursery pots, or in a water propagation container if they are rooted cuttings. Seeds should be in a labeled secure container or seed packet. Bulbs can be potted, in a labeled paper bag, small basket or pot.

▪ When you arrive (or download in advance) fill out your plant baby profile sheet to provide its adoptive parent with information such as it’s common name and botanical name (if you know it), any nickname you’ve given it, and basic care instructions. NHG will have the forms.

▪ Grab something to sip and snack on as you swap. Peruse the plant babies to and meet other plant parents to make your swap. Enjoy making new plant friends and learning new plant factoids! Depending on the nature of the event or number of attendees, we may have you draw a number when you arrive, and the swapping will proceed in that order.

Leslie will be selling and signing copies of both her books Plant Parenting & Gardening Under Lights during and after the plant swap.

Event Website: www.gardenshow.com/

Indoor gardening and grow lighting technology for home gardeners is exploding. If you're struggling to keep your succulents alive, orchids blooming, harvest kitchen herbs, or grow food indoors, grow lights are usually the solution. Choosing the right grow lights for the right plants can be an overwhelming task. Leslie will cover current trends, modern indoor growing technology, the gear you need, and techniques for growing more plants indoors.

Event Website: www.gardenshow.com/

Wish you could grow fresh tomatoes in the winter? How about fruit on your indoor citrus trees? Gardening indoors can be the solution for extending & expanding your gardening season, but most of us don't have enough natural light indoors to successfully grow food. Learn about the right types of grow lights and indoor gardening techniques to produce food such a tomatoes, peppers, squash, herbs, and citrus indoors- no sun required!

Event Website: www.wnla.org

Attracting, growing, and keeping good employees can be one of your toughest jobs as a business owner or manager. Bad hires and poor morale can destroy teams, erode profit, and damage your company’s brand. Fine-tuning your hiring practices and learning how to manage teams in the workplace, also requires you determine where you fit within the generational dynamic and how each team member approaches work and life. Leslie will address targeting recruiting strategies, and incentive/pay strategies, employee training, and managerial tactics.

Event Website: www.wnla.org/

It's no secret that as women we face distinct challenges in the workforce. But we also bring distinct skills that benefit us and our industry. Are you promoting your own professional strengths and skills strongly enough? Are you leveraging the strengths of other women in the workplace to help us all rise together? Join Leslie for a shot of inspiration and tips on how to navigate the industry as a Woman in Horticulture.

Key Messages:

• DISTINCT WORKPLACE CHALLENGES

• PROMOTING & LEVERAGING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND STRENGTHS

• TIPS AND TACTICS FOR NAVIGATING THE INDUSTRY

Event Website: greenandgrowin.com/

Attracting, growing, and keeping good employees can be one of your toughest jobs as a business owner or manager. Bad hires and poor morale can destroy teams, erode profit, and damage your company’s brand. Fine-tuning your hiring practices and learning how to manage teams in the workplace, also requires you determine where you fit within the generational dynamic and how each team member approaches work and life. Leslie will address targeting recruiting strategies, and incentive/pay strategies, employee training, and managerial tactics.

Event Website: greenandgrowin.com/register/

Are you taking advantage of a growing market segment? Indoor gardening and plantscaping are growing trends,and consumer grow lighting technology is exploding. But, the mainstream gardening consumer and plantscapers still don't have enough access to products and education delivered in relevant ways.

Growing under lights is also the solution to many indoor plant and plantscaping failures. If we want to attract new gardening customers and help existing ones extend their growing seasons, we need to provide consumer-geared tools and techniques that help them be successful. Let’s take indoor gardening “out of the

closet” and make it more accessible and successful for general gardeners, new plant enthusiasts, and professional plantscapers. Leslie will cover new indoor plant consumer trends, new indoors growing technology, and ways to present & market to this growing category.

Join me at Half Price Books in Dallas at the Flagship location for a indoor gardening Q&A followed by a book signing for "Gardening Under Lights".

Event held in the HPB Community Room.

Books available for purchase in store plus signing.

Event Website: www.gardenfever.com/Lectures--Classes.html

Join Leslie at Garden Fever for an overview of "Gardening Under Lights", followed by a Q&A session on indoor growing, seed starting, and propagation.

Afterwards, "Gardening Under Lights" will be available for purchase and signing.

Free lecture, but reservations required. Call the nursery at 503-287-3200.

Event Website: www.farwestshow.com/

It's no secret that as women we face distinct challenges in the workforce. But we also bring distinct skills that benefit us and our industry. Are you promoting your own professional strengths and skills strongly enough? Are you leveraging the strengths of other women in the workplace to help us all rise together? Join Leslie for a shot of inspiration and tips on how to navigate the industry as a Woman in Horticulture.

Key Messages:

• DISTINCT WORKPLACE CHALLENGES

• PROMOTING & LEVERAGING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND STRENGTHS

• TIPS AND TACTICS FOR NAVIGATING THE INDUSTRY

Event Website: www.farwestshow.com/

Are you taking advantage of a growing market segment? Indoor gardening and plantscaping are growing trends,and consumer grow lighting technology is exploding. But, the mainstream gardening consumer and plantscapers still don't have enough access to products and education delivered in relevant ways. Growing under lights is also the solution to many indoor plant and plantscaping failures. If we want to attract new gardening customers and help existing ones extend their growing seasons, we need to provide consumer-geared tools and techniques that help them be successful. Let’s take indoor gardening “out of the closet” and make it more accessible and successful for general gardeners, new plant enthusiasts, and professional plantscapers. Leslie will cover new indoor plant consumer trends, new indoor growing technology, and ways to present and market this growing category.

Key Messages:

• INDOOR GARDENING TRENDS

• CURRENT TECHNOLOGY/ LIGHTING FOR INDOOR GARDENING

• TIPS AND TACTICS FOR RETAIL & PLANTSCAPING SUCCESS

Want to bring nature indoors?

From seedlings, to garden starts to permanent indoor crops and plant collections, Leslie will demystify the art and science of skillfully lighting and successfully growing your indoor plantings and edibles.

Leslie will begin with a 20-minute overview of what you'll find in her book and indoor gardening tips to get you started, followed by an open Q&A for all your indoor gardening questions.

Afterwards, Leslie's book Gardening Under Lights will be available for purchase and signing by the author at the meet & greet.

Gardening Under Lights is a highly-detailed, accessible guide for seed starters, plant collectors, and anyone who wants to successfully garden indoors.

Event Website: cultivate18.org/

Attracting, growing, and keeping good employees can be one of your toughest jobs as a business owner or manager. Bad hires and poor morale can destroy teams, erode profit, and damage your company’s brand. Fine-tuning your hiring practices, and learning how to manage teams in the workplace, also requires you determine where you fit within the generational dynamic and how each team member approaches work and life. Leslie will address targeting recruiting strategies, incentive/pay strategies, employee training, and managerial tactics to cultivate a team that thrives.

Key Messages:

-SHIFTING RECRUITING STRATEGIES

-FINE-TUNING HIRING PRACTICES

-TIPS AND TACTICS FOR FOR MANAGERS & INCENTIVE PLANS

Event Website: cultivate18.org/

Are you taking advantage of a growing market segment? Indoor gardening and plantscaping are growing trends,and consumer grow lighting technology is exploding. But, the mainstream gardening consumer and plantscapers still don't have enough access to products and education delivered in relevant ways. Growing under lights is also the solution to many indoor plant and plantscaping failures. If we want to attract new gardening customers and help existing ones extend their growing seasons, we need to provide consumer-geared tools and techniques that help them be successful. Let’s take indoor gardening“out of the closet” and make it more accessible and successful for general gardeners, new plant enthusiasts, and professional plantscapers.

Key Messages:

-INDOOR GARDENING TRENDS

-CURRENT TECHNOLOGY/ LIGHTING FOR INDOOR GARDENINg

-TIPS AND TACTICS FOR RETAIL & PLANTSCAPING SUCCESS

Event Website: cultivate18.org/

It's no secret that as women we face distinct challenges in the workforce. But we also bring distinct skills that benefit us and our industry. Are you promoting your own professional strengths and skills strongly enough? Are you leveraging the strengths of other women in the workplace to help us all rise together? Join Leslie for a shot of inspiration and tips on how to navigate the industry as a Woman in Horticulture.

Key Messages:

DISTINCT WORKPLACE CHALLENGES,

PROMOTING & LEVERAGING PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND STRENGTHS,

TIPS AND TACTICS FOR NAVIGATING THE INDUSTRY

Event Website: www.youtube.com/user/mikethegardenerllc

Check out my interview about my new book "Gardening Under Lights" with Mike The Gardener of The Vegetable Gardening Show.

Event Website: www.facebook.com/Weekend.Gardener.with.Niki.Jabbour/

Heads up, I’ll be chatting #gardeningunderlights with host Niki Jabbour, Author of "Veggie Garden Remix" and co-owner of SavvyGardening.com, on The Weekend Gardener Radio show this Sunday 6/3! I’ll be on at 9am Central/10am ET. The show airs live on News 95.7 in Nova Scotia (9-11ET) as well as live online at www.news957.com. Grab some coffee and let’s talk indoor gardening!

Strategies for attracting, growing, and keeping the right employees; build a sustainable company culture.

Program Description: Attracting, growing, and keeping good employees can be one of your toughest jobs as a business owner or manager. Once you’ve on-boarded new employees, their happiness and dedication to your company then depends on more than wages…and unhappy employees are costly. Bad hires and poor morale can destroy teams, erode profit, and damage your company’s brand. Fine-tuning your hiring practices and learning how to manage teams in the workplace, also requires you determine where you fit within the generational dynamic and how each team member approaches work and life. We’ll address targeting recruiting strategies, managerial tactics, incentive/pay strategies, and inter-generational team communication to help staff and build a dynamic company culture.

This year meet Leslie Halleck, a Certified Professional Horticulturist (ASHS) with 25 years of green industry experience. She currently runs Halleck Horticultural, LLC, through which she provides horticultural consulting, business and marketing strategy, product development and branding, and content creation for green industry companies. This casual networking event is designed to cultivate lasting career support. At the Women in Horticulture networking event you can make new connections with horticulture peers from across the nation. It’s a great place to mingle with your green industry sisters, expand your business network, and share opportunities and experiences in horticulture to keep growing your career.

Are you Digitally Relevant? As a brick and mortar retailer and service provider, you might be struggling to compete for exposure (and sales) in the online marketplace. Digital relevancy today is a non-negotiable component of a successful comprehensive marketing strategy; and to staying relevant to an evolving customer base. We’ll cover the ins and outs of current online technology, apps, social media, and other digital distribution channels you should employ so you can be “face-to-face” with your customers in the online world to capture market share. Audience: Retailers, but also relevant across all industry segments.

We’ve all experienced customers we wished we hadn’t recruited – they can be costly and time consuming. Most of the time, the wrong customer could have been avoided with better customer profiling and targeted marketing. No one business can handle all the customers…nor are all the customers the right fit for you and your business. How good of a job have you done profiling and pre-qualifying the right target customer for your business? Are you keeping them? We’ll cover different types of customers and how to determine which ones are the right fit for you. Audience: Landscapers, Retailers, Growers, Designers

#BP213

Your employees’ happiness and dedication to your company depends on more than wages…and unhappy employees are costly. Poor morale can destroy teams, erode profit, and ultimately destroy your business. Learning how to manage better in the workplace, and be a better employee, requires you determine where you fit within the generational dynamic and how each team member approaches work and life. We’ll address managerial tactics, incentive strategies, and inter-generational team communication to help build a dynamic company culture.

Are you a Green Industry member in the South? If so, join us in Dallas on October 7th at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden for our 2nd annual Perennial Plant Association Southern Region Symposium! REGISTRATION IS OPEN. We have a fantastic group of speakers plus lots of CEUs for TNLA, APLD, NALP and we're even working on Pest Applicator CEUs. EVENT DETAILS HERE

PPA members get a deep discount, so be sure to renew or join up when you register for the member price. REGISTER HERE

Are you a home gardener or master gardener? If so, we've worked out public day for you on Saturday, October 8th at the Arboretum. Three of these amazing speakers will be sticking around for you that day. As soon as we have registration details from DABS, we'll post it!

Last Year we talked about defining your identity and developing your brand. This year, we’re going to focus on the relevancy of your digital marketing strategy, or lack thereof. Are you reaching your ideal customers where they want to do business? Digital relevancy is a key component of a successful marketing strategy in today’s marketplace. We’ll cover the ins and outs of current website technology, apps, social media and other digital distribution channels you should be using (and how to manage them) so you can be “face-to-face” with your customers in the online world.

Due to concerns over water shortages and wildlife preservation, the demand for native varieties is growing among consumers. Trends in public spaces and landscape design are also shifting. How is your garden center responding to meet these shifts in demand and design? We’ll cover what consumers are looking for in natives and nativars, the latest trends in landscape design and public spaces and how your growing operation, garden center or landscaping firm can capitalize on the trend and meet demand.

How relevant is your garden center to an evolving customer base?  Defining your identity, developing your brand and spreading the word is key to relevancy in marketing. In order to differentiate, you first have to find yourself. Once you’ve defined your identity, you need to develop your brand it and brand it well. A solid identity and great branding won’t get you far, however, unless you commit to putting it out there with consistent communication. We’ll discuss how to define your identity and employ creative marketing and advertising strategies to drive traffic.

Cause Marketing: Engage your customers with community and cause. For customers to choose you, you need reflective of and relevant to their lifestyle. Issues that are important to people in their personal lives can impact their purchasing behaviors and how they engage with local businesses You as a business may also have a community cause that is important to you and your staff. How are you integrating and leveraging community involvement with your customer base? We’ll discuss strategies for integrating cause marketing with relevancy and authenticity into your marketing tactics.

Green Industry Identity Crisis: Define your identity, develop your brand and spread the word.

2pm-4pm Green Industry Identity Crisis: If you’re an independent garden center, grower, landscaper or even a solo horticulturist, you may be suffering from one.
In order to differentiate, you first have to find yourself. Once you’ve defined your identity, you need to develop your brand it and brand it well. A solid identity and great branding won’t get you far, however, unless you commit to putting it out there with consistent communication.

Even if you’re an established business, it may be time for a reboot.Do you have a marketing plan? Have you identified your target customers? We’ll cover concepts, marketing strategies, customer profiles and exercises for figuring out what you do best and how to confidently tell the rest of the world.

Idaho Hort Expo has established its name by cutting edge contemporary show of green industry will again be coming in front of audience. Over one hundred exhibitors are going to present, supply the brightest ideas, the hottest plants and the latest technology from the horticulture industry. Introducing nursery owners, curators and cutting-edge experts to new audiences on international level has been the trend of this show.

10AM: Pre-Selling the Season & Season Extenders: We are all looking for ways to break the “seasonal curse” of being a garden center and keep customer traffic moving during slow times of the year. Are you maximizing seasonal transitions and pre-selling your seasons? Are you pushing ahead of, or creating, new trends that may break the rules for “traditional” garden center product? IGCs need to differentiate and focus on increasing average sale when there are open spaces in the parking lot. We’ll cover tips and strategies on how to extend your seasons, how best to pre-sell your seasons and non-traditional product niches.

11AM: CustomerProfiles: Which customers do you really want to hire? We’ve all experienced customers we wished we hadn’t hired. Most of the time, those mistakes could have been avoided with better customer profiling. No one can handle *all* the customers…nor are *all* the customers the right fit for you and your business. How good of a job have you done profiling and pre-qualifying the right target customer for your business? We’ll cover different types of customers and how to determine which ones are the right fit for you10am and 11am

The Garden Center Symposium assembles as a group each year to learn cutting edge information from world-class speakers, share experiences, and have some fun. The program is organized and operated by members of a board of directors that includes garden center and greenhouse owners and operators, growers, and suppliers from Wisconsin and Illinois.

I will be giving two programs:

9:45 AM: Marketing your IGC: Defining your identity, developing your brand and spreading the word. In order to differentiate, you first have to find yourself. Once you’ve defined your identity, you need to develop your brand it and brand it well. A solid identity and great branding won’t get you far, however, unless you commit to putting it out there with consistent communication. We’ll discuss how to define your identity and employ creative marketing and advertising strategies to drive traffic.

11:00 AM: Restoring the Landscape One Backyard at a Time. Due to concerns over water shortages and wildlife preservation, the demand for native varieties is growing among consumers. Trends in public spaces and landscape design are also shifting. How is your garden center responding to meet these shifts in demand and design? We’ll cover what consumers are looking for in natives and nativars, the latest trends in landscape design and public spaces and how your garden center can meet demand.

TNLA REGION II Meeting
 

Due to concerns over water shortages, habitat destruction and wildlife preservation, the demand for native plant varieties is growing among consumers. Trends in public spaces and landscape design are also shifting. Landscape architects, designers, contractors now need the plants they use to not only be beautiful, but also resource-smart and beneficial for wildlife. How is your business responding to meet these shifts in customer expectations?  Is your staff up to speed on the latest and plant trends and wildlife concerns? Leslie will cover the most current trends in landscape design, what today’s consumers are looking for in plant choices and wildlife support issues.

A Plant For All Seasons Nursery

Are you yearning to keep your own urban backyard chickens?  I'll provide the basics on how to care for your own flock, plus address the important issues of city code and ordinances effecting chicken keepers.
 

PPA Sustainability Symposium: In conjunction with All-America Selections SUMMER SUMMIT

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE

PPA Participants can also register for the AAS events.

Designers, landscapers, growers, and retailers in the South face growing challenges when it comes to navigating the impact of extreme weather conditions. Intense heat, drought and flooding are impacting both how we do business, what we sell and the landscapes we create.

We’ve brought together an inspiring and knowledgeable group of speakers to address sustainability challenges and solutions across each area of our industry. With a focus on perennials, speakers will cover plant trialing resources, heat and drought tolerant plant selections, landscape restoration, sustainability and bio-controls for growers, supply chain issues and solutions for landscapers and retailers, plus using native plants for color.

Join us to learn some important information to help your business adapt to sustainability concerns. It’s been 20 years since the PPA hosted a Southern Region Symposium. So, let’s show some southern hospitality and support for these great speakers!

FEATURING · Jenny Wegley ·Dr. Jared Barnes  · Zac Tolbert · Leslie Halleck · Lloyd Traven · Dr. Cynthia Mckenney

$99 Members
$75 Students
$110 Non-Members
LIMITED SEATING

Beverages and lunch included. 11:45am-1pm

Register by October 1st, 2015

PPA Contact 614-771-8431  EMAIL

Local contact EMAIL

Rooms $129/night. Please book BEFORE September 16, 2015
as rooms will not be available after that date.  214-630-5332

ONLINE REGISTRATION COMING SOON - mark your calendar!

Join our tech talk panel of Leslie Halleck and Zac Tolbert (Local Plant Source) where they’ll cover which technologies can bring the most ROI to your business over the coming years. Topics of this discussion will focus on why you should invest in a professional website and how investing in new technology will benefit your company's overall profit.

Learn about what you can do to make your entire landscape more pollinator friendly, be it the plants you choose, when they flower and the types of chemicals you use on your property. I'll also touch on the tough topic of Neonics and provide a brief update about current research and resources.

Identity Crisis? If you’re an independent garden center, grower or even a solo horticulturist, you may be suffering from one!

In order to differentiate, you first have to find yourself. Once you’ve defined your identity, you need to develop your brand it and brand it well. A solid identity and great branding won’t get you far, however, unless you commit to putting it out there with consistent communication.

Even if you’re an established business, it may be time for a reboot. We’ll cover concepts, strategies and exercises for figuring out what you do best and how to confidently tell the rest of the world!

More details on the date and time TBA.

July 28-August 1

In order to be ahead of the curve in terms of education and understanding, our industry needs to better focus on the issues related to pollinators, especially bees, and the effects pesticides can have on their health. Our customers expect us to be able to answer tough questions about current research and what approaches they should take in their own gardens. I'll be participating in an industry panel discussion on the topic, with a focus of how to help educate customers at the garden center level.

Exact date/times TBA

We are all looking for ways to break the “seasonal curse” of being a garden center and keep customer traffic moving during slow times of the year. Are you maximizing seasonal transitions and pre-selling your seasons? Are you pushing ahead of, or creating, new trends that may break the rules for “traditional” garden center product? IGCs need to differentiate and focus on increasing average sale when there are open spaces in the parking lot. We’ll cover tips and strategies on how to extend your seasons, how best to pre-sell your seasons and non-traditional product niches.

I wil be presenting two sessions on this topic. First, a presentation and then in the second session a panel discussion.  Exact date/times to TBA.   Jul.12-15, 2014

Track:
Garden Center

I'll be joining the Dallas Sierra Club to give a talk about urban veggie gardening and composting.  As a community, we’re healthier when we actively garden and engage directly with our food. For many, a foray into gardening begins with an interest in vegetable gardening. Just because you live in the city doesn’t mean you can grow fresh food. Learn some tips for growing great vegetables and how to recycle all the leftover organic matter with basic composting techniques.

I'll be making an appearance to do an open Q&A on general and organic gardening topics (veggies, composting, backyard chickens...whateva!) I don't do this often people, so bring all your gardening questions and join me for lunch!

Ideas in Bloom is a weekly lunchtime speaker series that runs twice a year, in the spring and the fall.  It happens on Thursdays at noon in The Dallas Morning News Reading & Games Room.

Digital content & social media have now become an important component of your real-world marketplace. Are you treating it as such? It’s a challenge for the green industry to both get the work done and do it consistently and creatively. It’s about connecting with and exciting your customer in order to improve your sales; all while making them feel like part of your family. We’ll cover how to get the work done, where to spend your time, and creative approaches to building engaging and exciting online content.

Digital content & social media have now become an important component of your real-world marketplace. Are you treating it as such? It’s a challenge for the green industry to both get the work done and do it consistently and creatively. It’s about connecting with and exciting your customer in order to improve your sales; all while making them feel like part of your family. We’ll cover how to get the work done, where to spend your time, and creative approaches to building engaging and exciting online content. http://www.farwestshow.com

Want to get the most bang for your gardening buck by choosing the right perennials the first time? I'll teach you about my favorite Texas Tough perennials, proper selection, placement and best care practices. Butterfly and bee plants will also be highlighted.

$20 Register at North Haven Gardens or call 214-363-5316

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This is one of my most popular and highly attended workshops. If you're looking to start a new vegetable garden this spring, or need to learn how to be successful with the one you've already started, this is the workshop for you.

We will cover all the basics; from how to build your soil properly, to building and using raised beds. We'll cover how to start your own transplants from seed both indoors and outside in the garden. We'll cover timing issues, care & culture, pest & disease management and do a big review of all the major cool and warm season crops. This workshop wil get you off to a great start or help you correct mistakes you may be making in your existing garden.

This is a dense and content-rich program so be sure to bring your coffee and be ready to take lots of notes! But don't worry, we'll take a 10-min intermission so you can stretch your legs and refresh.

Cost: $30
Register at North Haven Gardens
Seating is limited and this is a popular class so register soon!

Ever wanted to grow a bang-up harvest of tomatoes, but just don’t know where to start? Or, perhaps you’ve tried growing tomatoes before with limited success. That’s actually very common with our climate and soils. If you’re ready for an in-depth workshop on how to grow tomatoes the right way, join me at NHG on 1/26 at 1pm.

Learn how and when to properly start your own transplants from seed, how to build your soils for tomatoes, using raised beds, how to time your crop , culture and care, pests & disease management and a review of good tomato varieties for our climate in the DFW area.

Cost: $20
Register at North Haven Gardens
This is a popular class and seating is limited so register soon!