some shade that saves people as well as plants. If you 

 find it difficult to view your store through impartial 

 eyes, ask an older friend or relative to come in and cri- 

 tique it for you. 



There are a number of garden tools and equipment 

 designed for physically limited gardeners The most 

 popular seem to be various styles of carts on wheels 

 with seats twelve to sixteen inches off the ground. You 

 use these to scoot from one gardening task to another. 

 Tool storage under the seat is an added convenience. 



Tools with crooks in the handles (to save on back la- 

 bor) or foam rubber handles (easier to grip) are also 

 popular. Kneelers, long-handled grass sheers and bulb 

 planters, self-watering planters with rolling casters, in- 

 terlocking edging that pounds easily into the ground, 

 and indoor growing units at waist level all save on 

 physical wear and tear Although these types of equip- 

 ment and tools are generally higher-priced, it may be 

 worthwhile to keep some in stock. 



Of the older people I surveyed (both gardeners and 

 nongardenersi, the most often expressed thought was for 

 "anything to make it easier." The most common desire was 

 for planting beds at waist height. Low maintenance shrub- 

 bery, perennials that don't have to be divided and knowl- 

 edgeable sales people were also high on the list. Bird 

 baths and feeders, garden statuary, gardening books in 

 large print, and sprinklers with easy-to-see settings were 

 products people wanted to buy. Most said that senior dis- 

 counts would bring them in, but knowledgeable sales 

 people would bring them back. A few said they would 

 cruise the aisles and price everything, but leave if the 

 store didn't meet the prices of large discounters. Most 

 wanted some kind of plant guarantee. 



One thing to remember is that, by and large, this cus- 

 tomer has time, it's best to use a soft style of selling and 

 let the customer control the sales process. Seniors also ap- 

 preciate being treated with courtesy and respect 



When marketing to older people, positive visuals of se- 

 niors (gardening by themselves, with others or with chil- 

 dren) are effective. Advertising that features people in 

 one's own age group is always welcome in this youth- ori- 

 ented society. Also appreciated are stores that carry old- 

 fashioned varieties which evoke childhood memories and 

 feelings of security. And don't forget the possibilities of 

 intergenerational gardening classes or projects. The garden 

 center is an ideal spot for an outing with grandchildren. 



Lastly, older consumers are interested in giving back 

 to their community and their family. This group will 

 make financial decisions in order to "give back." Involv- 

 ing your business in community projects could be a 

 win-win situation for you and the local community. 



And always remember: the current, more affluent, re- 

 tirement generation is better able to enjoy life than re- 

 tirees of the past. I certainly plan to do so. I'm sure 

 you do, too. And I bet we'll both shop wherever some- 

 one caters to our needs. 



Margaret Hagen is Extension Educator, \grkultural Resources, in 

 Hillsborough County. She can be reached at 603-673-2510. 







Perennials have become all the rage In the 

 last few years. It seems every grower of 

 nursery stock or with greenhouse space has 

 jumped Into the fray. At this point In time, most 

 varieties have been seeded or plugs will be 

 shipped shortly for potting. An Interesting ob- 

 servation Is that most nursery growers tend to 

 raise perennials as nursery stock and green- 

 house growers, as an annual. 



Though perennials can be raised In a small 

 cell — like a flat, they will perform much better 

 If given some room — such as a quart or gallon 

 container. In most cases, you can get a higher 

 return for plants raised In the larger container. 

 If you are growing from plugs (which seems 

 the most common avenue for perennial pro- 

 duction), minimal heat at the time of trans- 

 planting Is required. 



Unless you plan on forcing your plants for 

 early blooming (not necessarily a good thing 

 for the consumer or for your late spring and 

 summer business), a simple overwintering 

 structure will suffice. Because these plants 

 will eventually be shifted outside to grow on, 

 a well-drained bark mix will give you proper 

 drainage and weight. A controlled release fer- 

 tilizer (CRF) either top dressed or Incorporated 

 Into your mix works exceptionally well. Be 

 sure to use a CRF that will release for you In 

 the cool conditions In which you are actually 

 growing this crop. Many greenhouse growers 

 will use a liquid feed program — as In their an- 

 nual production. If these plants go outdoors, 

 liquid feed (unless on a drip system) can be 

 very expensive and wasteful. 



Whatever the case, most varieties require a 

 very light feed program. Use only the low rate 

 of a CRF; on a liquid feed program, 100-150 

 ppm of nitrogen every week or two is sufficient. 

 By shifting plant material outdoors, you 

 harden off growth and, generally, get a better 

 bud set, more lateral breaks, and a plant much 

 more tolerant of adverse conditions. 



|im Zablocki is Technical Manager, Northern 

 Horticultural Croup, Scotts Company. He can be 

 reached at 603-224-5583. 



THE PLANTSMAN 



