"We’ve come a long way, baby …"

Judy Drake
Sunscapes Landscape Designs
Jacksonville, Florida

It wasn’t too many years ago that it was illegal for a landscape designer to sell a landscape plan. Through the efforts of a number of designers, then Florida Rep. Jim Fuller of Jacksonville introduced legislation to change the law. The (then) FNGA, as well as the Florida Builders Association, supported our cause and we were successful.

Many designers take these hard earned efforts for granted, but I believe we have an obligation to work with and reach out to landscape architects. As the trade association representing Florida’s vast nursery and landscape industry, FNGLA is our bridge for doing exactly that.

I also believe we have an obligation to “be the best that we can be” in response to the privilege we have been given. I’d like to suggest three ways we can do that.

Become certified. You will learn a great deal through the process of certification, and when you can declare yourself a “FNGLA Certified Landscape Designer,” you will place yourself above the crowd.

Learn, learn, learn. FNGLA offers wonderful educational opportunities through the Short Courses at FNATS and TPIE. These courses, which include low voltage lighting applications to new plants in the landscape, are all taught by nationally known individuals. They all give wonderful opportunities to expand your mind and your resources.

Take advantage of the Landscape Design Tour. The Landscape Division of FNGLA sponsors a Landscape Design Tour each spring. It provides an opportunity to see some of the best gardens in the state while networking with other designers. This tour will challenge and stimulate you to create better designs.

So, get off your duff! It’s not too late to register for the FNATS Short Course. All of these opportunities will really pay off – not only in your skills, but also in your bank account. See you at FNATS in Orlando!

"Tires ain't pretty"

Kevin Reily
Rockledge Gardens, Inc.
Rockledge, Florida

Each day when I wake up I thank God that I'm not going to work to sell tires. "Tires ain't pretty" and plants are beautiful. I have been involved in our business, a retail garden center, for 32 years and with my wife Theresa even longer. Yes, there are days when I seem to take 2 steps forward and 3 steps backwards, but I can't think of any other industry in which I would rather be involved.

Yesterday's garden center could have been operated on auto-pilot. Today's garden center definitely needs constant molding and nurturing. Because we have been in business for a zillion years does not guarantee anything. Operating an independent garden center in Florida is more challenging than ever. This includes keeping the consumers interested in our products and services. We must raise the bar. Buying tires might be a necessary evil. Some would argue that buying plants is not necessary. We as an industry, garden centers - growers - landscapers - designers and allied, must work together communicating the message “Gardening Is Fun!”- “Gardening is not a four letter word!” – “Gardening enhances the quality of life!”

Theresa and I have found great resources in networking with other garden center operators as well as our vendors. We can bounce and borrow ideas, tweaking them to make them work for us. We learn what is coming down the pike as far as new products, new ideas and new regulations. We have done this by participating in the Garden Center Group, Garden Centers of America and FNGLA along with attending trade shows such as FNATS and TPIE.

So now at the end the day I am thanking God for the days we are able to take 3 steps forward and only 2 backwards.