Comments for Independent Garden Center Show 2009

Independent Garden Center Show 2009

2009-08-19T02:31:26Z

Today was the first day of the Independent Garden Center Show 2009 at Navy Pier. It is a trade show were plant growers and manufacturers and distributors of all kinds of gardening items come to display their best to buyers, the independent garden centers across America.

The show is not open to the public, but many of the items displayed here will be available for sale in garden centers around Chicago next year.

There are so many items it is hard to even begin a blog post about all that one can find there. Over the next couple of days I may post a couple of photos of items I like as I attend the last two days of the trade show.

While walking around today with fellow garden blogger, Garden Girl, I couldn't really put my finger on what was going to be the gardening trend for 2010 by looking around the booths. Many of the vendors were the same ones I saw last year and the products start to look alike after a while. During the ride home it dawned on me that the trend for 2010 looks like it could be "gardening for dummies." From an iPhone App to the "Square Foot Garden in a Box" endorsed by Mel Bartholomew (who was there to lend it legitimacy), to a yardstick that gives you the precise measurements for seed sowing to self-watering containers, to the "Grow Your Way To 5 A Day" vegetable seed line from Thompson & Morgan. In the future everyone will have a green thumb straight out of the box.

One trend that doesn't look like it is going to go away any time soon are the "black" plants, much to my delight they were everywhere.

Anything you want to see pics of? Plants, pots, tools? Let me know and I'll try to post them. Also, I'll try to post items to Twitter that may or may not make it here. I'll be using the #IGCS tag.

Comment from Stuccolow on 2009-08-18

2009-08-19T02:45:32Z

Anything with water retaining potting soil?

Comment from Mr. Brown Thumb on 2009-08-18

2009-08-19T02:53:26Z

Hrmn. I didn't notice anything but I didn't pay much attention to the soils, but I'll make a note of it and check it out tomorrow.

Comment from Containergardener on 2009-08-18

2009-08-19T03:08:39Z

Would love to see any really cool or unusual pots. Vertical growing systems? I think it's time for me to try it.

Comment from Mr. Brown Thumb on 2009-08-18

2009-08-19T03:33:37Z

Saw a number of them. GIANT ones to be exact. Didn't spot any vertical growing systems but I wasn't looking. Will make a note & try to get pics.

Comment from CCWriter on 2009-08-19

2009-08-19T18:06:40Z

Some neighbors of mine are using one of those vertical systems on wheels with a net to grow tomatoes. There is a cover over the soil and the water is supposed to be measured carefully. When they first put it out I commented tongue-in-cheek "you're going to teach them to play volleyball?" but the tomato plant is now huge (despite some early hail damage) and looks to be bearing lots of fruit!

On the subject of black plants, the "Ace of Spaces" and "Blackie" sweet potato vines are a a mainstay of my hanging basket--they do so well in strong sun and contrast beautifully with the lighter green ones. Sometimes I can get them to re-grow from the tuber if I store it in the basement over the winter. Those babies ain't cheap!

Comment from Xan on 2009-08-19

2009-08-19T20:31:47Z

Cold frames! Planning to attempt to make one in fall, but if someone does it for me I won't feel too awful. Also if you see any benches made like Lincoln Logs take a picture, because I'm trying to make one. If you don't see any, I hereby trademark the idea! (And will have to figure it out myself)

Comment from Xan on 2009-08-19

2009-08-19T20:36:06Z

So strange, avatar is wrong, let's see if it's fixed (go ahead and delete this comment, just testing.)

Comment from Mr. Brown Thumb on 2009-08-20

2009-08-20T19:41:32Z

I think they're using the EarthBox because I didn't see that the Grow Box has any netting. These things are awesome.

I know what you mean about the SPVs not being cheap. Posts on my other blogs about taking cuttings are really popular.

Sometimes I feel like following the city crews around while they tear them out of the planters at the end of the year and rescuing them :0)

Comment from Mr. Brown Thumb on 2009-08-20

2009-08-20T19:42:37Z

There was only one cold frame seller and I forgot to get pics. I'm going to try to make one myself too. No Lincoln Log benches, I say you should trademark that idea. :0)

Comment from Mr. Brown Thumb on 2009-08-20

2009-08-20T19:43:12Z

Is the Avatar showing now right?

Comment from gardenfaerie on 2009-08-25

2009-08-25T16:49:42Z

I also love black plants! I heard a talk about square foot gardening from one of its proponents at some garden conference somewhere--it was very interesting.

Comment from dsgardenshop.com on 2009-08-26

2009-08-26T23:42:09Z

check out headplanters.com