Daily Archives: December 13, 2011


Wreath of the Day 2011 – What We Need to Buy

As orders come in, The Garden Club of the Back Bay wreath chairs determine what materials will be needed to execute our sales.  Basic balsam wreaths in a variety of sizes are ordered in advance, as well as some miscellaneous greens not native to New England, such as the magnolia leaves featured in the wreath below.  Wire, picks, and ribbon are also acquired from a wholesale source.  Some of us are savvy shoppers and don’t pass up a sale opportunity at places as diverse as Ocean State Job Lots, The Christmas Tree Shoppes, even eBay, our primary source for feathers.


Wednesday, January 18 – Thursday, January 19 – GEM Horticultural Business Seminar

Renowned horticultural business consultant Frank Crandall will host the 8th two-day intensive GEM (Growth, Effectiveness, Management) Horticultural Business Seminar on Wednesday, Jan. 18 and Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, from 8am to 5pm at the Kettle Pond Visitor’s Center at 50 Bend Road in Charlestown, RI (snow date Friday, Jan. 20).

Crandall, a Rhode Island Certified Horticulturist, Arborist and NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professional, will share methods and techniques he mastered during 38 years of experience running an award-winning landscape firm with $3 million in sales and 30 employees at its peak. Over two days, the seminar will cover the following topics: Estimating, Job Costing, Overhead Calculation, Company Finances (budgets, cash flow, and financial statements), Sales Techniques, Employees (attracting, hiring, retaining, firing, and evaluating), Management Tips, Marketing, Importance of a Handbook, Business Insurance, Contracts and Legal Agreements, Getting Small Business Loans and Accounting Mistakes to Avoid.

The text for the seminar is Crandall’s newly published book, The Essential Horticultural Business Handbook, which each participant will receive. Daily lunches are also included. The seminar is approved for NOFA Organic Land Care Program re-accreditation credits for accredited professionals. The cost is $395 per person; $375 early bird registration (by Jan. 3, 2012); $375 each for two or more employees from the same company. Checks should be made payable to Frank Crandall, GEM and mailed to: PO Box 451, Wakefield, RI 02880.

For more information or to register, contact Frank Crandall at FrankCrandall3@gmail.com or (401) 742-7619.