Gardening is a rewarding activity that allows people to connect with nature, nurture life and create beauty. For seasoned green thumbs, it can be a relaxing ritual, while for beginners, it can be an exciting yet daunting adventure.  

This is where garden retailers step in—not just as suppliers of plants, tools, and materials but as trusted guides who help customers succeed. Providing clear, engaging gardening advice ensures that shoppers feel confident and supported, turning a one-time visit into a long-term relationship.  

We’ve outlined 10 innovative strategies for your business to effectively share gardening advice with shoppers, particularly focusing on catering to beginners. With the right approach, you can inspire confidence in novice gardeners, encourage loyalty, and create meaningful connections with your customers that go beyond just selling products. 

 

 

1. QR Codes: Bridging Products and Practical Advice

QR codes are an easy and cost-effective way to provide customers with detailed, specific information about gardening. These scannable codes can be placed on plant labels, seed packets, tool packaging and even in-store signage. A quick scan with a smartphone can lead shoppers to:  

• Step-by-step planting and care guides.  

• Video tutorials on topics like repotting, pruning or pest control.  

• Articles or blogs with tips for seasonal gardening. 

For instance, a bag of compost could include a QR code linking to a guide on improving soil health, while a succulent plant might have a code directing customers to watering schedules and lighting requirements. QR codes are an excellent way to cater to the growing number of tech-savvy shoppers who prefer on-the-spot information without needing to track down staff members.  

 

 

2. Hosting Webinars: Personalised Education for Every Level

Webinars are an increasingly popular way to share gardening advice with customers, particularly those who enjoy learning from the comfort of their homes. These online events offer a chance to educate, inspire, and interact directly with your audience. Possible webinar topics include:  

• For beginners: “Gardening 101: Starting Your First Plot” or “Easy Vegetables for New Gardeners.”  

• For intermediates: “The Art of Composting” or “Creating a Wildlife-Friendly Garden.”  

• For enthusiasts: “Advanced Pruning Techniques” or “Growing Exotic Plants.” 

 

To make your webinars engaging, consider these best practices:  

• Partner with experts. Collaborate with horticulturists, garden designers, or local influencers who can add credibility and appeal.  

• Include live Q&A sessions. Answering attendees’ questions in real-time makes the experience more interactive and valuable.  

• Record and share. Post recordings of past webinars on your website or social media, ensuring they’re accessible to those who couldn’t attend live. 

Webinars help establish your store as a source of expertise, keeping customers coming back for advice as well as products.  

 

 

3. Interactive Screens: Learning in the Aisle

Interactive screens in-store can provide an engaging, hands-on way for customers to learn while they shop. Positioned near popular sections such as plants, tools, or soil products, these screens can offer:  

• Seasonal planting advice. For example, a visual display near seed packets could showcase tips for starting a vegetable garden in spring.  

• Interactive plant finders. Customers can input their garden’s conditions (e.g., light levels, soil type) to find suitable plants.  

• DIY tutorials. Step-by-step videos for projects like building a raised bed or creating a terrarium can inspire shoppers. 

Interactive screens are especially appealing to younger audiences and tech-savvy customers, turning browsing into an educational experience.  

 

 

 

 

4. Leaflets: Quick Reference Guides for Shoppers

Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective. Leaflets remain a popular and practical way to provide customers with helpful gardening tips. They are ideal for quick, easily digestible information, such as:  

• Fertiliser application tips.  

• A guide to watering different plants.  

• Pest prevention strategies. 

These can be strategically placed near relevant products or handed out at checkout. Designing leaflets with clear visuals, concise text, and a professional layout ensures they’re both appealing and functional. Including your store’s branding and contact details can also serve as a subtle reminder for customers to return.  

 

 

5. Booklets: Comprehensive Advice in a Portable Format

For customers seeking in-depth guidance, booklets are a step up from leaflets. They can cover more complex topics or a wider range of advice, such as:  

• Seasonal guides. Tips for planting, pruning, and harvesting during spring, summer, autumn, and winter.  

• Themed guides. Booklets focusing on specific areas, such as growing edible gardens, landscaping small spaces, or cultivating roses. 

To make your booklets stand out, consider including high-quality photography, expert tips, and even checklists for easy reference. Offering these as free resources with purchases or selling them at a nominal price can enhance your store’s perceived value.  

 

 

6. In-Store Workshops: Learning by Doing

Workshops are one of the most effective ways to engage customers, particularly those who prefer hands-on learning. Organise regular sessions on a variety of topics, such as:  

• Potting plants and arranging container gardens.  

• Starting a herb garden or growing vegetables.  

• Composting and soil improvement techniques. 

By providing materials and tools for participants to use during workshops, you not only educate but also showcase the products available in your store. For added value, offer participants discounts on related items after the session.  

 

 

7. Leveraging Social Media and YouTube

Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest are invaluable for sharing gardening advice with a wider audience. Regular posts can include:  

• Seasonal reminders, such as when to plant certain seeds or protect plants from frost.  

• Tutorials in the form of short, engaging videos.  

• Inspirational posts featuring creative garden designs or DIY projects. 

 

A YouTube channel allows you to share longer-form content, such as:  

• Detailed how-to guides (e.g., “How to Plant a Wildflower Meadow”).  

• Expert interviews or garden tours.  

• Behind-the-scenes glimpses of your nursery or greenhouse operations. 

Encouraging customers to follow your accounts keeps your store top-of-mind while providing them with regular, useful content.  

 

 

 

8. Developing a Gardening App

For tech-savvy customers, a gardening app can be a game-changer. Whether you develop your own or partner with an existing app, these features can make it an essential tool for your customers:  

• Plant care reminders. Notifications for watering, fertilising, or pruning.  

• Plant identification. A tool that lets users identify plants by taking a photo.  

• Exclusive content. Access to video guides, blogs, and seasonal advice tailored to app users. 

While developing an app may require an upfront investment, it can foster customer loyalty and position your brand as forward-thinking.  

 

 

9. Expert Advice Counters: A Personal Touch

Having an advice counter in your store staffed by knowledgeable employees is an excellent way to provide personalised help. Customers can:  

• Bring in photos of their garden to discuss potential plants or layouts.  

• Seek solutions for pest infestations or plant diseases.  

• Get recommendations for tools and materials tailored to their needs. 

 

During peak planting seasons, consider offering a “Gardener’s Clinic” where customers can book short consultations with an expert. This kind of one-on-one interaction builds trust and strengthens your reputation as a resourceful retailer.  

 

 

10. Community Collaborations

Teaming up with local organisations can amplify your ability to share gardening advice while fostering community ties. Ideas include:  

• Workshops with schools. Teaching children about gardening and sustainability.  

• Partnering with gardening clubs. Co-hosting events or providing educational materials.  

• Sponsoring local garden competitions. Offering advice sessions to participants as part of the sponsorship package. 

Such initiatives not only share knowledge but also position your store as a cornerstone of the local gardening community.  

 

 

 

For garden retailers, providing gardening advice is more than just an add-on service—it’s a way to build meaningful connections with customers. Whether through high-tech tools like QR codes and apps, personal interactions in workshops or advice counters, or classic methods like leaflets and booklets, the options are plentiful.  

By sharing knowledge in engaging and accessible ways, you help your customers succeed in their gardening journeys, creating a loyal community that returns to your store not just for supplies but also for trusted guidance. When you empower your shoppers, you grow more than just plants—you grow lasting relationships. 

 

 

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Are you an expert in gardening, landscaping or plant care? Do you have valuable insights, innovative ideas or practical advice to share? We invite you to contribute to Glee, where your expertise can reach a vibrant community of gardening enthusiasts.

 

Why Contribute?

• Share your knowledge with a wide audience of garden retailers.
• Build your professional reputation in the gardening and horticulture space.
• Inspire and educate readers with your unique perspective.

 

Interested in Collaborating? Submit your article proposals or completed drafts here.