Mr. Silver Lining: Relax, we got this

Published January 10, 2012

Todd Davis

Hello nurserymen and nurserywomen, Mr. Silver Lining here.

Can you believe it's time again for another round of his fearless, yet remarkably accurate forecasts? Can you believe, despite an unbelievable track record, some still doubt Mr. Silver Lining and his wildly optimistic views?

Can you believe he still refers to himself only in the third person? Neither can he.

But here's one thing Mr. Silver Lining does believe: The nursery business is on the upswing.

So let's toast a glass half full and read three truths Mr. Silver Lining finds self evident.

1. We got right sizing right
Check out nurseries across the country and you'll see a lot more bare ground cloth than in years past. This sure beats ground cloth covered in oversized, unsalable nursery stock.

In the 2011 Nursery Management State of the Industry report, we learned growers across the country reduced production space an average of 1.5 acres.

That's less space (filled with poor-quality stock your neighbor was trying to sell for pennies on the dollar) you have to compete against in 2012.

2. Propagators' sales are up
You want a barometer reading for the nursery business? Start with the first link in the chain.

When Mr. Silver Lining talked to liner producers this fall, they said their product was moving again. That means growers are planting, which means they have more cash flow and are starting to invest in sales several years down the road.

Remember when you doubted last year's prediction of slow, steady improvement for the nursery business? You may now apologize to Mr. Silver Lining.

3. Gen Y is our key to happiness
You've heard Generation Y is a bunch of lazy morons whose collective skill amounts to nothing, except maybe typing fast with their thumbs? They'll never buy plants like generations before them, so we're all doomed.

Mr. Silver Lining has heard this before. They said it about Baby Boomers when they were lying around in bell bottoms listening to Pink Floyd.

This year, Gen Yers are starting to hit their 30s, and their top years as consumers are just around the corner. Give Gen Y some credit — they're an environmentally conscious group that cares deeply about the health of their planet and communities.

They'll buy plenty of plants in their day. We'll be able to hitch our wagons to that horse for decades.

Mr. Silver Lining guarantees it.