Back Page: The big question: What to grow?

Is there a more basic question your company faces than, “What do we grow, and how much?”

Probably not. However, that’s probably one of the most difficult business challenges for greenhouse growers today. On Jan. 10, Todd Davis, Greenhouse Management editorial director, led an open forum on this topic at the Great Lakes Trade Expo in Grand Rapids, Mich. Judging from the feedback from attendees, there’s no substitute for having frank, open discussions with your major customers.

That’s the No. 1 way to find out their plans for the upcoming year. It’s the only way to find out the directions they’re going, and to develop a plan so that you can jointly exceed sales goals.

Following that, darts and Ouija boards seem to be the next best options.