From NewsandSentinel.com PARKERSBURG – People who normally hire lawn-maintenance services don’t seem to be taking on the work themselves to save money in a lagging economy. The business owners who provide the services appreciate the gesture in light of the hit they took last year due to high fuel costs. Jeff Davis, owner of Parkersburg Lawn and Landscape, said he’s been busy since warm weather began making weekly lawn maintenance necessary. “I’ve been extremely busy, actually. I’ve had a couple churches go to volunteer labor. Other than that, I haven’t seen a loss in my work,” Davis said. Davis said … Read more

From Gazette.net Customers drive their trucks around back to pick up mulch, women cart wagons of spring flowers to the sales counter and a 25-year-old parrot trundles along the floor in search of a drink before flying to a nearby tree. It’s another busy day at Roozen Nursery in Fort Washington, which is among many of the Maryland gardening centers trying to remind customers that they can still enjoy the outdoors while minding their budgets. “If the times are rolling, people make big purchases that take away from flower planting,” said owner Jos Roozen. “Now, they’re spending more time in … Read more

From Today’s Garden Center Somewhat between Seattle and Tacoma, Washington, sits Dig Floral & Garden on Vashon Island. This two acre property got its start 14 years ago, growing from a blackberry patch. Today, under economic stresses, Dig’s owners Sylvia Matlock and Ross Johnson are putting their business up for sale. But even though Dig is up on the market, the two of them plan and hope to remain involved with its future. Ideally, the owners would like to find a buyer that would be willing to develop the front half of the property and lease the back half to them. If everything … Read more

ATLANTA, May 6, 2009 – Atlanta-based pest control leader Orkin, Inc. recently expanded its employee base and service areas with the acquisitions of four pest control companies this spring — Invaders Pest Control, Inc. in Lincoln Park, Mich., Horizon Pest Management in Kea’au, Hawaii, No Bugz of Arizona, Inc. in Buckhead, Ariz., and Accurate Pest Control in Pontiac, Mich. “Each of these companies offers valuable employees and increased opportunities for Orkin to provide excellent customer service in local communities,” said Bob Hines, director of acquisitions for Orkin. Invaders Pest Control, a 28-year-old company with a loyal customer base, will merge … Read more

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ:CENT) (NASDAQ:CENTA) today announced results for its second quarter ended March 28, 2009. The Company reported net sales of $476 million in the quarter, a decline of two percent compared to $485 million in the comparable fiscal 2008 period. The Company reported operating income of $57.2 million, an increase of 28 percent compared to $44.7 million in the year ago period. Net interest expense was $5.5 million compared to $9.5 million a year ago. Net income for the quarter was $33.0 million, or $0.47 per fully diluted share compared to net income … Read more