State Of Zone 4

The magazine made it through year 1! We met most of our performance projections, which really were guesses made a year ago. We finished 2009 with nearly 1400 subscribers in 38 states (even though we only market to five), and are on about 350 newsstands where our sell-through rate is quite a bit higher than the national average. The nearly 50 nurseries and garden centers that sell Zone 4 on counter racks have done even better.

In appreciation of our charter subscribers and advertisers, we just mailed each one a free 2010 Zone 4 Calendar with some cool photos from around the Rocky Mountains. Included is a Reader Survey that we hope many of you will return; demographic data is important for two reasons: to help us learn more about what sorts of articles you like; and to better explain the magazine to advertisers. One of our advisors, an industry veteran, keeps reminding us that a magazine is like a three-legged stool: editorial, advertisements, and readers—without any one of them the stool falls over.

Andra and I are looking forward to year 2 with great anticipation. Here are some of the additions you’ll see in 2010.

• A crossword puzzle in which the answers are words taken from articles in the same issue.
• Our first travel story will appear in the Spring issue with a visit to Grand Junction, home of the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens and dozens of vineyards and orchards.
• Articles for the advanced gardener, beginning with Dr. Bob Gough’s tips on how to increase flower bud induction in fruit trees, with a sidebar on how to abort unwanted fruit.
• If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already seen our revamped Web site, thanks to the hard work of Ben Johns. In 2010 we hope to begin adding short video interviews with great gardeners.
• Also on the new Web site online store are a few new products for sale: embroidered Zone 4 aprons, back issues, the superbly simple Sliver Gripper tweezers, and the aforementioned Zone 4 2010 Calendar. Check back for a unique line of handmade garden tools.

Many thanks to all who have helped us in 2009! Especially Kira, April, Lois, Rilla, Cheryl, Dr. Bob, Ben, Steve, Linnie, Adria, Anna, Laura, and Jane. You’re great!