Reimagining Greenhouse Operations for a Seasonal Business
From desktop bottlenecks to a system that reflects the rhythm of the greenhouse, supports team ownership, and grows with the seasons.
From desktop bottlenecks to a system that reflects the rhythm of the greenhouse, supports team ownership, and grows with the seasons.
Westwood Gardens has been growing healthy, beautiful plants for over 40 years. With a central greenhouse supplying four retail locations, their operations are grounded in hands-on expertise, local knowledge, and a deep seasonal rhythm.
But their tracking systems were tethered to desktops—specifically, Microsoft Access. Staff had to return to a computer to log inventory, update plant readiness, or handle store requests. For a team whose work happens among the plants, not behind a desk, this created disconnect and delay.
Greenhouse staff couldn't easily record plant quality or timing while out in the field. Store teams had to rely on older information to place requests. And leadership couldn't always see the full picture of how products were moving.
I transitioned Westwood Gardens to a mobile-friendly system using AppSheet, creating a tool that supports real-time updates, reduces manual handoffs, and reflects how the business actually moves through its seasons.
The system now enables:
Rather than layering on more complexity, the goal was to create clarity in a mobile form factor without getting in the team's way.
Instead of waiting to get back to the computer, staff now enter updates right where they are. Store teams can place requests based on live information, reducing back-and-forth on inventory questions.
Information is in everyone's pockets, readily accessible from where they are already working.
Easier workflows for greenhouse staff to document all the details about what's growing and when.
Smoother fulfillment from greenhouse to store shelf, especially during busy seasons.
In the process we added many new functionalities that should really pay off for us in terms of timely information flow, more accurate inventory numbers, and many more ways. We're very excited about the new possibilities. Our four-store garden center business is built on our ability to 'grow our own'... this application is key to that timely product movement.
Lauren was extremely helpful in this process. I was amazed that often she was ahead of me in understanding how a user would interact with the app. She would see problems and head them off early. She made many suggestions that we incorporated. She was very thorough.
- Stephen Black, Westwood Gardens
If you're still relying on desktop tools or paper forms to coordinate multiple locations...
Or your systems slow down your staff instead of supporting them in the field...
There is a better way. Your tools should reflect your season, your pace, and your people.