Whether the National Gardening Association’s 2011 National Gardening Survey offers good news or bad news depends on what segment of the gardening industry you’re in. Some highlights:
• 2010 sales of food gardening products totaled $2.990 billion – on a par with 2009, and a 20% increase over 2008.
• Do-it-yourself lawn and garden spending declined by 5% in 2010. The number of households hiring lawn and services dropped even more, by 8%.
• The average amount spent on all lawn and garden activities declined by just 2% in 2009, a negligible difference.
It looks like the industry as a whole is holding steady, but shifting buying patterns mean it’s not a smooth ride for everyone.
I’m puzzled by some of the trends I’m seeing. That consumers are postponing purchases of utilitarian hard goods is no surprise. But that experience, coupled with a recent upsurge I’ve witnessed in some upscale decorative items, seems a bit contradictory. How is the current economic climate treating you?
