Did You Know?
The National Gardening Association recently released two different studies that might help give you a pretty good idea of what consumers are purchasing in the lawn and garden and landscape services sectors — or where and how your products are being "consumed."
Lawn and Garden Products
Did you know that in 2007, retail sales of lawn and garden products grew by more than $1 billion?
According to figures recently released by the National Gardening Association (NGA), consumers bought $35.102 billion worth of lawn and garden products. That is a $1.025 billion increase over 2006 sales of $34.077 billion.
In its 2007 National Gardening Survey, NGA reports that 82 million households (71 percent) participated in at least one or more lawn and garden activities last year. Lawn care continues to be the No. 1 activity, with nearly half (48 percent) of American households participating.
The next three most popular lawn and garden activities are growing indoor houseplants (31 percent), flower gardening (30 percent) and landscaping (27 percent).
In 2007, consumers spent an average of $428 per household on do-it-yourself lawn and garden activities. This is an increase of 7 percent over the $401 the average household spent in 2006.
The facts and figures for this study are derived from a survey of more than 2,000 households.
Lawn and Landscape Services
Did you know that in 2006, 34 million American homeowners hired at least one type of lawn and landscape service? This means Americans spent nearly $45 billion on professional lawn and landscape service providers in 2006, the most recent year that data is available. That is a 22 percent increase over five years ago.
In the report, Residential Lawn and Landscape Services and the Value of Landscaping, researchers surveyed more than 2,600 homeowners to find out what types of landscape services Americans were using. Here are some results:
- Lawn care and landscape maintenance services were hired by 27.8 million households.
- Landscape installation and construction services were hired by 6.9 million households.
- Tree care services were hired by 11.5 million households.
- Landscape design services were hired by 2.3 million households.
Landscapers are a prime target for growers looking for new outlets to sell product. Have you talked to any of the landscapers in your region to see where they make their plant purchases and what goes into their purchasing decisions?
It will be interesting to see what consumer and landscape numbers look like when the National Gardening Association releases its 2007 and 2008 figures. I am sure the crazy economy, skyrocketing gas prices and unpredictable weather will leave their mark, but what will the final numbers actually say?
You can find out more about both of these studies at www.gardenresearch.com.
Hats Off
Did you know GPN's editorial adviser Dr. Jim Barrett from the University of Florida recently received the Society of American Florists' Alex Laurie Award for Research and Education?
Dr. Barrett was honored last month at the SAF's 124th Annual Convention in Palm Beach, Fla.
According to the SAF press release announcing Dr. Barrett's honor, the Laurie Award is presented each year to an individual "who has made broad, long-lasting contributions to floriculture research and education for the floriculture industry."
If there is anyone in this industry who has done that, it is Jim Barrett. His contribution to the pages of this magazine — and the industry as a whole — are unparalleled.
His groundbreaking research on plant growth regulators and poinsettias at the University of Florida has changed the way growers and greenhouse operators produce their products.
Dr. Barrett has served as GPN's editorial adviser for more than a decade, during which he has helped us produce compelling editorial to help you do your jobs and be more successful in the greenhouse.
So here is a tip of the hat to Dr. Jim Barrett for this honor. Congratulations!
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