Strong Lawn and Garden Sales Expected in 2009

Despite Recession - Strong Lawn and Garden Sales Expected in 2009

Contact: Michael Metallo
National Gardening Association
(800) 538-7476, ext. 123
Mikem@garden.org

Contact: Bruce Butterfield
National Gardening Association
(800) 538-7476, ext. 113
Bruceb@garden.org

(July 8, 2009, So. Burlington, VT) National Gardening Association (NGA) announces publication of two new market research reports: the 35th Annual National Gardening Survey and the 2009 What Gardener’s Think. According to just-released results of the What Gardener's Think report, do-it-yourself lawn and garden participation and spending are expected to remain strong in 2009 despite the recession.

Lawn and Garden Participation: Earlier this year, NGA's What Gardener's Think survey asked a representative sample of all U.S. households "Given the current economic downturn, do you think your household's participation in lawn, garden, and landscape activities in 2009 will increase, decrease, or remain the same." We found that a majority of 68 percent of all households with a yard or garden, or an estimated 61 million households, anticipated that their involvement would remain the same. Twenty-two percent of households, or an estimated 20 million households, said their involvement would increase. And 10 percent of households, or an estimated 9 million households, said they would spend less time participating in lawn, garden, and landscape activities.

Lawn and Garden Spending: We also asked respondents about their spending plans. "Do you plan to spend more, less, or about the same on lawn and garden activities this year compared to previous years." Findings show that a majority of 68 percent of all households with a yard or garden, or an estimated 61 million households, plan to spend about the same in 2009 as in previous years. Seventeen percent of households, or an estimated 15 million households, plan to spend less than in previous years; and 15 percent of households, or an estimated 13 million households, plan to spend more than in previous years.

"These are two very positive indicators for the lawn and garden business in 2009 compared to economic news that has been negative for most other sectors this year," says Bruce Butterfield, NGA's Research Director. "Depending on how much participation and spending increase, this could be a very good year for the lawn and garden business."

According to the recently released National Gardening Survey, an estimated 81 million households (70 percent of all U.S. households) participated in one or more type of do-it-yourself indoor and outdoor lawn and garden activity last year. Lawn and garden participation in 2008 was highest among married households; people 35 to 44 years of age, or 55 years and older; college-educated households; households with annual incomes of $75,000 and over; two-person households; Midwestern households; and households with children at home or retirees. The most popular do-it-yourself lawn and garden activities in 2008 included lawn care, flower gardening, houseplants, landscaping, and vegetable gardening.

Nationwide, households participating in lawn and garden activities spent an average $444 last year, which was $16 (4 percent) more than the average $428 spent in 2007. From 2003 to 2008 consumer spending on all lawn and garden activities ranged from a high of $457 in 2003 to a low of $387 in 2005, and averaged $424. The $444 spent in 2008 was 5 percent more than the annual average spent the previous five years.

Lawn and garden retail sales totaled $36.060 billion in 2008 — 3 percent more than in 2007, when consumers spent a total of $35.102 billion on their lawns and gardens. From 2003 to 2008 annual lawn and garden retail sales ranged from a low of $34.077 billion in 2006 to a high of $38.371 billion in 2003 and averaged $35.932 billion. The $36.060 billion spent in 2008 about equals the annual average spent during this period.

Mike Metallo, president of NGA, sees this as an opportunity. "These surveys indicate that a growing majority of Americans are interested in some relationship with plants and stewardship of their landscapes. NGA is focused upon helping to introduce the young adult market to gardening by reaching their children through garden-based education. Studies prove that kids thrive academically and socially in learning gardens, and gardens also offer a path to improved nutrition and health. It's a win-win-win proposition!"

For more information about the National Gardening Survey and What Gardener's Think or to purchase a copy please visit www.gardenresearch.com.

Founded in 1973, the National Gardening Association is a national nonprofit leader in plant-based education, respected for its award-winning Web sites and newsletters, grants and curricula for youth gardens, and research for the lawn and garden industry. NGA, uses gardening as a vehicle to advance social, environmental, and educational causes, and supports gardeners and educators with in-depth information about gardening and its many benefits. NGA’s mission is to promote home, school, and community gardening as a means to renew and sustain the essential connection between people, plants, and the environment. To learn more, please visit www.garden.org.