Home Gardening Is Growing Biz
Hard economic times are acting like instant fertilizer on an industry that had been growing slowly: home vegetable gardening.
Amid the Washington talk of “shovel-ready” recession projects, it appears few projects are more shovel-ready than backyard gardens.
Veggie seed sales are up double-digits at the nation’s biggest seed sellers this year.
What’s more, the number of homes growing vegetables will jump more than 40% this year compared with just two years ago, projects the National Gardening Association, a non-profit organization for gardening education.
At W. Atlee Burpee, the world’s largest seed company, seed sales will jump 25% this year, Chairman George Ball estimates. “It’s weird to have everyone else you talk to experiencing plunging markets. We’re on a roll.”
Burpee recently rolled out the “Money Garden,” a value bundle of tomato, bean, red pepper, carrot, lettuce and snap pea seeds sold online. With a separate retail value of $20, the pack sells for $10, and under the right conditions, Burpee claims, can produce $650 worth of veggies.
Photo by woodsy.
Curt on February 27th, 2009 8:21 am
I see this as a good opportunity to start a gardening business to help people learn how to garden.
Jaclyn on February 27th, 2009 10:59 am
Well…it is much cheaper to grow your own fruit and vegetables rather than buy them weekly at the grocery store. however, i’m still a little shocked that the rate of home growing was slow until recently…almost everyone i know grows their own fruits and vegetables for as long as i can remember.
cassy on February 27th, 2009 5:25 pm
well thats the best thing that im doing if im not busy with my work and my small business,i really plant vegetables at my backyard,its not just save you from your budget but it gives you a fresh and good nutritious foods,
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