Gardening is America's #1 Leisure-Time Activity

     More Americans than ever are discovering the joys of gardening. The number of people who garden increased 30 percent in recent years, according to the "Gardening of America II" Survey. A survey by the National Family Opinion, shows 78.3 million Americans spend time gardening, making it the country’s No. 1 leisure-time activity. Americans spend $ 26 billion a year on their gardens- a 15.5 percent increase from 1993.

     Those baby boomers do not mind spending big bucks on gardening either. Time Magazine calls it "Horticulture Chic". New gardeners aren’t constrained by thinking they need to plant the same old marigolds, in fact they’re sick of them because they see them everywhere. Although Lawn care is the nation’s most popular type of "gardening", Flower gardening has blossomed and vegetable gardening has grown as well with consumers becoming more interested in organic foods and wholesome cuisine. On average 31 percent of all households grow vegetables. There is also a surge in water gardening developing the peace and serenity of their own.