Economy and GWL

**"* P* L* <t*@spamfodder.com>**

On Jan 12, MARY FRAN MCQUADE wrote:
> 
> Maybe the media's harping on the crummy economy, plus hip-deep snow in many 
> places, is making us grumpy. A couple of drivers almost came to blows over 
> traffic hold-ups in my narrow, snow-filled street a few nights ago.

What do all of you think these troubled times will do to our industry?
I have some predictions, but they're not particularly insightful:

   . People will revert to growing more simple/readily available varieties
     of annuals and vegetables.  Specialty plants will see a decline in
     sales as the masses fill their gardens with big box store varieties.

   . More people will migrate from growing flowers to growing fruit and
     vegetables.

As a result:

   . Nurseries specializing in rare/unusual plants will be hit hard

   . Introduction of new plant varieties will slow down as consumers
     stick to cheaper selections

   . Big box store sales will mostly be to people trying to make their
     house saleable in the current real estate market, while those 
     who aren't moving will cut their spending

For the garden-writing industry:

   . People will want to know more generic information, such as how
     to increase flowering on their marigolds.  Similarly, disease
     prevention (bet we see a lot of blossom end rot articles in June)
     will be of interest to the public

   . Those nurseries that stay in business will need more publicity from
     writers or they'll go away too

   . People will be interested in travel articles to far-away lands.  They 
     can't afford to leave home, so looking at pictures and reading articles
     about Versailles or the Villa d'Este is the next best thing.

   . Similarly, articles about regional travel spots will be of interest
     because of low expense.  People will want to know where they should
     go in the spring for a cheap floral thrill.  Wouldn't it be cool
     to have a regional 'location of the month' for people to visit?

   . Articles about cost-cutting tips will be of interest.  There was an
     article a long time ago about propagation bench construction using 
     PVC pipe.  Using readily available, inexpensive materials to further
     the garden will save up a little green (the money kind) to buy 
     green (the plant kind). 

   . DIY articles will also be more valuable.  Why waste money hiring 
     someone when you can do it yourself?

These trends will change as more money is available to people.  If they
save enough growing their own food, timing their sprinklers, and building
their own cold frames out of schedule 40 then they'll have more money
to spend on plants or hire people later, which will help the economy,
which will get us back to novelty plants and cultivars de jour.

I have a new boss at my day job who wants everything in bullet points or
numbered items.  Apparently it's carrying over to my emails.  I'm also
hungry and tired, so I think I'm getting a little punchy.  Time to wrap
this up and head home.  :)

Chris

http://www.hort.net/gallery/      4161 online plant photos and growing!
_______________________________________________
gardenwriters mailing list
gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters

GWL has searchable archives at:
http://www.hort.net/lists/gardenwriters

Send photos for GWL to gwlphotos@hort.net to be posted
at: http://www.hort.net/lists/gwlphotos

Post gardening questions/threads to
&quot;Gardenwriters on Gardening&quot; &lt;gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org&gt;

For GWL website and Wiki, go to
http://www.ibiblio.org/gardenwriters