More Americans Are Finding Out

More than a third of households (37%) plan on having a food garden in 2009, up 19% from the previous year.  Of those starting a garden in 2009, 11% plan to begin growing herbs, 10% will tend vegetables in containers, 5% will cultivate a vegetable garden, and 4% plan to grow fruit or berries.

One in 10 gardeners (10%) will spend more time in their gardens in 2009, and 11% of food gardener’s plan to increase the amount and variety of vegetables they’ll grow.

The average food gardener spends 4.9 hours a week.  The majority (68%) are over 45 years old and 54% are women.  Most food gardens are 100 square feet or less (57%) and are located at the gardeners home (91%).  Only 3% have space at a community garden and 5% garden at a friend’s, neighbor’s, or relative’s home.  Nearly half of those with food gardens (48%) also grow food plants in containers.

Gardeners spend an average of $70 a year on their food plants.  They spend the most on vegetables (56%), followed by fruit trees (22%), herbs (16%), and berries (6%).

One in seven gardeners (14%) are very motivated to grow food because of the slumping economy, compared to 36% who are not at all influenced economically.