After two years of strong sales, local greenhouses and garden centers have been hurt by a cool and rainy spring. But owners are confident that warm and sunny weather will perk up not only the plants but their businesses as well.
While gardening has always been a popular hobby in agriculture-conscious Minnesota, social distancing restrictions enacted at the beginning of the pandemic pushed people across the country toward the pastime at record numbers.
According to a survey from nationwide supplier Bonnie Plants, some 20 million Americans took up gardening for the first time in 2020.
With COVID restrictions now falling by the wayside, some of those new gardeners may be distracted by other pursuits — but there is still plenty of interest out there.
At Souba Greenhouse in Owatonna, spring planting workshops have been well attended. By providing the opportunity to plant a pot and then store it in the greenhouse until the weather warms, co-owner Jody Hugley said the events have been a great way for beginning gardeners to learn about the craft. Hugley also believes that strong attendance bodes well for a robust business as the weather warms up. However, she said that as excited as they are to get plants in the ground, many gardeners have been waiting until the weather has finally warmed up.
Read more at southernminn.com