There is growing interest in horticulture, which flourished in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
And young people apparently stick to it, according to local historians.
"Gardening has become an important hobby for many because of COVID," said Graham Hill, president of Platt Hill Nursery.
He said 2021 is even busier for businesses in Bloomingdale and Carpentersville. There was a slight dip in 2022, but 2023 is "busier than ever," Hill said.
"A lot of new homeowners with young kids are really interested," he says.
This is according to the Horticulture Survey 2023 report from Axiom, a marketing firm specializing in services for agriculture, horticulture, landscape, energy, utilities and construction.
The survey found that increasingly younger gardeners are spending more time and money on the hobby, according to the report. 80 percent of new gardeners say they plan to spend the same or more in 2023 than they did in 2022.
"This may be a sign that the industry is tracking the many new gardeners who started gardening during the pandemic," the report said.
According to Axiom, members of Generation Z and Y also intend to spend more time this year.
"No Black Thumb"
Where do you buy your plants? In 2022, Home Depot ranks first at 29.3%, followed by independent garden centers at 23.2% and Lowe's at 20.2%.
Of course, Hill says there are advantages to buying from an independent garden center like Platt Hill. Experience: The staff is happy to answer questions, including basic questions like the difference between perennials and perennials and what will do well in our climate.
"There's no black toe, just varying degrees of vegetation," Hill says.
If a customer has a problem with a plant, they encourage them to take a photo and send the photo.
"We'll talk to him about the problem," Hill said. "We are a permanent partner that guarantees your success."
You can also find things that the big boxes won't handle, like the new Platt Hill Hybrid Tree, where four different types of fruit trees are grafted onto one tree.
Edible plants still sell well, and fruit trees and berries are big. You also see more apartment dwellers gardening or with houseplants or containers on their balconies and patios.
At the beginning of the epidemic, some herbal centers offered to buy herbs online. Platt Hill does not, but does post its inventory online.
Hill says gardening is a family affair.
"Every kid I've met likes to put a shovel in the ground, whether it's productive or not," he says.
tips for success
The University of Illinois Extension has been providing advice to home gardeners for decades.
He also noticed that the interest generated by the outbreak continues, judging by registrations for garden programs, calls to his office, inquiries about soil temperatures and people bringing in plants to identify or diagnose problems.
For example, more than 900 people have expressed interest in master gardener classes at her Cook County office, said Candice Anderson, state master gardener specialist.
"I think a lot of (younger players) understand how much fun it can be," Anderson said. "They start with the plant, then you're hooked."
Some extension methods have changed with the pandemic. Classes, for example, had to be online and they continued.
"The Internet is good for reaching a larger audience," Anderson says.
The Master Gardener program class is now hybrid. The site also hosts its street shows, with stalls and community events.
And he jokingly noticed that young people show more interest.
And what should people do if they want to be successful?
Start small, says Anderson, perhaps a container, and grow what you like.
Although tomatoes are the "image child" of the vegetable industry, he does not grow them because he does not like them. And above all, "Don't be afraid to ask for help," says Anderson.
