The Global Gardening Market could use a bit of help, as it doesn’t look like it will be doing much growing on its own.
“What?! That’s a surprise!” said no one, ever.
It’s really no secret that gardening is not the most popular pastime. Seen mostly as the domain of mum’s and hippies, folks in more urban centers tend to scoff at the thought of digging, weeding, and the minutia of other tasks involved in keeping a garden. This general lack of interest, as well as other economic and social issues are why the Global Gardening and Outdoor Living Market is only posting a CAGR of 2.77 percent from 2014-2018.
Generally speaking, we spend our free time doing another kind of digging. In fact, we spend hours (well upwards of five hours a day) sifting through piles of information online, even though we are constantly being confronted with a litany of reasons why this is damaging to our health.
So maybe it’s time to reconsider the value some simpler pastimes that don’t involve staring at a screen. Turns out, there are some surprising health benefits to a jaunt in the garden:
Weight Loss
It’s obvious, but worth pointing out. A few hours in the garden is actually quite a good, low impact workout and perfect for anyone, including those with mobility issues.
Better Overall Physical Health
Fresh fruits and veggies straight from the garden and free of preservatives—not much can compare in terms of health! And there is something totally satisfying in preparing a meal based around the (literal) fruits of your labor.
Mental Benefits
Mental health practitioners have long sung the praises of a few hours spent puttering around the garden for their mental health benefits. Especially in our 24/7 worlds, it’s a good mental break to get away from stress, smartphones and the daily grind and just get some dirt under our fingernails.
Happier Bank Account
Tomatoes are expensive. Tomato seeds, not so much. See the connection?
The good news for those with a green thumb is that the gardening market isn’t taking its dying breath quite yet. Urban gardening in planters, window pots and full-fledged community gardens is gaining traction as urbanites come to see the benefits of growing their own grub, be it for actual consumption or just for fun. In fact, a rise in organic gardening is one of the reasons that the Global Gardening and Outdoor Living Market hasn’t flatlined yet—more and more, health-conscious folk are pursuing a natural lifestyle, free of chemical pesticides. And not to perpetuate any stereotypes, but a growing aging population will also encourage modest market growth, as gardening tends to be a leisure activity pursued by the elderly more than any other demographic. So while no one will accuse this market of booming anytime soon, it will keep chugging along at a moderate rate for the remainder of the forecast period.
For more insights, view our Global Gardening and Outdoor Living Market 2014-2018 report.
