By Pete Mihalek
Today's Garden Center

A recent National Gardening Association survey is more proof that Americans are digging into their gardens with a renewed sense of expectation, responsibility and connectivity within their global ecosphere.

Survey results showed do-it-yourself lawn and garden activities were up more than $1 billion from the previous year’s sales, to over $35 billion. "That’s good news because it’s the first year we have seen overall retail lawn and garden sales increase since 2002," NGA President Mike Metallo said. Lawn care, vegetable and herb gardening, and ornamental gardening were a few of the do-it-yourself activities that saw the biggest spending increase in 2007 from 2006.

Trend analyst Faith Popcorn agrees. "I think we are going back to the 50s," Popcorn says. She believes consumers are re-learning how to stretch a dollar. "We expect consumers to start growing food in their own gardens."

A sneak peek at the Garden Media Group’s 2009 gardening trends reveals resurgence in perennials, native plants, and "blended gardens" with herbs and vegetables in flowerbeds. "Going local" is another trend that will continue to grow in popularity.

According to a 2008 late spring survey from the Garden Writers Association, more than a third of gardening Americans are adding a vegetable garden this year. Industry reports confirm seed sales have more than doubled over last year.