Consultant helps would-be green thumbs start growing

Sometimes, when times are tough and the economy is faltering, people just need to return to their roots.

 


That’s literally what Alexa Johnson, owner of Invisible Bees, did this year.
When the nation dropped into a recession, Johnson dropped into the garden. Assured that more people are looking to grow their own food during these tight times, where the price of food is climbing, Johnson started her own garden consulting business.

“I really want to help people get in touch with their garden,” Johnson said. “It’s really about growing along with the client.”


Johnson, who has been toiling in the garden since she was a child, helps clients design their gardens and decide what to plant based on each individuals taste. 
Invisible Bees has three clients, and is consulting with others looking to start or further their gardens.


According to a National Gardening Association, or NGA, survey, in 2008 31 percent, or 36 million, U.S. households maintained gardens of vegetables, fruit, berries and herbs.


For 2009, the number of homes with gardens is expected to grow to 43 million, up 19 percent from 2008. Of that 43 million, 21 percent will be new to gardening, and 11 percent of households already active in food gardening plan to increase both the amount and variety of vegetables they will grow, according to the report.


The NGA estimates that a 600-square-foot garden can generate, on average, more than $600 of organic produce. Multiplied by the number of food gardeners in the country, the NGA estimates that American food gardeners are producing more than $21.6 billion in produce a year.


One prominent gardener who recently made the prospect of a home garden popular is First Lady Michelle Obama.


Obama planted a vegetable garden at the White House last month, encouraging others to follow suit.


Johnson said she sees that renewed interest in people embracing gardening during the recession.


“More and more, younger people and families are getting into the idea of gardening to meet their needs,” she said.

Johnson isn’t alone in seeing the upsurge in gardeners during tough times. Nurseries in town have also seen a rise in people looking to grow their own food.


Gary Eastman, owner of Fort Collins Nursery, said there is no question there is a heightened interest in gardening right now. 


“I attribute it to people want to grow something themselves rather than pay,” Eastman said. “It’s also part of the sustainable realm of the world… Producing your own food is more sustainable.”


Eastman estimates his vegetable sales are up anywhere from 30 to 50 percent over last year. At the same time he expects sales of big ticket items, like fountains, which he classifies as a luxury item, will decrease.


The surge in sales of vegetables, particular tomatoes, doesn’t surprise Eastman; he said it is common to see an increase in business during recessions.


“I think gardening in general when times are harder, rather than take a trip, people will stay home and do something... one of those things may be gardening,” Eastman said.


Beth Beegles, spokeswoman with Gulley Greenhouse, said the business is anticipating a 25 percent increase in business this season as customers are already coming in looking for seeds such as tomatoes and peppers.


Beegles said she is seeing a wave of new gardeners coming in asking about how to plant and maintain their own vegetable gardens. 


“I can tell some people are nervous about growing something and keeping it alive all summer,” Beegles said. “We definitely have seen an increase in that.”


Another Fort Collins gardener who expects to see more business this year because of rising food prices is Kris Swaton, co-owner of Bella Terra Gardens with Joni Barrall. The two have been working in people’s gardens throughout the community for three years.


The pair, who are advocates Johnson’s Invisible Bees venture, help people design and maintain vegetable gardens, and anticipate an increase this summer in patrons looking to start their own veggie gardens


“Right now I see clients inter-planting vegetables in perennial gardens,” said Swaton, who attributes the renewed interest in gardening to rising food costs, media coverage, sustainability and knowing where food comes from.