New study reveals home gardening statistics

A new study from local market research firm Scarborough reveals that of the nearly 164 million homeowners in the United States, nearly half (49 percent) gardened in the past 12 months.

Gardening homeowners are 10 percent more likely than all homeowners to be baby boomers (45 to 64 years in age) and 33 percent have at least a college degree. Forty-seven percent of gardening homeowners hold full-time employment, 26 percent have an annual household income of $100,000 or more, and 22 percent are retired.

Gardening homeowners also showed their preferences for other green activities. They are 25 percent more likely to pay more for eco-friendly products and donate money to environmental causes. Gardening homeowners are also 26 percent more likely to buy locally grown food.

They also spend more time online, as 37 percent who have Internet access spend 10 or more hours per week online. Fifty-seven percent have engaged in social networking in the past 12 months.

The top local markets for adult homeowners who have gardened in the past 12 months are Seattle (63 percent are homeowners who have gardened); Portland, Ore. (63 percent); Salt Lake City (62 percent); Milwaukee (58 percent) and Columbus, Ohio (58 percent). The local markets with the lowest penetration of gardeners among homeowners are St. Louis (43 percent); Mobile, Ala. (40 percent); West Palm Beach, Fla. (40 percent); Miami (38 percent); and Las Vegas (37 percent).

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