Free time: Home garden becomes an expensive pleasure

The consequences of the Ukraine war are making themselves felt in the home garden. Because some components of fertilizers and pesticides come primarily from Ukraine and Russia, prices are rising significantly, as Anna Hackstein, Managing Director of the Garden Industry Association, says. Since the fertilizer is added to potting soil, this is also affected by price increases. In addition, there would also be higher energy prices for the garden. According to Hackstein, the processing of wood fiber products as an alternative to peat is very energy-intensive. “The situation was already tense before, now it’s even more tense.”

In addition, interrupted or restricted supply chains affect the garden industry: Many companies source at least parts for furniture, grills and other equipment from Asia, says Hackstein. Some produced entirely there. “They are immensely affected.”

Two euros more for the cubic meter of potting soil

Some increases are still moderate: At Corthum, a cubic meter of potting soil costs 58 euros net ex works, 2 euros more than last year. The company from Marxzell in the northern Black Forest supplies gardeners and landscapers as well as dealers and garden centers, primarily in southern Germany. Customers can also purchase products such as potting soil and bark mulch at the plant. The price lists are actually valid for a year, as managing director Nick Burkhardt says. For the first time in a year they have raised individual prices. “And next year we may have to adjust a little more.”

Burkhardt also refers to the fertilizer. “It has become extremely expensive,” he says. Organic fertilizer that Corthum adds to the soil was at times not available at all. Increased fuel prices affect the truck fleet. And foil for packaging has also become up to 40 percent more expensive, says Burkhardt.

The DIY, building and garden trade association speaks of a significantly higher number of price increases. The industry is also feeling a certain reluctance on the part of consumers – especially compared to the two Corona years, in which many brought their garden into shape and invested heavily. “They ran into our booth, literally,” says Corthum Managing Director Burkhardt.

The hardware and home improvement stores in Germany alone achieved gross sales of more than 24 billion euros last year. After a strong increase in the first Corona year, however, the trend in many segments was downward in 2021.

“Now people seem to be waiting to see how the situation develops,” says association spokesman Jörn Brüningholt. “What is in store for us in terms of heating costs, refueling, groceries?” His impression is that people have become more cautious. “At the moment nobody really wants to invest.”

However, raised beds are now very much in demand, says Brüningholt – and they are also of high quality. They would even be built on balconies so that people could provide themselves with tomatoes, radishes, lettuce and the like. “But that doesn’t save a year.”

The renaissance of the kitchen garden

Nevertheless, the industry representatives believe that the garden will continue to be an important topic for Germans. The kitchen garden is experiencing a renaissance, says Gardena spokesman Heribert Wettels. Unlike in the past, this is also a huge topic for 20-year-olds. “Even if it’s just a balcony to plant something on.” Germany has also not dealt so much with the issue of water and water scarcity. “It’s coming now and it’s coming fast.”

However, from the point of view of the Ulm-based company, the garden boom is not only due to the corona pandemic. “The garden theme has been a trend for years,” says Wettels. Gardena broke the billion mark in sales for the first time last year. This means that it has doubled in the past six years. And in the first quarter of 2022, the increase will be five percent. “The demand is unbroken.”

Association spokesman Brüningholt speaks of the garden as a place of refuge. Hackstein, on the other hand, points out that some people want it nice at home, especially in times of crisis. “We treat ourselves to something, which includes beautiful plants.” In the Corona lockdowns, there was more or less no alternative to the garden, she says – but admits that more people will certainly be going on vacation again this summer.

Corthum Managing Director Burkhardt is also confident that soil and bark mulch will continue to be bought. “The landscape gardeners still have full books,” he says. Construction is not stopped just because of the Corona crisis and the Ukraine war. In particular, many cities want to promote climate protection and adapt for the future – new plants are an important topic.