The Home Garden: Spending More, Enjoying It Longer

Retail may be in a drought, but for many garden supply stores, it's been a green season in more ways than one.

This product image released by Arizona Pottery shows square poly resin planters with pine tree...

This product image released by Arizona Pottery shows square poly resin planters with pine tree motif. The pair retail for $144. They are crack proof, Anti-Shock, weather proof and will never fade like typical plastic pottery. (AP Photo/Arizona Pottery)

(AP)

We're paying a lot more attention to beautifying our own backyards, perhaps because we're traveling less. Americans are spending about 20 percent more than last year on planters, benches and outdoor accessories, according to online sales tracker CSN.

That's what often happens during a recession, apparently. Sharon Acocella, manager of Tony's Nurseries in Larchmont, N.Y., remembers her old boss saying years ago, "Economy's doing badly; we'd better buy heavy." She reports that while there's been a falloff in some categories — notably statuary and fancier items — there has been vigorous activity on other fronts.

"Blue and black glazed pots are more popular than ever," she says. "We've re-ordered those, and many of our square and rectangular containers, too."

Next door at Larchmont Nurseries, Gloria DeMatas and Donna Bianco echo the positive assessment. They've done well with wind chimes, window boxes and pottery. "We've sold lots of cobalt blue pots. They're so eye-catching; they stand out nicely in the garden, and all flowers look beautiful in a blue pot," says DeMatas.

Birdbaths are another brisk seller.

"Right now, people are enjoying staying at home," Bianco says. "Inside and out, they want to surround themselves with things that make them happy."

People investing the last of their discretionary cash in their gardens probably want to enjoy them beyond the summer.

Pam Brooks, president of online retrailer Arizona Pottery, likes the durability of polyresin planters, which resist the stresses of freeze and thaw and are conveniently lightweight.

"They're crack-proof, weather-proof, and will never fade like plastic," Brooks says.

A wide palette of hues, and styles ranging from classical to modern, make these a versatile choice.