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How Are Spring Sales For '2010?

I realize that it is too early for spring sales in the Mid West and Northern part of the US but would like to hear from others in the Deep South how their initial Spring sales are going so far. I have opened my nursery for the past 37 years the first week in March whether the weather is good or bad and generally folks down here in S.E. Texas are sick and tired of Winter and jumping at the chance to get out into their yards. We generally have mild Winters here, sometimes without any freezes at all, but this year had for us what is considered a hard freeze where it stayed below 25F for almost two days. Plants such as annual bedding begonias and impatiens that sometimes last for 3 years in folks yards are all gone and due to this our first week of sales broke a 37 year record. All types of annuals and perennials were flying off the benches, especially vegetable starts and herbs. Even some of our bigger ticket items quickly left our retail sales area. All in all we sold in our first 5 days open what we generally sell in the first 10-15 days. I certainly hope this translates to great sales for the rest of our industry as Spring cycles in and Old Man Winter is left to the history books! :) Anyone else have some great optomistic initial sales information?

Michael Pawelek

Pecan Hill Nursery

www.pecanhillnursery.com

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Permalink Reply by Victor Flaherty on March 8, 2010 at 10:18pm: Good for you Michael. I am on the north side of Houston. We haven't had a single week this year as good as last year...so far. It is just the weather. We had our second biggest day ever this Saturday though. Year to date we are down about 41%. This could be a better year for you than me because of you not being open this Jan. and Feb. That said, last years Spring weather was so good that I don't expect it to be as good (dry) as last year...but you never know. Great demand and wet weather in Spring can be less than mediocre demand and great weather. I know the demand is there. That's half of it. Good luck!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Richard Jones on March 9, 2010 at 9:26am: That's great to hear Michael. I know it's early but I hope some other folks have similar stories to tell as they get up and running this spring.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Hap Hollibaugh on March 9, 2010 at 11:54am

We had a 5% increase for February, even though the weather was terrible (though not as bad as late January....) and so far March is trending up as well. The organic veggies are starting to move and we are seeing a lot of interest in our new liter ricehull pot perennials and natives. People seem to love the size and price price point, as well as the idea of the compostable pot.