Due to the coronavirus epidemic, we have been condemned to home isolation. Some of our compatriots eagerly began to carry out repairs and interest in recreational plots has also increased. No wonder - our garden, plot or even balcony greenery allow us to spend time securely surrounded by nature. Therefore, we decided to check which forms of private "green" places are the most popular in our country.
Garden
40% of all respondents declared possession of a garden. Most often village residents are garden owners (67%). As far as city inhabitants are concerned, a tendency is noticeable - the bigger the city, the smaller percentage of respondents having a garden (cities below 20 thousand inhabitants - 34%, from 20 to 99 thousand - 29%, from 100 to 500 thousand - 19%, over 500 thousand - 16%). It is worth noting that garden owners are more often people with children under 18 years of age (50%) than respondents who do not have children at that age (36%).
Balcony/terrace with planted flowers, herbs, other plants
38% of respondents have a "green" balcony/terrace in their household. Taking into account the place of residence of the respondents, such balconies/terraces are the most popular among inhabitants of cities from 100 to 500 thousand inhabitants (47%), and the least popular among people living in villages (33%). There is no significant difference in the percentage of owners of "green" balconies/terraces among people with and without children under 18 years old (36% and 39%, respectively).
Garden plot
Respondents are the owners of their garden plot least frequently (33%). Taking into account the place of residence - most often the garden plot is owned by inhabitants of villages (40%). Among urban residents, the percentage of garden plot owners is as follows: below 20 thousand people - 34%, from 20 to 99 thousand - 32%, from 100 to 500 thousand - 27%, over 500 thousand – 19%. Among people with children under 18, 41% of the respondents have their garden plot, while those who do not have children at that age are significantly less frequent owners of such a plot (29%).
Summing up the results of the survey - more than three-quarters of the respondents (77%) have at least one of the "green" places listed in the survey. This shows that it is very popular among Poles to spend time in their own, plant shelters - in a space that they can shape and decorate themselves.
Methodological note
The survey conducted from 1-5 May 2020 using CAWI method. The national sample of N=1086 adults. The structure of the sample chosen according to the representation in the population for gender, age and size of the place of residence.
INDAGO Research Agency
The appearance of the coronavirus epidemic has very broad consequences, including economic effects. All industries ( among others tourism, clothing, footwear, catering, services) - are affected by the current situation.
However, recovery can be seen in e.g. the horticultural sector (in broad terms) and the construction (renovation) industry, as exemplified by data from the Ceneo comparison engine, concerning the increase in interest in this category (construction or decorative materials) by over 60%.* It is worth noting that for many people, horticulture in the form of home gardens, housing estate gardens or balconies, has become an ideal remedy for numerous restrictions in the time of the pandemic.
Poles forced by the situation to stay at home, try to enjoy fresh air and sunshine in their garden or on the balcony. Moreover, contact with plants and gardening works such as mowing grass or cultivating flowerbeds - enhance the mood, help maintain optimism and physical activity.
Home gardens or Family Allotment Gardens have been experiencing some kind of renaissance, as a safe, green oasis during the coronavirus pandemic. Social isolation and inability to travel have made us spend more time in home gardens, on balconies or terraces.
Many people decide to do gardening shopping to take care of these green places and improve or change their image. One can argue that it has become one of the favourite activities of Poles in the era of the pandemic, which is confirmed by the huge popularity of the 'Home and Garden' category, among others on the allegro.pl portal. Items for garden decoration and gardening accessories such as plants (31.5 per minute), gardening tools and garden fertilizers (13 per minute) or light garlands (12 per minute) attract particular interest.** It is also visible in the Google Trends analysis, where the slogans related to gardening/balcony/vegetable garden/green garden reached an increase of more than 60 percentage points, compared to April 2019 to April this year (and looking at the period before the pandemic until now - this is an increase of over 70 percentage points). The peak of interest in these categories occurred in the period from 26 April to 2 May 2020, although increased popularity was already observed in March, at the beginning of the epidemic (15-21 March).***
The pandemic and the restrictions associated with it have triggered many changes in the horticultural industry. On the one hand, many positive aspects can be seen but on the other hand, the industry has been affected by a serious crisis. This is particularly true for florists and ornamental plant growers (both cultivated for cut flowers - tulips and potted plants - such as primroses, pansies, flowerbed and balcony plants). Lack of possibility of direct sale, the necessity of destroying the current production, disposal of plants and maintaining employees result in a decline in profits and at the same time, lack of financial liquidity. This, in turn, translates into a threat to investments in 2021 and an inability to pay off the current loans which financed this year's production (they were to be paid off from sales profits).
Vegetable growers are in a slightly better position (fortunately for gardeners, wholesale markets, supermarkets and smaller grocery stores were operating) but both groups have many concerns about the future This is because the market has now shrunk due to a smaller supply of goods - among others, due to the closure of florists, restaurants, hotels, cancellations of events (weddings, communions and other family celebrations).
Based on the observations, several consequences of the current situation can be indicated from the general perspective (the whole industry) as well as individual participants. Among positive issues we can find:
Problematic issues:
Despite numerous negative aspects, the currently noticeable trend, visible, among others, in the barometer of Poles' moods, is the warming of consumer moods as a result of easing restrictions. So one can hope that “It will be beautiful again, it will be normal again...”
Footnotes:
*https://www.rp.pl/Biznes/304019872-Epidemia-to-swietny-czas-na-remont.html
**https://handelextra.pl/artykuly/237042,allegro-zabiera-glos-w-sprawie-programu-darmowych-dostaw
***https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?geo=PL=ogródek warzywny
****https://www.pap.pl/sites/default/files/202004/PDF.pdf
Aleksandra Osip-Krystek
Director of Qualitative Research
INDAGO Research Agency
contact: a.osip@indago.pl, 530 450 800
She has been dealing with surveys since 2000. While working in various research agencies, she carried out many projects, mainly qualitative. Apart from moderating focus groups and conducting individual in-depth interviews, she specializes in projection techniques, ethnographic research and mystery shopping (cyclical projects implemented across Poland). Privately, a happy wife and mother in love with her children, a fan of greenery and outdoor activities.
Radosław Olejniczak,
Director of Quantitative Research
INDAGO Research Agency
contact: r.olejniczak@indago.pl, 530 450 801
A graduate of sociology at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. Associated with research since 1999. While working for international research agencies and smaller market research companies, he implemented several hundred projects. Author of a number of reports and analyses related to the FMCG market published in a trade journal. He specializes in topics related to surveys on customer satisfaction and loyalty. Privately, a happy husband and father, a fan of vegetarian cuisine, jogging and Lech Poznań.