Spring has sprung. The mounds of snow reminiscent of the Snowpocalypse are
finally gone, replaced by green grass. Birds are chirping, trees are blooming
and flowers are sprouting. And, with Easter this weekend, local florists and
nurseries are seeing a boost in sales.
Easter, seen as the kickoff to spring, is a big business. According to the
National Retail Federations 2010 Easter Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey
holiday, which is conducted by BIGresearch, celebrants will spend slightly more
this year with the average person expected to shell out $118.60, up from $116.59
last year. Total Easter spending is expected to reach $13.03 billion.
Locally, American Color Inc. is in full swing, growing lots of spring plants for
wholesale. According to owner Ed Van Hoven, while the company doesnt grow bulb
crops like lilies or tulips, they do grow all of the seed and cutting crops
targeted towards Easter such as Gerbera Daisies, New Guinea Impatiens and Zonal
Geraniums.
Spring is our busiest time of year in the greenhouse business, our peak season
is generally from Easter to Memorial Day, Van Hoven said. This time of year is
when we will do about 70 percent of our total sales for the year.
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