Socioeconomic factors influencing consumer demand for nursery products and
landscape projects were investigated using consumer survey data collected
from North Carolina in 2008. Tobit models were estimated for censored
dependent variables, budget expenditure shares on nursery products, and
landscape spending. The most significant factors influencing the share of
income spent on nursery products were age and household income. The elderly
and baby boomers tend to spend less on bedding plants, perennials, and
outdoor hardscapes than Generations X and Y. The income elasticities suggest
that the amount spent on outdoor living projects is sensitive to changes in
household income, whereas spending in vegetable plants and chemicals is less
responsive to income.