However there are now 106 Jardiland centres in France, an increase of 33% 2000. And Gamm Vert has seen a 20% increase since 2001. Promojardin, promotors say that between 1999 and 2004, the garden-centre market grew by 17% to almost €6 billion.
One reason for this growth could be that more French households now have a garden (61% in 2004). While others not so fortunate at least have a terrace or a window box.
Another reason for the interest in gardening may be that nature has now become more fashionable, with recycling, organic foods, ecology all being popular in many countries.
Or perhaps it is just because the French have less working hours in a week, reduced by the former Socialist government in 2000 to 35 hours. They now have more free time and less money and thus decide to spend more time at home.
