Business is blossoming for Newfoundland's garden centre owners, despite supply chain problems

Owners of garden centres on the Avalon Peninsula say they are seeing unprecedented demand two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, even as supply-chain woes continue to cause headaches.

Evan Murray, an owner-operator of Murray's Garden Centre in Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, told CBC News the last two years are among the most successful ones the business has ever had.

"It's been wonderful," said Murray.

But the future didn't always seem this bright. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, Murray said, he didn't understand how the store would be able to sell its products, and the business scaled back its orders. But after they opened for curbside pickup, there was more demand for plants and flowers than they expected.

"We quickly realized we would have one of the busiest years we had ever seen," he said.

While it's unclear how much of the pandemic-prompted business they will retain, Murray said he's heard from many first-time gardeners that they've found it rewarding. 

"People who had their first experience in growing vegetables, annuals or perennials or even trees and shrubs [have] got the gardening bug, so to speak, and they're continuing to be lifelong gardeners," Murray said.

But increased demand both in Newfoundland and Labrador and abroad has come with a downside, with supply becoming scarcer, said Murray. The business has been forced to order supplies several months — or even up to a year — in advance for the upcoming season.

"That included everything from our plugs to our hardware to our seeds. You had to secure that supply as soon as possible, and still those supply lines are challenged."

Supply-chain problems prompted Murray to begin a pre-ordering program for customers, as items have been selling out quickly. 

"We are accepting pre-orders, which is something we began during the pandemic to make sure people could secure the plants that we knew were coming." 

Murray said the most popular pre-ordered items are herbs and vegetables, with increased demand from customers who want to grow their own food.

"People have a lot of interest in growing beautiful but also functional gardens and edible gardens," he said.

John Frecker, owner of Holland Nurseries in St. John's, had much the same experience.