The run of dry weather has highlighted the 'limitations and fragility' of our water resource base. Sales of garden plants were down by 8% for the first half of this year, according to figures released by the Garden Centre Association. While factors such as the impact of people staying in to watch the football World Cup, and an underlying retail downturn, are partly to blame, GCA president David Danning is convinced the hosepipe bans imposed by water authorities in the south-east have had a clear impact. The protected ornamentals sector has been particularly hard hit because of the effect of watering restrictions on the amenity bedding plant market. Figures are harder to obtain than for the retail market but reductions in volume have been significantfor some growers. Even in areas without official hosepipe bans, some authorities have cut back on bedding schemes, arguing that they should not be seen using water to maintain them. Many in the bedding industry believe this is simply an excuse to reduce planting budgets, which has long-term implications for the market.
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