Environmental factors continue to affect supplies for the landscape industry. Hurricanes in the South and fires in the West have disrupted a market that was already experiencing delays and shortages due to the pandemic. A robust market and increased demand for landscaping services has put further strains the market, according to some sources.

The shutdown in response to the pandemic in early spring delayed production of many supplies, and COVID-19 restrictions slowed production when work was allowed to resume. As consumers began to spend more time at home and in their landscapes, demand for supplies grew from both landscape professionals and DIY homeowners.

Shipping was certainly disrupted as a result of the pandemic, and weather events likely affected shipping efforts further. Resin production shut down as hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico approached this summer, though the industry was spared potential disaster by hurricanes Marco and Laura.

This combination of factors has led to a shortage of irrigation supplies, delays in projects, and increased pricing. Some distributors told Colorado Green NOW that they anticipate the delays and shortages will continue through the end of 2020 and possibly into 2021.

In addition to irrigation supplies, distributors have seen a delay in seed certification and shipping out of the Pacific Northwest due to wildfires, and shipping slowdowns have affected the availability of hardscape materials.

Read more in this issue of Colorado Green NOW:
GreenCO announces candidate endorsements
Update on ProGreen EXPO 2021 plans
Fort Collins water restrictions include ban on lawn watering
DOL proposes rule to clarify independent contractor vs. employee status