Dacha residents fed up with their digging duties.

As the balmy days of summer edge closer, many Russians typically flock to their countryside escapes, known as dachas. However, this year, the market for saplings and seeds seems to be dipping. Is it the steep rise in prices or the erratic weather that left homeowners bogged down during their spring planning? Or perhaps, are people simply eager to skip the gardening DIY and splurge on ready-made plants?

Let's crunch some numbers. Between March 1 and April 20, 2025, the average check for saplings and seeds hit an increase of 17%. Yet, seed sales plummeted by 10%, and sapling sales mirrored the same downward trajectory. All in all, sales for garden goods slid by 3% year-on-year, as per T-Data analysts. The blame, it seems, falls on the capricious weather during the mid-spring season, a time when most Russians plan their suburban plot makeovers, according to Leonid Simakov, marketing director at "Platform OFD."

However, Simakov adds an interesting twist to the tale. In February 2025, when the cold snap melted into a heatwave, there was a 25-30% surge in demand for gardening equipment and outdoor accessories. Yet, come March, that shrank at a steady pace. Could it be that these frost-hardened, garden-loving hearts have lost their enthusiasm?

Vladimir Panin, manager of Panin Plants, believes that the decline in seed sales might also be attributed to the hefty increase in prices. Retailers pushed the average price hike up to 20-30% year-on-year. While a cozy winter blanketed the nation, the affordability debate was not part of the conversational repertoire. However, once the chill vanished and the realities of big bills loomed, the demand for seeds dipped slightly in the first half of April when the temperatures nosedived.

But here's a silver lining: online sales of gardening goods have not only weathered the storm but flourished. Online sales spiked by 13% from early March to mid-April, with the average spend swelling to 4,600 rubles, as per Leonid Simakov. Even Wildberries, a popular marketplace for garden goods, witnessed a staggering 95% increase in turnover, accompanied by a 110% surge in the "Seedlings and Saplings" subcategory.

It appears that ready-to-plant plants are big hits on the virtual market, as they require minimal effort and can be easily maneuvered into place. Oxana Blagа, head of the "Garden" category at retail chain "Lemans Pro" (previously Leroy Merlin), concurs. She's seen a surge in enthusiasm for "urban gardening."

What makes ready-to-plant plants even more attractive is that they've become the darling of budding entrepreneurs. According to a "Tochka" bank study, the segment boasted a whopping 45% year-on-year growth in January-March 2025. And why not? With import restrictions on seeds for certain crops imposed by certain countries, domestic planting material is becoming increasingly sought-after. It's no wonder that the demand for ready-to-plant plants surged by 10.5%, while their price dropped by 8.3% to 148.6 rubles over the same period.

Some experts predict a bustling barbecue season ahead, as Russians gear up for grilling and gardening. And with the convenience of ready-to-plant plants, even those with hectic schedules can let their green thumbs shine. So, buckle up and get your garden game on – there's no time like the present to nurture those finger-lickin'-good vegetables and striking flower beds!

Despite the rise in prices for garden goods, including saplings and seeds, sales saw a decline of 3% in the first quarter of 2025.
The demand for ready-to-plant plants has drastically increased in online sales, with a 13% surge from early March to mid-April.
Many beginner gardeners are attracted to ready-to-plant plants, as they demand minimal effort and are easily manageable, making them popular among even those with hectic schedules.
With import restrictions on seeds for certain crops, domestic planting materials are becoming increasingly desirable, driving a 10.5% increase in demand for ready-to-plant plants and a decrease in their prices.