New Zealanders are believed to be returning to the vegetable garden in droves as a means to help in leaner economic times.
Kiwi companies Masport and Yates have both reported growth of some product lines by as much as a third each year over the last couple of years.

Masport marketing services manager Nadia Roberts says the recession is the driving force behind this gardening trend.
'If we look at our top 10 vegetable garden tool retailers, 70 per cent of sales are currently derived from urban customers,” says Nadia.
The demand for home gardening equipment has even forced Masport to restart production on a previously deleted product, the Masport ‘Home Gardener' that was at its sales peak in the 1970s.
Yates marketing manager, Charlie Gray, says seed sales have also been boosted by city gardeners looking to save money. Vegetable seed sales have increased by 60 per cent over the past two years, says Charlie.
'It's interesting to note the growth in sales of baby or space saver varieties in the Yates range,” says Charlie.
'This is probably an indicator of smaller section sizes and consumers who are growing in raised planter beds, where there is a need to maximise yields from smaller spaces.”
Traditional favourites such as beans and peas are becoming increasingly popular as well as root vegetable staples including carrots and beetroot says Charlie. There is also growth in rocket, culinary herbs and exotic lettuce varieties.