ECO-FRIENDLY A Fertile - and Growing - Market New and existing gardeners want products that are both safe around their families and pets and effective. By Teresa McPherson S 42 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | APRIL 2021 ome 16 to 20 million new gardeners dug in the dirt in 2020, thanks to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders across the U.S. and an increased interest in the " grow your own " movement. As such, through 2024, organic fertilizer sales are expected to outpace gains in conventional fertilizers, according to " Lawn & Garden Fertilizers, " a spinoff of " Lawn & Garden Consumables, " a study from The Freedonia Group. Organic fertilizers are also projected to increase their share of the $3 billion U.S. fertilizer market to 7%, supported by: