Although winter weather has been relatively mild in most of the country, nursery operators are paying more to heat greenhouses than they did a year ago. And even though retail gasoline prices have retreated from their post-Hurricane Katrina highs, landscape companies will pay considerably more for fuel this year.

Passing at least some of the increased cost on to their customers is unavoidable, local greenhouse and landscape company officials said.

“We’re going to think positive and anticipate a really good spring, but we’re probably going to have a flat price increase across the board. We’re going to try to hold it to a minimum, though,” said Monte Stanley of Stanley’s Greenhouse in Knoxville, Tenn.

Common Grounds Landscape Management Inc., a commercial and residential landscape contractor, expects to raise prices 3 to 5 percent, said President John Watson. In addition to paying more for gasoline, landscapers are paying more for supplies.

“Fertilizer and chemicals are all petroleum-based,” Watson said.

Last fall, Volunteer Lawn absorbed a $4,000-a-month jump in gasoline costs without increasing its prices when hurricanes sent pump prices in the Knoxville area soaring over $3 a gallon.