Outdoor Recreation
Decorative water elements – 86.1%
Spa features (hot tub, Jacuzzi, whirlpool, indoor/outdoor sauna) – 76.4%
Swimming pools – 73.8%

Outdoor Structures
Terraces/patios/decks – 97.7%
Fencing (includes gates) – 88.5%
Pergolas – 82.8%
Decks – 82.3%
Ornamental water features – 81.6%
Arbors – 81.1%
Steps – 77.7%
Porches – 74.4%
Kitchens/ovens – 71.4%
Art (sculptures, murals etc.) – 64.4%

 

Sustainable Design Elements
Native/adapted drought-tolerant plants – 88.0%
Drip/water-efficient irrigation – 84.5%
Permeable paving – 78.9%
Reduced lawn – 72.6%
Recycled materials – 65.1%
Rainwater/graywater harvesting – 60.6%

Outdoor Living Features
Lighting – 98.3%
Seating/dining areas – 97.7%
Fire pits/fireplaces – 95.4%
Grills – 94.3%
Installed seating (benches, seatwalls, ledges, steps, boulders) – 89.6%
Outdoor furniture – 84.1%
Counter space – 75.5%
Utility storage – 65.5%

Landscape/Garden Elements
Low maintenance landscapes – 95.4% Native plants – 84.5%
Fountains/ornamental water features – 83.9%
Food/Vegetable gardens (including orchards/vineyards etc.) – 76.4%
Xeriscaping or dry gardens – 69.1%
Organic gardens – 64.0%

One area of volatility is the long-term weather forecast for June and early July by the Farmers Almanac for some parts of the nation:

Southwest
A hot and dry June (no surprise) but a hot and wet start to July.

North Central
A chilly and dry start to June, then rainy, then hot and dry, followed by the threat of severe thunderstorms and cool temperatures before ending hot and humid giving way to a fairer start to July.

Northeast
Showers and thunderstorms in the beginning of June, then cooler, then more rain and again cool, followed by clearing but still cool giving way to increasing heat and humidity and more thunderstorms before becoming cool and dry again, then ending the month with thunderstorms, heat and humidity, and a tropical storm threat along the Mid-Atlantic coast. July is predicted to start off as unstable as June.

The 2014 Green Industry Benchmark Report was conducted by HindSite Software, a provider of business management solutions for the irrigation and lawn care industries among others. According to the organization, they surveyed hundreds of green industry businesses throughout North America ranging in size from one-person operations to 100-plus-employee operations.