Exclusive Sneak Peek at 2019 Garden Trends

We work year-round to source trends for our Garden Trend Reports. And this year, we couldn't wait a day past April 1 to share some of the biggest trends we’re predicting for 2019.

Here is an exclusive sneak peek:

Pee Sheds

Ladies have been loving their she sheds, but what happens when nature calls? 

In 2019, we will see she shed owners rushing out for a second shed — a pee shed. These small structures are separate from homes and contain one or more toilets. They’re absolutely perfect for sitting and thinking and listening to nature’s music.

Those who have styled their homes and sheds to be more “primitive” may choose to include a pit latrine or a bucket. Those looking for a modern twist will definitely want to take a leak in the $10,000 NeoRest 750, which includes a remote controlled bidet. 

Whatever you choose, don’t forget to bring your seed catalog for paper on the go. 

Moss Capes

Wedding season is here. 

As the weather begins to warm, bohemian brides everywhere are dreaming of seaside escapes, beautiful meadows in full bloom or a magical forest to be married in. Dreams of flowing dresses, bare feet and flower crowns have begun. 

But wait, this new trend in floral wear is not flower crowns. Its moss capes! 

This new trend will show your friends that you are truly one with nature. Moss capes can be made with any type of moss you’d like – including what is growing in your backyard! Want to add a pop of color? Weave in dandelions, the common daisy, creeping buttercup or any other colorful weed found in your yard. You will be the bride to remember! 

Plantcestry Reveal Parties

Pink Brandywines or Cherokee Purples? What’s your tomato plant’s plantcestry?

You can get DNA tests for yourself, your pets and now — your plants. Digging deep into your favorite plants’ plantcestry opens new doors for gardeners everywhere. These tests are especially helpful for gardeners who just wait to see what sprouts up in their garden from their compost.

Your results are a great starting point for connecting with other gardeners with similar plants. Find out where your plants are native to, what other plants they’re related to and basically everything you could ever want to know including an ethnicity estimate and a list of DNA matches (other people’s plants who have taken the Plancestry test).

Once you’ve got a potential breakdown of your plants heritage by percentage, throw a plancestry reveal party and make a video to share with friends and family on social media!  

Edible Plant Pods

Across the world, people are asking themselves, "Do I dare to eat a Tide Pod?”

No, the answer is no. Do not, under any circumstances, eat Tide Pods.

However, Plant Pods are the newest craze. Clearly targeting Generation Z, plant pods are available in an array of bright green, purple and red. Some pods can be eaten in the entirety, and some have to be opened to enjoy the contents inside.

Like most fads, people are turning to social media to share people eating their Plant Pods.

— Tower Garden (@TowerGarden) March 4, 2018

While these might seem a bit outlandish, Garden Media Group has been accurately predicting industry trends for over a decade. Today, April 1st is a wee bit early for our annual predictions, so stay tuned to find out which trends make the cut in our 2019 Garden Trends Report…

And if you haven't downloaded 2018 yet, please do so today!

Exclusive Sneak Peek at 2018 Garden Trends Report

It might feel like 2017 just started, but here at Garden Media Group, we are working hard on our 2018 Garden Trends Report. 

Since we’re looking into the future, we have decided to give you an exclusive sneak peek at some of the biggest trends we’re predicting for next year.

Moss is Boss

Moss is going to be a key player in the garden industry in 2018 – and we’re not talking about Kate. 

For your next garden or home improvement project, consider growing a smog-eating moss roof. Moss naturally absorbs air pollutants like nitrous oxide and ozone. It also attracts beneficial insects, salamanders and frogs. Not only will your moss roof improve air quality, it’s also a good way to add some new pets– a win/win.

Like all of our favorite plants, moss can be beneficial in more ways than one.

Ever since people have become more aware of what they put in– and on – their bodies, we’ve seen an increase in plant based beauty products. Many shampoos, soaps and moisturizers contain lavender, rosemary and other ingredients you can grow in your garden.

However, recent studies have shown that moss contains essential nutrients and vitamins that are great for your skin too. Another benefit of your moss roof! So, when your skin feels in need of repair, just head up to your roof, harvest some moss, add it your favorite moisturizer and wait to see the glowing results.

Unicorn is the New Black

The unicorn trend is prominent in the fashion, food and beauty industries. Pink and purple pastel colored hair, lipstick and makeup brushes are just a few of the items unicorn lovers can don. In January 2016, Too Faced launched a lipstick with an iridescent shimmer of bluish purple called Unicorn Tears, which reached the status of Ulta’s No. 1 lipstick.

Young consumers’ demand for all that glitters, shimmers, is colorful, and name-drops a mythical creature continues to keep trending. Now, this colorful and whimsical trend is crossing over into the garden and kitchen, too.

Your food shouldn’t just taste good, it should look good too! Eat the rainbow typically refers to eating colorful fruits and veggies for a well-balanced diet. Now, unicorn noodles give this phrase a whole new meaning. That’s right – you can have pretty, pastel colored noodles for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The best part is the dye is all natural and can come right out of your garden.

Here’s how you can create beautiful, Instagram-worthy noodles:

• Instead of using processed food dyes, all you need to do is grow some purple cabbage in your garden.
• When the cabbage is ready to harvest, cook for five minutes in a pot of water. Less water will produce bright blue noodles and more water will produce lighter hues.
• Remove dyed water from heat and add in cooked noodles. Rice noodles or gluten free options work, too.
• Let noodles soak for 5-10 minutes.
• For varying shades of pink and purple, add blue noodles to one of your favorite dishes and squeeze on some lemon or lime juice.
• Before you eat and enjoy – don’t forget to post an Instagram and get ready for crazy amounts of likes.
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Belly Button Beer

As the demand for unusual and craft beer flavors intensifies, so do the techniques homebrewers are using to create artisanal beers. From growing their own hops and wheat to enhancing flavors with berries and flowers, it’s no secret that home brewers love sourcing their own, homegrown ingredients. 

As the beer renaissance continues, homebrewers are taking it one step further and digging deeper to find unique flavors, even deep within their own belly buttons.

Belly-button lint can be used for everything from flavors to yeast. We've all heard of beer bellies, but how about belly-button beers?

“Belly Button Beer is a great way to come full circle with locally-sourced ingredients for home brews,” Katie Dubow, creative director of Garden Media said. “And it’s so practical. For years belly-button lint has just gone to waste. Now there’s no need to toss it, just pick it out and brew it.”

While these might seem a bit outlandish, Garden Media Group has been accurately predicting industry trends for over a decade. Today, April 1st is a wee bit early for our annual predictions, so stay tuned to find out which trends make the cut in our 2018 Garden Trends Report…

Want to learn more? See what’s trending in 2017.

2016 Garden Trends Report: Sneak Peek!

For the first time in the company’s history, Garden Media is offering a sneak peek into its 2016 trend research. Below are a few of the trends on the company’s radar for 2016.

Urine Luck! "Peecycling:" the Next Trend in Sustainability

You’ve heard of recycling, and even upcycling, but there’s a new cycle in town. "Pee-cycling" is the gateway to truly living a sustainable lifestyle. This sterile human waste can be converted into a valuable fertilizer. And 2016 is the year it will happen in the U.S.

The stuff that makes up plant food: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, are all secreted in the average person’s urine. Budget-conscious consumers know that they don’t need to pay top dollar for fertilizer when they can just make it themselves. Plus, since it’s usually sterile, using it as plant food is generally safe: Even the World Health Organization has guidelines for reusing urine in agriculture.

Several wastewater treatment plants in the U.S. have been making and donating biosolids to farmers for years. But the practice has been considered controversial up until now.

Although this trend is just starting to become mainstream (some might still consider it midstream) in the U.S., according to National Geographic, "peecyling" can be documented back to 1867 and is a mainstream notion elsewhere in the world. Nepalese studies have tracked the efficacy of using urine to fertilize sweet peppers and Amsterdam's water facility held public demonstrations to encourage men to use public urinals to collect their urine for use in rooftop gardens. 

 

So think about how you can incorporate pee-cycling into your daily activities, and how can your business capitalize on this upcoming trend.

There's no such thing as waste, only waste of resources.

It All Tastes Like Chicken. We Swear.

In an effort to return back to nature and cut back on carbon footprints, edible pets are on the rise.

Today’s homesteaders and DIYers, proud backyard chicken and goat farmers, have added other high protein animals to their farmettes. From bunnies and ducks to guinea pigs and snakes, these animals are plenty of fun while they’re alive and tasty when they’re on the dinner table. 

“The idea of the good life is rapidly changing,” says Suzanne McCoy president of Garden Media. “People are not only concerned about what they’re putting in their gardens, but also about what’s on their plates. They’re taking charge of the entire food chain — even using organic animal droppings to fertilize their gardens.” 

With most millennials just being dirt poor, raising and eating pets enables this generation to save on groceries and still feel like they’re splurging on the organic food they crave. The added responsibility of taking care of live animals is a bonus for this generation that’s tired of playing Farmville on their smartphones. 

“There used to be this stigma attached to eating your pets,” says millennial Latie Dubow. “But no one cares about that anymore. I’m more concerned about where the food I’m feeding my baby is coming from and there’s no better place than from my backyard. Since you can put practically anything in a stew, we’re raising goats, fish and even some smaller creatures so my daughter can grow up playing and eating all kinds.” 

Garden companies can capitalize on this new lifestyle by offering organic pet foods and hosting pot luck events. 

Stay tuned in 2016 for our full complement of garden trends.