2020 Garden Trends Report, Seeing 20/20, LIVE

For nearly 20 years we have peered into the crystal ball searching for future industry trends. This year is no different. The 2020 Garden Trends Report, Seeing 20/20, offers a peek into what will trend in horticulture in 2020 and beyond.

Why trends? Staying on top of trends allows garden-focused businesses to take advantage of new opportunities and stay on the cutting edge.

For years we’ve identified shifts in habits and growth that affect both consumer and professional horticulture. From the way we design our cities to the people who work in them, the green industry will be at the forefront of urban growth and development in 2020.

This year’s trends are reinventions from a bygone era — helping to reconnect us with nature, rejuvenate the soil and lead us to a more thoughtful approach to life. Certainly, times have changed, but if we can combine the wisdom of the past with the science and technology of today, our future could be very bright. 

Technology and data have revolutionized many industries over the last century, including gardening. As the world moves to a more urbanized focus, with some estimating that 70 percent of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050, Central Recreational Districts are on the rise as people search for new and more effective green infrastructure opportunities. 

The 2020 trends also emphasize the role sustainability will play in consumerism and the green industry, from regenerative gardening to a shift to a circular economy. According to Accenture, a circular economy could generate $4.5 trillion in new output by 2030.

Not to mention, the millennial plant parent movement only continues to grow. Moving beyond simply plants in apartments but to create relationships and introduce a new demographic to gardening. 

The plant swaps are the new garden clubs.

Download the 2020 Garden Trends Report today

Garden Media has published its highly anticipated Garden Trends Report annually since 2001. The firm offers information about trends in a variety of formats including a free annual report and YouTube series. The 2020 Garden Trends Report is available for free download now. Read Garden Media’s GROW! blog for trend updates and industry news. 

Is Facebook Still Cool? The 101 for Industry Leaders

A New Year means out with the old and in with the new, so where exactly does that put Facebook? Facebook has over 1 billion users, so it’s definitely here to stay. Yet, the social media mogul certainly is changing.

Facebook is no longer for the hip and the young. It’s simply transforming how we connect and communicate with all ages. This year the average age of a Facebook user has officially bumped up to 30.

Facebook’s revolution means that it is even MORE powerful than ever. Facebook still has twice the user base of Twitter; plus, 60% of Facebook users check into the site daily.

Even in 2013, Facebook is still rocking it, which means you and your business need to rock it too! To help you get Facebook Fabulous, adapt some of the tips below ,and watch the users and interactions fly in.

Pop a Photo

In our text-heavy world, we just want a pretty picture. Isn’t that why Instagram is gaining more and more followers every day? Translate that visual beauty to your Facebook page. A post with a photo gets 39% more interaction. Try uploading an image that will make your fans smile or laugh, even if it has nothing to do with your business-- as long as it's consistent with your brand!

Make sure the photos are unique to your green, garden brand. Flaunt your individuality with an image that captures your company’s vibe. Maybe the prettiest bloom in the office?

Show Your Digital Teeth : D

Humans want to connect to each other with nonverbal cues, but in the digital world of Facebook, we need to make due. Enter the emoticon. Let the world know what you’re feeling not with a lengthy poem, but with a click of your keyboard. 57% higher likability happens when you include any emoticon. Wondering what’s the most popular? Just look up : D ! Second in line, : P

Short is Oh So Sweet

Facebook doesn’t have a character limit, but there have been times when I wish it did! Posts should be short and simple. Cut to it already! A long post every now and then is alright, but let’s be frank: if you have a lengthy soliloquy, take it the company blog. 80 characters or less is the optimal length.

Be Direct

If you want your fans to like/share/comment on a post, just say so! Fans want to help you out; they love your brand—that’s why they’re there! Lay all your cards on the table, and speak your mind. Plus, when you write the direction out, your results will improve significantly.

Craving even more Facebook tips? Satisfy your hunger with our page-turning e-book below.

Farming 2.0

In just the past year, we have blogged about urban farming five times.  Obviously, farming has seen a relentless upsurge as both a profession and a pastime.

Cassandra Daily, a trend research firm, has recently discovered how technology is addressing these small scale farmers and helping them do their jobs better.

Sustaination: There are numerous environmental, cultural, and economic benefits to buying local, but the hassle involved can preclude wholesale food buyers from abandoning the mega-farm system. Enter Sustaination, a UK-based social network that connects growers with nearby businesses, in turn encouraging and streamlining local trade.

Farmhopping: Take the crowdfunding capabilities of Kickstarter, add the collaborative spirit of co-ops, and apply the share-model premise popularized by local CSAs, and you’ll end up with Farmhopping, a forthcoming network that lets members buy into Bulgarian farmers’ livestock in exchange for a say in how the animals are handled.

Bucky Box: Software platform Bucky Box is a New Zealand-based “digital operations team” designed to help small farmers simplify the logistical challenge of delivering their produce. Its founders (one of whom was inspired by his work for micro-farm trading network Ooooby) aim to make local, sustainably produced foods more accessible to the public.

Food trends for the future

Here at the Garden Media Group we're always on the hunt for upcoming garden/green living trends.

Recently, treehugger.com posted an interesting article projecting food trends for 2020. The projections come from Spain from a group of food researchers at  azti-technalia, a marine and food technological center, tasked with developing a project to identify future food trends.

What they came up with is thought provoking and sure makes for interesting conversation! Even more so, it just may "revolutionize" the way we look at food, grow food, and "consume" food.  Self-fulfilling prophesy? You decide.

The article lists eight points; here are a few teasers in no particular order:
1. "Food telling"- (food with a message). Attractive, accessible info and transparency and more...
2."SuperSense"- Food as a multisensory experience
3."Slocal" - Quality consumption, awareness and responsibility about the impact of food consumption
4."EgoFood"-Express your identity
5."Made Simple"- KISS principle. Opting for the least time consuming choice.
6."Eater-tainment"- The food experience. Connecting emotions, needs and memorable experiences
7."Here & Now"- Facilitates lifestyles of urban dwellers who demand flexibility to optimize healthy lifestyle
8."My Health"- Personalized health.

So let us know what you think... your "takeaway".

Will these projections provoke you to take a more active stance on how food is packaged and labeled? Buy local? Grow your own veggies? Consume less?

Put down your donut and pick up an apple?

Feed us your comments. Love to spark "healthy" debate!

Lynne

Garden Media Group

Photo credit: Kennett Square Farmers Market and Wiki Commons

GMG's Friday Find: Fabulous Floral Furniture

This week is all about bringing the flowers indoors and never having to worry about them wilting. We all have an appreciation of the beauty they provide us outdoors but their life is limited once we put them in a vase.

The Floral Art Home Collection by Jennifer McGarigle is aiming to change the way we use flowers in our furnishings. Her line ranges from furniture, vases, art & accessories. There is a product for every taste.

 

About their Home Collection from their website...

At Floral Art we're surrounded everyday by the allure and beauty of fresh flowers. It's an experience that's inspired our signature aesthetic, clean, modern lines infused with imagination and elegance. Now, Floral Art Home brings this compelling sensibility to a new line of home furnishings -- the Floral Art Home Collection by Jennifer McGarigle. With the essence of nature reflected in each piece, we hope the Floral Art Home Collection enhances your everyday life with the radiance and enchantment that surrounds us in ours.

Check out the short video below about Jennifer and her inspiration!

How gorgeous are those chairs! You can get one in almost every flower!

-Karen
Garden Media Group

Trendspotting: Water Watchers & Seedlings: Part III

Here at the Garden Media Group spotting green living trends that include hot new plants and products for your lawn and garden and green lifestyle is our passion.

In the last of our 3-part series of GMG's Garden Trends for 2012 Report: Cultivate the New Good Life with the Power of Plants, we've identified Water-Watchers and Seedlings as important trends that are coming on strong.

Water-Watchers. According to Dr. Charlie Hall, professor of horticulture at Texas A&M University, "There is no single issue greater than water."

Drought and regional water restrictions are causing us to grow plants, flowers and vegetables that require less water.

Beneficial soil amendments like the new Soil Reef Biochar are considered by many scientists to be like a "coral reef" for soil. Its high carbon content and porous nature help retain water and nutrients, saving gardeners time and money.

New Bloomtastic! plants from Hines Growers use EcoCover mulch discs to help save water and reduce weeds. Look for their new bougainvillea and Bougainvillea Patio Trees that are drought tolerant and give vibrant multi-colored flowers for your patio, deck and porch all summer long.

Seedlings. From the White House to the neighborhood schools, kids are learning how to grow their own food and take care of the planet. Suzi McCoy, our chief trendspotter and garden expert says the popularity of miniature gardens is "ideal for kids and the young at heart to share the whimsical world of plants and appreciate the joy of gardening."

Share what you see trending on the horizon. We'd love to hear from you!

~Lynne, Garden Media Group

Photos: Soil Reef Biochar and Bougainvillea, GMG

Living Walls are here to Stay

Longwood Gardens Living Wall

Each year for the past 10 years the Garden Media Group has released a trend report.  And for the past 3 years we have been talking about, blogging and predicting 'living' or 'vertical' walls as a rising star.   

Foster Plants Living Wall in the Aventura Mall Splendid Store

The Smith and Hawkin wall

Google: Always ahead of the trend

But, don't be fooled, living walls are a LOT of work to build an maintain.  I want one at home but can't fathom the back-end it takes to produce.  Man, they sure look cool.  What do you think?  Practical? 

@KatieGMG