Garden Media Group has released its 2020 Garden Trends Report, Seeing 20/20. The annual write-up offers a peek at the trends expected throughout the year in the world of gardening. This year, practices, products, and innovations will offer a deeper connection with Mother Nature.
Here’s a look at some of the top ideas coming our way.
Soil Restoration
It’s a good thing this is being listed as one of this year’s top trends because we desperately need it.
Erosion, deforestation, and modern agricultural practices have all but destroyed the world’s precious soil structure. If current trends continue, the UN’s FDA predicts ‘dirt’ as we know it will be gone by 2050.
That’s why regenerative farming has made it to this year’s list of top gardening trends. Rebuilding the soil will help mitigate carbon and reduce runoff.
Composting, no-till farming practices, and pasture cropping are all ways that we can jump on this all-important bandwagon.
Urban Greenery
With 70% of the world’s population living in cities by 2050, it’s no wonder we can expect to see more green infrastructure in our urban environments.
Greenlife is an excellent way to control air pollution, stormwater runoff, and urban island heat mitigation.
The Garden Media Grop report predicts we will see more buildings with plant walls and ‘forests’ growing in city settings in 2020 and beyond.
Green Careers
You’ve heard of blue-collar jobs, but how about green ones? It’s a real thing; you’ll likely see more postings for green-collar professions soon.
Think plant bloggers, horticultural therapists, plant whisperers, or jobs in the booming hydroponic and aquaponic industries.
Gardening is more popular than ever; according to EuroMonitor, U.S. gardening grew 6% in 2018, to reach $40.2 billion.
With that, comes more opportunity for jobs and more labor needed. The Garden Media report says horticulture jobs outnumber graduates 2 to 1.
There’s the education factor too. University tuition fees are continually rising, and programs like urban agriculture, environmental sustainability, and garden installation may need only vocational programs, which cost less.
Indigo
With a calming effect, blue plants are sought after in the garden, and this year will likely be no different! Indigo has been named this gardening season’s sweetest shade.
Expect to see plenty of blue at the garden nursery this year, from hydrangeas, blueberry bushes, and salvia to indigo pots, patio pillows, and other decor items.
Houseplants
This is a trend recycled from last year’s report, but the obsession with plant babies continues! Younger generations have less time, space, and money, and surrounding themselves with houseplants helps them reap many benefits.
Caring for plants has been found to help reduce stress, anxiety, enhance creativity, and create a deeper connection with nature. Beyond that, they can dress up any room, no matter what the size!
Houseplant sales are seeing a higher percentage of growth than shrubs, trees, and perennials. According to EuroMonitor, succulents are flying off the greenhouse shelves; echeveria and aloe were among the most popular, says GrowIt!.