Syncing with Nature
Syncing with Nature

Garden Media Group’s annual Garden Trends Report for 2016, “Syncing with Nature,” identifies eight consumer trends that will shake up the garden and outdoor living industry this coming year. Being in sync with nature is the first step in a healthy and rewarding lifestyle.

People have a passion for preserving the earth, and even a small change in home landscapes can have a big impact.

“Consumers are seeking experiences that enhance their well-being and support their busy lifestyles,” says Susan McCoy, president of Garden Media. “When used together, technology can bring people into nature and connect one to the other.”

The report says that consumers are merging technology with nature, not as a distraction, but as a way to explore, educate and entertain.

“Consumers are constantly connected, and that’s not a bad thing. It’s time for the industry to fully embrace technology and all it can do for the garden,” McCoy says. “The more consumers learn about nature, the more they will grow to care about it.”

These advances allow younger people with little gardening experience to get their hands dirty, knowing they have the support of their electronic devices if needed. Millennials aren’t the only ones affected by this revolution.

“These initiatives encourage all demographics, young and old, to ‘rewild’ and reconnect with nature,” McCoy says.

The 2016 Garden Trends Report shows ways the gardening and outdoor living industries can lure future consumers — and their digital accessories — outside and connect garden hobbyists with a broader community.

What are some of the components that are fueling this sustainable lifestyle and contributing to eco-friendly gardens and outdoor spaces?

Here are eight new trends influencing the garden industry for 2016 and beyond.

1. Connected Greenery

We walk, talk and sleep with our phones. Now, people are getting plugged-in outside, too, syncing garden habits with technology.

People want to be successful with plants without a lot of work or information.

To do this, they are turning to technology to help grow plants both indoors and in the garden.

2. NaTECHure

There is an intersection of two of the hottest trends in education: technology and nature.

It combines virtual and augmented reality to engage kids with gardening, health and fitness in fun, new ways. 

Whether running, playing, storytelling or even geocaching, this trend has the potential to mobilize a new generation of nature lovers.

3. Welltality

Horticulture is intrinsically tied to health and wellness.

From what we eat to our environment, people want to be happy and healthy in mind, body and soul.

From cleaning the air of volatile organic compounds to providing fresh antioxidants at our fingertips, products such as Costa Farms’ O2 For You and BrazelBerries’ collection of edible berries continue to offer health benefits from plants in our homes and gardens.

4. Makers’ Lifestyle

The DIY movement gets a facelift as people shift from “doing” to “making.”

Homeowners and renters alike want to experience outdoor living in a way that maintains a sense of home and familiarity but personalized to their tastes.

They want to engage with outdoor environments in a more hands-on way.

5. Backyard Boldness 

Taking an individualized approach to outdoor living, people are turning to new customization, lighting and movement to add a sense of whimsy to their yards.

Transforming porch swings and swimming pools, homeowners are moving away from subtle, minimalist aesthetics toward designs that heighten sensory appeal.

Masses of multi-colored flowering bulbs such as those from Longfield Gardens can make the backyard truly pop.

6. Layered Landscapes

People want to bring their yard back to a more natural habitat as each plant serves a purpose in supporting local, natural ecosystems, pollinators and other wildlife.

Consumers need to plant layers of majestic trees, understory trees, shrubs, flowers, native grasses and groundcovers that provide food and habitat for a variety of wildlife, from insects to birds.

Creating a safe environment from the ground up is key for a healthy ecosystem.

7. Petscaping

Pet owners spend about $60 billion on their pets each year for food, toys and products to keep their four-legged friends healthy and safe.

They believe, like eating nutritious food, the safest practice is to use organic lawn products and limit the use of potentially harmful garden chemicals.

Espoma’s Safe Paws program educates pet parents on having a lush and chemical-free lawn by switching from synthetic fertilizers to organic lawn foods that are safe for people, pets and the planet.

8. Precious Resources

The resources that we depend on to garden, particularly water, are limited and need protection.

How to garden with less water continues to be a top priority.

New technologies and plants offer the opportunity to protect and conserve resources with small lifestyle changes that will make an evolutionary impact on the gardening experience.

By Line: Katie Dubow

About The Author: Katie Dubow has been convincing people for years that brown thumbs can, in fact, be turned green as an account supervisor at Garden Media Group. The PR company specializes in the home, garden, horticulture, outdoor living, lawn and landscape industries. She can be reached at [email protected].

Files: ConsumerTrends_MAR.pdf

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