Five garden trends for greenhouse growers

In its 13th Garden Trends Report, Garden Media finds consumers spending more leisure time outdoors and “decorating” their gardens, not just their homes.Globally, the 2014 Garden Trends Report finds the gardening and outdoor living market is expected to increase yearly by 3.5% through 2016, when it should reach $220 billion.The North American market, which has remained flat at $58 billion, is expected to grow annually at a rate of 1% for the next four years.

 Among Garden Media’s trends for 2014, here are five that are of special interest to greenhouse growers:

 1. Super foods, super models: Edibles are advancing to the next level with foodies and health-conscious individuals. Nearly 47 million Americans were planning on growing edibles in 2013 for access to food that is better tasting, higher in nutrition and better quality.

The “super models” of these higher-nutrition edibles are packed with added health benefits. Blueberries improve cardiovascular and brain health and are packed with vitamin C and fiber. Kale is high in iron, fiber, and antioxidant.

2. Drink your garden: People are using these super foods to drink their gardens in a variety of smoothies, juices, craft cocktails, beer, wine, kombucha, and shrubs. The do-it-yourself aspect starts with growing and harvesting, and is topped off by the creativity poured into each glass.

 3. Young men in the dirt: Young men are discovering the great outdoors and are grilling, growing and taking their kids out to play in the dirt. This demographic is also heavily involved in the brewing and wine making trends, growing their own hops, grains and grapes. They also gravitate toward edibles, like hot peppers, that can be used in grilling.Young men are also making parenting more of a “guy thing” and more fathers are instilling in their children an appreciation for nature and the outdoors at an early age.

4. Bee-neficials: Bees are at the forefront of environmentally aware consumers’ minds, inspiring them to plant native, pollen-rich flowers, trees and veggies to provide safe shelters.

5. Fingertip gardens: Modern technology has made everyday life more convenient. Gardeners can benefit, too, with mobile apps and technology. From countertop hydroponic growing systems and solar lighting controls to garden design mobile apps and posting garden updates via social media, high-tech has entered the garden to stay. With this new convenience, gardening opens itself to a new tech-savvy demographic.

 The complete 2014 Garden Media Trends report is available for free download.    Individual global and garden trends for 2014 will be discussed in more detail every Thursday on the Garden Media blog, GROW!  

 Source: Garden Center Magazine, December 2013 issue