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7 Exciting Garden Trends to Watch for in 2024
Out with the old, in with the new — that’s what the new year is all about, right?
Not always. Some gardening trends that we’ve been seeing for years keep gaining momentum, and 2024 is no exception.
But keeping up with gardening trends isn’t just about being cool — in 2024, gardening is all about being practical and efficient — and the accompanying aesthetic is just an add-on. This year’s gardening trends focus on maximizing productivity in the garden and fighting climate change in meaningful ways.
Technology will be a big component of gardening in 2024 — and why wouldn’t it be, when technology has touched so many other aspects of our lives? Indoor gardens will also rise in popularity, as people continue to use greenery to decorate and decompress from the stress of modern life.
In this blog post, we aim to predict and discuss seven garden trends for 2024. Save this post and stay tuned later in the year to see if we called the right shots!
Still, you might still be wondering…
Why should you care about gardening trends?
1. Innovation
We’re in the middle of an innovative period of history, and gardening and agriculture are not immune to the ways the world is changing. While some trends are shorter-lived than others, the best trends introduce new ideas, techniques, and design concepts that improve how we cultivate plants.
2. Increased productivity
As gardening trends evolve, they often incorporate advancements in technology and sustainable practices that allow more crops to be grown with fewer resources.
3. Environmental impact
Gardening trends increasingly focus on sustainability and ecological practices, such as using native plants, conserving water, and supporting pollinators.
4. Plant selection
Gardening trends often highlight new and exciting plant varieties that thrive in different climates and growing conditions.
5. Community
Staying updated on gardening trends allows enthusiasts to connect with like-minded individuals who share their passion for plants and nature.
Overall, staying updated on gardening trends provides abundant information and inspiration, helping gardening enthusiasts enhance their skills, improve their gardens, and contribute to a more sustainable and beautiful world.
The trends
1. Edible gardens
Growing edibles has always been a prime goal of gardening — most of us grow vegetables and herbs to put tasty food on the table (and help cut the cost of grocery bills).
But this year, expect to see even more of a homegrown food revolution. The social and environmental concerns of the global food supply chain, coupled with its general instability, have more and more people anxious (and excited) to grow their own food, whether at work, at home, or in their schools and communities.
Growers everywhere will continue to blur the lines between ornamental and functional to create “edimental gardens,” or the interplanting of edible and decorative plants. The fusion of landscaping, agriculture, and art results in beautiful outdoor spaces where people can gather to relax and dine as they share time and space together.
2. Pollinator gardens
Sustainability will continue to take center stage as more and more growers incorporate native species and pollinator-friendly plants into their gardens.
Pollinator gardens play a crucial role in supporting local ecosystems and the overall health of our environment. Pollinators—like bees, butterflies, beetles, birds, and other animals—are essential for the reproduction and survival of many flowering plants. Without pollinators we wouldn’t have most of the fruits and vegetables we eat each day, let alone flowers!
One of the best features of a pollinator garden is how easy it is to maintain (way less maintenance than a grass lawn). Native plants and wildflowers naturally thrive even if left unattended—all the plants really need is some irrigation in periods of drought or extreme heat. Plus, who doesn’t want fresh flowers at their disposal? It’s a win-win for you and the bees!
Read this post for some pollinator-friendly flowers for your garden.
3. Container gardens
Container gardening is another trend that isn’t going anywhere in 2024. Not everyone has access to acres of land, and for many, utilizing patio gardens, raised beds, and window boxes is the only way to grow their own food in their backyards.
Just like with in-ground gardening, container gardening isn’t quite as simple as throwing seeds in a pot and watching them grow—though some find this kind of gardening easier than others. You still need to pay attention to the planter material, as well as make sure that the pot or box is in a location that gets enough sunlight and water, even if you’re supplementing with a grow light and water hose.
4. Vertical gardens
Expect to see a surge in vertical gardening this year — not only are upright gardens brilliant ways to save on space, they are equally eye-catching and beautiful. When cared for properly, vertical gardens use less water, produce higher yields, and have fewer issues with disease and pests.
Cucumbers are one of those vegetables that a lot of people don’t think about trellising, but doing so will bring you really awesome results! Squash, melons — even spinach and carrots — can easily be grown in a vertical garden with the right planters and trellis.
5. Drought-tolerant gardens
2024 is all about growing more with fewer resources, lessening our impact on the planet, and conserving precious resources like water.
Drought-tolerant plants have always been popular with growers in arid regions, but these tough plants have a place in every garden (except for the most humid and tropical gardens, of course).
Water-conscious gardening — also called xeriscaping — does more than reduce water use. Drought-tolerant plants tend to need less maintenance and are less herbaceous than thirstier species, resulting in less work spent maintaining them.
Most often, drought-resistant plants are native plants that thrive in poor soils, so you can save money on fertilizer costs. All in all, for the busy gardener who still wants an attractive landscape bursting with colorful echinacea blooms and fragrant lavender clumps, xeriscaping is the way to go.
6. Zero-waste garden
The theme of Earth Day 2024 (which always falls on April 22) happens to be “Planet v. Plastics,” so plastic-free gardening is on brand for 2024. But isn’t gardening zero-waste anyway? Well, it depends.
A lot of gardening tools and equipment are made of plastic and other inorganic materials, but the problem arises with single-use plastics like hortonova netting, seed tags, and produce bags.
So how do you achieve a plastic-free garden in 2024? Sanitize and rescue seed-starting trays, plant pots, and humidity domes. Clean and label landscape fabric and black plastic at the end of the season so you can use it again next year. Avoid single-use plastics, opting instead for wooden plant tags, biodegradable twine for trellising, and reusable harvest bags and baskets.
You can make your own pesticides and fertilizers (which are often better than store-bought) and you can make homemade potting soil and compost to avoid buying bagged mixes. While it may be a little more time-consuming (and more labor-intensive), you can feel good about your garden and the work you’re doing at home to fight the battle against plastics and waste.
Find out more by reading this article.
7. Expanding hardiness zones
Late last year the United States Department of Agriculture updated the Plant Zone Hardiness Map for the first time in ten years. The results of the 30-year study placed most of the country in a warmer zone, and growers are taking this information a few different ways.
Some gardeners are sticking to what they know they can grow, and not risking new crops in seasons that they say are growing more unpredictable. Other growers are excited to try new species that previous versions of the map wouldn’t have recommended for their zones.
This year is ripe for experimentation and plant challenges, so don’t be afraid to grow something a little outside of your comfort zone! At worst, you may lose it, but at best — well, you might discover a new favorite cultivar and boost your confidence a bit. So we say, go for it!
In 2024, gardening trends are focused on being practical, efficient, and fighting climate change. Technology will play a big role in gardening, and indoor gardens will rise in popularity.
It’s worth staying updated on these gardening trends because it allows gardeners to explore innovative approaches to growing by increasing crop productivity and minimizing environmental impact — all while discovering new plant varieties and connecting with a thriving gardening community.
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We predict these trends so that you’ll be ahead of the curve, and can order the seeds you need before they sell out. Shop our online seed store today and snag some deals to ring in the new year the best way we know how!