I am interested in business practices in general after owning my own small company for 20 years and became fascinated by how businesses get their customers, specifically how trends are set to direct spending. This is off my normal topic but may interest you if you plan on spending any money this year on your garden.
Garden Media Group, a PR firm servicing the gardening industry, has a new theme and list of trends for 2012 that they are hoping will appeal to consumers. Using interesting buzzwords and topics phrased differently each year, they ‘spot’ trends and compile a list to promote their industry and the clients who hire them. Basically, they want to direct what you do and buy when it comes to gardening.
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‘Cultivate the new good life with the power of plants’ is Garden Media Group’s theme phrase this year. Judge for yourself:
“Urban Knights Generation X and Y are taking up the mantle to protect and defend the earth.
Eco-scaping From rocks in the garden to rocks in the living room, nature’s influence can be found both indoors and out.
Occupy Local People are “occupying” local farmers markets and joining CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) groups for fresh produce, plants and products. Mindful consumption According to the 2010 Cone Survey, 83 percent of consumers still want to see more brands, products, and companies that support worthy causes.
Water-watchers “There is no single issue greater than water,” said Hall. And, he added, Gen X & Y want gardening to be simple with easy, low-maintenance plants that require less water and are “earth kind.” In living color Neon colors, pop art and color blocking are influencing fashion on the runways to fashion in the garden.
Techno-gardening With the rise of smartphone technology, QR-codes, apps and Groupon, living social is bringing power to the people and consumers into the buying experience.
Children’s gardens From the White House to the neighborhood schools, kids are discovering firsthand how to grow their own food and take care of the planet. ”
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I know that ideas are needed when choosing products and plants for gardening projects and I’m all for free commerce, but I prefer to read and search out what appeals to me for this pleasurable and personal occupation of mine. I prefer to let my garden develop naturally as I am influenced by my own curiosity. I’m usually wary of advertising of any form and now of the trends promoted by the Garden Media Group. How will you choose what to buy for your garden in 2012?
Now, let’s look at the trends spotted in previous years. Here are the Garden Media Groups list of trends which they have in the form of what’s In-What’s Out Lists going back to 2003. See what you think.
GMG 2010 Garden Trends
What’s In What’s Out
1. Main Street is In. Wall Street is Out.
2. Edible gardens are In. Lawns are Out.
3. Slow Gardening is In. Instant gratification is Out.
4. Mindful is In. Bling is Out.
5. Eco-Boosting is In. ChemicalDependentGardensare Out.
6. Multi-tasking is In. Single-Purpose gardening is Out
7. Perennials and Shrubs are In. Divas are Out.
GMG 2009 Garden Trends
What’s In What’s Out
1. Eco-Boosting is In! Conspicuous Consumption is Out
2. Grow It Yourself (GIY) is In Doing it ALL for Me is Out
3. Blended gardens are In Segregated gardens are Out
4. Locavore is In Big carbon footprints are Out
5. Water is In Water is Out
6. Outside is In Inside is Out (But not “out”)
7. Info Lust is In Lack of Knowledge is Out
8. Quick & Simple is In Over-the-top gardens are Out
9. Global Colors are In Safe colors are Out
10. Worldly is In Cookie-cutter is Out
11. Bubbling is In Excess is out
GMG 2008 Trends Report
What’s In What’s Out
Gardening for the Greener Good is In Gardening for Self Gratification is Out
Eco-Chic Gardens Are Forever In. Chemical Needy Gardens are Way Out.
Buying Local is In. Big Eco-Footprints Are Out
Water in the Garden is In. Wasting Water is Out
Smart n’ Easy Gardens Are In. High Maintenance Gardens Are Out
Corresponding Color Combinations Are In. Complementary Color Combos are Out.
Curvaceous Gardens Are In. Square Gardens are Out.
Well-Lit Gardens Are In “In the Dark” Gardens Are Out
Gardening for the Birds & Bees is in Reckless Gardening is Out
GMG 2007 Trends Report
What’s In What’s Out
Outdoor Living is In. Indoor Living is Out.
EscapeGardensAreIn. Everyday GardensAre Out.
Streamlined Gardens Are In. Shabby Chic Gardens Are Out.
Eco-ChicGardensAre In. Chemical Needy Gardens Are Out.
SmallSpaceGardensAre In. Colossal Gardens Are Out.
Larger than Life Accents Are In. Peak-a-Boo Accessories Are Out.
Foliage in Focus Is In. Flowers Only Are Out.
Multi-taskingGardensAreIn. Time ConsumingGardensAre Out.
Fancy Plants Are In. Basic Plants Are Out.
Masses of Any Color Are In. Colorless Masses Are Out.
24-Hour Gardens Are In. Daytime Only Gardens Are Out.
GMG 2005 Trends Report
WHAT’S IN – WHAT’S OUT FOR GARDENING IN 2005
REALITYGARDENSAREIN. IDEALGARDENSARE OUT.
SIGNATUREGARDENSARE IN. COOKIE CUTTERS ARE OUT.
SIMPLE IS STILL IN. CLUTTER IS OUT.
DO SOME OF IT FOR ME IS IN. DO IT ALL YOURSELF IS OUT.
MEGA BLOOMS ARE IN. SEEDLINGS ARE OUT.
SPECIALTY ANNUALS ARE IN. BEDDING PLANTS ARE OUT.
LUXURY BRANDS ARE IN. BARGAIN BRANDS ARE OUT.
VERTICAL GARDENING IS IN. ONE DIMENSIONAL GARDENING IS OUT.
ROMANTIC IS IN. PEDESTRIAN IS OUT.
NEW CLASSICS ARE IN. TRENDY IS OUT.
CURATED CONSUMPTION IS IN. AVALANCHE OF CHOICES IS OUT.
ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE GARDENING IS IN. CHEMICALLY DEPENDENT GARDENING IS OUT.
CONTAINER GARDENING IS STILL IN. AND NOT GOING OUT.
EMPOWERED PLANTS ARE IN. NEEDY PLANTS ARE OUT.
TROPICALGARDENSAREIN. COTTAGEGARDENSARE OUT.
HOUSEPLANTS ARE IN. GREENLESS HOUSES ARE OUT.
GMG 2004 Trends Report
What’s in – What’s Out for Gardening in 2004
Simple Chic Is In. Over The Top Is Out.
Harmony Is In. A Riot Of Color Is Out.
Mono-Impact Containers Are In. Mixed Containers Are Out.
Extending The Planting Season Is In. Planting Just In Spring Is Out
Running Water Is In. Still Water Is Out.
Spirited Colors Are In. Timid Colors Are Out.
Green Revolutions Are In. Chemical Attacks Are Out.
Technorganic Gardening Is In. Pest Destruction Is Out.
Yard Fun Is In. Yard Work Is Out.
Landscaping Is In. Bathroom Remodeling Is Out.
Decorating Is In. Random Planting Is Out.
Luxury Products Are In. Commonplace Items Are Out.
Nature Outside-In Is In. Separating Space Is Out.
Planting With Others Is In. Planting Alone Is Out.
Flower Power is In. Industrial Power is Out.
GMG 2003 Trends Report
| Complicated Is Out. | Simple Is In. |
| No Color Is Out. | Four Seasons of Color Is In. |
| Self Gratification Is Out. | Self Awareness Is In. |
| Rows Of Bulbs Are Out. | Anything Goes Is In. |
| Pastels Are Out. | Bold Colors Are In. |
| Plain Pots Are Out. | Exciting Containers Are In. |
| Gardening Above Ground Is Out. | Gardening Underground Is In. |
| Dirt Is Out. | Pre-Formulated Mixes Are In. |
| Traditional Lawn Care Is Out. | Organic Grass Is In. |
| Pale Is Out. | Blue Is In. |
| Instant Gratification Is Out. | Real Gardening Is In. |
| Sloppy Is Out. | High Style Is In. |
More about these trends can be found here. http://www.gardenmediagroup.com/
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