Gardening has never gone out of style, but a surge of new gardeners has sparked an evolution not only in what is being planted but also in how and why gardeners are doing so. Giving depth to the trends that are defining gardening in 2023, the newest edition of the Garden Guide is now available in digital and print form!
“Millennials and Gen Z are driving the growth in gardening,” says Janice Stillman, editor of the 2023 Garden Guide. “These generations are more likely to live in cities or homes with limited space. This influences how they garden and the tools that they use. There’s also a desire across all age groups to grow sustainably, become more self-sufficient, and build community.”
As it has done annually for more than a decade, the Garden Guide provides inspiration and advice shaped by the trends cultivated by today’s gardeners, including …
Continued Growth of Urban Gardens
Urban gardening isn’t new, but it has taken on new life as more people call cities home. A 2023 Garden Guidespecial report looks at how cities hold the key to food production now and in the future, through everything from modest containers and repurposed rooftops to community-based solutions like Seattle’s P-Patch Program and Montreal’s innovative rooftop greenhouse project.
Small-space gardeners in urban settings and otherwise will also appreciate the Garden Guide’s practical primer on choosing and planting “Pint-Size Produce”—compact varieties of melons, cauliflower, bok choy, cucumbers, carrots, and more.
Expanding Houseplant Collections
The demand for houseplants shows no signs of slowing down. What began as a pandemic hobby for many has continued to grow in recent years. In addition to having a calming effect, indoor plants have many health benefits: People in homes or (home) offices filled with plants suffer fewer respiratory illnesses and headaches. The 2023 Garden Guide clears the air on the best air-purifying plants.
For houseplant lovers who are looking for a little more va-va-voom, the Garden Guide goes beyond the ho-hum with exotic, showstopping options that will add a bit of flair to any collection.
A Renewed Interest in Herbs
While vegetables have taken center stage when it comes to growing edibles, it’s time to make way for the humble herb! Herbs are quick-growing, can thrive anywhere, and liven up the taste of anything, including cocktails! The Garden Guide invites readers to grow their own “Bartender’s Garden” with herb options—many of which cooks will appreciate as well—and refreshing drink recipes perfect for imbibing after a long day in the garden.
Enjoy that cocktail along with an herb-infused skin treatment to relax and unwind. The 2023 Garden Guide takes time for self-care with tips on growing soothing herbs and creating hand-blended remedies.
Sustainable Solutions
According to the 2023 Garden Guide, gardeners are increasingly replacing too-thirsty lawns with native plants, vegetable gardens, and pollinator meadows. Sustainability is meeting aesthetics in other ways too: the return of ornamental grasses that add dimension while managing storm water and a movement to save plants that are in danger of extinction.
Also in the 2023 Garden Guide: a step-by-step guide to starting seeds indoors, which ensures better germination and growth, and a garden historian’s ponderings over growing wisdom from the past.
Tech for a Better Garden Experience
Apps—including The Old Farmer’s Almanac Garden Planner—are increasingly replacing paper-and-pen in garden planning. A developer behind the Garden Planner takes to pages of the Garden Guide to share the science behind one of the app’s most popular features—companion planting—and explain why this is so important for the health and longevity of any garden.
Social media are a continued source of gardening inspiration. For example, one of TikTok’s most popular creators, “Garden Marcus” Bridgewater, charts connections between his garden and life. For the 2023 Garden Guide, he shares a personal story about dealing with an invasive plant and the power of gift-giving.
Finally, cutting gardens are becoming more popular as gardeners look for ways to enjoy the fruit of their labor both inside and outdoors. The 2023 Garden Guide offers recommendations on stunning classic flowers and tips on how to create flower arrangements that will rival those of a professional. Also recommended, from the editors of The Old Farmer’s Almanac: the Flower Gardener’s Handbook, a singular essential guide for all flower gardeners!
