Millennials Embrace Gardening as a Way of Life
While generational labels can be a little vague and imprecise, they can be a useful tool for understanding and tracking demographic trends and group experiences over time. With that in mind, millennials, typically defined as people aged 21 to 34, are showing increasing interest in gardening.
This trend has been observed in both outdoor and indoor gardening. Outdoor gardening projects popular among millennials include creating comfortable outdoor spaces to entertain and planting native plants to help pollinators. Indoor gardening has also become increasingly popular among millennials, with less space and time for gardening at home leading to a greater interest in container growing and small-space vegetable production.
Why Millennials Are Gardening
The trend of millennials embracing gardening can be attributed to many reasons, including a focus on locally sourced foods, a desire for sustainability, and wellness. Here are some of the most popular reasons millennials have taken to gardening with an enthusiasm that older generations never have.
Locally sourced foods
Millennials have shown a huge surge of interest in locally sourced and organic foods, which can be grown in their gardens. By gardening, they can have access to fresh produce without having to rely on the grocery store. This trend, like so many others on this list, was driven largely by the pandemic. What’s great to see is that millennials are keeping up their gardening hobby!
Sustainability
Sustainability has become a top priority for many millennials, even extending to Gen Z, as gardening is a way for them to play a role in protecting the environment. The trend has also been further fueled by the pandemic, which has put the sustainability revolution into hyperdrive.
As the younger generations show unprecedented interest in sustainability, other gardening trends are driven by their focused approach to indoor and outdoor spaces.
The Need for Wellness
Environmental sustainability is an integral part of holistic wellness. Gardening offers a physical and mental escape from the stresses of daily life and can help to improve overall well-being. Thousands of studies link being outside in nature with mental and physical well-being. With the threat of the pandemic on everyone’s mind and the sense of isolation it caused, it’s no real surprise that wellness is a prime reason for millennials to develop green fingers.
Overall, gardening provides a way for millennials to connect with nature and promote healthy living, and it is becoming increasingly popular among this demographic.
The Characteristics of Millennials Embracing Gardening
According to a report by the Echo Press, gardening has become increasingly popular among millennials, with 29% of American households who participate in gardening being made up of people in this age group.
Another report by the Portland Press Herald states that millennials who engage in gardening value deep family relationships, as they often plant gardens with their children, significant others, or friends. And according to accentnatural.com, “millennials want to grow plants with a purpose.” They are keenly aware of the effects of climate change and the importance of pollinators to their well-being. The focus on native plants could be seen as a way to support local ecosystems and help maintain biodiversity. Millennials are actively searching for native plants for sale online.
Millennials also typically live in more urban environments. Despite often-limited space, this generation of urban gardeners has figured out how to make the most of their surroundings. From artisanal terrace gardens complete with water features and manicured outdoor living spaces to creative native plant topiaries in container gardens — millennials are pushing the boundaries when it comes to modern gardening.
Millennials are also uniquely aware of issues like air pollution and tailored soil contaminants, making them particularly apt to find innovative solutions to cultivate thriving plants in urban settings. As such, they are on the leading edge of trends shaping what it means to be a gardener today.
Millennial’s Use of Technology and Gardening
Millennials are increasingly getting into gardening, and the world of soil and seedlings is being brought to life by a new wave of technology and social media. It’s never been easier for a millennial to gain knowledge, ask questions, join discussions on popular forums, and follow experts online.
With the use of apps to track growth, manage plant care calendars, identify plants, and even track the sun, millennials are accessing an ever-growing library of invaluable advice. Social media has also helped millennials gather tips from experienced gardeners around the world in exciting new ways. As this trend continues to gain traction, even more inventive technologies and platforms will likely be introduced that make tending to your green space even more enjoyable!
Are You a Millennial Gardener?
Millennials are embracing gardening as a hobby more than ever before, and this trend is having a positive effect on our society and environment. Not only does gardening provide a sense of accomplishment and relaxation, but it also reduces pollution levels and produces healthy food for people.
Gardening has become even more attractive to millennials with their affinity for technology. Millennials are using social media and related technologies to pursue their passion for gardening with inspiring images, helpful tips, how-to videos, and even stores that sell specialized equipment online. These tools make the experience more convenient for millennials by giving them access to information right at their fingertips — allowing them to stay connected to fellow gardeners both near and far.
With efficient tools like these available, there’s no doubt that the millennial’s garden lifestyle will continue to grow. We can’t wait to see what they do next.