Introduction
Gardening has been a popular pastime for centuries and its popularity only continues to grow in 2020. According to the National Gardening Association, over 72 million households participated in some form of gardening this year. With more people at home due to pandemic restrictions, gardening numbers increased by 9 million from 2019 figures.
The global expansion of gardening extends beyond the United States as well. A survey conducted by the Royal Horticultural Society in the United Kingdom showed that 97% of households were involved in gardening activities during this time period. The statistics also showed that 66% spent more time tending to their gardens than they did before the onset of COVID-19 restrictions. This newfound appreciation for outdoor spaces was even visible among urban dwellers; 64% said they had made an effort to green up their balconies or patios during lockdown periods.
It could be argued that gardens bring natural beauty, peace, and a sense of self-satisfaction as one watches something grow under their care. For these reasons, it is understandable why so many turned to it as a way to pass their free time this summer. From balcony container gardens, vertical gardens for window boxes, traditional cottage flower beds, or simply tending vegetable plants — residents have enjoyed the rewards from growing something from scratch in 2020 with numbers continuing to rise worldwide.
Gardening Statistics in 2020
In 2020, there was an unprecedented number of gardeners in the United States with an estimated 57 million people participating in this hobby. This figure represents 26% of all households in the U.S. illustrating that gardening is widely popular across all demographics and age groups. The highest number of gardeners on record was noted to be millennials aged between 18 to 34, making up 28% of all home gardeners. Rounding out the statistics were baby boomers who made up 25%, Generation X contributing 16%, and pre-boomers at 11%.
These gardening surveys also reported a surge in 2020 as more than 32 million Americans took up gardening for the first time during the pandemic where social distancing drove many to explore outdoor activities such as landscaping or growing vegetables for produce at home. Garden centers, nurseries and seed providers experienced higher demand for their products as these new gardeners sought easier ways to grow plants without prior experience or knowledge.
Additionally, technology has started to be integrated into gardening activities through apps and tech tools that help novice gardeners gain advice on how best to care for their plants. From soil testers, smart pots and mobile alerts displaying precisely when and how much water is required; technology is now seen as an advantageous tool amongst active gardeners wanting maximized results while reducing maintenance efforts/time spent tending their gardens/plants.
Gardening Demographics
The National Gardening Survey revealed that the number of households that did gardening increased from 2018 to 2019. More people than ever before are getting involved in gardening, especially among Gen X and Millennials. There has been a 9% increase among Millennials and 8% among Baby Boomers since 2018. Gen X has had the greatest proportional growth with 10%. Interestingly, there was also an 18% increase in householders aged 18 to 24 over this same time period.
Notably, diverse groups have seen substantial increases in participation between 2018 and 2019 including people of color (up 17%), urbanites (up 12%), people living on less than $25,000 a year (up 11%) and those without a college degree (up 8%). These represent significant gains across boundaries of income, racial ethnicity, and educational level—bringing more variety than ever before into the garden population.
Overall it appears that gardening is indeed becoming an increasingly popular pastime amongst different types of people from all walks of life. With a growing awareness of how activities like gardening can provide mental health benefits as well as promote healthy eating habits, more people may become interested in starting their own gardens or joining community efforts to cultivate public spaces. Community gardens have sprung up around the world and can serve as a way to unite neighbors while also helping them access fresh food sources. Public parks also often offer opportunities to learn about gardening alongside other education related activities such as composting classes or work in native-species conservation efforts.
Common Plants Grown in Home Gardens
According to the National Gardening survey conducted in 2020, some of the most common plants grown by home gardeners in the US include roses, tomatoes, petunias, mums, and peppers. Roses are a symbol of love and appreciation. They come in a variety of colors and sizes and smell lovely when planted near windows or other areas where scents can waft inside and be enjoyed from indoors. Tomatoes are one of the most versatile vegetables you can grow as they can be enjoyed fresh or cooked into a range of dishes. Petunias are also a popular ornamental flower with many varieties to choose from that provide bright pops of color to yards or gardens. Chrysanthemums (mums) were first cultivated in China centuries ago and are now among the most popular flowers for flowering gardens thanks to their striking beauty and hardiness to survive drought conditions. Peppers were first grown by mesoamericans over 6500 years ago and they’ve been a beloved kitchen ingredient keeping recipes lively all around the world since then.
Common Garden Tool Preferences
Gardening remains a popular hobby for people all over the world, and according to gardening statistics from 2020, there are some common tool preferences among amateur gardeners. The most popular tools used by people tending their gardens include spades, shears, shovels and rakes. People who engage in small-scale gardening activities often opt for lightweight hand tools rather than bulky power tools, as they are easily accessible and don’t require too much energy to use. Other popular tools include trowels, hoes and pruning saws, which can be great additions to any gardener’s toolbox. Watering cans are also frequently used as part of a larger outdoor watering system. While more serious gardeners may purchase specialty items such as hedge trimmers or hedge clippers for specific tasks, the most commonly purchased items remain the basics: spades, shears and shovels.
Reasons for Gardening
Mental Health: Gardening is a positive way to manage stress and anxiety, as it provides a calming therapeutic activity. It allows for regular physical exercise in the outdoors, giving people more time to connect with nature and appreciate the natural beauty of their environment. Additionally, many studies have found that gardening can be beneficial for reducing symptoms of depression and improving self-esteem.
Nutrition: In addition to being good for mental health, gardening also helps to promote physical health benefits such as better nutrition. Studies show that growing your own fruits and vegetables can significantly improve diet quality by increasing consumption of nutrient-rich fresh produce while decreasing consumption of processed foods. Growing your own food also helps reduce food waste because you know that all of the vegetables and fruits you’ve grown has been consumed rather than going bad in the fridge or being left behind on grocery store shelves.
Sustainability: Gardening is an environmentally sustainable practice as it does not require large amounts of energy or resources in terms of fertilizer, water, and pesticides. Furthermore, it promotes biodiversity by providing different kinds of habitats for small animals and plants within gardens. Finally, home gardens are important because they help create environmental awareness from engaging people directly with nature and enhancing their understanding of local ecosystems through a tangible experience.
Financial Benefits of Home Gardens
The financial benefits of home gardens are quite impressive. According to gardening statistics from 2020, family’s that grow produce in their own garden reduce their grocery bills by 25%. This is due to the fact that homegrown items are often cheaper than store bought counterparts. In addition, some fruits and vegetables may not even be available for purchase at the grocery store. Other savings come in the form of water conservation and reduced energy costs due to decreased dependence on modern machines and technology. Home gardeners also save money on fertilizers and pest control products they would otherwise have to buy. Even more, having a garden can lead to increases in property value when selling a home and overall improved quality of life since people who tend to gardens usually spend more time outdoors enjoying nature.
Gardening Tips and Advice
Gardening is an enjoyable and rewarding activity, with more people taking up gardening in 2020 as a way to de-stress and bring more nature into their homes. According to the National Gardening Survey, the number of households actively gardening has increased by 3% in 2020 compared to 2019. Additionally garden centers saw an 8% increase in sales this year, suggesting that more people were interested in investing in their gardening activities and learning how to care for plants.
In terms of specific trends, houseplants have become increasingly popular due to their ability to liven up any space while also being quite low-maintenance. Plant subscriptions are now prevalent as well, allowing people some regularity when it comes to keeping their green spaces updated. As far as advice goes, there’s plenty available on the internet – such as tips on creating vertical gardens, selecting the right plants for each season, or finding ways of repurposing containers and other items around the house for use in your garden. Ultimately though, getting involved with local plant meetups or botanical societies may be most helpful if you’re looking for personalized guidance.
Gardening Trends for 2021
In 2021, the home and garden sector is expected to grow rapidly due to the pandemic. With global lockdowns, people are finding ways to express themselves with their home gardens. People are looking for ways to feel inspired and create display piece elements that bring vibrancy into their homes and reconnect with nature. This has seen an increased interest in growing herbs, as well as statement plants such as Monstera Deliciosa (Swiss cheese plant), Philodendron Xanadu and Fiddle Leaf Fig’s being some of the top trending plants this year. Homeowners have more choice than ever before when it comes to selecting hardscaping materials, textures, colors and finishes; enabling them to create attractive outdoor designs at a variety of budgets. Consumers are also seeking advise on easy-care garden makeovers: smaller projects which bring instant gratification while minimizing time in their gardens. Social media networks such as Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram have also made it easier for users to search for health & wellness tips related to gardening from likeminded peers from around the world. Overall, gardening is becoming increasingly popular due to its many mental health benefits: offering sanctuary away from technology devices; helping with anxiety levels; being beneficial for grounding ourselves through mindful connections with nature; aiding in sleep quality; improving overall health & wellbeing; plus providing us with homegrown food sources!
Impact of Covid-19 on Gardening
The impact of Covid-19 on gardening has been massive. In the wake of the pandemic, gardening quickly became one of the most popular activities for both young and old. People had an increased need for meaningful activities that were both productive and calming, leading them to find solace in outdoor activities such as gardening.
In 2020, the sales of seeds, plants, soil and gardening accessories surged significantly. Surveys showed that over half of households worldwide purchased particular gardening items during the year. This figure was higher than ever in countries that went into lockdown, with people investing heavily into creating their own home gardens.
Online searches for vegetable planting instructions also skyrocketed during 2020, as countless people took to their backyards for the first time. Social media posts about home gardeners more than doubled in accounts from some countries alone between 2019 and 2020. The overall impression is clear – more people were getting outdoors and tending to a garden during these unprecedented times!
Conclusion
The 2020 gardening statistics show a substantial increase in modern home gardeners and DIY approaches to landscaping. This trend is largely driven by millennials, who are more interested in both growing their own food and having a garden that fits with their lifestyle. Home gardens now offer not just sustenance but also aesthetics, convenience, entertainment, relaxation and even education.
Given its popularity among young adults, we can expect the home gardening market to continue its steady rise in the foreseeable future. Moreover, businesses catering to this sector are likely to become more innovative as they seek to provide new solutions and products that will meet the changing needs of their customers. In addition, the demand for organic products should also prove beneficial for environmentally conscious practitioners of backyard horticulture. What’s more, increased access to information technology has paved the way for online instruction sites and social media platforms dedicated to sharing valuable tips and advice on gardening topics among hobbyists around the world. As such, there appears to be no reason why we shouldn’t anticipate further growth for this popular activity in the years ahead.
Welcome to my gardening blog! I am passionate about plants and enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences with others. In this blog, I will write about everything related to gardening, from tips on how to get started to updates on my own garden projects.
