Gardening in 2023 – 8 Trends to Look Out For

With an increasing focus on self-sufficiency and sustainability, edible landscaping is gaining popularity. This involves designing a landscape that includes a mix of ornamental plants as well as edible plants, such as fruit trees, berries, and vegetables. This mixed approach will help attract good bugs such as pollinators and pest fighters, as well as detracting nibblers and destructive insects.

In August the UK Government announced that the sale of peat-based bagged compost for use on private gardens and allotments will be banned from 2024, in a bid to protect the UK’s already severely degraded moorlands. As an alternative, gardeners will seek out environmentally friendly alternatives to peat-based bagged compost. The Hozelock EasyMix 2-in-1 composter is the perfect solution for turning home and garden waste into sustainable compost, delivering a healthier garden at no extra cost to you.

Water conservation is becoming increasingly important, and gardeners are looking for ways to irrigate their gardens in a more sustainable way. Options include drip irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, and greywater reuse. Check out the Hozelock Easy Drip Micro Kit, the perfect way to regulate water flow, giving you complete control over water delivery to your plants.

The RHS predict that with the cost of hard landscaping soaring and its contribution to localised flooding, gardeners will turn to plants to add structure to their patch. Green landscaping—also known as sustainable or eco-landscaping—is a method to design, create, and maintain your landscape to save time, money, and energy. Green walls and hedges are all set to increase in popularity. Green landscapes nurture wildlife; reduce air, soil, and water pollution; and make healthy recreation spaces.

Social media and Apps are becoming important as gardeners, with more and more products being developed to help us simplify chores. Using technology for gardening can save time, energy and money; as well as being better for the environment. One such product is the Hozelock Cloud Controller, that lets you water your garden from anywhere in the world with a smartphone app.

As the climate warms and we dial down the central heating, houseplants will flourish. The heat and dry air of centrally heated homes can be detrimental to many plants, and a cooler home creates the perfect environment for more unusual exotics such as Cymbidium and Dendrobium orchids and scented-leaf pelargoniums. This presents a unique opportunity for houseplant enthusiasts to try new varieties and enjoy the many benefits that indoor plants can provide.

Gardeners are becoming more aware of the negative impact some imported plant species have on the local environment. Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, require less maintenance and irrigation, and are less likely to become invasive. They also play an important role in supporting local ecosystems and promoting biodiversity. Additionally, incorporating native plants into gardens and landscapes can provide unique, interesting and colourful flowers, foliage, and fruit that can add a touch of natural beauty.

With more people living in urban areas and having limited space, vertical gardening has become a popular trend. This involves growing plants on walls or other vertical surfaces, using planters or pots that can be hung or attached to walls. Remember that plants grown in a vertical garden might need more frequent watering and fertilising because they’re exposed to more light and wind. Look for new innovative products that make vertical gardening easier and more accessible, such as the Hozelock Telescopic Lance.