Jul 24, 2014
Hort Hipsters By Tim Hodson

We all know that our industry struggles with how Baby Boomers are gardening less as they get older.

So it is great to see one of the emerging consumer categories for growers and garden centers is young male gardeners.

Earlier this week, an article in the Star Tribune in Minneapolis-St. Paul, addressed how this new demographic is embracing gardening.

According to the National Gardening Association, young men between the ages of 18 and 34 spent $100 more on gardening last year than the average gardener.

As the Garden Media Group pointed out in their 2014 Garden Trends Report, “Young Men are Getting Down and Dirty” and taking up gardening but not to grow flowers. Instead they are gowing hearty vegetables and herbs that they can eat and drink. As Suzi McCoy, GMG’s president/founder says in the article, “It’s a combination of a cultural shift and the foodie movement.”

They are passionate about creating something on their own that is both flavorful and healthy. Some of the things they are growing include herbs for kitchen, veggies for the grill or hops for their home brew – but the good thing is they are gardening!

Hopefully it will turn into a lifelong affair for them.

While I haven’t been a member of this demographic group for a couple of decades now, it is really refreshing to see that a lot of young men think that horticulture is hip.

– Tim


Tim Hodson




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