“ In the next year, more than food, I think cannabis will be a huge driving force because of the pharmaceutical components,” Arthur said.“ Cannabis is going to be what ultimately gets millennials hooked. The difference between what the cannabis industry has cultivated in the dark and on the down low is that it’ s a hobby. It’ s a lifestyle. It’ s a huge part of the grower’ s identity, and Knock Out ® roses aren’ t.”
Regardless of your stance on marijuana, gardening must become a lifestyle brand to be relevant. If we’ re looking to other industries for inspiration, at least consider why our recently legalized neighbors are so popular.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
The biggest difference in edible gardening today is where crops grow: Not on acres of farmland, but on patios, vertical walls, rooftops and even front yards. Safe, local food sourcing is so important to a generation that’ s literally sick of commercially produced food recalls, that they’ ll grow anywhere.
“ People get really excited about growing food in spaces that aren’ t traditionally used for growing vegetables like rooftops, alleys and parking lots,” said Jessie Banhazl, founder and chief executive officer of Green City Growers, which installs and maintains organic urban farms in unconventional places.“ The garden of the future will optimize space to use every inch of land functionally.”
Be sensitive to these limited spaces and regional differences. Rooftop conditions in Boston differ vastly from Arthur’ s backyard in North Carolina, so there’ s no one-size-fits-all solution. This gives communicators an opportunity to leverage their local or niche expertise through tailored DIY instruction.
WHAT’ S THE PURPOSE?
New generations of food gardeners aren’ t“ gardeners” at all. They’ re incredibly diverse in where, how and why they grow food. Writers should communicate the multi-functional value of plants— whether it’ s the fern-like foliage of carrots planted in containers, or the way pumpkins planted in wet areas absorb water.
“ What we offer makes life better psychologically, ecologically, nutritionally,” Arthur said.“ This is a great way to promote the value of growing plants in a more meaningful way.”
Brooke N. Bates is an award-winning journalist and published author based in Cleveland. She contributes regularly to multiple horticultural trade publications, while also developing content for small businesses, marketing agencies and health organizations around the country. Her website is www. bantamedia. com.
HOTOFF the press
Brie Arthur The Foodscape Revolution: Finding a Better Way to Make Space for Food and Beauty in Your Garden St. Lynn’ s Press 192 pages, $ 21.95 To be published March 15, 2017
The Foodscape Revolution is a new way of looking at public and private spaces, where aesthetics and function operate together to benefit individuals and entire communities. You don’ t need to dig up your yard to grow your favorite veggies, fruits and grains. Grow food alongside your flowers. Through foodscaping, you can harness the sunny, open spaces already in prime spots and add your favorite edibles like kale, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, lettuce and carrots. A blueberry hedge? Why not? Have your landscape and eat it too.
• • •
Kylee Baumle The Monarch: Saving Our Most-Loved Butterfly St. Lynn’ s Press 160 pages, $ 18.95 To be published April 7, 2017
Today, an army of citizen-scientists, students and gardeners is engaged in restoring this beloved pollinator’ s habitat— the wildflowers, milkweed and feeding corridors— so that one of nature’ s most beautiful creatures will still be there for generations to come. And it starts in our own backyards. The Monarch showcases this magnificent butterfly with eye-popping photos, fun facts about a monarch’ s life cycle and things to know about the vital role that pollinators play in our ecosystem. It includes action projects for all ages, from planting milkweed and wildflowers to making butterfly watering stations and even volunteer activism.
• • •
Megan Cain Smart Start Garden Planner: Your Step-by-Step Guide Published by Megan Cain, The Creative Vegetable Gardener
136 pages, $ 24.95 Published January 27, 2017
This workbook guides you through strategically determining what you want to grow by understanding the important details of each vegetable. It helps you to know when to plant a seed or a plant, how to choose the best varieties for your garden and how to create a spring planting schedule.
• • •
Karen Chapman and Christina Salwitz Gardening with Foliage First: 127 Dazzling Combinations that Pair the Beauty of Leaves with Flowers, Bark, Berries, and More Timber Press 324 pages, $ 24.95 Published February 2017
Gardening with Foliage First shows home gardeners how to first build a framework of foliage and then layer in flowers and other artistic elements to add the finishing touches. This simple, recipe-style approach to garden design works for a variety of climates and garden challenges, including dry environments, shade and even the problem of deer. This lively book has something for every gardener. Beginners will learn how to choose the right foliage plants, and experienced gardeners will be inspired by fresh twists on old favorites.
• • •
Heather Holm Bees: An Identification and Native Plant Forage Guide Pollination Press 224 pages, $ 29.95
Published February 2017
This well-illustrated guide captures the beauty, diversity and engaging world of bees and the native plants that support them. This is an indispensable source of information with extensive profiles for 27 bee genera, plus 12 mini profiles for uncommon genera. It also includes approximately 100 native trees, shrubs, and perennials for the Midwest, Great Lakes and Northeast regions. Bees includes more than 1,500 stunning photographs,
— Continued on page 9
7