Future-proofing horticulture

Tamsin Westhorpe looks at the challenges and the opportunities facing the industry

The world is changing by the minute and keeping up with latest regulations, initiatives and schemes is almost a full-time job for us all. Horticulture isn’t exempt from the speed of change.

With change comes challenges. The cost-of-living crisis has and will impact the horticultural world as will a shortage of staff, the recent drought, pressing environmental issues and new import and packaging laws. Alongside these issues there is also the constant threat of pests and diseases – plant health is a continuous priority for the industry.

Many businesses large and small are facing the challenges head on and are focusing on future proofing their enterprises. In recent weeks I have heard about a nursery who have switched to all electric vehicles on their sites, companies building their own reservoirs at great expense and there are many businesses investing heavily in staff training and peat alternatives. You might have also noticed that garden centres, open gardens and nurseries are diversifying. Having all your eggs in one basket is now seen as a risk so it is no wonder that cafes, garden courses, growing cut flowers and offering meeting spaces at horticultural venues is becoming common place.

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Many open gardens and nurseries have opened cafes in to attract new customers To keep up with the ever-changing business landscape many horticultural companies rely on the Horticultural Trade Association for news, alerts, and help. The HTA is there to liaise with government on behalf of the industry and offer help to its members. Horticulture is a complex industry as so much of the activity is seasonal, reliant on the weather and buying trends, so companies are often happy to share their findings with others.

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Our changing climate is one of our biggest challenges – using water sensibly is a priority

Career opportunities

For some reason horticulture is viewed by many as an old-fashioned career choice. As a result, attracting new talent to the industry is hard, so businesses are keen to show that horticulture offers a wide range of opportunities. With advancements in technology and automation it’s not all about wellington boots and trowels (although they are very important). People with an interest in science, engineering, media and visual merchandising, finance, or HR (to name just a few) should be looking to the sector for employment.

Horticulture is a complex industry as so much of the activity is seasonal, reliant on the weather and buying trends, so companies are often happy to share their findings with others.

In the last few years, we have welcomed plant identification apps, practical information being widely shared through social media and along with these advances in technology we have seen thousands of people take up the hobby. The increased and ever-growing trend to garden inside or out on a large or small scale is helping to make gardening more accessible to everyone. This increased interest will surely lead to more people looking to the industry as a career option.

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Growing house plants is often how an initial interest in gardening is born

The practical hands-on side of the industry is appealing as it offers a chance to be outside. We all know that our physical and mental wellbeing is improved when we have contact with plants. This is often why people make a career change from an office job to a hands-on role. The transferable skills that come with career changers are invaluable to the industry.

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Working outside is proven to be good for your mental and physical health

Gardening for all

Over the pandemic gardening proved yet again that it plays a huge role in the wellbeing of society. It’s wonderful to see that a passion for gardening encourages conversation about health and the environment. This only goes to prove how important an industry it is.

Gardening is for everyone and the more diverse the offering becomes the brighter its future will be. New initiatives, new ways to communicate and educate online and in person are surely the keys to a bright future for gardening.