HOW TECHNOLOGY TRENDS WILL REMAKE THE LANDSCAPE: FUTURE OF LAWNS & GARDENS SPEAKER AND FUTURIST BREAKS IT DOWN

Future of lawn and garden speakers posit that the market is set to undergo substantial shifts as climate change, water scarcity concerns and emerging technologies impact consumer behaviors and product directions across the segment over the next decade.

(1) Climate-Resilient Landscaping – Drought-tolerant plants, pervious pavements, and stormwater capture designs will overtake thirsty lawns and high-maintenance beds as climate volatility stresses resources. Mainstream landscaping will emphasize native, adaptive species, precision irrigation techniques, as well as pavements keeping water tables recharged for community resilience.

(2) Automated Maintenance Tools – Leveraging IoT sensors, mapping, and AI, autonomous mowers and pruners will cover territory efficiently without human guidance. Connected apps will synthesize data on soil moisture, light requirements, growth rates and more to trigger targeted robotic maintenance adjusted to micro-conditions across properties for time savings and resource efficiency.

(3) Vertical Farming Crossover – Indoor vertical farming automation will inspire compact home systems for herb/vegetable cultivation using hydroponics, grow lights and space maximizing designs requiring little gardening expertise. Cross-industry partnerships between established hardware brands and vertical farmers will spur innovation in simplifying home food production.

(4) Decentralized Mini-Farms – On-site community gardens at apartments/condos, micro retail urban farms, as well as rooftop greenhouses will expand, enabling ultra-local food access and engagement. Streamlined modular potager garden systems and shareable raised beds tailored for modest spaces also support the movement.

(5) AR/VR Integration – Immersive augmented and virtual reality will enhance activities spanning landscape design visualization, remote expert advice during maintenance, tutorial projections for amateur gardeners, through to virtual show garden tours. As headsets improve and 5G proliferation allows seamless usage outdoors, benefits will materialize.

Propelled by technology integration and ecological sensitivity, the wider embrace of flexible, earth-positive landscaping will redefine the structure of the lawn and garden marketplace – where water conservation, natural ecosystems and local community circumference may displace meticulously manicured lawns straddling isolated homes.