The Dying Art

Is gardening a dying art? Over the last decade I have noticed a serious decline in the ranks of experienced and passionate gardeners. Why are there less people gardening? To everyone in the horticultural industry this is a serious question that must be vigorously debated and if possible resolved. If the current trend isn't addressed there will be no industry to belong to. I have worked in horticulture for over 30 years and I remember a different time, not that long ago. I remember fanatic gardeners passionate about their gardens, diverse groups of people growing a diverse range of plants. The balance of gardeners and the amateur majority who were simply people enjoying being outside and the lifestyle a garden offers. Its clear from current trends and industry chatter that these two groups have significantly dwindled and are now actually in danger of extinction. At this point I want to make the distinction between the terms lifestyle and pastime. Spending 20 bucks on a pokie machine is a pastime, spending 20 minutes in the garden is also a pastime but is also importantly a lifestyle, maybe an unfair comparison but I think it highlights my point.

Being linked to the natural world in a primitive way has many benefit's, good for body, mind and keeps us all grounded. I understand that modern life has become complex and I think that the same is true about the garden industry. What is essentially a very simple, very rewarding lifestyle choice has also become over complicated and daunting to the novice. The question of why there are fewer people involved isn't simple and could be attributed to many factors both ssocial and financial. I think the malaise has been with us for at least the last ten years and maybe even longer, often masked by these social, economical and environmental diversions. My gut feel is that everyone involved in this industry (including the decision makers) just assumed that after the the drought and numerous global financial crises people would return to gardening, problem is they just didn't.

I don't mean to be alarmist but I have very real concerns that the skills and passion for gardening may just disappear. The many past and present generations have taken parks and suburban gardening in many directions and helped develop the nursery and garden industry both here in Victoria and around the country. What is a diverse and vibrant industry is in danger of becoming bland and who is mentoring the next generation? Unless we actively do something to learn from the people who have the knowledge it will die with them and so too will the industry we all belong.