Want to make a lasting impression at your next trade show? At Garden Media Group, we've seen firsthand what works (and what doesn't). With Valentine's Day around the corner, relationships are top of mind, making this the perfect time to discuss four ways to build genuine connections.  

From the moment someone – a potential client, media contact, or industry partner - steps up to your booth, they're sizing up your company, products, and team. Is your space inviting, professional, and easy to navigate? A great booth isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating the right vibe. And just like on a first date, first impressions matter.

But winning hearts doesn’t happen by chance—it takes preparation. Here’s how to make sure your booth sets the stage for real connections.

Read more to learn how you can prepare for that all-important first impression

We've Got a New Look in 2025!

We’re taking an inside look at our very own social media strategy, the updates we’re making in 2025, and sharing a dash of inspiration to take back to your own digital strategy.

Instagram was good to us in 2024. Our reach soared by 52%, our follower count grew by 21.7%, and we saw an 8.7% increase in audience interaction.

But our feeling is, even when things look good, you don’t stop creating. So, we decided it was time to revamp our look to reflect our vibrant, dynamic brand, team, and the 2025 Garden Trends Color of the Year.

"Our social media team – which consists of six of us – came together to reimagine our entire approach," says Katie Dubow, President of Garden Media Group. “From crafting a new style guide and fresh templates to updating our voice and adding exciting features, we’re taking our feed to the next level. It was a collaborative effort that brought out the best of our creativity and expertise, and we can’t wait for you to experience it!”

The rebrand was led by the creative genius of our colleague, account executive Becky Paxton. She used photos from our recent photo shoot to create compelling Reel covers, templates, and shift us to be more color-forward.

“Even if you don’t do a total rebrand every year (and you really shouldn’t!), it’s worth setting a date in your calendar once a year to look back on your social account and see what worked, both in terms of content and aesthetics, and what didn’t,” explains Becky. “With new tools like Instagram’s built-in archive feature and Sprout Social’s grid planner, you can delete or archive material that no longer serves its purpose and streamline your look so that you start the new year off on the right foot.”

Read more to get the insider scoop on our Instagram feed's fresh, exciting refresh.

As we enter 2025, garden trends are clearly evolving beyond aesthetics to embrace more natural, sustainable, and meaningful spaces. At the heart of the 2025 Garden Trends is Nature’s Renaissance—a powerful shift toward reclaiming nature in urban environments, rewilding landscapes, and creating green spaces that serve ecological and emotional needs.

In the coming year, trends that once focused on perfection and pristine landscapes will give way to more organic, diverse, and inclusive garden styles. We’re seeing a revitalization of urban spaces, as malls and other commercial areas are being reimagined as community hubs that integrate green spaces. Many cities are tearing up concrete to make room for green spaces, with initiatives like PHS’s LandCare in Philadelphia and AnnaMaria Leon and Jeff Epping in Chicago’s leading the charge. As we step away from perfectly manicured lawns, this year’s trends focus on integrating natural elements into our urban lives. The goal is to create environments that are beautiful and functional, allowing both people and wildlife to thrive.

In 2025, gardeners will embrace this shift with more native plantings, living fences, and rewilded gardens, prioritizing biodiversity and sustainability. Gone are the days of sterile, manicured lawns—this year, it’s all about embracing the chaos of nature's chaos

Here’s a look at the eight trends that will shape the future of gardening and what we’re leaving behind.

As the year draws to a close, trend forecasting is in full swing, from must-have plants to emerging landscape styles. But nothing signals the start of a new year quite like Pantone’s Color of the Year announcement.

And while teal will always be the COTY in our hearts, the Pantone Color Institute has chosen Mocha Mousse—a rich, comforting neutral poised to make its mark in everything from interiors to landscapes.

Pantone describes Mocha Mousse as “a mellow brown infused with a sensorial and comforting warmth.” This shade is a dramatic departure from last year’s boring Peach Fuzz. Its grounding and sophisticated tone feels perfectly on trend. As darker finishes and earth tones dominate both home and garden design, Mocha Mousse is a natural, neutral choice.

Leave the Leaves Month (October)

A growing understanding of the ecological benefits of fallen leaves and the negative impacts of traditional lawn care practices has led to the observance of Leave the Leaves Month in October. This sustainable practice directly benefits a variety of wildlife, including pollinators, beneficial insects, birds, and small mammals, by providing shelter, habitat, and food sources. It can also improve soil health, reducing the need for fertilizer and other harmful chemicals.

Leave the Leaves Month is an excellent opportunity for garden businesses to promote eco-friendly landscaping by sharing their expertise and sustainable practices.

Read on to learn more about Leave the Leaves Month and how to incorporate facts and tips into your fall content.

In such a small industry, any glowing media coverage is a significant win for your horticulture company! At Garden Media, we've learned that it's crucial not to let your hard-earned recognition fade away after a single email blast. By strategically repurposing and sharing this coverage, you can maximize its impact across your entire organization.

These stories not only amplify your company's message but also strengthen your brand reputation within the industry. With a well-thought-out strategy, you can transform a fleeting moment of media attention into a long-lasting asset.

Read on to learn how to squeeze the most value out of those glowing articles:

Ah, spring into summer. The birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and your inbox is probably overflowing with "spring cleaning" emails, or not...  

As a fellow landscape designer, I know just how challenging it is to land a new client, keep current clients engaged, and keep them both coming back for maintenance after the initial design and installation. Homeowners often interpret "low-maintenance" as "no maintenance," leading to neglected gardens that lose their initial beauty. 

This is a common concern we hear from landscaping businesses. While our services typically focus outside the landscape design-build-maintain realm, we have brainstormed several valuable strategies to help landscape design businesses up their marketing!

Read on for 5 creative ideas from a garden-centric PR firm to help your landscape business blossom.

Pollinator Week (June 16 – 22)

From the bees buzzing in your garden to the butterflies fluttering through meadows and fields, pollinators are nature's essential workers. As they transfer pollen between flowers, they enable plant reproduction, impacting everything from our food supply to the vibrant landscapes we cherish.

Pollinator Week is the perfect time for your garden business to recognize these tiny, unsung heroes that play a vital role in the reproduction of plants that provide us with many things, like coffee, chocolate, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. The economic value of pollination services is estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars globally.

But that’s not all. Native plants are more than a buzzword. More people than ever are looking for plants, education, and tools to create backyard habitats. 

Read on to learn more about Pollinator Week and how to incorporate facts and tips into your content for June.

I enjoyed attending the Wall Street Journal's Future of Everything Festival in New York City this week.

The event brought leaders from various industries together to share their insights and predictions for the future... of everything. From technology and healthcare to entertainment and education, the festival provided a comprehensive look at the trends and innovations that shape our world. 

One consistent theme throughout the festival was AI and its future impact. Every presenter was asked about their views on AI, resulting in a 50/50 mix of optimism and caution. While some saw AI as a revolutionary force with boundless potential, others raised concerns about increased time spent on devices and cybersecurity risks. This diverse range of perspectives set the stage for a thought-provoking and engaging event.

Read on for my key takeaways from

some of the notable speakers:

Today, with over 1 billion websites on the internet and a new one added approximately every three seconds, breaking through the noise and securing a spot the highly coveted first page of Google search results is the ultimate goal for brands. But here’s the empowering part: you have the tools get there. 

Let's explore the process.