This Trending Thursday, we're looking at 2014 to see what social media trends are coming over the horizon.

Some networks are here to stay and will continue to grow while others are already stale.

With Garden Media's 2014 Guide to Social Media Trends, you can begin to see where to budget your time in the upcoming fiscal year.

Without further ado, here are the top 5 social media trends of 2014.

Hot of the presses, Garden Media's October e-Book is here!

This month our GROW! e-Book of the month clubwill be talking media relations every Wednesday, right here on our blog. The blog posts complement the info in our Media Relations e-Book and break each aspect of media relations into bite-sized pieces!

But, first thing's first, be sure to download our e-Book, "How to Win the Media's Heart."

In it, you'll find all of Garden Media's secrets to making (and maintaining!) friendships with the media.

To start the conversation, below is Garden Media's guide to media relations--beginning with the basics, like what is media relations, and where do you start?

1906-?

Press releases aren't dead. We're saying it!

But, just because they're still alive, doesn't mean they're fine as is. The strategy, format, and goals of press releases are still relevant. Yet, the tactics with which we write and market our press releases need some work.

Below are 4 tips and tricks to bring your press release into the 21st century.

In 2001, Garden Media predicted that vegetable gardening would regain popularity. We noticed a trend of 'gardening for the greater good.' Basically, gardening for the earth and our wallets- reminiscent of the Victory Gardens popular during WWII.  

In 2005, we noticed there was still a demand for fresh, local, affordable fruits and vegetables.  But this time, young men were taking up the mantle, emulating their grandfathers and growing their own.

By 2009, 43 million U.S. households planned to grow their own fruits, vegetables, herbs and berries, up 19% from 36 million households in 2008, reported the National Gardening Association.

"As in previous recessions, we've seen increased participation in and spending on food gardening as people look for ways to economize," explained Bruce Butterfield, research director for the NGA. "That said, these results suggest the interest in food gardening may continue to increase, even after the economy improves."

Flash forward to 2014.  Was Bruce right? Has the interest in food gardening only increased or did farmers markets become the backyard vegetable garden?  Read more after the jump to find out.

With three new hires in recent months, the Garden Media Group is expanding client services and opening new doors within the home and garden sector.

Each new hire brings an original voice and creative energy to the team, generating more results for clients.

Meet the three new members of the Garden Media Group below!

When connecting with journalists in the wild and wonderful world of PR, there are proven tactics that work--like email.

PR pros cite emails as the top medium to reach out to journalists, and journalists agree. Email is their favorite way to be contacted too.

While public relations gurus and journalists are on the same page about email, after that, there's a major disconnect.

Namely, 35% of journalists prefer contacts and pitches on a social platform that a mere 15% of public relations professionals use.

Read on to discover what the social platform for pitching and connecting with an audience is that you're missing--and how to master it in a snap.

Mark your calendars for today at 2 p.m. EST to talk 2014 Garden Trends with Suzi McCoy on our e-Book Google+ Hangout.

Now is your chance to hear directly from the Trends guru herself about how your garden business can implement Garden Trends to boost sales.

Come armed with questions about the 2014 Garden Trends Report, and be ready for an online e-book club meeting all about the upcoming year's garden, home, and lifestyle trends.

R.S.V.P. here to make sure you have all the details about the e-book club hangout.

But, in case you're craving more, below there are detailed instructions about how to join our Google Hangout and a play by play of what you'll learn about the 2014 Garden Trends Report all in less than an hour.

That's right: on the 25th of September, Garden Media celebrates 25 years in business!

A quarter of a century ago in September 1988, Suzi McCoy put her daughter Katie on the bus for first grade and opened the doors of IMPACT Marketing & PR.

The firm would expand and eventually become known in the horticulture industry as Garden Media Group. 

Now, Katie has returned home to roost and is the Creative Officer at Garden Media Group.

Below, Suzi McCoy dishes on the full story of how Garden Media became the leading PR firm in the lawn and garden industry over the last 25 years.

Don't forget to wish Suzi and Garden Media a happy anniversary!

There are no better advocates for your brand than your customers.

The fans who love your brand the most are always gushing about your products to their friends in person and to their digital followers online.

Messages from customers have the power to greatly influence.

Why? Because messages from brand advocates hold weight: they're genuine and people trust them.

Below are the 6 essential tips to create a stellar and sustainable brand advocacy program--and detail why setting up a formal program like this is so important to your garden brand's reputation.

Since 2001, Garden Media Group's annual Trends report has become the go-to guide for breeders, manufacturers, growers, vendors, retailers and media.

The report helps them learn where and how they can best meet consumers’ needs in the garden and home industry.

In the last 13 trends reports, Garden Media’s predictions have been spot on. From the rise of Made in the U.S.A. and the ‘buy local’ movement to men getting in the garden, growing vegetables and a renewed interest in organics, Garden Media has kept the industry ahead of the curve.

But, how the heck does Garden Media predict the hottest trends, year after year?

Below we have an exclusive interview with Garden Media's founder and Queen Bee Suzi McCoy on how she and the Garden Media team spot garden trends before anyone else does.