Flower gardeners will prefer repeat bloomers with good disease resistance. In garden design, David Yakish of Gardenmakers says the emphasis will be toward relaxing, inviting garden environments. According to Rollinson, more homeowners will be using those garden environments as additional living space. Sacramento's mild climate makes that concept especially appealing. It's an extension of their living space.
Women seem to be less conservative and more open-minded in their choices.
Older customers are more likely to buy 'Better Boy' tomatoes, but women want the one that tastes the best. Fruit trees will be planted three or four in one hole to accommodate today's smaller yards. And modern pruning techniques will keep the trees shorter and the fruit more accessible. Reducing the workload when it comes to harvest and pruning time, smaller fruit trees will be embraced by backyard gardeners in 2000. Nona Koivula, executive director of the National Garden Bureau, sees 2000 as a year the nation will continue to embrace container gardening, perennials and organic gardening, but also take an increased interest in new annuals.