For us, the Garden Press Event always feels like the start of the gardening calendar. It kicks off event season, and if we’re honest, it’s one of our favourite days in the diary.
There’s something special about having so much of the industry under one roof – familiar faces, exciting launches and that first real glimpse of the trends that will shape the year ahead. From digital creators drawing huge audiences to smart grow your own innovations and multi-functional outdoor living, here’s what stood out to us at the 20th anniversary event.
Gardening has fully embraced the digital world
If anyone still thinks gardening is an “offline” hobby, this year’s event proved otherwise.
Hearing from creators like Jonny Hincks – who’s built a loyal audience with practical tips and a brilliant dose of humour – highlighted just how powerful social platforms have become for the gardening community.
Meanwhile, Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh continues to go from strength to strength across YouTube and social media. One statistic shared by Executive Producer Matt Young really stayed with us – more Brits are now watching YouTube than the BBC. That’s a huge shift in how people are choosing to learn, be inspired and spend their downtime.
YouTube isn’t just entertainment, it’s where people go to learn how to prune roses, sow seeds and troubleshoot problems. Facebook has become incredibly influential too, with gardening groups thriving as modern-day community hubs where people swap advice, share successes (and failures) and recommend products to one another in real time.
Sustainability: Beyond the buzzword
Peat-free compost is now expected; it’s no longer a headline. What felt different this year was the depth of commitment to sustainability across the board.
Brands were talking less about one-off eco credentials and more about long-term systems and measurable impact. Nurseries like Architectural Plants are embedding circular practices into their operations, while innovative products such as Marvellous Mulch – a recycled straw mulch enriched with seaweed – are offering genuinely practical solutions to improve soil health and retain moisture.
It’s encouraging to see sustainability becoming a core design principle, rather than a marketing add-on.
Grow Your Own – But make it easier
Grow your own isn’t going anywhere, but it’s becoming smarter and more accessible.
The Tomato ‘Meltaway’ F1 from Thompson & Morgan was a real talking point – a seedless, skinless tomato that combines convenience with flavour. It perfectly reflects the appetite for produce that’s both exciting and easy.
Practical solutions designed to build confidence were everywhere. Mr Fothergill’s Self-Watering Grow Kits take the guesswork out of herb growing by combining young plants, seeds and a smart watering system in one tidy package – ideal for patios, balconies and windowsills. They take away the guesswork and make success feel achievable.
We also loved seeing houseplant seeds on display, encouraging gardeners to grow their own indoor plants from scratch. It’s a simple idea, but one that taps perfectly into the continued appetite for houseplants while adding a new layer of satisfaction – nurturing something from seed all the way to a thriving feature in your home.
The trend is clear: by making growing easier and more accessible, more people are willing to give it a try.
Smart tech and robotic helpers
Gardening technology is no longer futuristic – it’s practical and genuinely helpful. Robotic lawnmowers (or “mowbots”), were a strong presence across the show, with brands like Bosch, Stihl and Mammotion showcasing how their latest models. It’s a space we’ve been talking about for some time, particularly since the launch of Cobra’s own mowbot range, so it was encouraging to see just how firmly robotic mowing has moved into the mainstream. What once felt like a future-facing innovation is now clearly becoming part of everyday garden maintenance.
Battery-powered tools and smart irrigation systems also featured heavily, all designed to save time, improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Importantly, these innovations aren’t about replacing gardeners – they’re about freeing up time. Less mowing and maintenance, more planting, designing and enjoying the space.
Outdoor cooking is becoming an experience
If one trend felt impossible to ignore this year, it was the evolution of outdoor cooking.
This isn’t just about quick burgers and sausages anymore. It’s about slowing down, experimenting with flavour and turning gardens into spaces where people gather, cook and spend real time together. Outdoor cooking is becoming less of a task and more of an experience.
We were delighted to see our client Charles Bentley bringing this trend to life with the launch of its Ottimo Searsmith Kamado range. Inspired by traditional Kamado cooking, the collection makes precision outdoor cooking more accessible, without the premium price tag often associated with ceramic grills.
Each model features a heat-retaining ceramic body, adjustable airflow for temperature control and a built-in thermometer – making it easy to smoke, sear or roast with confidence. Available in three sizes to suit different spaces and budgets, the range blends performance with thoughtful design details, including a glossy pale green finish and bamboo prep shelves.
It’s a great example of how outdoor cooking is becoming a central part of modern garden living – practical, sociable and designed to be enjoyed.
Looking ahead to 2026
If this year’s Garden Press Event showed us anything, it’s that gardening in 2026 is creative, confident and more connected than ever.
From digital inspiration and sustainable innovation to clever tech and elevated outdoor cooking, the industry is making it easier for people to enjoy their outdoor spaces in ways that feel practical, personal and fun.
And if you’re a gardening brand looking to make an impact in 2026, we’d love to help. Get in touch at hello@honestcommunications.co.uk – we’d love to chat about how we can help bring your brand to life.