The Future of Gardens

Gardening is about choices. Which plants to choose for your
soil type and conditions? Where to place them to maximise their growth? What to
feed them, and when to water them? And how can all of this be done in a
sustainable way? In The Future of Gardens, broadcaster and designer Mark
Lane examines present-day considerations alongside those gardeners will need to
make in the future.



As Earth heats up and populations soar, water will become
scarcer on many parts of the planet, and efficient management of it will be
key: drought-tolerant planting and smart irrigation systems will likely become
commonplace, as will vertical and otherwise space-restricted gardening. And as our
world faces stressed or collapsing ecosystems, gardens will be crucial in
improving wildlife populations - but only if we let them.




Tech will play its
part, too. AI-powered apps already provide tips to the green-fingered, but its
dominance is a concern. How might we find a happy coexistence? Lane also imagines
the potential for gardening in space: what challenges will interstellar
travellers face as they cultivate plants on spacecrafts, or even on distant worlds



The Future of Gardens looks at this evergreen discipline with a bold, vibrant and inquisitive
eye. Lane's own vision for inclusivity, sustainable practice and
forward-looking design shines throughout this extraordinary addition to
FUTURES.