Three major trends will influence the way people spend time in their homes and gardens in 2021, according to the editors of HomeGardenandHomestead.com, a top online source for information about homes, gardens and homesteads of all sizes.
“In 2020, a year that was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans spent more time at home than ever before,” said Randy Schultz, Content Editor for Home, Garden and Homestead. “That megatrend will continue in 2021, even as more people receive the COVID-19 vaccination.”
According to Schultz, people have learned to enjoy time spent at home more than ever before, and they have begun to transform their homes and backyards into their own personal versions of paradise. This includes using Mother Nature’s methods of controlling insect pests in the home and garden, filling indoor rooms with healthy houseplants, and choosing cordless electric tools instead of those that plug in or are powered by gasoline engines.
Here are the Top 3 Home and Garden Trends for 2021:
Trend #1: Biological Pest Control
Instead of using harsh chemicals to kill insect pests, modern homeowners are now turning to biological controls found in nature. One of these controls is a naturally occurring bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis (BT). Different strains of BT target specific insect pests but are harmless to other living things.
For example, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) targets and kills mosquito larvae and fungus gnat larvae. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so homeowners are now using Mosquito Dunks in birdbaths, ponds, animal watering troughs and anywhere water collects. The BTI in Mosquito Dunks kills the mosquito larvae before they can become flying, biting adults.
Another product that contains BTI is called Mosquito Bits. The Mosquito Bits granules are added to the potting soil in container plants, and the BTI naturally kills the fungus gnat larvae in the soil.
Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (BTK) kills caterpillars, which are the larval stage of adult butterflies and moths. The BTK in OMRI-Listed Summit Biological Caterpillar & Webworm Control kills leaf-eating caterpillars such as bagworms, tent caterpillars, tomato hornworms, cabbage loppers, sod webworms,and more.
Trend #2: Houseplant Mania
Houseplants are more popular than ever before. The trend of adding houseplants to indoor décor is being driven by Millennials, who are embracing “plant parenthood.” Plants in homes and apartments not only look great, but they help clean and rejuvenate indoor air.
Companies that sell houseplants saw their sales skyrocket last year, and so far, 2021 sales are stronger still. Logees.com, which sells a wide variety of plants for home and garden, has stocked up for a banner year of houseplant sales.
Trend #3: Cordless Electric Power Tools
Battery-powered electric tools have gone mainstream. New battery technology has boosted the performance and running time of cordless electric power tools. As a result, sales of cordless electric lawn mowers, string trimmers, blowers and even chain saws are skyrocketing.
Cordless electric tools are quieter and seem more eco-friendly than gasoline-powered equipment. That fits well with the Millennial and Baby Boomer desire for sustainability. Even the cordless electric drill, the first cordless power tool to gain wide acceptance, is being used outdoors in new ways. Gardeners are using digging augers from Power Planter in their cordless drills to quickly dig holes for vegetable plants and flower bulbs.
“2021 is going to be another big year for gardening and all kinds of home improvement projects,” said Schultz.
