Media coverage of horticulture: THE Horticultural industry with a big H encompasses all support industries, here are just a few:

• Mechanised propagation of trees, shrubs and cuttings.
• Food production, human and animal
• Breeding, cultivars, grafting.
• Specialised nurseries.
• Turf and sports lawn specialists.
• Chemical development and research.
• Restoration specialists.
• Large scale landscaping companies.
• Small scale domestic landscaping companies.
• Sole traders. Gardeners and Designers….

With Myriad niche skills and crafts.

Yet how many of the above have the general public heard of? And therefore how many career options are directly unknown for youngsters considering a career in a biological science.

My research has taken into account the very sparse and biased representation of THE Horticultural industry with a big H in media. I have noticed that even industry members are confused as to what Horticulture actually is, there being an odd perception it is ‘gardening and designing’, both with small letters. The media representation distorts this even further. Reducing a whole multi faceted industry into either happy go lucky well off hobbiests or top end designers, both approaches have a rather elitest  spin, obviously appealing to an upwardly mobile middle class audience, which would make commercial sense to production companies. However isn’t the BBC funded by all license payers?

“When a career is perceived by the general public as either elitist or a hobby, this then filters down into perceptions as to the professionals worth.”

My conclusions here are that whole sections of a diverse Industry are either wholly ignored and therefore sidelined into obscurity or portrayed in a manner that makes them undesirable career propositions to youth. When a career is perceived by the general public as either elitist or a hobby, this then filters down into perceptions as to the professionals worth. Designers are perceived as the luxury end, that most normal people would not be able to either contract for work nor even aspire to. The other end of the spectrum is the gardener, who via no fault of there own is undervalued, as who on earth is going to pay a gardener a professional wage, as it’s easy, anyone can do it and it’s not a ‘proper job’. Which I believe directly effects the prices that landscapers, maintenance companies and qualified gardeners can hope to achieve. The perception of these parts of the industry are wholly distorted by gardening maintenance programs, make over programs and the overkill approach to National Shows.

“community and urban initiatives are also side lined, reducing ethnic minority interest”

This also has a direct effect upon the intake of young people into The H Industry, community and urban initiatives are also side lined, reducing ethnic minority interest and also those not from affluent green suburbs or the countryside. I have spoken to members of all sections of The H Industry and also initiatives tragically under represented and under supported whose aim is to encourage youth and general interest in all aspects of The H Industry. From biology apps using high end tech for use by GCSE students, to garden sharing groups in the inner cities. However these initiatives have little or no media representation, reducing their scope to make change and make The H Industry an inclusive and attractive career option that has social and financial worth.

Here’s the official disclaimer bit…The views, opinions and positions expressed within these guest posts are those of the author alone and do not represent those of GardenTags. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this guest blog post are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations.