Green-fingered retirees were once the archetypal gardeners but now urban Gen Yers and Zers are waking up to the many benefits of tending plants, whether they’re in an allotment, window box, or the home. But how do these garden gurus differ from their parents and grandparents?

Interest in foraging has grown as people seek to reinvigorate their connection to nature, cut down on meat consumption, and adopt eco-friendly behaviours. Once led by luxury restaurants looking for unusual, local ingredients, why are people signing up to learn how to forage for their dinner?

Having emerged from Tumblr and established a presence on TikTok, the cottagecore subculture has seen young Americans go online to post pastoral aesthetics and participate in activities that are more common in rural areas. But what exactly is driving Gen Z’s interest in quaint lifestyles?

Apartment living is on the rise, as more young Australians are choosing lifestyle and location over housing affordability. The growth of shared spaces, such as community gardens, in apartment complexes is helping residents develop social relationships in traditionally isolated urban environments.