Garden trends often become huge over time as ideas, styles, and designs gain acceptance. Climate change, diseases, and food supply make people reassess gardening and how to get the most out of their yards and gardens. Whether you want to produce more and better food, reduce work and costs, or just improve your garden’s look–there is a trend for you.
Food-Producing Gardens
Food production was the original intent of gardens. Flowers and beauty came second. Food security is again becoming more important as supply chains become more unstable and the world less predictable. Many people are returning backyard flower gardens to vegetable production to save money, ensure a trustworthy vegetable and herb supply, and spend more time outside. Even small plots or raised bed gardens produce significant amounts of fresh tasty food.
Vegetable gardens need not be stark. Seed pest deterrent flowering plants like marigolds, scaredy cat plants, and lavender. Not only do these plants have beautiful flowers, but they keep pests and cats out of flowerbeds and gardens so you can enjoy the harvest.
Backyard Fruits and Berries
In addition to vegetables, fruit and berry gardening is becoming more popular. Modern horticulture has developed many plant varieties that produce easily and quickly–adapting them to shorter colder climates. Adding homegrown fruits to your diet saves money and adds healthy variety to your family’s diet.
Greenhouses
Greenhouse gardening will likely continue its comeback this year. They produce lots of vegetables quickly and efficiently. Greenhouses are available online in multiple sizes from 2’ x 2’ indoor models to over 20’ x 10’ outdoor models. They provide versatility, extend growing seasons, and prevent insects, rodents, and stray cats from invading your garden space.
Container Gardens
Portable plants are a great idea for renters. Grow your favorite flowers and vegetables on a windowsill, deck, balcony, or backyard, and take them with you if you move.
Homeowners use containers to move plants around decks and gardens to change the look and feel of backyards. It is easier to move containers into the house when frost threatens and move them out again than to cover tender plants in the backyard.
Eco-Friendly Gardens
Eco-friendly gardens usually feature native plants that have evolved to thrive in certain environments. Plant breeders and growers are providing more choice by developing “nativars”–plants developed for residential gardens. Nativars are often smaller and produce bigger more colorful flowers without sacrificing native plant traits they have developed over centuries.
Low Waste and Recycling
Gardens naturally lend themselves to recycling and reusing and gardeners rarely throw anything away if they can reuse it. Organic gardening is one of the most environmentally friendly activities you can engage in and the produce tastes great.
- Composting. Use composting tips and tricks to create nutritious healthy soil using plant remains, left-over vegetables, paper towels, etc. (No meat scraps.)
- Plastic Bags and Containers. Send to the recycle bin.
- Plant Pots. Sanitize and reuse plant pots and seed trays.
- Plant Tags and Fences. Use biodegradable hemp twine or chicken wire. Avoid plastic.
Fire-Resistant Gardens
Rock gardens are becoming popular again. They are eco-friendly and require little maintenance. They also don’t burn. Use rocks to stabilize hilly landscapes, create water features, and separate drought-tolerant plants.
Drought-Tolerant Gardens
Water restrictions are becoming a common occurrence in many locations. Gardeners adapt by planting drought-tolerant plants. Many use native plants, “nativars”, succulents, and other plants that require little water and maintenance.
Living Fences
Replacing wood or wire fences with privacy hedges, shrubs, and fast-growing trees creates living barriers that provide privacy and soundproofing, flowers, and fruit for wildlife. Evergreen plants are green year-round and require little maintenance.
