Get Growing With the Latest Gardening Trends
Gardening has been a beloved pastime for many, but others were freshly introduced to it in recent months. Whether having your hands in the soil means being a top-notch plant parent to rare indoor and tropical varieties, growing your own bumper crop of edibles, or finding ways to make your current gardens more environmentally friendly, there’s space for everyone in the garden.
Merging Indoors With Outdoors
Make your garden space a reflection of your overall aesthetic, one that’s cohesive with your interior space. Draw on consistent design principles, materials, colors, and opt for a style that blends well from indoor to outdoor. Part of this notion is the creation of “garden rooms” or zones that offer privacy and a sense of enclosure.
- smooth transition from indoors to outdoors makes for a more peaceful garden, can give you design direction, and narrow down plant selections
- a pleasant garden space makes for a good work-from-home zone and provides a great background for virtual meetings or classes
- zoned garden design offers something for every member of the family and encourages everyone to get outside
Include structures, features, and seating to promote garden use for most of the year. Aim to build a garden that’s a multifunctional space for work, play, and entertaining. An outdoor cook station is a practical addition and a special play area for pets – think digging pits, tunnels, and shady spots – can keep them from wreaking havoc on all your hard work!
Incorporate garden art, furniture, and accessories to make your garden feel like an extension of your home. Whether you’re entertaining or decompressing after your workday, a clear expression of your sense of style will make you feel at peace in your garden and compel you to get outside and enjoy the nature that’s at your doorstep.
Back to Nature
Gardening can often become more about ornament and visual perfection than it is about a true interaction with the natural world. In nature, insects come and go, rain isn’t always plentiful, and everything in a given ecosystem has a direct relationship with its neighbors. But that’s not how we’re typically taught to garden.
- Focus on pollinators – think beyond bees and butterflies and include native host plants for a variety of key insect species that help to keep a natural balance
- No-mow – leaving a small patch of yard to naturalize or planting a native wildflower patch are great ways to create a healthy ecosystem and cut down on gas and chemical usage
- Compost it – instead of synthetic fertilizers, create a compost system and use your family’s food waste and yard debris to give nutrients back to the garden soil
- Sustainability – use plants that don’t require much water, reuse and upcycle items, and learn about the impact of your gardening practices on the environment
- Rethink pests – bugs have natural predators to keep their population in check, and preventative measures can help too
- Permaculture – a movement that is all about making the best use of the existing resources you have in your space
There’s a lot to learn about the types of flowers, plants, and practices that most benefit the creatures in your yard and contribute to a thriving and balanced ecosystem. Thankfully, there are also plenty of trustworthy resources out there from university extension offices and industry professionals that offer tips and helpful information.
Focus on Edibles
Growing your own food ensures that you know where and how it was handled, and it can also bring a measure of security. But opting for an edible garden is also a way to spread your creative wings, because there are far more varieties available than what you see offered in the grocery store.
- Have fun with it – peruse seed catalogs and local nurseries looking for new, fun varieties
- Get the family involved – encourage healthy eating and build a love of nature early on
- Enjoy affordable organics – seeds and soil are far less expensive than buying organic produce
When you get creative with your food crops you could find a new favorite, and you’ll definitely gain satisfaction from eating something you’ve grown yourself. It’s also an affordable way to have fresh produce all season long. And there are plenty of tips on how to extend the season and grow edible plants year-round. Take things a step further and try “foodscaping” – incorporating edibles and ornamentals in the same space.
Monochromatic Gardens
This trend is just as it sounds, but with variations on the theme. Moon gardens – spaces filled with plants that reflect the moon’s light and flowers that often release their fragrance at night – are understandably popular. Or you could take things another route and choose a limited color palette that is reminiscent of a favorite vacation spot. Sticking with your color choice can be a creative challenge when it comes to selecting plants and a great way to enjoy a themed but still elegant and refined garden space. Subdued hues allow you to notice the intricacies of your selected plants and play with contrasting textures and foliage.
Urban and Small-Scale Gardens
Gardening could seem a luxury to folks who don’t have much real estate to work with. But the small garden trend is fixing that and offering plenty of inspiration for those with limited space.
Whether you have a balcony, patio, or windowsill, there is a way to make the most of it and grow something special. Oftentimes that means getting creative and thinking vertically, making the best use of each square foot. Small-scale gardening works for edibles, too, but a collection of potted plants on a doorstep is just as nice. The trend has spurred designers and manufacturers to create products that make it easy, enjoyable, and more productive to garden in small spaces.
Incorporating Accessibility
The joys of watching a seed grow, a flower bloom, or enjoying that homegrown tomato can be available to everyone. And individuals who live with mobility concerns or other conditions that make it hard to get out and garden can benefit massively from being immersed in nature.
Here’s a few ideas to build a more inclusive outdoor environment:
- Custom-built raised beds – a solution for folks who deal with chronic pain, who use wheelchairs, or who might tire easily; build-in seating for additional functionality
- Ample shade, seating, and pathways – allows for periodic rest and safe, easy garden access
- Sensory plants – scented or highly textural plants can stimulate the senses and create opportunities for discovery and engagement
Accessibility can also mean availability. Community gardens have always been there, but today they play an even bigger role in providing folks with accessible green spaces. Whether it’s a hobby or a necessity, gardening can include everyone.
Being cost-conscious in the garden is another way to build in accessibility. Starting plants from seed, collecting and sharing seeds, storing rainwater, composting, and reusing items in the garden are top ways to cut down on cost while amping up ability and opportunity. They’re also best practices for a low-impact and sustainable space. Joining a local online or in-person gardening group is one way to learn about available resources and gain key tips for success.
Digging Deep
Nerding out on soil science, natural pest control, and the difference between hot and cold compost might not sound like the most thrilling endeavor, but getting into the nitty gritty details of the science behind gardening is gaining real traction. Understanding the why and how behind what we do in our green spaces serves to connect us even further to our little piece of nature. It also builds our appreciation and can move us to take action to protect and preserve the thing we love.
Spotlight on Houseplants
This trend isn’t going anywhere! While growing demand can drive prices on rare specimens sky high, even the most humble vine can bring an instant connection to nature. In fact it’s been found that just having a plant nearby while working can provide you with the opportunity to rest your mind and eyes, and can actually reduce stress levels. Seeing a lovely plant respond positively to your care and attention can also promote overall well being.
Grow With Althans
Whether you dug in and grew your own garden this past year, are in the market for a home with ample green space, or want to downsize and refocus, take us with you as you grow and change. Althans is proud to be your trusted insurance advisor and can connect you with the coverage you need to protect against whatever life brings. So regardless of what major life change is on the horizon, know that we have your back. Get in touch to learn more about available coverage options and to swap gardening tips – we’d love to hear from you!