Gardening Sweet Spots
By Donna Hessel
What’s trending now in gardening? The most noticeable trend is gardening! More and more people are realizing the benefits of digging in the dirt (so to speak), whether it’s adding a garden plot of veggies or a border of perennials and annuals, containers of flowers or herbs on the deck or patio, or even adding a few houseplants on interior windowsills to green up a room.
The sustainable gardening movement continues to gain traction. Here are some ways you can join the movement.
- Practice water conservation. Include drought-tolerant plants in your landscape. Put plants that need more water in spots where the soil stays moist. Perhaps you can add a rain garden in a low spot on your property where water pools. Or, you can collect rainwater that runs off your roof in a rain barrel and use that to water your garden. This link will take you to directions for creating a rain garden: gardendesign.com/eco-friendly/rain-gardens.html.
- Make your own compost. It’s easy to collect veggie scraps, coffee grounds and other organic materials in a small container daily and add them to a compost pile somewhere on your property every week. There are many references on the Internet to teach you how to make and use compost. Check out this one: gardendesign.com/how-to/composting.html.
- Plant native plants. You may already have some in your gardens. Find out which plants are native to your zip code specifically from this website and add more natives to your beds this year. National Wildlife Foundation Plant Finder: nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/.
- Use organic methods. The benefits of organic gardening are far reaching. There are safer and just as effective ways to deal with pests, weeds and fertilizing instead of using commercial chemical products. Find some eco-friendly ways to solve problems at gardendesign.com/how-to/#problem.
- Apply mulch. Mulching saves water by regulating soil temperature and preventing soil from drying out. It also
suppresses weeds, adds nutrients to the soil, and prevents erosion.
- Plant trees. Not just for their beauty, but because of their ability to absorb CO2 and give off oxygen. Trees also provide food, protection and shelter for wildlife. When planted strategically, their shade can cool your home, saving energy and money.
Garden Getaways are on the increase. Is there is a “she-shed” on your “to do” list this year? Given the year we’ve just been through, many people are turning to their gardens for solace. If building a “she-shed” is not reality, there are still some things you can do to make your garden a place to relax and unwind.
- Create a space for quiet contemplation. Include low-maintenance plants that don’t require constant attention to keep them looking their best. Check this reference for suggestions for low-maintenance plants: https://www.gardendesign.com/plants/low-maintenance.html.
- Add the sound of water with a small tabletop fountain. A solar fountain added to a birdbath may be a good investment.
- Keep it cool with shade from an umbrella, or locate your getaway garden where it is shaded by a tree. Need help designing the perfect getaway place? Check out these tips: https://www.gardendesign.com/outdoor-living/space.html.
- Extend the time you can enjoy your space by adding a fire pit.
- Improve the view from your windows by adding a hanging planter or grouping containers with plants in colors you love close by.
Vegetable gardening is on the rise. Because of the past year’s restrictions on eating in restaurants and limitations to shopping, more people are starting their own kitchen gardens. If a garden plot is not feasible, there are some other ways you can participate in this trend.
- Grow food in containers or vertically.
- Mix edibles in with existing flower beds and borders.
- Grow plants that provide big quantities in small spaces, such as tomatoes, herbs, peas and cucumbers. If you
have only a small space for a garden, get some tips from this website: https://www.gardendesign.com/vegetables/small.html.
Containers with a new look. Container gardening is here to stay and traditional plantings are a sure thing. But many people are trying something new. Caladiums, cannas, elephant ears and crotons are tropicals that provide big color in small spaces and bring a different vibe to containers. Dwarf hybrids and small trees such as crape myrtle or Japanese maples are other options to consider, as well as dwarf varieties of fruit and citrus trees. You might prefer small shrubs and evergreens as a permanent container planting surrounded by seasonal annuals. Get some suggestions here: provenwinners.com/learn/top-ten-lists/top-10-shrubs-containers-and-small-spaces
Monochromatic gardens. That’s the mentality of gardeners all across the country. If you love one particular color, why not try giving a variety of plants in that color a chance to shine? There are limitless choices of plant materials in pink, blue, purple and orange shades. Make a statement with foliage combinations – different textures – in a limited color palette. Try a moon garden in shades of white and silver.
Learning and buying online. During the pandemic, gardeners have resorted to getting their gardening “fix” online. Whether signing up for virtual garden tours; tuning into webinars on a wide range of gardening subjects provided by Master Gardeners from Summit and Cuyahoga Counties, as well as other sources; perusing catalogs from nurseries and plant growers; or buying plants online, gardeners have found ways to stay on top of developments in the gardening world. Interested in joining an online garden tour? Check out these websites:
- gardendesign.com/botanical-gardens/20-Best-Gardens.html
- gardendesign.com/garden-tours/#daytrips
- housebeautiful.com/uk/garden/g31913008/best-virtual-tours-garden/
Join a class to learn about garden design basics: gardendesign.com/classes/
Adding more houseplants. Spending more time indoors or working from home? Houseplants make spaces more enjoyable, not to mention healthier. Succulents are especially trendy and popular because they don’t take a lot of care to stay good looking. This website will provide the basics about growing succulents: gardentherapy.ca/guide-to-growing-succulents/
Getting kids involved. Parents are looking for ways to get their kids outside and keep them busy. Gardening offers endless opportunities. Get them their own set of kid-friendly gardening tools and let them take care of their own garden plots. Plant veggies (of their choice) together. Read them children’s books about gardening. Here are some suggestions:
- Amazon.com – search children’s gardening books for recommendations
- gardendesign.com/children/ for kids’ gardening activities
Article Resource: “2021 TRENDS IN GARDEN DESIGN” By Justine Guidry – Garden Design Newsletter, April 2021
Image courtesy pexels.com
