We’re not the kind of folk who follow gardening fashions too closely – keeping up-to-date with the latest trends invariably means throwing out the things that dominated previous year’s hot lists, which goes against our principles of avoiding waste. However, it’s always useful to keep up with developments should we ever need to add to, replace or rearrange anything in the garden or on the allotment.
Over the past few years it has been tricky to fully keep abreast of what’s new in the gardening world: Covid has meant we’ve not been able to get out and about, with shows being cancelled, while the added disruption of Brexit has meant that everything seems a little more complicated and considerably more expensive.
But despite these impediments to our crystal ball gazing, we’ve decided to have a stab at predicting what themes might become increasingly popular for gardeners over the next few years. So, with a little help from some friends, we present our predictions of gardening trends for the coming years…
+++++
1 Plants to promote wellbeing
With the pandemic having made us more health conscious than ever before, gardening is being increasingly promoted as an activity that improves health and wellbeing. We reckon that gardening shows over the next few years will be displaying more ‘sensory’ areas, with extra consideration to plants with calming aromas (such as lavender), or are pleasant to touch (stroking grasses). Because gardens aren’t just for working in, they’re to be enjoyed too.
+++++
2 Cut flowers
Just as you want to enjoy the benefits of your garden outside, we predict people will increasingly want to enjoy their gardening efforts inside. And while we’ve always grown food for the kitchen, this year we’re planning on growing more cut flowers to brighten up the house. Sweet peas, sunflowers and verbena are just three things on our seeds-to-buy list.
+++++
3 Porcelain paving
Hard surfacing is always going through fashion phases. Once it was crazy paving, then it was wooden decking and more recently natural stone has been in demand. According to paving expert Kelsey Brace of Primethorpe Paving, porcelain is the latest trend. So if you want to tidy up a tired patch of your garden with a solid surface, then shiny porcelain will get the neighbours raving about your paving.
+++++
4 Garden offices
Now that more of the UK’s workforce is working from home, outbuildings are increasingly being converted into offices. For those who want more comfort than a converted shed, several specialist companies provide bespoke modern garden offices that are so smart they might put the house to shame. For the latest designs on office rooms that effortlessly blend into your garden check out moderngardenrooms.com where you’ll find a range of sizes and shapes that look so grand that you might find the rest of the family wants to move in.
+++++
5 Biochar
The gardening industry has been surprisingly slack on keeping up with environmental concerns so we’re always keen to promote new trends that help to improve matters. A few years ago we promoted biochar as a soil improver, a substance that is effective at retaining nutrients and water. And, according to Lottie Hawkins, Founder of Earthly Biochar, it also helps the environment: “This is because it’s a form of carbon storage so it helps mitigate climate change and it boosts soil health. Our mission is burying as much biochar in our soil as possible.” We’re in!
+++++
6 Metal sheds
With the price of timber skyrocketing, we’re taking a punt on metal sheds increasing in popularity. Once they were seen as a poor relation to wood for garden buildings, but in recent years manufacturing quality has improved considerably and they can now provide a cheaper and longer lasting alternative. We’re in the market for a new shed, and we are seriously considering metal.
+++++
7. Trees
One of the best ways of combating climate change is to plant trees. And we think gardeners should play their part. Even a small garden can accommodate a small apple tree, while we’ve most recently planted a Black Lace Elder in a border for its attractive leaves and booze-making blossom and berries. Most trees require regular pruning and, should they get out of control, you can employ a specialist tree surgeon such as barkandbranch.co.uk for help.
This is a sponsored post
