I'm not very
fond of surveys and trend predictions, but my heart warmed when I saw
that organic was listed as "in" and chemicals were "out." Here are four
of my favorite garden trends for 2006 from a survey conducted by the Garden Writers Association. (OK, so I'm a member.) 1) Garden in small spaces is in. Giant landscapes are out.
As lot sizes shrink and people downsize
their homes, consumers are gardening more in less space, on patios and
decks, on rooftops and, of course, in containers. Vertical gardening is
in, growing either up or down from balconies or on patios.
2) Home grown is in. Fast food is out.
Reflecting society’s current enthusiasm
for healthy eating and a desire for fresh, flavorsome fruits and
vegetables, vegetable gardening is coming back en vogue. Herbs and
veggies are being grown alone or mixed in containers. Growing your own
vegetables, flowers and herbs is new status symbol of luxury. It is a
luxury of the heart that says, "I care, and I make the time to do it."
When a child learns where his food comes from, he is better
equipped to make healthy food choices.
3) Indoor living color is in. Plant-less houses are out.
Ferns, snake plants and palms aren’t
for your grandmother’s parlor any longer. Homes are being filled with
houseplants. Many houseplants do double duty: indoors during cold
weather where they add living color and clean the air; and then moved
outside to decorate the deck or patio in the summer. For many people
their first introduction to gardening is tending to a houseplant in
college or in their first apartment. Plants are adorning desks in
offices more than ever before and improving the beauty and reducing
stress in the workplace!
4) Safe gardening is in. Mindless, reckless gardening is out.
In keeping with the healthy living
trend, consumers are seeking sustainable gardening principles. As a
result, there is a shift to get plants off chemicals (i.e. Miracle Gro)
and on a healthier, holistic lifestyle. This includes using organic
fertilizers in the garden and on the lawn, mulching with compost,
encouraging a healthy soil 'food web', and using safe pest controls.
All of this means stronger and healthier plants, and less work for you!
The big picture? Higher fuel prices are expected to lure us off the road and stay closer to home for our entertainment and relaxation needs. Which means the walls of the home are tumbling down and now our focus is on decorating the outside of the home on the deck, the patio and all around the property. It's encouraging news for couch potatoes, who need to get up and move. "If we can take our living outside, we are," says McCoy. "Our backyards and patios now serve as playgrounds, living rooms, kitchens, home offices and havens."
Yippee! Let's play crochet down the rows of carrots!
