Gardening trends for 2012

Fiskars has a look at what’s going on in the gardening world and trends for 2012*. Gardens are an increasing focal point for socializing and overall, the interest in green spaces as places to both grow and connect shows no sign of stopping.

Be water-wise
Anybody lucky enough to have a garden will nevertheless recognise how water-thirsty they can be. In 2012 and beyond, it pays to use water wisely, conserving and recycling as much as possible. Even in more temperate regions, the water-wise are catching rainwater in water butts as well as cleaning or recycling waste water.

The trend towards less formal Mediterranean gardens, which have long incorporated the philosophy of water conservation, is on the up too along with the use of low-growing, drought-tolerant plants, hedges, trees and shrubs. Water-thirsty lawns too are starting to make way for more natural spaces that encourage local flora and fauna. While water features continue to be popular, the emphasis is now on keeping them small and low maintenance.

Choose native plants
Restricted finances for many in 2012 mean that more and more consumers are shopping around garden centres for low-risk, high-value plants with a tried-and-tested reputation. Low risk means hardy plants that fit the climate and are resistant to pest and disease so investments can be enjoyed in the longer term.

In temperate climates, plants that retain their appeal throughout the winters will be popular in 2012. The use of ornamental grasses helps maintain visual interest while evergreen shrubs and plants with winter berries not only provide welcome colour but also nutrition to attract local birdlife. Choosing trees with barks of different colours and textures or deciduous trees and shrubs with dramatic forms also helps to maintain visual appeal through the grey winter months.

Grow in
Whatever the season, a kitchen garden is probably the most widespread trend nowadays reflecting the continuing interest in the use of fresh ingredients for home cuisine. Practically everyone has enough space in their kitchen to grow such herbs as chives, basil or parsley or cultivate a chilli plant or two. Fresh herbs and spices liven up your cooking adding both visual appeal and flavour to a home cooked meal. Growing these useful plants indoors using a basic quality toolkit of planters and a pruner also make a great home project for green-thumbed children to share with their parents.

City gardening
For those with limited garden spaces in urban areas, vertical gardening is also taking off reflecting a similar trend in interior decorating for smaller apartments. Planting gardens straight off the ground on trellises, arbours, balconies and walls offers new and innovative ways to capitalise on your outdoor space, however limited in size.

On a broader city level, green roofs are also taking off as a way to reclaim nature from the concrete jungle, capitalize on unused urban space and bring the supply of food closer to demand. The use of advanced cultivation techniques also means that this is a cost effective approach to feeding urban populations of the future.

As in earlier years, the emphasis on organic produce avoiding pesticides and other chemicals continues. Increasingly city dwellers are creating their own organic container gardens on balconies as a green alternative ensuring a cost-effective and healthy means to putting food on the table. Collecting biodegradable material for composting that would otherwise go to landfills cuts waste and also ensures a continuous supply of a natural organic fertiliser for these urban green trendsetters.

*source Icangarden.com

Newsletter Marketing Powered by Newsweaver