Gardening is often considered a hobby that you pick up during retirement or something done to add a little curb-appeal.
But as we’re spending more time at home these days, many people are turning to gardening as a newfound passion or an outlet for some extra time. Gardens can serve many purposes including visual appeal, providing food, acting as a wildlife haven, and offering educational value, amongst others. We’ve rounded up a few different gardening styles to explore and a few key products you’ll want to consider if you’re looking to test your green thumb or try a new gardening approach.
Permaculture – A prescriptive set of 12 design principles approach following the resiliency of natural ecosystems developed in Australia in the 1970s. Key themes of permaculture include closed loop systems, individual elements performing multiple functions, conservation of resources and working with nature rather than against. Permaculture is a whole systems approach to gardening, so it can be a great option for those with a blank slate or those that want to do less work but get more out of it (in time). Two staple items for the practice of permaculture include collecting rainwater and composting.
Pollinator garden – Critical to our wildlife and insect population, pollinator gardens provide necessary nectar and pollen sources to attract insects where they can take the pollen and develop new habitats. Pollinator gardens should include native and non-invasive pollinating plants, a water source, continuous blooms throughout the growing season and should avoid the use of pesticides. A major perk of a pollinator garden is seeing hummingbirds, various butterflies and other insects.
Container garden – A perfect solution for those with small patios, limited garden space or the need to transport the fruits of their labor. Container gardens are grown entirely in pots and can be as simple as growing flowers, herbs, or vegetables, or can be designed as a portable pollinator garden. An advantage for those in areas with major temperature changes, you can move your garden indoors or outdoors according to the forecast. Be sure to research the best kind of soil for your selected plant and find the perfect planters that fit your style – whether you’re a coordinated gardener or prefer more of an eclectic mix of pots.
Rain garden – If you experience standing water on your property, a rain garden can be an attractive solution with additional benefits including pollutant removal, improving water quality and encouraging biodiversity. The rain garden relies on plants and specific soil to slow infiltration to give ample time for the garden to filter out pollutants. Successful rain gardens require native plants and grasses and soil specific to your area. A benefit of creating a rain garden on your property is that it works best if the plants are left to flourish (aka – low maintenance) and can provide simple irrigation for nearby areas of your garden.
Wildlife garden – Now this type of garden will likely make you the most popular garden for animal lovers, as a wildlife garden is designed to provide an area for all kinds of creatures to thrive. A wildlife garden typically includes different types of habitats for various critters to feel comfortable including habitats made from logs, bird houses and bee hotels. Like previous gardens above, native plants, pollinators, and access to water are all elements that should be included.