Spring gardening trends

Bodell also advises on implementing the trends into your own garden.

By gardening expert, Harry Bodell, from PriceYourJob

Bodell warns that just because you are gardening and utilising your outdoor space, does not automatically mean you are being more sustainable than otherwise. “A study conducted in 2020 shows that 57% of councils in England charge a fee for gardening recycling, which is a deterrent for many to properly dispose of their waste.”

So how can we ensure our gardens are sustainable and not adding to our carbon footprint? Bodell advises there are numerous simple ways to reduce our garden’s carbon footprint. “For planting, make sure you opt for peat-free compost and fertilisers, or better still make your own compost to help fertilise your plants,” Bodell advises. “Peatlands provide ecosystems for plants and animals and help reduce flood risks, therefore when peat is removed for personal use, the ecosystem is compromised, carbon is released, and habitats are subsequently damaged. Make sure you check the label and ensure your compost and fertilisers are peat-free.”

The interior trend which has been dominating 2022 so far is cluttercore, aka an encouragement and embracing of organised chaos, and this maximalist trend is seeping its way into our gardens. “Outdoor cluttercore allows our gardens to grow naturally to create a cottage-like atmosphere,” Bodell explains. “As many of us are spending less time at home, especially with many of us returning to the office, we are not able to spend as much time on our gardens as we could have during the pandemic, therefore the cluttercore look is low maintenance, yet high impact.”

Bodell continues “overgrown wildflowers not only look beautiful and picturesque, but they help to encourage wildlife which helps boost our ecosystem. Wildflowers attract pollinators, such as bees, as well as a wide diversity of birds and butterflies.”

Unsurprisingly, the pandemic is still impacting our day-to-day lives. As we spent a lot of the last two years distanced from our families and friends, now is the time to embrace spending as much time with them as possible. “Searches for fire pits, outdoor sofas, and garden playgrounds for children have all seen huge increases in the last few months, reflecting how we want our gardens to be a social area,” Bodell explains.

The pandemic saw a huge number of Brits growing their own produce, with an estimated 7.4 million trying it for the first time. Especially as the rising cost of living is inescapable, growing their own fruit and veg is a first step to becoming self-sufficient and saving money on goods.

Approximately 60% of Brits have said they would like to try growing their own produce where they can yet 40% of those surveyed also said they thought it wouldn’t be possible, due to the size of their garden and property. However, Bodell advises size is irrelevant when trying to grow your own produce “you don’t need a huge space to grow your own goods all you need is a bright, sunny windowsill to get started.”

With more time being spent outside, especially now the weather is warming up and spring has officially begun, lighting is a key but often overlooked part of any garden. “We’ve all been in the position where we do makeshift lighting methods while outside in the evening, whether it’s turning a light on in the house to help illuminate the garden, to even just turning on the torch on our phones,” Bodell admits. “However, good lighting in the garden helps create ambience and is a necessity if you intend on spending evenings outdoors. There are many ways to light your garden, with numerous methods cheap to buy and can be free to run.”

Bodell continues “invest in solar lighting, which is purely powered by the sun and can last for hours on a full charge. Solar lighting can be in the form of fairy lights, mini lanterns or lamps which can be placed around the garden for atmospheric lighting.”