We have already had our first taste of sunshine this year, giving us hope for a great summer ahead. Our gardens have become increasingly important in recent years, as more of us take up gardening for wellbeing and sustainability.
The experts predict that the hottest new garden trends for 2022 will be spending time outdoors in the sunshine.
If you’re looking to spruce up your garden, here are some on-trend ideas to consider. From growing your own vegetables to enjoying a meal outdoors, there are plenty of ways to make your space more enjoyable. Plus, spending time in nature has many benefits for your health and well-being.
Garden Trends 2022
We present the latest garden trends to inspire our outdoor spaces without further delay.
1. Mantra for reuse, recycle and repurpose
Sustainability is increasingly important not only to us, but to our clients too,’ say Ann-Marie Powell who is escalating the use of repurposed materials by crushing them, for paths, terraces or driveways.
Ann-Marie is also promoting more sustainable gardening practices by using less cement in hardscaping and selecting materials with the lowest carbon footprint.
A trend in gardening right now is anything sustainable, including upcycling ideas. Ana Sanchez-Martin says that she loves upcycling existing elements within a garden rather than adding to landfill.
I made a beautiful old Victorian greenhouse last year with the help of a great craftsman. He helped me repurpose it and give it a new life. I had to clean and restore the old cast iron and make new fittings for it, but it was worth it because the end result was gorgeous and good for the environment.
Jilayne Rickards agrees that using second-hand furniture or decorations gives a garden automatic character. She thinks that even in a contemporary setting, something aged acting as a counterbalance can be wonderful to see.
2. Using the garden as the fifth room
Homeowners are increasingly looking to blur the lines between inside and outside living spaces. Whether it means creating a kitchen garden, a wellness space, or extending a playroom, people are looking to spend more time in their outdoor spaces.
As we spend more time at home, gardens are becoming an extension of our living space where we can spend time with family and friends. Often, we need a garden that can serve multiple purposes – a quiet place to relax, a play area for children, and a space for social gatherings.
Your home probably has a great place that could be turned into an outdoor living room. With some imagination, any space can be turned into an outdoor living room.
Oliver Bond MSGD says that he not only wants to incorporate undercover elements into his designs, but also open elements such as fireplaces and built-in outdoor kitchens. He is also experimenting with entertainment features such as TVs and sound systems.
3. Low maintenance tapestry lawns
The grass is becoming more low maintenance to encourage gardeners to stick with real grass.
Ana Sanchez-Martin would love to design and plant a “tapestry lawn” as an alternative to a traditional grass lawn. Tapestry lawns are created using a combination of different mowing-tolerant plant species. They are low in maintenance and have a higher ornamental and environmental value than traditional lawns.
A meadow lawn requires less mowing than a regular grass lawn, meaning that more plant and insect species are able to live in it. Although meadow lawns aren’t usually practical in small urban gardens, a tapestry lawn could be a good solution for city gardens.
4. Grow your own
The popularity of veganism and growing your own food is not slowing down anytime soon. In fact, the number of people choosing a plant-based diet has increased by 360% in the past decade. With food prices rising and shortages becoming more common, it makes sense that more people would want to grow their own food. This trend is only going to become more popular in the next year.
Increasing numbers of people are interested in growing their own vegetables, according to Marcus Eyles of Dobbies. He attributes this trend to people wanting to eat more vegetables, including those on plant-based diets.
He says that it will be easy to grow vegetables, salads, and herbs in small spaces such as wall planters and patio containers.
Christopher Ray, Head of Outdoor at B&Q, says it’s important to find the right spot in your garden to grow delicious, edible plants. You don’t need a lot of space, but look for a level area with good sunlight exposure to build your bed. Mix and match different sizes of stackable raised beds to create a personalized growing area that suits your space. Finally, select your seeds and then you’re ready to grow!
If your goal is to be more self-sufficient, a greenhouse will help you by providing a year-round supply of fresh fruit and vegetables.
If you’re short on space, try growing legumes (runner beans, broad beans, French beans, and peas), squashes, and pumpkins. Salad leaves, herbs, and tomatoes also grow well in boxes on balconies and patios. This is much cheaper than buying from the supermarket.
5. Build trendy high-tech outdoor kitchen
About 10 years ago, if someone had said they were going to cook outdoors, people would have been surprised and asked why they don’t just use their kitchen at home. But now, technology has improved to the point where cooking outdoors can be just as nice as cooking indoors.
Are Outdoor Kitchens as Good as the Real Deal?
while outdoor kitchens vary in size and shape, most of them come with powerful hobs and grills to accommodate modern cooking demands. For example, some grills are as wide as 30 inches and have a couple of burners while others are much larger, with twelve 42,000 BTU burners that can be adjusted to various temperatures. These larger grills often have attachments that allow for the cooking of pancakes, cookies, and other types of food that you would not typically think of as being able to be cooked on a grill.
Designs, Designs Everywhere
There is a lot of variation in the outdoor kitchen designs that are available. You can get ones with classic wooden ceilings and furniture made from salvaged materials, or ones with stainless steel appliances and a contemporary design that blends marble and stone together. Depending on how much money you are willing to spend, you can also get ones with features like sinks, weatherproof cabinets, stylish lighting, space heating, refrigeration, Hi-Fi sound systems, TVs, and even swimming pools!
6. Bedazzle your guests with the latest trends in outdoor furniture
A recent study found that many people in the UK are prepared for the sunshine. This year’s garden furnishings introduce a vibrant and contrasting palette of colours that will take your holiday relaxation to the next level.
Say “Hello” to Convertible Outdoor Furniture
The trend for convertible outdoor furniture is rising in popularity for homeowners. The convertible bench, which can be turned into a picnic table, is a popular choice. Flat pack furniture with sleek designs and easy-to-follow instructions are also becoming more popular. Convertible tables that can act as both coffee and BBQ tables are trendy and fit well into smaller spaces. They are also affordable, which makes them even more popular.
A Brief Look at Other Trending Furnishings for 2017
Furniture made from recyclable materials, especially plywood furniture, is becoming more and more popular in the UK. The reasons for this are that it looks exactly like the desired material, is much cheaper, and is much easier to take care of. Garden bar stools and tables made from rust-proof aluminium are now becoming the new standard, while fire pit tables are a great way to liven up your garden or cook some kebabs.
7. Create a tiny ecosystem in your own home with miniature gardening
Miniature gardens are becoming popular in 2017. They usually consist of small trees, shrubs, and flowers that grow only 1 inch per year. The base of the garden is usually a large container that represents the Earth.
So, What Can You Actually Plant There?
There are many different types of plants that you can use to create a “fairyland.” Some examples include sage, rosemary, African violets, and begonias. You can also find miniature accessories like cottage houses, patios, gardening furniture, ponds, and fake plants for sale online.
Nothing Lasts Forever…
Although it is very easy to take care of, this small ecosystem will not last forever. The plants will eventually grow to their regular size and you will need to transfer them into separate pots. Be sure to take lots of pictures to show your friends in case you bought plants that grow quickly.
8. Keep the pests at bay with an arsenal of natural herbicides
Weeding can be tiring, and your plants and mulch may not always be enough. Instead of using herbicides, try one of the many eco-friendly weed recipes that are popular this year.
Rediscover Boiling Water and the Flame-Weeder Tool
We’ll start with boiling water. Pour it over the leaves and stems of the plants you want to get rid of, and they’ll die shortly afterward. Or you can get a flame-weeder tool, which will scorch the leaves of weeds and make them wilt right away. But be very careful when you’re using it near dry leaves or branches. You don’t want to start a fire that will burn down your garden and maybe even your neighbourhood.
Tap Into the Magical Powers of Table Salt and Vinegar
Sodium chloride, or salt, is an effective herbicide. Dissolve 1 part salt in 8 parts hot water, add liquid soap, and spray all weeds with the mixture. Avoid drenching the soil. Alternatively, you can use vinegar.
9. Make the most of your limited space with vertical gardening
It’s 2017, so it’s time to go vertical. This gardening method has been at the centre of attention for many gardening discussions because it’s quite “compact”, making the vertical gardening a great solution for the tight urban apartments and small yards in the UK. Plus, if done right, growing vegetables, herbs, or flowers in this fashion is bound to impress your visitors.
A Couple of Vertical Ideas to Draw Inspiration From
You can grow your plants in almost anything. For example, you can put them in empty bottles and hang them on an empty wall to create a jungle effect. If you have some wooden planks around your house, you can use them to make wooden pyramids and plant your flowers on each level. If you just replaced your PVC pipes, don’t throw them away. Drill some holes in them and stand them up. Plant some lettuce or strawberries, and watch your garden grow.
10. Laying patchwork pathways
“I’m excited to explore different permeable surfacing materials and methods,” says designer Filippo Dester. He plans to use more oak setts (instead of clay pavers) and to experiment with different ways of recycling existing stone paving, combined with aggregate materials and low-planting, to create sustainable and ecological surfaces.
Ana Sanchez-Martin plans to add interest to her garden by planting low-growing species between stepping-stones or along path edges. She is interested in plants such as Pratia pedunculata (blue star creeper), Carex divulsa (grey sedge), or Sesleria caerulea (blue moor grass) – rather than more familiar plants such as Alchemilla, Thyme, or Stipa.
Health and wellbeing
Wyevale has seen a sharp rise in popularity for wellness-related items, such as air purifying plants and plant protein. This trend is expected to continue into 2022, with people wanting to use their outdoor living spaces for physical and mental health benefits.
What garden trends do you want to use in your outdoor area?
