Photo: Wavebreakmedia, depositphotos

By Hannah Walters

The COVID-19 pandemic has made us all appreciate our gardens more. The very fact that you are reading this article suggests that you already know about the pleasure that a garden can bring – either by gardening itself or just by spending time in it. But having spent more time in the confines of our own gardens, the world is appreciating the joy that our gardens can bring to us all more than ever.

This, along with the increased focus on sustainability and protecting the earth is shaping the gardening trends in 2022. We are looking to create spaces that are not just somewhere nice to look at, but also somewhere nice to be in and somewhere that is beneficial to the local ecosystems.

With this in mind, here are some of the top trends for gardens in 2022, which can be neatly summarised as ‘Reuse, Recycle, and Replant’.

1.   Vegetables

We are seeing an increased focus in society on healthy, plant-based food – whether it is due to the health benefits of eating more veggies or the eco-friendliness of eating less meat and dairy. This means that more and more people are eating vegetables and turning their hands to have a go at growing their own. There is no better feeling than eating your own natural, organic produce that you have nurtured and cared for, and this is why creating and maintaining a community garden is becoming increasingly popular amongst the gardeners of the world.

As long as the vegetables that you are planting are naturally able to grow where you live and flourish in your specific climate, growing your own vegetables can be fun, educational, and extremely satisfying!

2.   Wild Gardens

Having an abundance of native plants in a wild area is an excellent way to boost biodiversity in the environment. At a time when we are seeing more and more people aware of the necessities of a thriving ecosystem, another trend that we are seeing is of people leaving areas in their gardens to grow wild, allowing local flora and fauna to bloom.

This is an area that can be just left, but you can also give it a (natural) helping hand by using your old grass cuttings. According to Mowers Online, “Mulching grass cuttings using a dedicated mulching mower will create a natural nutrient-rich fertiliser for informal grass areas.”

Wild gardens are enabling people to feel like they are contributing towards the local ecosystem while enjoying seeing their gardens come to life in a natural way.

3.   More Ponds

Another trend that we are seeing is a rise in the number of ponds that are being built. This is for two main reasons – they can be very beneficial for local wildlife and general enjoyment of the area.

2022 is all about being natural and a pond is the most natural water feature that you can create in your garden. Water is calming and interesting to watch, attracting a wealth of wildlife, and adding a wonderful extra dimension to your garden. They also help to increase the biodiversity in your garden by attracting new plants and animals and providing a useful water source to animals during the summer.

4.   Recycling

Recycling and upcycling is a trend that we are seeing across many different areas in our society. And it is something that is becoming popular in our gardens in 2022. Whether it is turning the old wheelbarrow that is no longer fit for purpose into a rustic plant box or breaking up old concrete to create a new garden path, recycling is the new, well, new.

Some other imaginative recycling ideas that we are seeing include using buckets or old washing machine drums as plant pots, soft drink bottles as cloches to protect plants from hungry pests, lollipop sticks for plant markers, egg cartons for sowing seeds, or old CDs to scare away the birds.

5.   Garden Furniture

As people have been spending more time enjoying their gardens, we are seeing more and more people looking to fit them out with chairs, tables, and other garden furniture. People are increasingly looking for vintage-looking garden furniture that is comfortable for them to use on a day-to-day basis, along with having a hope of entertaining more as we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is also a massive demand for garden furniture that is made from recycled materials such as reclaimed wood and metals.

Trendy garden furniture not just includes chairs and tables, but also benches, fire pits, and comfortable swings.