Many gardeners complain that they have trouble coming up with new ideas for their gardens. More often than not it is because we all become comfortable with what we know. Stepping outside of our normal box is sometimes difficult for seasoned gardeners.
Some don’t like to try new things because there is a possibility that the plants will fail to flourish in their garden. They tend to stick with the plants that they have successfully nurtured and grown in the space. There is nothing wrong with staying with the plants you know will thrive but learning and experimentation can help your garden to be more interesting.
The gardener that has a plant that is the Wow factor in his garden will always love that plant. But if the Wow factor is the same year after year, the wow slowly diminishes. Gardeners should always be seeking to find new plants to draw people into their garden. Here are some ideas on how to come up with new gardening ideas.
Snoop Around Your Neighborhood for New Gardening Ideas
An easy way to find new plants to incorporate into your garden is to see what others are growing. If you see something interesting and cannot identify it, knock on the door and ask about it. Most gardeners are happy to talk about their plants.
Visit Your Library for New Gardening Ideas
Libraries have a wealth of information on all subjects including gardening. There are not just books about landscape gardening but most libraries carry periodicals on the subject as well. Ask your librarian to help you find information about plants that will grow well in your area.
Stop By Your Garden Nursery for New Gardening Ideas
The horticulturalist at your local nursery can help you select new plants for your garden. Their advice is priceless as they are highly educated and know which plants will grow well for you. Often they host gardening classes or have examples of planters that look great.
Enroll In A Class for New Gardening Ideas
Gardening classes are offered by some nurseries and local extension offices. Taking advantage of these will increase your knowledge and confidence in growing new plants. Most of the classes are free. If you feel very committed to learning more about gardening, look into signing up for a Master Gardening Program.
Join A Gardening Club for New Gardening Ideas
Almost every area has some kind of gardening club. Joining will help you to meet people with the same interests and learn about what plants work for them. Many gardeners will share snippets of their plants for you to root. If you can’t find a club listed as a gardening club, look into a Beautification Club for the town or city where you live.
Peruse Landscape Designer’s Websites for New Gardening Ideas
Take some time to look at local landscape designer’s websites. They often have pictures of designs that they have created. Try to identify the plants that you like. If you can’t, a quick phone call will usually give you the information you need.
Garden Ideas for Small Garden Spaces
There are so many new ways to garden. Many people like to garden but don’t have a lot of space. There are numerous popular new gardening ideas for plant lovers to try. Here are some ideas to try for small space gardening.
Try Urban Gardening
Urban gardens are gaining popularity. From growing a tomato plant in a bucket on a fire escape to a full fledged balcony garden, plants in the city help urbanites get back to nature.
Try Rooftop Gardening
Rooftop gardens are a great way to grow plants in otherwise wasted space. Plants grown on the roof will also help to insulate the building from heat and sun. Rooftop gardens are very popular in cities. If you don’t have access to a rooftop, try a balcony garden.
Try Container Gardening
Container gardens can be impressive even in small spaces. Dwarf trees can be planted in pots along with the lowest growing ground covers. Vegetables and fruits do well in containers, too. Container gardens are very versatile, and some varieties even do well in hanging planters.
Join a Neighborhood Community Garden
Neighborhood community gardens are becoming more popular. Usually, the city creates an area that residents can use as garden space. The citizens grow vegetables for their consumption but some areas require the person donate a portion of the fresh produce to a local food pantry. Everyone wins with a community garden.
Plant an Edible Children’s Garden
Creating an edible children’s garden is not difficult. Easy to grow vegetables like green beans and radishes are usually the best. Many grow cherry tomatoes in kid’s gardens because they are finger food and most children love them. If you are limited on space, contact your local recreation center or school to see if they would be interested in starting a garden. Often, you can get the city or other organizations to grant money for children’s gardens.
Revisiting Kitchen Gardens
Most kitchen gardens are small plots. Fruits, veggies, herbs and even edible flowers are grown. The bounty from the kitchen garden provides the gardener with fresh produce for their meals. It’s not a new idea at all. But, as backyards have become smaller it’s a great gardening idea to revisit.
Want to learn more about gardening ideas?
Check out these websites for more creative gardening ideas:
Center for Urban Agriculture & Gardening Education from the University of the District of Columbia
Container Gardening from West Virginia University Extension
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