So far 2020 is turning into one of the most conflicting, anxiety inducing years of recent record. The Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing unease wrought by the virus has everyone looking for an outlet, which seems to be spending summer in the garden. What are the hottest garden trends for summer 2020 gardens? Some garden trends for summer this season take a page from history, while others offer a more modern twist on gardening.
Gardening in Summer 2020
Unless you’re still sitting in front of reruns, it will come as no surprise that gardening in summer 2020 is a hot topic. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the virus, many people fear going to the supermarket or are concerned about food supplies which lead them to the logical path of growing their own fruits and veggies.
Whether you are concerned about either of the above, spending this summer in the garden is the perfect recipe for shaking off the blues and boredom of isolation and social distancing.
This isn’t the first time that gardening has peaked in popular culture. The Victory Gardens of the First World War were the nation’s response to food shortages as well as their patriotic duty to free up food for soldiers, and garden they did. An estimated 20 million gardens sprung up in every available plot of land producing almost 40 % of the nation’s produce.
Trends for Summer 2020 Gardens
Over a century later, here we are again with gardening in summer 2020 one of the most popular responses to the pandemic. People everywhere are starting seeds and planting everything from large garden plots to containers and even urban areas with fruits and vegetables.
While the idea of a “Victory Garden” is enjoying resurgence in popularity, there are other garden trends for summer 2020 to try. For many, gardening isn’t just about providing the family with healthy food choices – it is also about helping out Mother Nature. To this end, many gardeners are creating wildlife friendly garden spaces. Within these spaces, native plants are used to provide shelter and food for our furry and feathered friends; native plants that have already adapted to the environment and are low maintenance, oftentimes drought tolerant, and attract beneficial pollinators.
Vertical gardening is another garden trend for summer. This is especially helpful for those with smaller garden spaces and can maximize the resulting yields. Regenerative gardening is yet another hot topic. Already practiced in larger commercial farms and in the forestry industry, regenerative gardening seeks to rebuild organic matter back into the soil and reduce runoff. On a smaller scale, home gardeners can compost, avoid tilling, and use green manures or cover crops to enrich soil.
Another hot trend this summer is houseplants. Houseplants have long been popular but even more so today, and there is such a variety to choose from. Bring a little of the outdoors inside by growing a lemon tree or fiddle-leaf fig, force some bulbs, experiment with succulents, or grow an herb garden indoors.
For those with less of a green thumb, garden trends for summer 2020 include DIY and repurposing projects for outdoor spaces. Whether creating art for the garden, repainting old lawn furniture, or reusing wood pallets to create fencing, there are hundreds of ideas.
For those with no interest in gardening or DIY projects, you could always use those stimulus checks to stimulate the economy. Hire someone to build a retaining wall or rockery, aerate the grass, or even buy new outdoor patio furniture, all which will enhance your landscape.