Taylor Ramsey 
When you think of bees, it probably isn’t your first instinct to want to attract more of them to your yard. These striped insects often get a bad rap due to their rather painful natural defense mechanism and are often shoed away from the garden by harsh insect repellents and pesticides.
I would bet that if you have any houseplants as living decor in your home, you have at least one succulent taking up residency on a bookshelf, coffee table, or resting in a sunny windowsill. And this is with good reason! Succulents are super cute, easy to care for, and incredibly popular right now which makes them a no-brainer addition to your collection. But did you know that succulents can also be grown outside, even if you don’t live in the desert? Here are a few other facts you probably didn’t know about your favorite plants.
When planting your vegetable garden, it can be challenging to keep all the advice straight, “build a raised bed,” “make sure that you try companion planting,” “always use fertilizer,” “never use fertilizer.” Eventually, the overwhelming words of well-meaning fellow gardeners go in one ear and out the other, and you usually end up winging it. That works for a time, and usually, you will see a harvest, but here are a few essential things that you should be doing differently to maximize yield and encourage healthy growth.
Just as there are trends for fashion, makeup, and home design, there are yearly garden trends as well. It can be difficult to keep up on all of the exciting developments in the yard and garden. Keep in mind that, ultimately, the true heart of gardening is a timeless act. The therapeutic process of selecting a plant or seed and placing it into the ground, tending it with care and diligence will always remain the same. These steps of gardening have been around since the dawn of agriculture and contribute to the fact that gardening will never go out of fashion.
However, each year there are new innovations, landscaping styles, and plants that could spice up your garden and bring your yard to a whole new level. Here are just a few garden trends you may want to check out as the 2019 spring planting season kicks into full gear.
Growing food in any space
As more and more health-conscious people are coming to realize the importance of sustainability and healthy eating, many are turning to vegetable gardening in a more non-traditional sense. You don’t need to have 3 acres of land and a massive garden plot to begin growing vegetables. Even one tomato plant in a container on your patio, or adding edible plants to your flower garden can help supplement your fresh vegetables and give you peace of mind knowing where your food comes from.
Gardening apps
The saying “there’s an app for that” exists for a reason and is all the more true in the technology-driven world of 2019. These days you can find apps for nearly everything, from exercise and social networking, to, unsurprisingly, gardening. Obviously, technology hasn’t yet progressed to the point of your smartphone going to the garden and digging a hole for you. However, these apps could prove helpful for tracking harvest times, planning your new landscape, or even discovering fellow garden fantatics.
Ferns as houseplants
Having ferns indoors is nothing new, but you may begin to see this even more in Instagram-worthy living-rooms and on gardening and lifestyle blogs. Ferns are catapulting to popularity as the hottest houseplant of 2019. And what’s not to love? They look great, fit in with any decor style and help purify and cleanse the air.
Low-maintenance is key
Not all of us have hours upon hours to spend in the garden every day (though we would absolutely love to) and the fast-paced nature of our world is paving the way for more low-maintenance, less time-consuming gardening. There are a few easy ways to help make your existing space more suitable for your lifestyle and tricks to ensure that any future garden could practically grow itself, once established.
Greenhouse kits
Adding a greenhouse to your yard can seriously take your garden up a notch, helping you get an earlier start on the season, grow for longer, and perhaps keep fresh food available all year long. But what if you don’t want to buy a premade greenhouse and can’t fork over thousands of dollars to pay to have one built? Since the greenhouse trend has been on the rise you can now order DIY greenhouse kits online and set up your very own hothouse in just a few ridiculously simple steps. These kits are totally customizable and you can choose one that suits all your garden needs. Plus, you can find great options for well under $500.
-Taylor Ramsey
For years, roses have kept the prized position among all the garden flowers. They captivate the mind, enchant the soul, and awake the senses, bringing beautiful vibrant blooms and decadent scents to anywhere they are grown. However, even though they are an excellent addition to any flower bed, many gardeners shy away from these sweet flowers because of their supposed “growing difficulty.”
Container gardening is on the rise in many urban environments. This type of gardening is primarily utilized by city dwellers still wishing to grow their own fresh food and live a greener lifestyle but who don’t have an acre of land to do so. All you need to get started with container gardening is a small outdoor space such as a patio, balcony, or simple front step.
Container gardens can be used to liven up any patio, grow a vegetable garden in a restricted space, bring color to your backyard, or keep your fresh herbs in easy reach.
So, you have read all the articles about small space gardening and the benefits of growing your own produce. You stare wistfully at garden magazines, look out at your tiny apartment patio and dream of the day when you’ll have a backyard to transform into a garden paradise.
Container gardening is a fun, easy way to spend more time outdoors with your hands in the dirt. Even if you don’t have much room outside, you can still enjoy the benefits of container gardening with these exciting ideas to utilize vertical space and grow fresh strawberries today.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of enjoying fresh vegetables straight from your garden after a season of hard work and patience. Knowing exactly where your food comes from helps to ensure that you are getting the best quality produce. However, learning the basics of planting a vegetable garden can be incredibly difficult. With so much information available, it can be confusing to know where to start.
Growing blueberries in pots is an incredibly rewarding experience. With a little patience and time, you will be enjoying this fresh, antioxidant-rich fruit straight from your garden, even if you are short on space.
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