Having finished the series on house plants that clean the air, I thought I would start a series on “garden trends.” Many places in the United States are already gardening (and I am jealous) although I am gardening in a different way indoors (and this has nothing to do with seed starting!). I talked way back at the beginning of January about how I never really “finish” gardening–I just take my gardening indoor with house plants, tropicals, and even forced bulbs.
So “tidy gardens” has really nothing to do with me, either indoors or out (but then again, anyone who has come to my house would know that I am no fan of Marie Kondo.) It is she who is getting credit for this trend of “tidy gardening,” and while I think there may be some merit to it for some folks, it “sparks” no joy for me–or my wildlife!
As anyone who knows who may have read Ms. Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, her philosophy is that one should only keep objects that “spark joy.” Everything else should be recycled or given away.
In theory, I have no issue with that premise. And I can see why it holds appeal when applied to the garden. “Tidy” gardens are easier to maintain and therefore leave more time for whatever else people might like to be doing.
Indoors, “tidy” house plant collections would also take little time to maintain, be easy to care for and generally lend themselves to the minimalist aesthetic that seem to pervade this principle.
I am all on board with this approach for those who might be new to gardening, for those who might be parents and have little time for gardening, or for those who might like to garden and don’t want to hire someone else to do it for them.
Choosing a few well thought out plants that are easy to care for, that appropriately fit the space so that they do not need pruning constantly and that make you happy when you do have time to spend in your yard or on your balcony (and may perhaps be water-wise, if that is a consideration for you) makes good sense. I don’t know if I think this is so much of a “trend” as it is a sensible approach to the way people live–at least, I hope it’s not a trend. I would like to see it continue for quite some time and I think of a “trend” as a short-lived notion that comes and goes rather quickly.
So let’s hope this is one “trend” that will be with us for many years to come!
Gardendaze 