As we look forward to a new year, it’s always reassuring to know that our garden is a place of peace, reflection, quiet and optimism.
In today’s world of political chaos, on-going wars, humanitarian disasters, wildlife loss, both animal and plant, and climate challenges, our gardens can be sanctuaries that we need more than ever.
Our gardens now need to be more reflective of nature and more wildlife friendly, making them of greater value in terms of the environment.
As we look at our overall garden designs, perhaps we should begin by making them more climate resilient. Weather extremes are the new reality, so all the plants we use need to be a little more cold and heat tolerant. Because of drought and water shortages, we must plant with this reality in mind.
Over the past few years, the plant breeding world has been focused on this situation, so we need to be using more of these new plants in our gardens.
Natural cooling, especially in urban areas, is becoming far more important and can be helped by planting more shade trees. Today’s selection of trees is far more adaptable to small city lots as many varieties are tall but are much narrower and columnar shaped to fit smaller spaces.
Trees help cool neighbourhoods, sequester carbon, provide privacy, offer a home for birds, help heavy rainfall to escape and provide leaves for invaluable natural compost.
Our lawns also need a rethink.
They not only help cool our lots, but they too sequester carbon, provide valuable green space and add immense value to our landscapes.
By providing good soil, one inch of water per week and using drought tolerant grasses, like tall fescues, they can be much easier to maintain.
As the avian flu remains an issue, feeding birds should change from grain bird food to natural food, like berries and the seeds of ornamental grasses.
Small ponds, too, are invaluable as a water source for birds, beneficial insects and important amphibians, such as frogs. More pollinator plants need to be available twelve months of the year.
By making your garden a four-season place of beauty, you will also have far more enjoyment.
With a new year ahead, it’s a wonderful opportunity to create a multi-purpose garden that can make a real difference in so many ways.
