Cooperative Living Northern Virginia Electric • June 2020 • GreenThumb

If you look back to the 1920s, you see a trend that’s on the rise again — a yearning for going back to nature, celebrating a lush, green and bird-friendly environment. Those gardens overflowed with all sorts of greenery, fishponds, birdbaths and bird feeders.

Today’s interest in sustainable gardens offering a home for pollinators is not too different from the desire for bird watching and natural gardening of 100 years ago.

A new survey by the National Garden Bureau, which is observing its 100th anniversary, found fascinating trends among today’s gardeners, both expert and novice, which might inspire ideas for your own gardens.

More than half (57%) of those age 35 and under said they use their green space to grow their own food. That interest was echoed by respondents over 35, with 65% saying they planned to turn at least part of their future gardens into more of a food source. Many expressed interest in growing their own herbs in their kitchens, with more than 65% of those 35 and under sharing plans to grow herbs indoors in the future.

New to growing veggies, fruits or herbs? Consider starting seeds in your kitchen or creating a small raised garden bed outdoors. Research what grows best in your region and the most ideal time for planting. Start small with just one or two types of plants, so you don’t feel overwhelmed. And grow something you know you’ll love to eat.

Gardens past and present have served multiple purposes. More than 67% of respondents 35 and under said while they want some green lawn, they also want the rest of their yard to be planted with trees, shrubs, flowers, fruits, herbs and vegetables. And more than 60% of gardeners of all ages want to grow pollinator-friendly plants and flowers.

What does that mean for gardens of the future? They’ll likely offer more variety, from the ornamental to the edible. Look at your yard and decide how much of it you want to dedicate to your garden and containers, or perhaps what other types of plants you could grow instead.

When the “Victory Garden Manual” was first written in 1943, reasons to grow your own vegetables were obvious; it was wartime and food was scarce. Statistics indicate that in 1943, nearly 40% of all fruits and vegetables grown in the U.S. were grown in home and community victory gardens.

As National Garden Bureau celebrates its 100th anniversary, it seems timely to reintroduce the concept of victory gardening with quick and easy steps to plan and grow your own vegetable garden. Before digging in, it might be helpful to create a list of vegetables that your family enjoys. From there, plan your garden space and determine if you’ll be planting in the ground, raised beds, containers or a combination. Don’t forget to add pollinator-friendly flowers to ensure vegetables are properly pollinated.

Young people are somewhat less likely to be active gardeners. Lack of time and space are the biggest hurdles to gardening. But many younger gardener wannabes hope to graduate from growing houseplants and succulents indoors to becoming gardeners in the future: 53% said they hoped to grow houseplants, with 58% planning to graduate to flowers, and more than 65% planning to grow fruits and vegetables.

If you’re thinking of taking the gardening plunge for the first time, or expanding your gardening efforts, talk to family and neighbors who have successful gardens for their advice.

For more information, tips, blogs and lots of inspiring gardening ideas, visit ngb.org.