Worthy Few: Styles of Gardens

There is one for every lifestyle and budget

Mar 07, 2022

Hi there, it’s Hillarie! This is your weekly reminder about the awesomeness of nature and the ideas it inspires. Keep reading for bold ideas and fresh perspectives on a life lived with nature.

Hi there! The days are stretching longer and I am seeing buds on all of the trees and shrubs around my yard. Each of them burst open in a slightly different way, and the tiny, delicate leaves point to the sky with every bit of confidence that this will be the best year yet.

What I am most excited for this year is my vegetable garden.

On my deck are two large steel stock tanks that have been blank piles of dirt for months. I occasionally stand at the bed, scraping the soil and reminiscing about the magnificent plants that gave me an (over) abundance zucchini. Sunny days remind me that good growing times are returning, and I will be ready.

Last year was my first time growing a garden, and it changed my life.

I started small and regularly reminded myself that it was a learning experience. At first it felt like a burden, but I eventually fell in love with the rituals it provided. I loved it so much, that this year I am increasing my growing capacity by 3.5x last year. Over the last several weeks, I have been pacing around the driveway, imagining my new gardening beds, bursting with fresh produce.

My garden has become my safe place and nurturing space.

It is something that brings me back to earth with everything feels chaotic and uncertain. I always know my plants will show up and put in all the effort to thrive, as long as I show up to care for them. It has been such a rewarding experience that I want to provide a simple path towards gardening for others who are unsure of how a garden could fit into their life and space.

Gardens can fit into any lifestyle and they have the potential to provide far more than a few vegetables.

An investment of time and energy in a garden will teach you so much about the world and about yourself. It will remind you of the power of patience and discipline in a world if instant gratification.

If you are ready to get your garden started, here are some styles to consider. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you have bad knees, a small budget, or plan to move soon, there is a garden that will work for you.

Let me know what kind of garden you have or want to create! Stay curious, be kind, and take care,

Hillarie

The essential garden:

Lawn Garden

First I must say that we are sold grand ideas of what a garden should be and how it should look. Unlearn all of it. Plants are our source of life and have sustained us since the beginning of time. The idea that gardens ought be displayed in a certain way is based assumes aesthetics are more important than our ability to feed ourselves and care for the environment. Nurture that space so that it can nurture you in return.

::Steps off soapbox::

Lawn gardens are a beautiful way to use the space around your home. If you have a lawn that gets at least 8 hours of sunlight a day during the summer, that is an ideal spot for a lawn garden. There are a few schools of thought on what you can do to establish a new bed, but don’t overthink it. Start by defining a space and treat it as an experiment. Right now is a great time to break up the soil, add some compost and start imagining what you can grow.

If you want to reimagine your yard that gives back to you, consider a lawn garden.

A garden for small spaces and rentals

Container Garden

If you want to garden but are overwhelmed with options, a container garden is for you. It is literally growing plants in any container that can hold soil—plus holes for drainage. This is a brilliant way to dip your toe into gardening because can use just about anything—Rubbermaid containers, 5 gallon buckets, and even bags! They are great for small spaces and are portable if you need to move.

In my first year gardening, I found that containers helped me learn more about the plants. I was able to see plants thrive in certain spots and get a good sense of what plants did well together. It also taught me how to trace the path of the sun more accurately.

If you are looking for a manageable and transportable garden, try containers.

A garden that’s easy on the joints and allows for DIY soil

Raised-bed Garden

There are a few common reasons people choose to install raised beds. First, it is the most ergonomic way to work in the garden by reducing the amount of bending and lifting. Second, reason to go with a raised bed is to control the soil composition. Some areas simply have bad soil—or none at all—and raised beds allow you to decide on the soil make-up.

This option is can be more expensive, depending on the materials that you choose to use. Raised beds can be made from just about anything—think wood, steel, bricks. Within that bed, you can fill the bottom 1/3 with natural materials, then top it off with a rich soil mix. Each year, you will add a little compost and fertilizer, and are very easy to maintain.

If you want to control your soil and go easy on your knees, try a raised bed!