Finding the Garden Flow in 2018

The garden flow can be many things. It can represent the flow of energy through your garden, the effect that different features of your garden have on each other and how they work together. It can also be the way you invest your energy in the process of organizing and maintaining it, as well as the energy you get back from it.  However, it is more likely that the flow represents all of these combined.

Where to look for your flow?

In order to determine what impacts the flow of your garden there are a couple of questions, you need to ask yourself. First of all, you need to know what type of garden you want. Do you want the edible garden or an ornamental one, or perhaps a bit of both? Furthermore, it is important to establish the look. Will you enjoy a garden which is formal, informal, natural or manicured? Determine its purpose. Is this your peaceful retreat, a part of the curb appeal designed to impress the neighbors or an inviting place for birds and other wildlife to share with you? Last but not the least, ask yourself how much time you want to spend maintaining it.

Support the local ecosystem

The lot your house, or your apartment building, is now on, used to be a part of your local ecosystem. Instead of fighting to tame your garden, you should streamline your efforts and direct them at creating something that will once again be a part of the surrounding nature. The easiest way of doing so is by growing native plants. They are also the ones which will benefit the most from the soil you have in your garden. The need to use fertilizers or toxins will seize to exist and you will be ready to welcome the local wildlife. Birds will be nesting, and squirrels will be running around. Make sure you plant some of the food they eat, such as nuts, berries, and seed-producing plants. This way, they will happily take care of themselves.

Provide enclosure

Another thing that comes to mind when talking about garden flow is the Qi energy of Feng-Shui. According to this philosophy, as well as the current trends and the needs of most people, you need to protect your garden from all sides. Use fast-growing hedge for instant effect, or plant small trees along the edges of your lot. Shrubs can be used as separators in your backyard, so you could, for example, place a lonely bench for private conversations or peaceful reading. Rather than planting a “wall”, plant greenery at several height levels and it will provide the equal amount of privacy as a grove of big trees would.

Utilize the space

There are a lot of people who cannot even consider planting big trees, due to the size of their garden. Many will use their balconies to create a green oasis in the middle of an urban jungle, as they now famously call it. You need to do the same thing that people who live in small homes do, utilize every inch of space. Your garden should be completely free of any clutter. Use multi-purpose and built-in features. Also, you can create a vertical garden and grow plants on several different levels.

Keep your garden colorful all year round

Traditionally, it is ok to have a withered garden during the cold seasons when it is not used as much, as long as it is tidy. However, the trend has changed and gloomy is no longer acceptable. You need to maintain the same energy flow, and this time it will be with less effort. This can be achieved with evergreen plants which can introduce color to your winter garden. Plant evergreens which change color. Also, there are evergreen winter-flowering shrubs which will make your garden look alive. If you don’t have a lot of time on your hands for gardening, plant some of the low-maintenance plants like herbs, succulents, and fern which you can water with convenient retractable Hoselink hose reels.

Add unique features

Every single plant you have in your garden will make it look unique, however, if you want to make it truly distinctive, use garden art. Instead of buying whatever is available at your local garden-supply store, build something yourself, or invite friends to assists you. You can even hire an artist to help you do the finishing touches in your garden and create perfect centerpieces, thus embedding their work of art into your work of art.

Let energy produce energy

Physicists explain that energy cannot be created nor destroyed but it can simply change from one form to another. You can visit your local lighting supplier for an advice on the best garden solar lights to use.  Using them will let you witness the smooth transition of energy. It is also very eco-friendly and not wasteful.

Nature goes well with nature

The upcoming home décor trends are very big on natural materials and the same applies to gardening and landscaping trends. Your garden is already filled with nature so use something which seems like it belongs there. The most popular materials are wood and rock. Each rock is different and that is what makes them beautiful. Use rocks and pebbles for edging, mulching or as a playground surface.

The garden essentially belongs to you. It is impossible to give the exact instructions on how to get the right flow. Use everything you have learned, adjust it and combine it to fit your vision and the purpose. That is how you will find your garden flow not only this year but every year.