How to achieve 2022 garden trends on a budget

This is a collaborative post with Ningbo

It’s coming to that time of the year when we’ll (hopefully) be spending more time outside. Warmer weather and lighter evenings mean that some days we could be outside more than we’re inside. But after a long winter your garden may be a looking a little neglected. Worry not though, today we’re going to be looking at how you can achieve all the garden trends for 2022 on a budget!

When it comes to getting your garden ready for summer 2022 the three main areas you need to be concentrating on to hit this years trends: colour and styling, on trend blooms and sustainability. Ningbo have a great guide to getting ahead of this years garden trends which I highly recommend checking out for inspiration. But for now lets take a look at how to tackle these 2022 garden trends on a budget.

Colour and styling

2022 is all about contrasting colours. Think delicate pastels teamed with bright, fiery hues. Bold blues and coral reds look fantastic offset with pale pinks and mint green. Easy ways to introduce this trend can be with planters or accessories such as outdoor cushions. Pretty much any colour scheme goes so you can totally style your outdoor space to your own tastes but the key is strong variation not matching hues.

When it comes to styling and features there’s no doubt that we’re starting to see a lot more of a crossover between our indoor and outdoor spaces. It’s definitely one of the more positive things to come out of the last few years. Big features include office gardens, bars, hot tubs and outdoor kitchens. However there are much cheaper ways to incorporate that indoor feel into your outdoor space. Think soft furnishings like outdoor rugs and cushions as well as candles to add that cosy feel to your garden. It’s an easier and much cheaper nod to the trend that will allow you a space for quiet reflection.

On trend blooms

Planting flowers is perhaps one of the easiest things you can do to brighten up your garden. My annual trip to the garden centre for a fresh set of blooms is one of my favourite times of the year. There’s a way to make even this budget friendly too. My top tip is to stick to smaller local nurseries rather than big garden centres with shops and cafes. I love a trip to a garden centre but their plants come with a much higher price tag then if you were to visit a simple nursery.

A big trend for 2022 is homegrown bouquets so if this sounds like something that appeals to you then you’ll need the right plants. Cosmos, dahlias, alstroemeria, zinnia and poppies are all great for this. The good news is that these flowers all come in a wide variety of colours from whites and pastels to deep oranges and red. Perfect for hitting 2022’s colour trend too!

Sustainability

Sustainability is a trend I see growing year upon year. In fact I would say that in just a few years it won’t be classed as a trend anymore and it will become part of everyone’s natural thinking when it comes to gardening. For now though there are a few key focuses to pay attention to when it comes to making your garden more environmentally friendly. Not only is this trend great for the environment but it’s naturally budget friendly too. The very nature of conserving and reusing means it’s great for your bank balance!

No dig gardening has become pretty popular. Instead of disturbing the soil, you take a more hands off approach by adding compost on top of the soil instead. If we’re going to get into the science of it for a minute it means the compost is naturally broken down and gradually incorporated into the soil which in turn means the soil keeps its natural structure allowing more carbon to be stored in the ground which is great news for global warming.

Saving water is high up on the list for many gardeners. All those beautiful on trend blooms need water and while we usually have a good mix of weather in the U.K over spring and summer there are times when rainfall is low and your flowers will need a helping hand. The easiest way to save water is with a water butt, they’re relatively low cost to purchase and will save on your water bills.

Upcycling is having a a big moment when it comes to reusing items for planters. It’s great for the environment and it saves you spending money. Colanders, tin cans and old wheelbarrows all make great planters and they can be easily painted to refresh their look.

Which 2022 garden trends will you be incorporating into your outdoor space? Share your garden plans in the comments!