What do you think?

I took part in an online discussion recently about different trends in the garden design world and one that was mentioned was the Grow Your Own (GYO) trend.  Personally, I believe that more and more people are turning to growing something edible in their garden.  Whether it is due to the economic climate, the feeling of nurturing and growing, encouraging the children or simply that it helps to keep the carbon footprint down - people are still doing it.

One or two people in this discussion thought that the bubble had certainly burst and indeed one nursery owner said that their sales of fruit and vegetable plants to garden centres had drastically dropped this year in comparison with last year. I have to admit that I was amazed by that comment whether based on fact or gut instinct; to me it just doesn’t ring true.  Take this year’s Chelsea Flower Show for example; there were lots of gardens either with an edible theme like Bunny Guinness who designed the M&G Investment garden, it was a modern take on the traditional kitchen garden using raised beds which were crammed full of produce.  The B&Q garden being the tallest show garden at Chelsea showed us how we can make small spaces attractive with flowers and still have room for edible crops even on balconies.  Both the Hampton Court Palace Show and Tatton Park have had show gardens with an edible theme too.

After speaking to the National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners (NSALG) they have told me that an average wait for an allotment is 12 months, it does vary of course depending on where you live.  A recent survey (May 2011) shows that in Coventry there are 322 people waiting and in Rugby 200 waiting.  This survey also showed that on average for every 100 plots there are 57 people waiting.* The NSALG have also said that they believe the GYO trend is continuing to expand due to the celebrity chef culture in this country.  The Edible Garden show in Stoneleigh last year surely wouldn’t have launched if they thought that GYO wasn’t vogue anymore, in fact they are due to hold the show again in 2012 it was so successful!

Some Blue Daisy customers frequently as me how to incorporate edible crops into their gardens, or ask for advice on which crops to grow whether it be in raised beds, containers or large vegetable plots or if they are growing already are proud to show me what they grow and how successful they are.   What I believe is becoming more of a trend is growing edibles in and amongst the perennial and shrub borders, some crops have the most gorgeous foliage, red chard for example, looks quite striking.

So, I rest my case, the GYO bubble has most certainly not burst it is on the up if anything so how can we account for the nursery who said their sales had decreased in fruit and veg plants?  The only thing I can think of is people are buying more seeds or simply not going to those garden centres he is supplying!!

Finally, if you want any advice on how to incorporate edible crops into your garden whether it be in containers, in and amongst the perennials or a full kitchen garden – give me a call we’d love to help create your edible garden with you!

*Survey conducted by Transition Town West Kirby & NSALG