Although the pandemic seems to have changed many things, and not always for the better, one favourable trend is a new-found interest in their outdoor green spaces.
As people began to realize summer would look incredibly different in 2020, they took to remodelling their outside living spaces. Some created vegetable gardens, some added flowers, and others completely redid their landscaping. Ralph Wirblich, the owner of St. Albert Greenhouses, has noticed a definite increase in the purchase of vegetables and flowers for gardens. Wirblich said the increase in interest means sales from 2020 have carried through and will be comparable this year to last year.
"We are seeing a lot of new- and first-time gardeners," Wirblich said.
So why are people spending so much time, effort, and money on their outdoor spaces? A survey done by Axiom, a marketing company based in Minnesota, found younger people working from are doing more gardening or beginning to garden for the first time. Of those surveyed, 41 per cent said gardening gave them something to do.
Wirblich says people being stuck at home could also mean they are looking beyond their houses and into their backyard spaces for a place to enjoy.
Danielle Larocque, a designer at Little Creek Landscaping, says she has seen a shift in focus when it comes to home projects from indoor to outdoor.
"Before pandemics, people typically did not focus on their landscaping because they could travel to parks and (do) various types of outdoor activities. Today it is different for all of us; we have the restriction of travelling and are limited to our definition of outdoor spaces," Larocque said.
And gardening isn't just an excellent way to keep you busy or give you an oasis to escape to – it can also be great for your mental health and well-being.
A clinical medicine article by Richard Thompson from the Royal College of Physicians in London, U.K., noted gardening is both beneficial to your mental and physical health. It also said physicians should encourage patients to take advantage of green spaces and gardens to help reduce anxiety and depression. The article goes on to explain spending time gardening outdoors increases physical and social activity as well as vitamin D levels, and can help lower blood pressure.
Ravanne Zaharko, a resident from St. Albert, found not only was gardening good for her mental health during the pandemic, but it also helped her stay connected, giving her more reason to reach out to friends and family members about their gardening knowledge.
"It was a great way to reach out and stay connected and at the same time not have it be just about COVID and what’s going on in the world. It could be about something lighter but also a valuable exchange of information," she said.
Zaharko, who worked as a florist, never gardened at home because it always felt like an extension of her job. However, once COVID-19 hit and she lost her job, she found gardening gave her something to do and allowed her to feel more in control during a wildly out-of-control time. Living in an apartment didn't stop her. She researched what would benefit from her space and what herbs and vegetables worked well together in pots and went on from there. This year, Zarharko will be doing it all again – with improvements – and she says she will be continuing her gardening long after the pandemic.
With all that in mind, is there any reason to think twice about jumping onto the landscape DIY bandwagon? Larocque said it's a good idea to consult a professional before starting anything significant to be sure you’re doing things right – a good call when you consider the cost of plants, trees, and other landscape material.
"Another part of the concern is the plant choice. I often see people choose unsuitable planting for their yard, which leads them to overgrow or not thrive in their climate," Larocque said
Your outdoor environment can be transformative. It might be worthwhile to give gardening a try.
Zarharko, Larocque, and Wirblich all agreed that being well informed was key to a successful gardening season. There is nothing wrong with starting small with a couple of easy plants if you are just beginning. If you're unsure where to begin, garden centres are great places to ask for advice, or if a lack of space is an issue, local community gardens can be your answer.
