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In the recent year the look of the backyard and garden area has been changing. There is more of an emphasis on extending the home living space into the backyard and making better use of whatever outdoor space is available, even what would be considered a “postage stamp” garden area.
photo credit: brewbooks

Larger backyards are also being broken up into outdoor rooms by designing the backyard into areas that have their own use or activity. These open rooms are then designed to flow together to create an overall backyard. A secret garden, kitchen room, children’s fort play area, and a water feature area are only a few rooms that are being created for.

Plants are still part of this new outdoor living space but home gardeners are shifting to different garden styles. They are selecting plants that remind them of exotic places or a vacation destination that may be out of their reach at the time.

Sophisticated contemporary designs are also in this year. Gigantic planters planted with bold plants, trees and pampas grass are focal points in the backyard and use of strong lines and angles fill out the landscape.

Gardeners are focusing more on foliage and less on flowers. The ease of ornamental grasses has doubled there used in landscape design. And they are being accented by easy to care for flowers with vibrant colors such as reds, oranges and yellows

Gardens are also being created smaller with better planning for space and use. This trend had to do with creating gardens with less work and also creating space for the return of victory gardens and recession gardens. Many of the most successful small space gardens are combining ornamental plants with vegetables and fruits. Petite annuals, perennials, shrubs and garden produce make combining these plants successful.

And finally “green gardening” techniques are a main concern when designing the backyard. This includes planning the backyard around recycled building materials, recycled garden décor, and the use of no chemicals or softer pesticides. Controlling the amount of water used in the backyard is also important as is creating garden designs using solar lighting.

With the changes in gardening and design even the city dweller or renter should be able to create there our backyard oasis, even if it’s only the size of a postage stamp. It amazing how beautiful and relaxing these small space garden areas can be.

The Backyard Oasis, which is a site for The Gardener’s Rake is have a week long  Small Backyard Design Week starting April 19, 2009.

Stop by the Backyard Oasis for unique backyard garden design ideas that will focus on small space design, garden rooms, combining indoor and outdoor space and many other creative gardening ideas.

Technorati Tags: backyard oasis, garden trends, green gardening, landscaping, outdoor rooms, recession garden, small space garden designs

Gardening has always been one of the top ranked hobbies in America and with our economy and more people staying at home there is a marked increase in gardening sales. And with any other hobby or home-related project, there are trends that gardens and backyard décor follow. 
photo credit: tomsaint11

This year there are many different flower varieties and color combinations. The growing interest in green gardening and community gardens has brought new life and  a new swing in garden art and décor. With a few small changes your garden area can be kept current with little extra cost.

One suggestion I would make is to get your flower and vegetable seeds as early as possible, particularly potato and onion sets . With the increase in backyard gardens there will be a shortage of popular seeds and plants quickly.

Three Garden Trends for 2009

There are more than three changes but these seem to be making the biggest impact in garden décor. Color, color combinations and garden art.

Color and Color Combination

For many years the soft pastels have been in. This year the hotter color you create in the garden the more “in” it will be. You will see a mix of yellow, red and orange with splashes of white for emphasis and contrast. Hot gardens with these three colors will make wonderful accent theme gardens, planters and windowsill gardens.

And for a refreshing garden, mixes of yellow and white will be used. The mix of these two colors is energetic but the added white will also calm and cool the garden area giving it a welcoming look. The yellow and white garden also leans heavily on art pieces and the backyard patio and furniture adding to the color theme.

I saw a rustic old bench that would not have been looked at twice painted a pale yellow with white trim and the piece became the focal pint of the small garden and pond area. The bench was also picked up at an auction for a few dollars.

You can also repaint your pots and planters for the new color theme. The added benefit of yellow is it related so well to the shades for green in the gardens and yard.

Garden Art

Garden art is taking center stage in the garden this year. Antique to modern it all seems to fit. And sculpture is being added to most gardens with an emphasis on creating you own.

And for those of you who love the garden gnome, buddha  statues are replacing them in popularity and in  gardens.

As with all gardens, your primary taste will set the garden, but a splash of the new colors will add to your home. With the high costs of travel and the economy the backyard is becoming more important for relaxing and entertaining so you may want to look at the new ideas and garden colors in plants and garden décor this year

Technorati Tags: garden trends