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Tag: The Garden Decoder

  • The Garden Decoder: What Are ‘Seed Banks’? (And Why Are They Important?) – Gardenista

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    Native Plant Trust

    Above: Inside Native Plant Trust’s rare plant seed cooler, one of several repositories that make up the rare plant seed bank. Photograph by Alexis Doshas © Native Plant Trust.

    With two facilities in Massachusetts—Garden in the Woods and Nasami Farm—Native Plant Trust focuses on species endemic to the Northeast, with priority given to rare species. The bank currently stores more than 10 million seeds. “Our native plants often have complex dormancy mechanisms. We may not know how to germinate all of them, so the first step is to collect seeds,” says Johnson. “The second step is to figure out how to germinate them. Lastly, and perhaps the most important, is to make sure these populations are secure in the wild so we don’t need the seed banks down the road.” Last year, Native Plant Trust worked with a sundial lupine (Lupinus perennis) population in Vermont. This native lupine is a host plant for the endangered Karner blue butterfly. After noticing that the population in this area in Vermont was in decline, they were able to repopulate it from seed stored at Native Plant Trust decades earlier. They’ll return next year to see what the success rate is. “The genetics should just knit back together as if it was just a banner year for the plants to be producing babies,” says Johnson. 

    What can gardeners do? 

    Above: Jesup’s milk-vetch (Astragalusrobbinsiivar. jesupii), a globally rare species, grows in only three places in the world: all along a 16-mile stretch of the Connecticut River in Vermont and New Hampshire. Here, this seedling, grown in Native Plant Trust’s native plant nursery at Nasami Farm in western Massachusetts, was transplanted on site. Photograph by Lea Johnson © Native Plant Trust.

    Grow native plants. “Habitat loss and habitat fragmentation is the number one threat to native plants,” says Johnson. “When you grow native plants in your yard, you’re providing habitat and that habitat can become suitable for rare plants.” Furthermore, “native landscapes sequester more carbon and benefit insects, birds, and other wildlife,” says Havens. “Plus, they avoid contributing to the problem of invasive species, which is one of the largest threats to native plant ecosystems in our region.” And please be sure to avoid all pesticides, even organic ones, which the kill bees, butterflies, and other insects that most native plants depend upon to survive. 

    Enjoy nature responsibly and use iNaturalist. Botanists benefit from community science apps like iNaturalist. Birker notes that she and her colleagues might notice someone posting photos on the app of plants they are targeting for seed collection in bloom. They’ll know that they’ll have to get out there soon to collect. That said, while you’re out in nature, it’s crucial to stay on paths to avoid trampling on plants to snap a photo and never, ever collect from the wild. Leave that to the professionals.    

    Give back to your local native seed bank. It’s a race against the clock. Help these important institutions financially, sign up to volunteer where you can get trained to help out on projects like seed cleaning, and make your support for native plants known. It’s especially important today, when the current administration is reducing funding and protections for national parks and preserves and conservation. “Talk to your local politicians and voice your concern,” recommends Birker. “And support local nonprofits and organizations doing this work.”   

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  • What Is Green Manure? Why, What, and How to Grow a Cover Crop for a Home Garden

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    There is a wonderful product to give your plants a growing boost. It takes time to work—about two to three months—but it doesn’t require too much effort, nor does it cost very much. For a small garden, you could spend less than 10 dollars. This easy and affordable way to improve your garden’s growth? Green manure. Sadly, it doesn’t come from green cows. In fact, it doesn’t come from any animal at all.

    What is green manure?

    Above: Red clover, valued for its ability to fix nitrogen, is a good candidate for green manure. Photograph by R.R. Smith via USDA.gov on Flickr.

    Green manure is essentially a cover crop, planted in late summer or early fall, that gets tilled back into the soil in spring. It generally consists of plants in the legume family (peas and beans) that improve soil nutrition and structure by fixing nitrogen and adding organic matter. When they are incorporated into the soil, they become an effective amendment.

    What are the advantages of using green manure?

    Above: At the one-acre rooftop Farm at the Javits Center, clover is grown as a cover crop to create a self-perpetuating food forest. Photograph by Valery Rizzo for Gardenista, from Garden Visit: Farming on the Roof in Hell’s Kitchen.

    Andrew Bunting, VP of Horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society explains: “Benefits include nutrient upcycling, weed suppression, adding organic matter, erosion control, help with soil fertility, and soil structure.” All of which, he says, “contributes to better water filtration, more pollinator habitats, and improved biodiversity. Certain legumes such as hairy vetch, field peas, white, red, and crimson clovers are also able to fix atmospheric nitrogen and make it available in the soil.”

    Why not just use compost?

    While compost certainly has its place in the garden, Bunting says green manure has an advantage. “Compost does not help with soil structure or weed suppression and bringing pollinators to the garden.”

    How to integrate green manure into your home garden?

    Hairy vetch, a common cover crop used for green manure. Photograph by Harry Rose via Flickr.
    Above: Hairy vetch, a common cover crop used for green manure. Photograph by Harry Rose via Flickr.

    Your local cooperative extension office can help you find the right plant for your use and your climate. Generally, green manure is sown off-season, in the late summer and early fall, with crops that can either overwinter or are winter-killed. Crops such as winter rye and hairy vetch are winter-hardy, whereas buckwheat and field peas are killed by the cold. The plants are allowed to grow for two to three months, then cut down before they go to seed, chopped up, and tilled back into the soil in early spring in time for growing season. Something to keep in mind, particularly if you live in a warmer climate with mild winters: the bed will be out of use for sowing plants until spring and at least one month after tilling.

    What plants make good green manure?

    Some good suggestions are legumes like crown vetch, hairy vetch, and clovers; grasses like winter rye and sorghum; and buckwheat—all of which germinate quickly. Want to wait a bit and sneak in another harvest? Plant some clover, which can germinate in temperatures as low as the 40s. Whichever you choose, make sure you read the instructions specifically for sowing as a cover crop. Seeds sown for cover crops are sown at a much higher rate than seeds sown for harvest. You want a thick carpet of plants.

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  • Ramial Mulch: Pros and Cons of Mulching with Ramial Wood Chips

    Ramial Mulch: Pros and Cons of Mulching with Ramial Wood Chips

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    When mulching your garden, you have many, many choices: shredded hardwood, pine needles, straw, and seashells, to name a few. One of the most common materials used for mulching is wood chips. But not all wood chips are the same. There are bark chips made from the bark of pine trees, which are very attractive and tend to last a very long time. There are industrial wood chips that are made from pallets and waste wood, which is not recommended for use in vegetable gardens due to the possibility of leaching chemicals. And there is one type of wood chips that you probably have never heard of: ramial mulch.

    N.B.: Featured photograph above by Monica Willis for Gardenista, from My Garden Story: A Secret Rooftop Oasis on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

    What is ramial mulch?

    Branches from a lime tree, ready for the wood chipper. Photograph by Arpent Nourricier via Flickr.
    Above: Branches from a lime tree, ready for the wood chipper. Photograph by Arpent Nourricier via Flickr.

    Ramial is from the Latin word for branch. Ramial mulch is a type of wood chips made specifically from young hardwood tree branches that are up to about two and a half inches thick. (In some cases, shrubs are also included in this description.) In the late 1970s, Laval University in Quebec researched if there could be a use for this lumber byproduct and they found one. Another name for this mulch is BRF, an abbreviation for its French name, bois raméal fragmenté.

    What makes ramial mulch special?

    Because the mulch is made from the youngest of branches, it is full of nutrients and minerals, as most of the tree’s resources are directed to those fast growing branches. This makes them an  almost a perfect food for your garden. Ramial mulch is essentially a mulch that also works as a soil amendment.

    What are the benefits of using ramial mulch?

    The lime branches and leaves, post wood chipper. Ramial mulch often contains leaves as well. Photograph by Arpent Nourricier via Flickr .
    Above: The lime branches and leaves, post wood chipper. Ramial mulch often contains leaves as well. Photograph by Arpent Nourricier via Flickr .

    There are more than a few benefits! First, they are chock full of all the good stuff that goes into making plants grow. Second, they are small, and break down faster than most mulches. And third, fungi and bacteria love it and start to break it down quickly.

    What are the cons?

    As mentioned above, it’s almost a perfect food for your garden—almost because the process of breaking down the ramial chips “steals” available nitrogen from the soil. And when gardeners hear that, they tend to not like it at all. But with most things gardening, it’s not that simple. Yes, the bacteria take nitrogen from the soil, but they are really just borrowing it. Once the decay process is complete and the chips have become humus, the nitrogen is released back into the soil. Keep in mind, too, that mulch is on top of the soil. Your plants’ roots are deep below the top inch of soil where all of this is happening, meaning established plants won’t be affected.

    Where and when should you use ramial mulch in your garden?

    You can use it at any time in established beds, but don’t add it to your vegetable beds or beds with seedlings during the growing season because of the nitrogen issue. Wait until you’ve cleared them in the fall to add it. This gives it time to break down and have the nutrients available in the spring.

    How do you find ramial mulch?

    Since it is a lumber byproduct, ramial mulch can be hard to find if you aren’t anywhere near commercial logging locations or near Canada. You will need to be a bit creative. Contact your arborist. In their process of trimming trees, they could offer you the chipped trimmings. This may also include larger branches. Your local fruit orchard may also be able to provide ramial mulch. Or, you can make your own by renting a chipper and feeding it the prunings from your yard.

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  • Pee-cycling: How to Pee-Cycle at Home to Make Free, Natural Fertilizer for Your Garden

    Pee-cycling: How to Pee-Cycle at Home to Make Free, Natural Fertilizer for Your Garden

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    What if I told you that you have unlimited access to one of nature’s best fertilizers? And best of all, it’s easy to make and free? Read on to learn all about pee-cycling.

    What is ‘pee-cycling’?

    Above: A composting toilet in a stylish outhouse by Commune Design. These days, one can buy composting toilets that divert urine for use as a fertilizer. Urine diverting attachments are also available. Photograph by Stephen Kent Johnson, courtesy of Commune Design, from A Hollywood Director’s Refined Off-the-Grid Cabin by Commune Design.

    Pee-cycling is essentially upcycling your urine into a fertilizer for your plants. Human urine, which is typically free of harmful bacteria, can be used as fertilizer because it has nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—the “NPK” that’s on the label of your store-bought fertilizer.

    This isn’t a new idea. Urine has been used as a fertilizer for millennia. The ancient Chinese, Romans, Egyptian, and Incas, to list a few, all used liquid gold as a fertilizer. Pee-cycling is making a comeback in eco-conscious circles because of its appeal as a natural, renewable resource. The manufacturing of petroleum-based chemical fertilizers is adding to the climate crisis, not to mention runoff from synthetic fertilizers can lead to algae blooms that can kill animals and plants.

    What are the benefits of pee-cycling?

    Above: Diluted urine (1:5 ratio) is great for nitrogen-loving tomatoes. Photograph by Marie Viljoen, from A Movable Garden: Saying Goodbye to a Brooklyn Backyard.

    Pee-cycling creates a circular model of production and consumption, where waste (urine) is reused instead of discarded. It saves water, since you’re not using water to flush your urine down the toilet. It saves money since it’s a free, renewable resource you can make yourself. And replacing your reliance on store-bought chemical fertilizers with a sustainable, all-natural version means less fossil fuels pulled from the earth and less carbon released into the atmosphere.

    And plants seem to love it. In a recent study, farmers in souther Niger found that urine, either used in conjunction with animal manure or alone, increased harvest of pearl millet crop by about 30 percent.

    How do you collect your pee?

    Rich Earth Institute sells its Funnel and Dispensing Spout for $60 on Etsy. They
    Above: Rich Earth Institute sells its Funnel and Dispensing Spout for $60 on Etsy. They’re compatible with Zoro’s 5-gallon and 2.5 gallon containers.

    If you’ve gotten this far, and you’re intrigued and want to learn how to do it yourself, here are your next steps. Humans produce one to two liters of urine a day, and collecting is the hardest part of pee-cycling. Those who are committed to pee-cycling may want to purchase a urine-diverting toilet, like the Eco-Flush, which separates solid waste from liquid. Those who are curious but not ready to commit may want to purchase a funnel and container (to create what is essentially a portable potty) from Rich Earth Institute, a Vermont-based nonprofit that advocates for the use of human waste as a resource. The group recommends adding one to two cups of white vinegar or one tablespoon of citric acid per five gallons of urine.

    And even more low-commitment option: DIY a collection container by simply reusing an empty, washed milk jug, laundry detergent container, or bucket.

    What about bacteria and viruses? Human pee can be pasteurized. Don’t have a pasteurizer handy? Well-aged pee is the answer. Store urine for six months in a cool dark space to kill anything living in the pee, according to the World Health Organization.

    How do you use urine in the garden?

    If you have a dog, you know that pee can burn grass. The same thing can happen to your garden with human pee. Most plants can use a 1:10 dilution, one part pee to 10 parts water; however heavier feeders, like tomatoes, prefer a 1:5 ratio. Water the diluted mixture at the base of the plants and not the leaves. For more details, check out Rich Earth Institute’s guide on how to use urine fertilizer in the home garden.

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  • Why Are My Seedlings Not Coming Up? All About Damping Off

    Why Are My Seedlings Not Coming Up? All About Damping Off

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    You promised yourself you’d do better this year and start your seeds on time. You have the supplies, the seeds, a good location with a lot of light (or a grow light). You’ve checked the back of the seed packet and it’s the proper time to start. While there are many things that require attention when seed starting, one that can’t be overlooked is a disease called damping off.

    What is damping off?

    Above: Healthy seedlings. Photograph by John Merkl, from Gardening 101: How to Sprout a Seed.

    Damping off is a disease caused by fungi and molds and is a common problem for beginners, but even experienced gardeners have had to deal with it. Damping off attacks seed and seedlings, impeding germination, and if they do germinate, causing them to collapse and die. The disease thrives in cool and damp conditions.

    Where does damping off come from?

    The fungus can come from contaminated soil or plant debris. Do not reuse last year’s soil for seed starting. Do not use garden soil either. Both can harbor the pathogens. The infection can also be carried by insects such as fungus gnats or via a breeze. (See Fungus Gnats: How I Got Rid of Them Permanently (and Organically.) Contaminated tools, pots, hose ends that have laid on the floor, and even your dirty hands and gardening gloves, can spread damping off.

    What does damping off look like?

    Coffee seedlings with damping off in Kona, Hawaii. Photograph by Scott Nelson via Flickr.
    Above: Coffee seedlings with damping off in Kona, Hawaii. Photograph by Scott Nelson via Flickr.

    Damping off generally affects young seedlings that don’t yet have their true leaves, but it can also cause germination failure. So if your seeds are packaged for use in the current year, and you’ve met all of their needs, yet they don’t germinate, you can suspect damping off. Seedlings that succumb to damping off can look wilted or shriveled; mushy or soaked; mottled with brown or gray spots; or marked by fuzzy white growth. It can quickly spread through the entire tray.

    How can you prevent damping off?

    Erin Benzakein of Floret rests her cell flats on trays filled with water, as watering from below is preferable to watering from above when it comes to seeds. Photograph by Chris Benzakein, courtesy of Floret, from Your First Garden: What You Need to Know Before You Grow Plants from Seeds.
    Above: Erin Benzakein of Floret rests her cell flats on trays filled with water, as watering from below is preferable to watering from above when it comes to seeds. Photograph by Chris Benzakein, courtesy of Floret, from Your First Garden: What You Need to Know Before You Grow Plants from Seeds.

    • Start by cleaning and sterilizing your tools, pots, and gloves. For tools and pots, sterilize using a 10 percent bleach solution for 30 minutes. Store them in a clean location when not in use. For gloves, depending on the material, a hot wash and dry should do it.
    • Use sterilized potting soil and seal the package if you don’t use it all in one go.
    • Start seeds inside where it’s warm and dry. The air and soil temp should be in the 65°F to 70°F range. Colder temps promote fungal growth.
    • Don’t overwater: While the seedlings need water to grow, too much is a bad thing. Only water from below and use room temperature water. Anything colder can slow down plant growth and open the seedling to infection. Make sure your seed trays have good drainage.

    What do you do if your seedlings appear to have damping off?

    Isolate the tray and watch for symptoms in the others. If it turns out that damping off is present, dispose of the soil, sterilize everything, and start over. It happens to the best of us!

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  • Thermonasty: Why Rhododendrons’ Leaves Curl in the Winter

    Thermonasty: Why Rhododendrons’ Leaves Curl in the Winter

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    Baby, it’s cold outside! How cold? Let’s go check the rhododendrons. Wait…what? What do rhododendrons have to do with figuring out how cold it is? Some rhododendrons exhibit thermonasty. Which means, you can use them as a thermometer, sort of.

    Photography by Joy Yagid, unless otherwise noted.

    What is thermonasty?

    Above: Rhododendron leaves curling tighter as the temperature nears 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

    “Thermo” means temperature and “nastic” means movement—thermonasty is the movement of plant parts in response to changes in temperature. You’re likely already familiar with plant movement in the form of heliotropism, in which flowers, like sunflowers, turn to follow the sun. Nastic movement is a plant’s non-directional response to a stimulus. For rhododendrons, this means the leaves react to the cold temperatures by drooping and curling. The tighter the curl, the lower the temperature.

    Why do rhododendrons curl their leaves?

    Above: Flat leaves on a Rhododendron tomentosum in the spring. Photograph by Marie Viljoen, from Fresh Brews: Two Unusual Shrubs to Grow for Tea Leaves.

    Scientists aren’t completely sure, but they have an idea. The current hypothesis is that thermonasty protects leaves from sunburn. The native East Coast variety of rhododendrons are evergreen understory plants that have large flat oval shaped leaves that fan out like fingers on a hand. During the summer, rhododendrons are happiest in the shade or at least in partial shade. During the winter, however, they lose the protection of shade when the deciduous trees drop their leaves. Scientists believe the leaves curl to reduce the exposure to the sun. On a cold clear day, the sun’s radiation can be very strong; the trigger for thermonasty is the temperature and not the amount of sunlight.

    But don’t all plants like some sun?

    Normal flat rhododendron leaves during the winter—must mean it’s above freezing.
    Above: Normal flat rhododendron leaves during the winter—must mean it’s above freezing.

    Now, you may think that more sun is a good thing in the middle of winter. However, scientists conjecture that since rhododendrons are understory plants, their leaves don’t have the built-in protection to handle direct sunlight during the winter, when they’re in their dormant phase. The key word here is dormant. When the plant is dormant, it can’t turn that extra sunlight into food. The extra energy has nowhere to go and will result in sunscald.

    How can you tell how cold it is by looking at your rhododendron?

    Rhododendron leaves starting to droop and curl as the temperature dips below freezing.
    Above: Rhododendron leaves starting to droop and curl as the temperature dips below freezing.

    On a warmish winter day, note the temperature and go out and look at the leaves on your rhododendron. (Keep in mind your plant may be in a microclimate, if it’s, say, under a pine tree or close to a house.) The warmer the winter day, the more normal the leaves look. They will look normal even when it is just above freezing. However once the temperature drops to around 25°F, the leaves will start to droop and curl. At about 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below, they will be at their tightest.

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  • Marcescence Definition: Why Do Leaves Stay on Trees in the Winter?

    Marcescence Definition: Why Do Leaves Stay on Trees in the Winter?

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    You go for a long walk in the woods on a quiet winter day. All you hear is the crunching of snow as your boots hit the trail. The breeze picks up. And then you hear it. It starts out as a rustle, grows to low a rattle, and then, suddenly, it’s a crackling cacophony.

    It’s wind blowing through the leaves—but it’s winter, right? And shouldn’t the leaves on the trees be gone by now? Yet, there they are—brown leaves hanging onto the branches. It may not make sense to you, but it can be normal for some trees, and it’s called “marcescence.”

    Photography by Joy Yagid.

    What is marcescence?

    A stand of young beech trees at the forest edge offers an unexpected mid-winter sight: leaves still on trees.
    Above: A stand of young beech trees at the forest edge offers an unexpected mid-winter sight: leaves still on trees.

    Marcescence is when deciduous trees hold on to most of their dead leaves until spring. Only certain trees do this, mainly beeches and oaks, but also hornbeams and witch hazels and, sometimes, Japanese maples. The leaves may turn color in the fall, but they won’t fall off. Instead, they persist, wrinkled and brown, until new growth finally pushes them off the branches.

    What causes marcescence?

    A Japanese maple with marcescence after an ice storm.
    Above: A Japanese maple with marcescence after an ice storm.

    We are used to seeing bare trees in the winter in the northern part of the country, where deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall. Some, like sugar maples, put on a colorful show before they go. The process for how trees lose their leaves is called abscission. Hormones in the tree, activated by the dwindling length of daylight, are prompted to start cutting off nutrients to the leaves; by mid-autumn, they start to fall. However in marcescence, the tree cuts off nutrients but the leaves do not separate from the tree. They remain on the tree until spring.

    Why does marcescence happen?

    Red oak leaves hanging on till spring.
    Above: Red oak leaves hanging on till spring.

    No one knows for sure, but scientists have a few guesses. First, it may be to protect next year’s leaf buds from being nibbled on—younger trees and the lower branches of older trees are more likely to experience marcescence. Food for forest animals tends to be scarce in the winter. Deer will nibble on just about anything. Keeping the dead leaves on the tree is thought to protect the tender buds from being eaten. Second, marcescence may occur when there’s a need to for moisture. The withered leaves can both collect dew and direct rain to fall down within the drip line of the tree’s feeder roots. Even though it’s winter, the tree is still alive and still needs water. Third, once the leaves finally fall in the spring, they can form a layer of mulch that will lock in the moisture around the feeder roots and eventually provide the perfect closed loop fertilizer. They are exactly what the tree needs, since it came from the tree.

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  • Three Sisters Garden: What Is It and How Does It Work?

    Three Sisters Garden: What Is It and How Does It Work?

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    Below the surface, the root structure of each crop is also a finely tuned machine. Corn roots are shallow and take up the top layer, bean roots travel deeper, and the squash roots take residence in the empty spaces. This interlocking root system helps establish a symbiotic relationships with fungi and bacteria. “The bacteria fix nitrogen into a form that plants can use, and fungi form mycorrhizae that improve water uptake and nitrogen and phosphate acquisition,” says Beronda.

    What are the benefits of the Three Sisters garden?

    Above: A well-balanced complete meal. Photograph by Chris Feser via Flickr.

    Today, commercial agriculture spits out vast monocultures consisting of either corn, wheat, or soybeans, and while this one-crop method makes planting and harvesting easier, it doesn’t lead to higher productivity. “Growing plants that have complementary characteristics can lead to more sustainable growth,” writes Beronda. Basically, the benefits of this diverse Indigenous agricultural practice are productivity and a resilience gained by reciprocal relationships. Another positive aspect of the Three Sisters is that these three food sources together to make a complete and balanced meal. Corn is full of carbohydrates, beans are loaded with protein and have amino acids that are missing from corn, and squash possesses vitamins and minerals that corn and beans don’t have.

    How do you plant the Three Sisters?

    A Three Sisters Garden mound at a community garden. Photograph by Renee via Flickr.
    Above: A Three Sisters Garden mound at a community garden. Photograph by Renee via Flickr.

    Just like all great relationships, timing is everything. Because these crops are warm season plants that detest frost, plan on installing these three crops in the spring when night temperatures are in the 50 degree range. Here’s what to do: Find a full sun spot and mound your soil about 4 inches high to help with drainage and soil warmth. You will be directly planting all three types of seeds together in the same mound but not at the same time. (Directly planting a seed will encourage a stronger root system and the plant won’t have to deal with transplant trauma.) Plant in this order: corn, beans, then squash.

    1. Plant 4 corn seeds first, 6 inches apart, so it can grow above the other sisters (make sure you get a tall variety).
    2. Next, plant 4 beans 3 inches from the corn, 2 to 3 weeks later (or when the corn is a few inches tall). Good options are pole beans or runner beans (not bush beans).

    3. Once the beans send out climbing tendrils (approximately 1 week later), plant 3 squash seeds 4 inches apart at the edge of the mound. Pumpkin, Butternut, winter squash or other vine-growing types work well. The reason you plant the squash last is that you don’t want the large squash leaves shading out your baby corn and beans before they grow up a bit.

    Regarding spacing, make sure each plant has ample room to grow and not be crowded which could make them susceptible to pests and diseases. Also important is to plant enough of each crop for proper cross pollination. This is especially crucial for squash plants that need the help of insects to pollinate their flowers and for corn that appreciates a family of fellow corn. The other alternative is to plant all this in several rows, instead of a mound. A 10 x 10 foot square is the minimum size to ensure proper corn pollination.

    Any other ‘sisters’ you can plant?

    While the traditional sisters are corn, beans, and squash, you can substitute tall sunflowers, watermelons, zucchini, and amaranth, for example. The important thing to remember is incorporating plants that work in harmony together, that complement and help each other to become the best (and tastiest) they can be.

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  • The Garden Decoder: What Is ‘Goth Gardening’? – Gardenista

    The Garden Decoder: What Is ‘Goth Gardening’? – Gardenista

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    While I like to dive into the Halloween mood by decorating with pumpkins on the porch and a strings of orange lights, I have never thought to spruce up my garden for the holiday. But, according to the almighty TikTok, Pinterest, and Instagram apps, others are—by partaking in some goth gardening, an aesthetic that’s even made the list of 2024 garden trends.

    So, what, pray tell, is goth gardening all about? To help me sort through this latest garden trend, I’ve asked Janet Sluis, director of the Sunset Plant Collection.

    What is ‘goth gardening’?

    Above: A Halloween-worthy all-foliage composition of purple millet, black mondo grass, and sweet potato vine. Photograph by Meredith Swinehart, from DIY Patio Planter: Dark and Stormy Shades.

    Also known as Gothic gardening, and referring back to the Victorian Era, this style of gardening lets you embrace your dark, mysterious side, regardless of the season or the size of your space. If you have only a tiny deck, you can add some darkly hued containers filled with moody, broody plants. If your garden is larger, you can pick and choose several features of a goth garden to implement: winding paths that snake though a garden, moss-covered stones for a vintage vibe, densely planted secret areas with surprises around corners, and slightly sinister looking plants. Goth gardening isn’t reserved just for the Halloween season, though its dark drama certainly feels very appropriate for the holiday.

    Why is the goth look trending?

    “As far as hardscaping goes, there has been growing interest in all things old: crumbling stonework, rusted wrought iron, repurposed art. In general, gardening trends are moving away from straight edges and formal shapes to more winding paths and wilder looking plantings,” says Janet.

    What plants are perfect for the goth garden?

    A Nandina ‘Flirt’ shrub has red foliage year-round. Photograph courtesy of Sunset Plant Collection.
    Above: A Nandina ‘Flirt’ shrub has red foliage year-round. Photograph courtesy of Sunset Plant Collection.

    Focus on plants that are dramatic, eerie looking, and/or have dark-as-midnight foliage or flowers. You can also search for scarlet red, dark purple, and burgundy-hued plants. “Now is the time to stock up,” says Janet, since nursery growers produce black foliage plants and flowers for Halloween and dark plants can be hard to find at other times of the year.

    Below is a very incomplete list of potentially perfect plants. Remember: Although it is tempting and easy to pick plants based on looks only, please consider your growing conditions before purchasing, such as the climate, soil type, light exposure, and whether or not deer visit your garden.

    Phormium ‘Black Adder’ has been a long-standing favorite for Janet. “This is one of the darker leaved flax plants and is reliably shorter (4 to 5 feet in the garden) than others. Structurally it provides height and form to both borders and containers.”
    Above: Phormium ‘Black Adder’ has been a long-standing favorite for Janet. “This is one of the darker leaved flax plants and is reliably shorter (4 to 5 feet in the garden) than others. Structurally it provides height and form to both borders and containers.”

    • Phormium ‘Black Adder’
    • Sempervivum supersemps ‘Onyx’
    • Melianthus major
    • Cotinus coggygria
    • Cordyline ‘Design-a-line’
    • Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’
    • Mangave ‘Black Widow’
    • Hollyhock ‘Black Night’
    • Lobelia ‘Vulcan Red’
    • Heuchera ‘Black Pearl’

    What are some ghoulishly goth accessories?

    Old statuaries are perfect accessories in a goth garden. Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer, from Garden Visit: A Modern Garden for a Gothic Estate in the Cotswolds.
    Above: Old statuaries are perfect accessories in a goth garden. Photograph by Britt Willoughby Dyer, from Garden Visit: A Modern Garden for a Gothic Estate in the Cotswolds.

    For smaller gardens and more urban settings, Janet recommends getting creative with containers. “Repurpose scavenged items to use as planters and place found objects in and around them. Hunting thrift stores and salvage yards can yield all kinds of interesting pieces and are zero-waste (certainly more eco-friendly than importing heavy pots from overseas). Just make sure anything used for planting has drainage holes or can have holes drilled into them.”

    Scrap yards, thrift stores, and flea markets are great places to find affordable weathered items such as old urns, fountains, lanterns, gargoyles, wrought iron gates, even old animal cages. Creepy shadows also add mystery. You can get the effect by hanging some string lights, decorating with LED candles, or positioning spotlights on the faces of antique statues.

    Any other tips?

    Above: Goth gardens find beauty in decay. Photograph from Eccentric England: The Friendly Ghosts of Renishaw Hall.

    Consider leaving dead leaves, fallen stumps, brown seed heads, and faded flowers. This hands-off maintenance regime should be very welcoming to most—and especially to beneficial creatures like birds, frogs, worms, and even friendly snakes.

    The bottom line is to use your imagination while exploring this trend. “Gardening should be fun, not anxiety-provoking,” says Janet. “Decorate your outdoor space with whatever brings you comfort and joy. Bring dark toned tapestry rugs and pillows out, use memory evoking scents (in plants or candles), and place a comfortable chair along with a small side table someplace where you can sit and enjoy your outdoor space.”

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