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Just like clothing and hair styles, garden- ing also goes through trends, and I'm see- ing some common ones that will likely con- tinue into the future. They are simplicity, low maintenance, growing our own food and a decrease in the use of non-natural chemical controls. The days of spending all day in the gar- den are dwindling. Most people are finding time is the biggest negative factor associat- ed with gardening, just not enough of it. Simplicity allows for us to garden and still have the time we treasure. It can take on many forms from fewer plants, to using other focal points, to the use of more of what nature provides us. Things like old trucks, tractors, old ladders and just about anything else antique are being used as garden focal points. Plants are then used around them for accent. This allows for fewer plants but still enhances the landscape. You also see the use of large rocks, logs, stumps and other natural things being used in the same way. Our gardens should pro- vide us with serenity in a busy world and not be looked at as a toilsome task. Along with the use of fewer plants, ones that are easier to maintain are also becom- ing more popular. Dwarf plant varieties, plants that are simple to prune or care for, plants with good insect and disease resist- ance (little to no spraying), and multitask- ing plants are very popular. Dwarf plants are popular because they are slow growers and don't get out of con- trol. These plants also need less pruning and don't outgrow their spot. We also want plants that are naturally resistant to insects and disease. Who wants to spend all day spraying or scouting plants for issues? Also, in the old days, you found a plant you liked and bought it with little concern for other factors. Very little planning was involved. These days, you want all these qualities in one plant. We want plants that give us three or four seasons of interest, those that have long bloom times, or even ever-bloomers, and those that basically take care of themselves. Growing your own food also continues to be on an upward trend. People have had "in the ground" gardens for years, and still do, but with container gardening gaining ground it has taken food gardening to a whole new level. We want control of what is in, and on, our foods. We want to know what fertilizers are used and what may have been sprayed on them. When we grow our own, we know for sure. This leads to "365 gardening" or grow- ing your own food all year. Containers can be brought in and grown under lights for harvest throughout the winter or the whole year. As stated above, knowing what is on, or in, our food is important. A lot of people are moving toward organic methods and I don't see this changing either. Look at the whole GEO (genetically engineered organ- isms) issue that is going on today. We want to get back to the old ways. These are just a few of the trends today, but the important thing is that people are getting back into gardening, just in a dif- ferent way. (Michael Timm is a horticulturist with Ebert's Greenhouse Village in Ixonia.) HOMES PLUS FEBRUARY 2017 4 18 Full-size Doors On Display, Our Installers Are Licensed & Bonded 16'x7', 25 Gauge...Non Insulated Steel $ 745 Lifetime Door Co. TRUCKLOAD SALE on Garage Doors & Door Openers Installed Tax Included $ 945 • Other Sizes Available • 2000 Garage Doors in Stock Special! - Take down and haul away old door for FREE! 16x7 SAVE $ 240 NOW Model 8365 ORDER A LIFTMASTER 1/2 HP GARAGE DOOR OPENER & GET 2 REMOTES & KEYPAD. $ 345 Installed Tax Included • Two-Sided Pre-Finished Galvanized Steel • R-10 Insulated • 5 colors to choose from 12645 W. Townsend (2 blocks N. of Burleigh, enter off 124th St. only) Free Estimate 262-783-4004 Monday - Friday 7am-5pm www.lifetimedoor.net 2 5 3 5 2 7 0 0 7 Full Year Warranty, parts and service on installed operators. FREE Internet Gateway with order Courtesy of Ebert's Greenhouse Village Going for an antique or a natural look is a top trend in gardening design for 2017. 2017 gardening trends focus on ease, perpetual access, organic MICHAEL TIMM

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