The new low-maintenance gardening method that is taking over the UK this summer
This year, Chaos Gardening is set to make a splash, offering a fresh approach that requires minimal effort but yields stunning results.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is fast approaching, and with it comes the debut of the latest gardening trends.
This year, Chaos Gardening is set to make a splash, offering a fresh approach that requires minimal effort but yields stunning results.
Following in the footsteps of other trends like rewilding and No Mow May, Chaos Gardening promises to be an accessible and exciting method for both seasoned gardeners and novices alike.
Chaos gardening, as the name suggests, involves throwing traditional gardening rules out the window and allowing plants to grow wherever their seeds land.
Whether scattering vegetable and fruit seeds or bee-friendly flowers, this method encourages a free-spirited and relaxed approach to gardening.
However, gardeners should be cautious with seeds that require deep planting to thrive, such as carrots, lettuce, or poppies.
Colin Baily of Rewild Garden Design explained: “Leftover seeds are of no use left in their packets as they will just deteriorate. Old seeds have a lower germination percentage, so scattering them is a good way to use them up.
“The end result, if vegetable seeds are mixed in, is something like a chaotic traditional potager.”
According to Andrew O'Donoghue from Gardens Revived, chaos gardening offers numerous benefits. Environmentally, it boosts biodiversity, providing a haven for wildlife and a sustainable way to produce food.
Financially, it is more budget-friendly than many other gardening methods and saves a significant amount of time.
Unlike the broader rewilding trend, which some gardeners found too unstructured for their backyards, Chaos Gardening allows for a more concentrated and controlled approach.
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Gardeners can focus their efforts on specific beds rather than letting the entire garden run wild. Despite its many advantages, chaos gardening is not without its drawbacks.
The primary downside is that gardens might lack the polished look many people strive for, given the inherently disordered nature of the method.
While it is low maintenance, some upkeep is still required to prevent the garden from becoming overrun.
Regular trimming and cutting back of plants are necessary to maintain a balance and ensure the garden remains manageable. Moreover, gardeners must stay vigilant against diseases such as Botrytis and Black Spot.
These fungal infections can spread quickly, and any affected flowers, buds, or leaves should be removed immediately to prevent further damage, as advised by Thompson & Morgan.