May 16, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • Page 27 (ARA) One of the driving forces in gardening is many American’s pursuit of healthier eating and greener living. This means that the new face of gardening has begun to change considerably in recent years. Today’s gardeners are younger and more urban than traditional gardeners, therefore, making unique impressions on the green world. From growing vegetables in the front yard to creating an edible wall of green on the balcony, gardening is not limited to just a half-acre plot in the country anymore. Now, gardeners use any space available for a garden, no matter how urban or small. The key is adding individuality or personality to the garden in the form of handmade sculptures, water features, bird feeders, or even the variety of unique heirloom plants that are used. Sustainability is also very important. Plants that serve a dual purpose, like lowgrowing thyme used as a ground cover in a small area or a cucumber plant that has been trained to grow up a trellis as Today’s gardeners use spaces of all sizes a green screen, are excellent examples of how many gardeners have transformed traditional ideas of gardening. Looking at gardening and plants in new ways can lead to some great discoveries, and may even increase the productivity of a green space. Here are some helpful tips to get started. Even if you only have a window, and no outdoor space, you can have a garden. An herb garden, like the Miracle-Gro Culinary Herb Kit, can be grown on a window ledge in the kitchen. No ledge? No problem. Hang a hook from the ceiling and grow plants in a hanging basket. For those with little outdoor space, try container gardening on the patio or use an outside fence or railing to grow a vertical garden. Hang pots on hooks or create a “living wall” using chicken wire, coconut fiber lining, and a quality potting mix. Then, plant trailing produce or flowers and watch the wall grow. If you have a sunny space in the yard, create a small garden using the new Miracle-Gro Ultimate Raised Garden Bed. This easy-touse kit snaps together and can easily be customized. Add nutrient-enriched soil, like Miracle-Gro Expand N Gro or Potting Mix, and plant the garden on a patio, deck, rooftop, or balcony. Produce plants are for vegetable gardens and landscaping plants are for the front yard...right? Not necessarily. The great thing about gardening is that the only necessary rules are the ones Mother Nature created: Plants need sunlight, water, food, and soil with good drainage. Go ahead and mix it up. Plant vegetables in the front yard, use strawberries in a hanging basket, or plant an herb for groundcover along a path. Tomatoes will grow beautifully next to marigolds, and sage will add a nice contrast when grown in a container alongside yellow daisies. If your favorite color is blue, plant blue flowers. If you love salsa, plant a “salsa garden” by using tomatoes, cilantro, onions, and jalapeños. Add your own touch and make it personal. The materials used can represent your style and add interest in the garden as effectively as what is planted. With adequate drainage, even an old toolbox can come to life with some potting soil and impatiens. Collect stones and small objects with kids to make garden sculptures or bird feeders. Bottle caps can be turned into ornamental “trees” and grandma’s cracked teacup could become a bird feeder with a little imagination. If you have extra produce, be sure to share it. Friends, neighbors, family, and even local food pantries will take donations of fresh fruits and vegetables. Although gardening can be seen as a science, it should also be looked as an art. Gardeners should feel free to experiment and express themselves through their gardens. Let your green space reflect your home, interests, and individuality. Make it a tradition to try at least one new thing every year. You may be surprised how much you learn along the way. Home decor evolution (continued from page 25) table. Balance a traditional mid-century candelabra with brightly colored modern candles for a centerpiece. Using mismatched vintage plates when entertaining guests is a fun way to add eclectic style to a dinner party. Play up your story. Your home is your castle, and it should reflect who you are. A personal element, like your initials or a lucky number, can provide inspiration and a starting point for looking for vintage elements for your home. Start small and build as you go, keeping an eye out for items like chests, boxes, lighting, books, art, and furniture. Decorating your space can be easy and fun – and using vintage pieces makes a chic statement about who you and your family are and how you live.