The Natural Garden: Embracing Chaos and Discovery

I found myself scrolling on Instagram the other day. Looking at what others are sowing, what perennials are popping up and I noticed a pretty common theme. Most gardeners love the neat, controlled, balanced gardens, flower gardens that is. You know, proper spacing that showcases each individual plant. Neatly trimmed, deadheaded and cut at the right time for display in the house. A beautiful human controlled oasis of flowers and pollinators.

To be honest and maybe your already catching my tone, that’s not my jam. I have absolutely nothing against these well manicured gardens. Any combinations of nature, especially when people put their own creative stamp on it, I love. Personally I think that the flowers and textures throughout a garden, are a reflection of the creators personality. So there are numerous reasons why I appreciate these types of gardens, just not my style.

So I’m scrolling and thinking to myself, what is my thing? When it comes to building a garden, what type of gardener am I? Am I the gardener that is precisely planned out and manicuring each plant every step of the way to get the perfect end result? How about the opposite, the gardener who just goes with the flow, putting whatever is ready in the first available spot ? Or how about somewhere in the middle, a gardener who is a bit intuitive but also plans ahead?

I’m definitely a planner when it comes to gardening—planning is essential if you want any level of success. Understanding the needs of each plant is key, and implementing that knowledge into your garden is crucial. Of course, there are different levels of planning. Some people have the time and prefer a highly detailed garden setup. Others do a bit of winter planning and then wing it as the season unfolds. And then there are those who are still just trying to figure things out. I think I’m a little bit of all three. I enjoy creating a detailed plan but also like to improvise and adjust as I go. I’m always experimenting with new plants and setups, so I’m constantly learning and adapting along the way.

I’m also an intuitive gardener, and that shows up in a few ways. The biggest one is trying out new plant species. When you’re growing something for the first time, it’s really about experimenting—figuring out how to keep it alive. It becomes a mix of using data and then relying on intuition to find the right spot. And location can be tricky—what works in one yard might not work in another. So I tend to experiment and watch how the plant responds, which for me is a more intuitive process. I guess the more technical route would be mapping sun exposure, running soil tests, and building the garden plan around that.

My absolute favorite part of gardening is the discovery. This is where I really differ from the well-organized, meticulously tidy gardeners. I’m drawn to the chaos of nature—the unpredictability of it all. I love observing a balanced native ecosystem at work—the constant interaction and struggle for survival among microbes, fungi, plants, insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals. It all leaves me feeling incredibly grateful, and honestly, humbled. Take a plant, for example: it’s battling the weather, fending off everything that wants to eat it, and competing with other plants for limited space. I have a deep respect for that kind of toughness and resilience.

So instead of a prim and proper garden, I prefer a more natural look. Letting nature do its thing, giving the plants I grow the best chance at survival and letting them figure things out on their own. I don’t do much pruning unless it’s absolutely necessary. And as far as space goes, there isn’t much of it in my garden. Every little nook and cranny is filled with something that contributes to the balance of the ecosystem.

So, where do you fall in the gardening world? Are you a blend of planning and intuition, or do you lean more one way than the other? Do you prefer your garden to be wild and free, or do you go for a tidy, well-manicured look? Maybe you’re someone who enjoys both—a neat area here and a more natural spot there. I hope this has offered you a fresh perspective on your own gardening approach, and perhaps you’ll look at the little ecosystem in your yard in a different light. Here’s to more gratitude and happy gardening!

New to gardening and don’t know where to start? Or maybe your looking to change things up and add a native garden to attract tons of pollinators? Contact us and we can help you formulate a plan that will help you get started or create something new. We also can provide a list of native plants, specific to your exact ecoregion. This includes bloom times, flower colors, height, sun exposure, soil moisture and more. Click the links below to get started.