2023 set to be the year for smart gardens

2023 is going to be the year gardeners focus on smart gardening, sustainability and creating an outdoor space where they can escape into nature.  

Teaming up with garden experts, shed manufacturers Power Sheds, has revealed the popular trends expected to transform gardens in 2023. 

Here are the top five predicted trends: 

1.    Smart gardening 

Smart gardening is the trend predicted to take over in 2023, according to Jack Sutcliffe, Co-Founder of Power Sheds. “People are now discovering that gardening with technology

can save time and money, lower their carbon footprint, and produce healthier plants. We expect to see a range of smart gardening products become increasingly popular next year.  

“Gardening apps can be used to help with design, identifying plants and placement or irrigation. Smart sprinklers schedule irrigation depending on the weather and can determine

breaks and leaks. We are even seeing smart mowers and robotic weeders becoming more common, automating tasks you might not always have time for.  

Gardening and technology will work hand in hand to solve problems, enhance the growing experience, and protect the environment in 2023.” 

2.    Sustainable alternatives 

“Sustainability is the topic on people’s minds right now, with many of us opting for ‘greener alternatives’ for our homes and gardens to fight against climate change. This will be a trend that we see continue into 2023,” says Allan Jeffrey, from Ultra Decking.  

“We expect to see a growth in compositive fencing. Composite decking has risen in popularity over the last few years, but we believe 2023 will be the year that we see composite

fencing become the preferred choice for homeowners. It’s eco-friendly, durable and low maintenance.”  

3.    Secret sanctuaries  

Homeowners seeking a slice of escapism are expected to create wellness gardens in 2023. Leigh Barnes from Jacksons Fencing tells us: “Creating time to unwind and relax is essential, and in recent years we have seen gardens become secret sanctuaries. Any outdoor

space is enough to immerse yourself in nature and is key to helping with mindfulness. Big terracotta pots housing leafy Mediterranean plants is a great way to achieve a natural sanctuary that feels disconnected from the outside world.”

Allan Jeffrey added: “Garden screens are also expected to grow in popularity; they’re great for adding privacy as well as dividing your outdoor space into different zones

and creating a degree of tranquillity. Garden screens can be created using bamboo, trellis, or you can buy decorative screens.” 

4.    Greek inspiration 

Leigh Barnes suggests we could see more Greek-inspired gardens popping up around the UK. “Gravel gardens and courtyards ooze Mediterranean appeal. Adding gravel in a smaller

garden to replace a lawn will reduce maintenance and keep your outdoor space looking fresh even if the hot weather arrives again during the summer months.”  

Adding stone or white walls is also a great technique used to add a Grecian touch. Timber fencing offers neutral tones, bringing all the elements together, while encouraging

planting to stand out. Introducing pergolas could be the final touch for your new garden design, creating a shaded spot to relax or entertain guests.  

5.    Porcelain tiles 

Jo Oliver, Director at TheStone & Ceramic Warehouse expects gardeners to be using porcelain tiles outdoors this year to create a link between their home and garden.  

“Bringing the outside in creates a feeling of space and works from a functional viewpoint for summer entertaining. Laying a continuous tile floor that flows from the home

into the garden will make the whole area feel much larger, even when the doors are closed. Porcelain floor tiles and pavers are ideal for this. Not only are they easy to maintain, but they are also very hard wearing and don’t stain.” 

Co-Founder of Power Sheds, Jack Sutcliffe, commented on the trends: 

“The start of the year is an exciting time for gardeners. Over the coming months, we can look forward to flowers blossoming and spending more time outdoors as the weather

starts to warm. We are big believers in sustainability at Power Sheds so, for every tree cut down and used for our sheds, three more are planted, meaning all our timber is sustainably sourced. We’re so pleased to see this trend continuing to be important to

gardeners in 2023.”