Lemonading Gardening Trend

Learn about the Lemonading gardening trend for 2026, and how and why you may want to embrace it during this season.

It's always interesting to me to see what's trending in gardening. Especially during the winter months when I'm stuck inside and looking forward to spring.

What is this Lemonading Gardening Trend all About?

I'm sure you have all heard the saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Well, this is what lemonading is all about. And, it doesn't have to relate only to gardening but to life in general.

It's about "looking on the bright side of life." It's about treating obstacles as opportunities to learn and get creative with solutions.

Specifically as it pertains to gardening, Lemonading is about seeing beauty in fading blooms. It's finding ways to deal with failing plants by experimenting with new ideas or changing the environment. It also encourages finding joy in the unexpected, such as volunteers showing up where you didn't plant them and/or enjoying some plants that may be considered weeds.

Lemonading is also meant to be playful. In the garden, it promotes showing your own individuality by adding upcycled projects and creating color palettes in the choices you make.

Many studies show that gardening is good for your mental health, and Lemonading helps by bringing a positive attitude to your cultivated garden.

How to Practice Lemonading in Your Garden

Finding Beauty in the Unexpected-Happy Accidents

I love finding volunteers in the garden. In fact, one of my favorite things about gardening is walking around to see what's new and what has changed. The pretty pink Columbine, 'Nora Barlow,' showed up years after I tried to plant seeds from my friend. It was such a welcome sight.

This image shows a beautiful purple geranium flower growing up through a hydrangea bush. These happy accidents can lift the spirit and don't need to be seen as mistakes.

How about finding weeds in the garden? Above is a wild violet that showed up in the garden. Often, they are seen as weeds. They grow by runners, and though my husband isn't a fan of them in the grass, I quite like seeing them in the garden. They were also my mother's favorite flower.

You can accept and enjoy these incidents and leave them where they are, move them to another part of the garden, give them to friends, or dig them up and throw them into the compost. None of these options are wrong. The choice is entirely yours.

See Challenges as Opportunities

Choosing plants that work in your climate is always a good idea. However, you probably have micro-climates in your gardens. Challenge yourself to experiment with finding different solutions. Be open to moving them around. The hosta above once had the shade of a nearby tree. Once it was cut down, the plant was not too happy and needed to be moved. Most of all, embrace imperfections and enjoy the ever changing nature of the garden over the months and years.

Plant with a Purpose

When planning, plant shopping, or just dreaming about your garden, think about what you want it to look like. Interested in the environment and biodiversity? Add native plants that support bees, other pollinators, and wildlife. Create a butterfly puddler and/or a bug hotel for the little creatures that inhabit your garden.

Find Joy and Promote Self Expression by Creating Items for the Garden

I've shared many DIYs, upcycles, and nature crafts that work well in the garden. It's a great way to express yourself and create something beautiful and/or functional. Here are just a few examples:

• Make a garden path or stepping stones from bricks.
• Create a garden trellis from twigs and branches.
• Make an inexpensive rain chain.
• Hang homemade suet and bird seed cakes.

For someone who has been gardening for a long time in the same plot of land, this idea of Lemonading speaks to me. I don't have to feel bad about my overgrown landscape. Instead, this year, I am renewed in thinking, "What do I want to add, change, or try this season?"