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By Debbi Mayster | Contributor
“Backyarding” – the practice of taking typically indoor activities outdoors into the green spaces around us – is expected to gain popularity in 2024, as stated by the TurfMutt Foundation. This organization promotes the care and use of green spaces, which encompass our personal yards, community parks, and school grounds. Next year, the TurfMutt Foundation anticipates that “backyarding” will develop into a sustained practice focused on sustainability.
“Homeowners are increasingly aware of how their yards and parks contribute positively to the environment, alongside enhancing their health and happiness,” remarks Kris Kiser, the president and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation and its parent entity, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). “Improvements in their outdoor spaces reflect various goals aimed at benefiting families, pets, and the planet.”
The TurfMutt Foundation foresees the following 10 backyarding trends for 2024:
• **Enhancing Existing Spaces (Instead of Relocating).** Due to high mortgage rates and limited housing options, many homeowners are opting to renovate rather than move. With the focus on indoor renovations complete, attention is shifting toward backyard enhancements that blend indoor and outdoor living.
• **Prioritizing Homes Near Parks or Nature.** Even those looking to downsize still desire a connection with the natural world. They recognize that backyarding can thrive in any yard size and seek greater ties to nature through nearby community parks and outdoor spaces.
• **Revival of Neighborhood Gatherings… in Backyards.** Recently, homeowners have poured resources into their outdoor living spaces, which now serve as venues for reviving neighborhood block parties right in their own backyards.
• **Creating a Fun-Focused Backyard Oasis.** To entice their children away from screens and foster connections with neighbors, homeowners are transforming their backyards into entertaining spots. Some invest in elaborate features like pools and pickleball courts, while others may designate areas for games like cornhole or small soccer fields.
• **Enhancing Care for Living Landscapes.** With homeowners valuing their lawns, trees, and flora more than ever, there is a significant investment in maintaining these spaces. This includes purchasing equipment for DIY projects and hiring professionals for tasks like pruning, treating sick trees, and rejuvenating turfgrass.
• **Opting for Real Grass.** The trend of removing natural grass in favor of synthetic alternatives is diminishing as more homeowners understand the drawbacks of artificial turf. Concerns include difficulties in cleaning, heat retention, and recycling challenges.
• **Planting for Pollinators.** Once a specialized practice, supporting pollinators through planting has become commonplace. Homeowners recognize their backyards’ role in providing food and habitat for birds, butterflies, and bats throughout the year and are carefully selecting plants that attract these creatures.
• **Incorporating Drought-Tolerant Plants.** Homeowners are becoming informed about selecting plants adaptable to arid conditions, particularly in regions facing water scarcity.
• **Blending Materials.** As outdoor living becomes integral to daily life, homeowners are focusing on creating harmonious outdoor environments. They consider a combination of landscaping, hardscaping (patios, outdoor kitchens, etc.), and natural elements (trees, rocks, etc.).
• **Engaging in Backyard Birding.** The popularity of birdwatching surged during the pandemic, and it shows no signs of waning. Birdwatching not only offers relaxation but also provides an excellent way to immerse oneself in nature just outside our homes.
For more insights, subscribe to Mutt Mail, a monthly e-newsletter featuring backyarding tips and updates from the TurfMutt Foundation here.
