Raise your hand if you started a garden in 2020. If you did, you’re far from alone. According to Garden Media’s 2021 Garden Trend Report: The Great Reset, you’re one of 16 million other people who embraced this hobby last year. Whether you built your first raised bed, adopted houseplants, planted a tree, refreshed your front garden, or started tomatoes from seed, you’re part of a growing movement that doesn’t seem to be slowing down in 2021. If you missed out on the great garden explosion of 2020, that’s ok too. It’s never too late to adopt this hobby.

To help you out, we combed through Garden Media’s comprehensive report and pulled out three of our favorite trends for 2021. No matter your experience level, this should give you ideas for developing your gardening knowledge this year.

Edible Gardening

Last spring, when quarantine hit, lots of us picked up hobbies and activities we wouldn’t have tried normally (looking at you, sourdough bread bakers). One of the biggest trends to surface was growing food. According to the Garden Media report, Google searches for “victory garden” hit their highest levels ever on April 5, 2020.

Edible gardening is primed to be a popular activity again in 2021. According to the trend report, sixty-seven percent of adults are either actively growing vegetables, fruits, and herbs, or they have plans to.

One of the great things about edible gardening is that it can be done on any scale. If you have a large yard and lots of sunshine, build raised beds or prepare a growing area using gardener Charles Dowding’s no dig method. If you live in an apartment, you can still grow plenty of plants in pots, including herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and even citrus fruit.

Miniature Plants

One of the most essential ingredients of successful gardening is patience. Plants take time to grow and develop into their final form. If waiting isn’t one of your particular skills, mini plants are an option. According to the Garden Media report, small-scale plants are gaining popularity because they fit in any space. They also provide quicker—if not instant—gratification.

“Cuteness aside, tiny plants are the perfect choice for plant keepers with limited space and time. Tiny plants grown on your windowsill, under grow lights, or under glass – can feed your plant addiction without cramping your style,” shares Leslie Halleck of Halleck Horticultural LLC in the trend report.

Mini succulents and air plants are fantastic, low-maintenance options for adding some green decor to your house. You can also go mini with petite varieties of your favorite fruits, herbs, and vegetables.

Lawn Alternatives

It might not be news to Californians, but lawn alternatives are on the rise. According to the trend report, sixty-seven percent of people polled in a National Garden Bureau survey said they wanted to explore lawn alternatives while still retaining some traditional lawn space.

Doing this can not only give you a more unique front yard, but it can also provide a better habitat for wildlife and encourage pollinator activity if you choose the right plants.

The future of gardening in 2021 is bright and bountiful. Branch out (no pun intended) and try implementing one of these trends yourself this year.

Between stay-at-home orders and the remote-based “new normal” of the Covid-19 pandemic, researchers estimate that around 42% of the population is currently working from home. While working from home is a dream come true for some people, the situation is less than ideal for many others.

Here we’ll showcase a few simple rituals that can help make working from home easier, more productive, and more balanced.

Set Your Working Hours

If you’ve been working from home, you’ve likely experienced how difficult keeping a work-life balance can be. It’s hard to focus on work when you’re surrounded by your family, chores to be done, and an office that feels like your living room (or is…). Likewise, it can be hard to turn off at the end of the workday and enjoy your free time when there’s no separation between work and home.

The first step to create a healthier work-life balance while working from home is to create your schedule. It’s best to stick to the same schedule you used when going to the office, but feel free to tweak it to make it work for you, your family, and your new lifestyle.

Start the Day with Intention, then “Eat the Frog”

Starting the workday off on the right foot is easy when you set your intentions ahead of time. This is extra important when working from home, where your workspace may be less organized than at the office.

Start by getting a cup of your favorite coffee or tea. Then, sit down at your desk and close your eyes. Visualize the day going smoothly as you accomplish everything that needs to get done. Finally, open your eyes and write a short list of the 3 main tasks for the day.

 

Level Up Your Space

All workspaces are better when they’re designed to help us stay focused and comfortable. Make sure your space is clear and tidy. Do you have easy access to all your important tools, files, and notes? What about the comfort of your work area? You may consider trying a new chair, adding back support cushions, or adjusting your keyboard or computer screen to ensure that you have a healthy posture throughout the day.

Set the Mood

Now, create the best ambiance to help you focus, be creative, or stay motivated. Smart playlists can keep you entertained while you tackle your tasks. A favorite candle or brain-boosting aromatherapy can improve your mental focus and melt away stress.

Feed Your Brain

Don’t forget to stay hydrated and well-fed. Working from home often leads to either too-frequent refrigerator trips or forgetting to eat all together. To cure both issues, prep your lunches ahead of time, keep healthy snacks like nuts and fruit at your desk, and remember to drink water throughout the day.

 

Here are a few simple recipes we can cook up at home to celebrate Mid-Autumn this year!

But First – What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?

Mid-Autumn Festival is observed in China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. The Lunar event is recognized as the Harvest Moon, lighting up the night sky for the farmers who are harvesting.

The Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates many traditions including family reunions, special foods, mooncakes, and lanterns. Its purpose is to honor the hard work that has been done over the last year. The full moon is considered a symbol of reunion, which is why families from all over gather to celebrate.

A Mid-Autumn Festival Feast at Home

Being able to cook traditional food for the Mid-Autumn Festival is all part of the experience. Here are a few recipes to try with your family at home this year.

Autumn Mushrooms and Chestnuts

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons corn starch
• 3 1/2 ounces fresh chestnuts, peeled (about 1 cup)
• 9 ounces assorted fresh mushrooms (such as button, shiitake, or enoki), sliced (about 1 1/2 quarts)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2-inch knob ginger, peeled and finely sliced (about 2 teaspoons)
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely sliced (about 1 teaspoon)
• 2 scallions, white parts only, finely sliced (about 3 tablespoons)
• 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• Kosher salt
• Steamed rice for serving

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine corn starch with 2 tablespoons of water and set aside. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.
2. Cook chestnuts in boiling water until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove with a strainer, drain, and set aside. Add mushrooms to boiling water, cook for 1 minute. Remove with a strainer, drain, and set aside.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a wok over medium heat until shimmering. Add ginger, garlic, and scallions, and cook, stirring, over until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add chestnuts and continue stirring for 1 minute. Add mushrooms and stir for 1 additional minute.
4. Increase heat to high. Add dark and light soy sauces, stirring to combine. Add cornflour and water mixture and reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring, until sauce is thickened and coats the mushrooms and chestnuts, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in sesame oil, season to taste with salt if necessary, and serve immediately with steamed rice.

 

Shanghai Sticky Pork Belly

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds pork belly, skin on, in a single piece
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 inch knob ginger, peeled and finely sliced (about 2 teaspoons)
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely sliced (about 1 teaspoon)
• 2 scallions, white part only, finely sliced (about 1 1/2 tablespoons)
• 2-star anise pods
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
• 1/4 cup light soy sauce
• Steamed rice for serving

Directions

1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add pork belly and cook for 5 minutes. Drain and allow to cool slightly. Slice belly into 1-inch cubes.
2. Heat oil in a wok over medium heat until the oil starts to shimmer, about 1 minute. Add brown sugar and stir until the mixture begins to caramelize about 1 minute.
3. Increase heat to high. Add ginger, garlic, and scallions, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add star anise and cinnamon stick and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add pork cubes, stirring until the meat is well-coated in caramel. Add soy sauce and Shaoxing wine and stir to combine.
4. Add enough water to cover the pork and bring it to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 2 hours, stirring occasionally until the sauce has thickened and is dark brown and glossy. If liquid begins to dry out, add enough water to cover the meat and continue simmering. If the sauce appears thin and diluted, remove pork after 2 hours and reduce the sauce to desired consistency before returning pork to wok to gently reheat.
5. Serve pork with sauce, accompanied by steamed rice.

 

Stir-Fried Bok Choy

Ingredients

• 4 medium heads bok choy (about 2 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 inch knob ginger, peeled and finely sliced (about 2 teaspoons)
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely sliced (about 2 teaspoons)
• 2 scallions, white parts only, finely sliced (about 1 1/2 tablespoons)
• 1/2 teaspoons sugar
• Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions

1. Rinse bok choy and cut each head in half lengthwise.
2. Heat oil in a wok over medium heat until oil simmering. Add ginger, garlic, and scallion, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Increase heat to high. Add bok choy and stir fry until outer leaves have wilted (about 1 minute.) Add sugar and season to taste with salt and cook, stirring, for 1 additional minute. Remove from heat, add sesame oil, season to taste with more salt, and serve.

 

Don’t Forget the Mooncakes!

As you’re planning your Mid-Autumn Festival feast, don’t forget the most traditional treat of the season: the mooncake! The mooncakes represent a full moon and symbolize togetherness and unity. Just as the mooncake comes together in a circle and is connected, so does our family – near and far – during the Autumn Festival.

Don’t forget to pick up your authentic mooncakes from Honey Bakery in Long Beach to complete the celebration with your family!

 

Now that autumn is in full swing, the leaves are changing into show-stopping colors. Now is a great time to get outside and immerse yourself in the beauty of the season.

While SoCal might not get as much press as New England when it comes to fall foliage, this area is home to some beautiful walks, drives, and autumn adventures. So, grab your favorite fall beverage (it is Pumpkin Spice Latte season, after all!) and head out for a relaxing afternoon spent soaking up the glorious autumn beauty!

• Stroll Through the Huntington-Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Garden 

Located near Pasadena in San Marino, twelve miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles, The Huntington’s Botanical Garden is open for autumn floral and foliage viewing. The garden features 16 themed gardens and 15,000 varieties of plants, meaning there is always something in bloom and you’ll see color everywhere you look! Parking is free, but you will need to reserve tickets online in advance, whether you are a member of the gardens or not.

• De-Stress at Descanso Gardens
  Descanso Gardens is an urban retreat that encompasses 150 acres consisting of world-renowned botanical collections, woodlands, and chaparral. Wander through the rose garden, a favorite area that is devoted to America’s most popular flower. Or, take some time for meditation at the Japanese garden. Here you’ll find a koi-filled stream, plants native to Asia, and North America’s largest camellia collection. You can also explore the Oak Forest, which is home to century-old trees, as well as the Ancient Forest. There’s even an edible garden, Nature’s Table, that contains fruit trees and seasonal vegetables for the foodies in your family.
• Take it All in on the San Bernardino Town Trail

When you’re ready for a hike a little further out of Long Beach, head to Town Trail, near Big Bear Lake (about 2 hours away). This is a 2.3-mile trail that is easy and enjoyable where you can see endless trees and flowers. It’s great for hiking, running, mountain biking, camping, nature trips, and is dog friendly. The trail offers fantastic views of fall foliage and even a chance to see some wildlife. Because the trail is moderately trafficked, be sure to bring your mask and practice social distancing.

Autumn is such a beautiful time of year. The beauty of the changing seasons makes is the perfect excuse to get out of the house and into nature. Breathe some fresh fall air and enjoy all that the season has to offer!

P.S. Due to our rapidly changing world, always check these area’s websites before leaving for your outings to stay up to date on COVID closures or other safety information.