A Conversation with Tara Nolan, Author of “Gardening Your Front Yard”

Written by Ilona Biro, FOAG Volunteer

Tara Nolan is a Dundas, Ontario-based garden writer and editor who’s already written an excellent guide to raised bed gardening. Now she’s back with another essential gardening book, one that Mark Cullen has called ‘the next great Canadian gardening book’. High praise and well-deserved for a gifted writer like Nolan, the co-founder of popular gardening website Savvy Gardening. With the launch of her new book, Gardening Your Front Yard, Nolan helps gardeners plan a vibrant front yard garden, by tapping into diverse sources of inspiration – Instagram, Facebook gardening groups, Pinterest, books, magazines, natural areas, parks and public gardens – and channeling them into visually cohesive designs that enhance and elevate our homes.

Recently we asked Nolan about garden trends she’s noticed, where she finds her own inspiration and any tips she has for those of us keen to transform our front yards. 

What inspired you to write a book about planning a front yard garden?

It was sparked by a conversation with my editor (who was also my editor on Raised Bed Revolution) about front yard patios and developed into a wider discussion about several different ways you could design a front yard. I wanted to make sure there was a strong thread of sustainability that winds its way through, so I include information about things like planting to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects, capturing rain water with rain gardens and native plants, growing your own food, etc.

How is designing a front yard garden different from a backyard garden?

I think traditionally we’ve thought of them as very distinct spaces—the backyard for relaxing and entertaining, and the front yard for show. But I think gardeners who haven’t already eschewed a lawn in favour of gardens are beginning to envision more from a front yard than grass and a tidy foundation planting. They want to put that prime space to good use.

What’s the biggest mistake people make when planting a front yard garden?

I think it would probably be ripping everything out with enthusiasm, but not having a plan in place. That just invites weeds as you figure it out. I always recommend (unless you have the time or a professional team doing the work for you) that you start small. Maybe start by widening an existing garden or adding a small raised bed among your perennials. And always consult a professional before doing any major digging.

What trends have you noticed in front yard gardens?

I’ve seen more and more homes with front yard veggie gardens, a focus on native plants, rain gardens, as well as seating areas—some with small fire bowls!

Where do you suggest people go to find gardening inspiration?

I think gardening Facebook groups can be helpful because people love to share what they’ve done, as well as following various green thumbs or hashtags on Instagram. It’s also easy to fall down the Pinterest rabbit hole when you’re looking for visual ideas. And you can easily save them. Also, check to see if your municipality offers any programs. In Hamilton where I live, there is an organization called Green Venture that has a rain garden initiative, among others.

Is it possible to create an attractive edible garden in your front yard?

I think so! Raised beds can create a tidier aesthetic than perhaps an inground garden with rows, and you can get creative with how you plant around them. It’s also possible to sneak food plants in among established perennials. Stick a fancy obelisk overtop of a tomato or pepper plant. Or plant herbs and lettuces as border plants instead of annuals.

Do you think COVID-19 has changed the way we think about gardens?

I think it’s given us a deeper connection to and appreciation of our outdoor spaces—especially when we’re in lockdown.

What would you hope that people take away from reading your book?

I hope people come away with lots of ideas. And I hope they’re inspired to do what they envision for their own front yard, without the traditional sense of obligation to have a perfect lawn with no weeds, or the concern about curb appeal and home values.