Outdated Boomer Garden Advice Millennials Absolutely Can't Stand

Gardening recommendations and best practices evolve over time as new research emerges and new challenges arise. And while some older gardeners stay abreast of these changes, others may not. So it's no surprise that for every amazing bit of advice an older relative or friend has on gardening, there may also be some suggestions that have long been disproved or long outlived their usefulness. Baby boomers, the generation that was born between 1946 and 1964, often, though of course not always, have views and experiences on gardens that no longer resonate with millennials, those born between 1981 and 1996. The generational views on what constitutes "messy" when it comes to lawns and gardens are two examples of this.

One of the biggest generational divides concerns lawns. Garden Research has found that under 35s often forgo lawns in favor of wildflower gardens, but older neighbors and relatives have been known to hound millennials over yards that are seen as "untidy". While many older generations, including boomers, view a neat lawn of regularly mowed turf grass as the ideal and an essential part of being a good homeowner and neighbor, according to The National Wildlife Federation, millennials often "want their gardening to have a positive aspect, so they plant vegetables alongside native plants." 

Many boomers and other age groups appreciate the value of native plants as well, but Reddit forums overflow with frustrated young gardeners whose older friends and neighbors are critical of or at least confused by their native plants and wildflower gardens. In some cases, these older neighbors have even mowed their wildflowers down. Boomers were often raised with the idea of a pristine and perfectly manicured lawn as the ideal. While not all continue to espouse this, some certainly do.

Similar to the divide over lawns, there are also disagreements between generations on the idea of "messy" plants. Confused and saddened Redditors have reported their older relatives remove beautiful trees or advise others to remove trees because they view the flowers, fruit, or leaves that drop as an unwanted mess. While not all boomers see trees primarily as a mess instead of a source of shade for the community and beneficial resources for local wildlife, it is another source of generational frustration. Suggesting some of the least messy shade trees to your older relatives could help them find a tree that meets their needs and still provides benefits for pollinators and songbirds.

While attitudes and advice on gardening may vary by generation, different age demographics arguably have far more in common than they might think. People of all ages benefit from gardening, and millennials may find that once they let their older friends and relatives know their gardening goals, the unhelpful advice (and worse) may stop. Signs to let people know they aren't looking at an unmaintained yard, they're looking at a pollinator patch, can go a long way towards increasing understanding. And offering your boomer neighbors some friendly advice on how raising their mower blades can be one of the best things to do for their lawn may improve your relationship — and their turf grass. Healthy turf grass requires far less water and fewer pesticides to maintain. Even if many millennials may never understand the appeal of making neat edges between lawns and flower beds, different generations and garden styles can coexist sustainably.