The internet’s latest backyard obsession over the past year has been “lemonading”. This exciting new way of gardening is less about a radical new strategy and is more about a perspective shift. Inspired by the phrase, “when life gives you lemons,” lemonading means transforming gardening mistakes, dying plants, or imperfect spaces into something fresh and joyful. This trend finds its roots in TikTok and Instagram reels where gardeners repurpose setbacks into artful designs, new plantings, or quirky upcycles. But, in my opinion, lemonading isn’t just a social media fad; it’s a new mindset that is reshaping how people relate to nature and imperfection itself.

What does “Lemonading” mean?

To be direct, lemonading is a trend where gardeners “make lemonade” out of metaphorical lemons by finding beauty, humor, and purpose in what has gone wrong. Repurpose a dead rose bush into a pollinator corner. Reuse broken pots and creative planters or mosaic edging. Paint over garden furniture ruined by the weather rather than replace it. In a nutshell, lemonading is about resilience, creativity, and sustainability. It is a celebration of imperfection and resourcefulness. And underlying it all is a focus on learning. Failure is a necessary step towards learning, and lemonade-making helps us see that.

How to Lemonade Your Garden

For one thing, it’s important to know that it’s less of an action you take and more of a mindset shift that leads to new ideas and new actions. First, analyze what went wrong. Did you overwater or underwater some plants? Was there pest damage or soil erosion? The point is to take whatever went wrong and not hide it, but spotlight it in a way that transforms the mishaps into something even more beautiful than before. Rethink and repurpose the failure as a design cue. For example, convert a failed vegetable garden into a wildflower patch. Turn a storm-felled branch into natural garden art or seating. Make compost or mulch from plant debris. Whatever you do, you can turn the unassuming into something beautiful or useful.

That is the essence of lemonading, but many influencers online are taking it a step further by injecting fun into the project. Add color with paint or add whimsy with placement. Many DIY lemonading projects include upcycling container planters, funky labels for rescue plants, intentionally mismatched garden furniture, and more. Then, once you’ve done your work, don’t forget to share it! The social side of this whole thing that has allowed it to reach the minds of thousands of gardeners across the world is that you can post before-and-after photos. Show how you turned a disaster into a delight with hashtags such as #lemonadinggarden or #makinglemonade. Doing this encourages community involvement, learning, and positivity.

Why Lemonading Blew Up

The trend began sometime in 2024 and slowly gained traction throughout 2025, and is expected to take over the gardening world in 2026, driven by creators like @TheGardenLemon, @PlantRehab, and @EcoJess. The tone was cheerful. It challenged that perfectionism that so many of us were raised with and encouraged an honest, “no shame” approach to gardening. This general sentiment aligns with the post-pandemic values many people around the world have adopted, such as sustainability, creativity, and emotional well-being. This aesthetic counterbalances the perfect garden aesthetic of magazines and encourages authentic and approachable gardens. Lemonading reminds us that gardening is therapy! It reframes frustration into empowerment and can remind us to do this in all aspects of our lives.

Why Lemonading Matters to Everyday Gardeners

Lemonading is so significant because anyone can do it! You don’t need expertise or to be perfect to participate. In fact, the emphasis is on learning. Asking yourself, “How can I learn from this?” is the ideal first step. Lemonading reduces waste and saves money through scrappy creativity. The mental shift is going from “get it right” to “enjoy the process”. Lemonading can encourage more people to garden by building confidence, especially in beginners! It turns gardening from a perfectionist pursuit into a joyful, ongoing conversation with nature.

Turn Garden Problems Into Gold

Lemonading proves that a ruined garden can still be full of life and purpose. So, next time something fails in the garden, don’t hide it or feel bad about it… lemonade it! In a world obsessed with flawless lawns and curated feeds, the best gardens might just be the ones that bloom despite imperfection. Don’t be afraid to throw out your original garden plan for the year and just go with the flow! Grow what will grow and make lemonade with the rest.

Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer

I am a native of Southwestern Michigan, where I currently reside. I love all things plants! After completing a Bachelor's Degree in Horticulture, I found a dream work-from-home job that allows me to share my passion. Now, I spend my days writing for TLM, playing with my dog, eating delicious food with my husband, and plotting my next landscape or gardening move. I believe everyone should get down and dirty in the soil now and then. Happy Gardening!