How to create a modern farmhouse garden

Grow a slice of country life

A modern farmhouse garden conjures the most enchanting elements of country living: the crunch of gumboots over gravel, chickens free-roaming, and delicious produce fresh from your own vege beds – only with the country idyll tamed to fit the clean lines and minimal plant palette of a modern landscape. Within this contemporary country framework, the modern farmhouse garden captures the most evocative elements of rural life: a strong connection to the natural landscape, an emphasis on sustainability and self-sufficiency, and above all, a vibe of relaxed hospitality. Here’s how to harness the look within any size of garden, including:

• Modern farmhouse garden essentials that focus on outdoor entertaining and a vege patch.
• A focus on sustainability, climate resilience and waterwise structures.
• Using natural materials such as wood, river pebbles, stone, terracotta and oxidised metal.
• Edibles, potted plants and feature trees all add to the modern farmhouse aesthetic.

Modern farmhouse must-haves

A picture of rural idyll is painted with images of warmth and welcome – open doors, long tables under trees, and platters of homegrown produce. Thus, in a modern farmhouse garden, the emphasis will always be on outdoor entertaining.

• A generous table and comfy dining chairs. This will set the scene for long lunches, while lounge chairs grouped around a firepit are a recipe for convivial conversation.
• A firepit. This also ticks another box, that of year-round usability; add warmth to alfresco dining areas in other ways with outdoor gas or electric heaters.
• A pergola. A classic inclusion for a modern farmhouse garden. To combine utility with aesthetics, grow a deciduous vine, like ornamental grapevine, over it which will provide welcome shade in summer and allow warming sunlight in winter.
• A vege patch. “A modern farmhouse isn't complete without a vege patch,” says horticulturist Tammy Huynh. Raised garden beds have several pros: they’re easy to access, can be filled with quality soil, plus they look attractive and ordered. Reminiscent of water tanks, circular or curved steel beds are a fantastic fit for a modern farmhouse garden. Or Tammy suggests, “Recycled sleepers are a great choice as they're durable, full of character and rustic charm.”

Sustainable landscaping

Country gardens demand a focus on sustainability and climate resilience, but this attitude – and aesthetic - can be applied to any garden, rural or urban. Waterwise structures are a must-have, and a rainwater tank can be not only a practical addition, but a striking visual statement. Connect it to water-smart drip irrigation for well-mulched gardens.

From a plant perspective, sustainability might mean making selections for your modern farmhouse garden that are less thirsty and that encourage biodiversity, like hardy natives. Lawns are sometimes described as ‘green deserts’ for their lack of diversity – consider including a tapestry lawn instead; this lawn alternative is comprised of a patchwork of flowering perennial groundcovers and returns the benefits of pretty flowers, food for bees and other insects, and the low-maintenance perk of barely any mowing.

Modern farmhouse materials

While simple, clean lines give this look its modern edge, the farmhouse aesthetic demands a degree of rusticity. Incorporate raw materials with organic and unfinished textures, like natural stepping stones, chunky hardwood sleepers and barn-style shiplap structures in strong black or lighter hues. Hardwood decking is a natural choice. Gravel paths and courtyards are a visually soft alternative to pavers, while delivering a satisfying crunch underfoot.

While a modern farmhouse garden might be grounded in a clean monochromatic look, supplement it with colours inspired by New Zealand’s natural landscape. Give a nod to New Zealand’s waterways with river pebbles and organic-edge bluestone or schist stepping stones, and capture warm, earthy tones with terracotta pots and oxidised metal – corten steel edging on paths and garden beds is fantastic for combining curves with crisp, contemporary lines.

Which plants work in a modern farmhouse garden?

A restrained plant palette puts the ‘modern’ into modern farmhouse style. Horticulturist Tammy Huynh recommends focusing on, “Hardy, low-maintenance varieties that provide structure, interesting textures, and seasonal interest.” She adds, “Look for plants that serve a dual purpose, like an olive or bay tree, which are both edible and ornamental.” Tammy suggests:

Edibles: Olive or bay trees, lemon scented myrtle. Fill pots with herbs – sage in terracotta pots or thyme as a ‘spiller’ plant.

Potted plants: Trees like flowering gum, silver dollar gum and Eucalyptus ‘Silver Princess’ can be potted or planted in a bed. For shrubs, consider westringia, Grevillea ‘Anzac Spirit’ or ‘Ned Kelly’, Correa alba, ‘Bush Pearl’ kangaroo paws, and Banksia ‘Birthday Candles’. Compact plants might include Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’, fan flowers (Scaevola), yellow buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum);

In garden beds: Feature trees like manuka (Leptospermum scoparium), Acacia cognata ‘Limelight’, callistemon, hakea, flowering gum, silver dollar gum and Eucalyptus ‘Silver Princess’. Add movement with grasses like lomandra, carex or blue fescue. Shrub ideas include corokia, lavender or bush germander (Teucrium), salvias or kangaroo paw. For groundcovers, consider leptinella (native button daisy), creeping boobialla, Acacia cognata ‘Cousin It’, Australian native violet and Grevillea ‘Bronze Rambler’.

Ready to design a modern farmhouse garden?

Why not start by building a raised garden bed with sleepers for your edibles?