In case you were not aware, there is a gardening game taking over the internet right now. The game is called Grow a Garden and is on the Roblox gaming platform. Within the last few weeks, it had more than 20 million users playing simultaneously. That makes it one of the most popular games the internet has ever seen.
So what is this game and how does it relate to gardening in real life? Is this a piece of technology that could be used for landscape design? I am not a gamer but I was intrigued to see why this relatively sedate gardening game was taking the internet by storm.
I downloaded it and played it to see what all the hype was about and here are my thoughts on the Grow a Garden game.
What is Grow a Garden?
Grow a Garden is a gardening simulation game where players buy seeds, plant their seeds, and then harvest and sell their produce. The plants grow and mature even while the players are offline and not tending the gardens.
The game is commerce-related, as well. Different crops garner different prices when sold and there are rare, fantastical crops that players can make millions from. Have you ever tried growing a giant beanstalk like the one from the Jack and the Beanstalk fairytale? Well, in Grow a Garden it is possible!
Why is Grow a Garden Popular?
Video games tend to be pretty action packed but Grow a Garden could be classified as part of the “cozy gaming” trend. Cozy games are defined as games that are calm and elicit a sense of wellbeing. Relaxation is part of the experience. This style of game took off during the early days of the pandemic with hits like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley. Both games feature players visiting each other’s villages, growing crops, and trading with each other.
Allie K., Gardening Know How’s Senior Manager of Revenue Strategy & Insights, is an avid gamer and self-proclaimed Stardew Valley expert. I asked her to play Grow a Garden with me to get her opinion. She said, “The game simplifies gardening in a way that makes me, a novice gardener, really want to get out there and do it myself. ”
Grow a Garden is similar to those earlier cozy games. Players enjoy trying to grow unique plants and crops in their fantasy world. Think of it as a digital version of a giant pumpkin growing contest. This calm escapism offers a break from the fast-paced, digital world we all find ourselves in and, in that way, it can be similar to gardening in real life. Allie also said that she understands how players could “get caught up in the game and really work hard to make their garden look good.” That sounds like real life gardening too!
Who is Playing Grow a Garden?
Grow a Garden has players from all over the world and is for all ages, but it seems particularly popular among children. The Roblox gaming platform that hosts Grow a Garden is extremely popular with children because it is mostly free, there are fun games in different curated worlds, and it allows for creativity and social interactions.
What it can't do for your garden
My initial interest in the game was to see if it could be a free piece of technology to help me plan my garden in real life. I have two raised bed vegetable gardens in my backyard and I fret every year over the best raised bed layout and the best way to rotate my vegetable crops between years.
As I played the game, it quickly became apparent that this game has no real world application for helping plan or grow a garden. You can’t just pick whatever seeds you want and get planting. Players need to grow and sell carrots and strawberries first to earn enough money to buy the next level of seeds which is blueberries, and so on.
Better garden planning applications include:
- The free Vegetable Garden Designer from Gardeners Supply Company. This site is a nice, basic tool for plotting out your vegetable garden. It has a good selection of vegetables and herbs to choose from and is easy to use.
- VegPlotter is another option that begins free. This planner is a little more complex and allows you to add hardscaping, structures like sheds and chicken coops, and fruit trees. It also informs you when to sow all your types of seeds and where to rotate crops the next year. You begin with a certain amount of free plantings before you upgrade your account.
- Garden Puzzle is the most complex of the three. It allows you to create your entire property and includes ornamental plants and trees. You can even upload photos of your real garden to help visualize your concept. There is a free trial and then plans start at $24 for 6 months of use.
What it can do for your garden
Despite its limitations for planning a garden plot, Grow a Garden does have something to offer. As our Stardew Valley expert, Allie, mentioned, she wanted to get out in her real garden after playing Grow a Garden. This game can inspire players to grow in real life.
It appeals to young people, gamers, and nongardeners and it could be a gateway to real gardening for a more diverse audience. Playing Grow a Garden made me want to get out into my real garden, too. The game’s mindful and creative atmosphere offers similar benefits to wellbeing like using gardening as a meditation. It also gives players that same sense of accomplishment as they watch their gardens burst with unique plants. I know that’s how I feel after a great season of growing!
If you are feeling a little lackadaisical about your garden right now, maybe a quick jaunt into Grow a Garden will boost your enthusiasm and creativity and get you back on track.
Grow a Garden Inspiration
After playing Grow a Garden, here are some things I am inspired to grow in my veggie garden next year! All seeds are available in the Gardening Know How Shop.
- Fantastical rainbow blend carrots that are sure to add some magic to your garden.
- Fiery Thai hot peppers will add color and heat to any dish and serve as a unique ornamental bush.
- Juicy rainbow blend heirloom tomatoes for snacking, sauces, and sandwiches.
- The ‘Endeavour’ bush bean won’t grow as tall as Jack’s beanstalk because it is a compact variety but it produces tons of beans!
- Magical Mexican sour gherkins look like teeny tiny watermelons and have the refreshing taste of a cucumber touched by a hint of lemon.
This article features products available from third-party vendors in the Gardening Know How Shop.
