Affordable garden in new construction - how to proceed best?

Compulsory or voluntary? ...The main argument for a nature-friendly garden is not morality, but that there is nothing against it.

In the end, you always have to ask yourself whether and how it has worked so far? Voluntariness brings too little in my opinion. You see - far too many people would seal their entire property or lay down dead lawn. Call it what you want - morality, duty, attitude to life - ultimately only a deep change in awareness of the value of nature helps. The "nothing speaks against it" was yesterday. Just look at today’s development plans. The sections for greenery often take up the most space. I am still in favor of "environmental protection" as a compulsory subject through all grades. Then one could at least hope.

But I know that this does not happen in single-family house gardens.

So far I had contrary information. Gardens are a very important part, especially for the climatization of cities. It is no rocket science. Ultimately, every sqm of natural habitat is a gain for the environment.

Fear of gardening is due to lack of gardening education. Something can be done about that, but you have to keep your finger wrapped, otherwise the addressees shut down immediately.

I would rather say laziness. The funny thing is that laziness would actually be the best gardener for the environment. Hands off and then it fits. People just always think that "their" garden has to be optimized for them. So that no wasp bothers them on the terrace, everything is killed and concreted over. Sad.

People always think that "their" garden has to be optimized for them. So that no wasp bothers them on the terrace, everything is killed and concreted over. Sad.

For most people, the garden does not represent a natural area, but a kind of summer living space with a representational function. That is why terms like wellness oasis, chillout zone (with living room-like lounge furniture), and of course the outdoor kitchen for the homeowner come up in garden design. Then there is a play area for the children and a dining area. Nature is exclusively decoration there. The maintenance effort should be like that in the house. Washable, not getting dirty easily.

I think the problem is not only the wishes but also the wrong ideas of cheap and low-maintenance. You can see that quite clearly here in the thread ;)

For most people, the garden does not represent a natural area, but rather a kind of summer living space with a representational function. ... The maintenance effort should be like in the house. Washable, little soiling.

You are right. In the end, it always comes down to the bad habit that humans claim and optimize all living spaces for themselves. By now, even the last person should have noticed where this leads.

My neighbors also like low-maintenance. Rock garden as front yard (so typically gray/antracit gravel with 3 or 4 solitary conifer plants on 150sqm) and as main garden lawn with gravel all around. No flowering plants at all. In summer you notice the temperature in the front yard, it becomes a small desert valley. Birds, bees and insects avoid the property. But low-maintenance.

My 150 sqm front garden is also low-maintenance and not a Death Valley, on the contrary.

I believe it simply lacks role models. What do the parks and public spaces look like?
When you drive through older neighborhoods with gardens from the 70s to 90s, every Saturday the boxwood is trimmed, every weed is pulled from the bare soil, etc.
Then come the development plans full of musts and must-nots.
Wouldn't adapted planting plans with precise instructions be useful, to guide the new gardener by the hand?