5 Joanna Gaines Garden Lessons That Stand the Test of Time (and One That Definitely Does Not)

Yes, they’re Pinterest catnip. But Joanna’s raised beds aren’t the kind you impulse-buy at a big-box store. Made from richly stained wood and designed with precision (straight lines, consistent spacing, a rhythm that’s somewhat therapeutic), her beds are part vegetable patch, part design statement. She grows everything from rosemary and sage to zinnias and watermelon—and they supply her Magnolia Table restaurant, no less. Consider it the blueprint for the garden-to-table lifestyle you aspire to maintain (even if your “garden” is three herbs on a fire escape).

Here's the move: Lay pea gravel for that satisfying crunch underfoot, then frame the path with wooden arbors. Bonus points if you let jasmine or wisteria grow wild over the top. Joanna’s garden starts with a trellised walkway that sets the tone like the opening scene of a rom-com—one she hopes might one day double as the aisle for her daughters’ weddings. The vibe is somewhere between French potager and Bridgerton estate.

Not to be confused with a she-shed, Joanna’s ‘garden house’ is a masterclass in utility meets romance. It was made almost entirely from salvaged pieces: antique windows, weathered porch columns, even a mismatched stone fireplace. The effect? A space that feels storied, not staged. Incorporating vintage doors or reclaimed wood into garden features—like a tool closet, gate or potting bench—adds instant character and helps the space feel like it’s evolved over time (even if it’s a new build).

Sure, trellises are practical. But Joanna turned hers into sculptural moments with DIY bean teepees. She and her kids build these by framing up the poles, tying them together at the top, and digging them snug into the soil. Underneath, they plant anything that loves to climb—beans, tomatoes, or in their case, hyacinth beans with purple blossoms. They bring verticality to the garden, offer a playful nod to her farmhouse-meets-craftsman aesthetic and make even humble pole beans feel intentional. (Bonus: Kids love them, and they’re easier to build than you think.)

Of course the Gaineses have chickens. But these aren't just for show—they’re working birds. Housed in a coop with a “chunnel” (a chicken tunnel) that wraps around the garden, they handle bug patrol and soil aeration while looking like extras in a very chic farm-themed editorial. Ella and Emmie help raise them, and they’ve become part of the ecosystem—literally and emotionally. If you’ve ever flirted with the idea of backyard chickens, this is your sign.

There was a time when every square foot of a garden needed a chalkboard sign, a vintage watering can vignette, and a “Gather” plaque hung somewhere between the tomato vines. Joanna helped popularize that farmhouse garden charm—but in 2025, hyper-curated decor can make an outdoor space feel more like a photo op than a place to unwind. A single sculptural bench? Chic. An entire outdoor wall of distressed signs telling you to “bloom where you’re planted”? Maybe let that trend rest.