Spring is here, and it’s time to start thinking about the garden — and yard — you have neglected for months. Luckily, experts are unveiling the most popular garden designs of 2014 — and just in time, too. From edibles and eco-friendly shrubs and trees to livable outdoor spaces, here are this spring’s hottest landscaping tips and tricks:

“Unless Someone Like You Cares A Whole Awful Lot”

“America is losing more than four million urban trees a year, taking their environmental, economical and emotional benefits with them,” garden expert Suzi McCoy tells HGTV. HGTV reminds consumers to remember the lessons of Dr. Seuss’ classic The Lorax (a cautionary tale about using natural resources too liberally). Consumers are heeding the advice and planting a growing number of trees and shrubs to make up for it. Beekeeping is another eco-friendly — and popular — venture. “(To preserve them), people are inspired to plant native, pollen-rich flowers, trees and veggies to provide safe shelters,” McCoy adds.

Gardens That You Can Eat

Edible plants and gardens are a long-standing favorite. Today’s consumers enjoy planting and caring for gardens that they can eventually use. Homeowners typically grow relatively expensive produce, like quinoa, to cut costs at the grocery store. Consumers don’t necessarily need a lot of space to grow edibles. Fruits and vegetables flourish in raised gardens — or small, separate keyhole gardens.

Bringing the Indoors Outside

A growing number of Americans enjoy entertaining — or even relaxing in their spare time — outdoors. For that reason, the latest landscaping tips and tricks focus on seamlessly combining the comforts of the indoors with lively, natural scenery. Elaborate patios are big this year, thanks to new materials that preserve outdoor linens and surfaces.

Make the most of outdoor space by planting trees to save the planet, investing in eco-friendly bee farms, or growing edible plants, herbs, and vegetables.