New Jersey resident Luis Cano has been officially dubbed America's oldest known man at 111 years old. One thing that has kept him going strong all these years? Gardening. Some of his favorite items to grow are tomatoes, cilantro, and onions. When asked how he achieved this longevity landmark, the father of 10 said, “Don’t drink a lot. Get good sleep, and don’t smoke…Behave well.” And, apparently, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.

While he likely won’t live as long as Cano, there’s a new backyard fella feeling the love (6 million views and counting) on Insta: a balloon man gyrating to a soundtrack of sultry smooth jazz. If you’re inspired to make your own inflatable garden protector, DIY instructions are here, but be prepared to blow the minds of your neighbors and any local foraging creatures.

Warning, this may not be for you if your HOA (homeowners’ association) is already on your case about your balloon-man scarecrow. Chaos gardening is a hot trend, touted as a simpler way to grow flowers and attract pollinators without rigid layouts. Not untended and unruly, the new chaos gardening 2.0 follows the “leave the leaves” aesthetic and layers that with a deep knowledge of native plants and what’s in your soil, plus artfully placed perennials and strategically self-seeding plants that offer a long-term payoff. Sounds like a plan (but doesn’t look like one).

Here’s a plan most gardeners can get on board with. Ashley Beckwith, PhD, a young MIT grad, has launched a company, Foray Bioscience, to harness AI and grow any plant from single cells, which will speed up the process and protect delicate natural systems. Current project: to quickly develop more resilient chestnut trees, once abundant in eastern American forests but decimated by disease.

On the topic of plant health, let us leave you with a tip making the rounds as winter fades. You may see leafless or scraggly shrubs in your yard and wonder, “Is it dead or merely dormant?” According to Ish Kamran, the popular pro of @gardening.with.ish, just scrape away a bit of bark at the base of the stem. If it’s green below, it’s healthy and will likely perk back up with the change of seasons. If it’s brown underneath, “It’s too far gone; it’s dead.” Here’s hoping for the former, not the latter.