Uncategorized

Have you been to one of the botanical gardens in the US? Almost every major city has one! Botanical gardens promote sustainability and conservation. They are also a great opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna of the region.

One of the most unique gardens is the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona. It is 140 acres, with 55 of them cultivated for a wonderful sensory adventure. The Garden has many trails and hiking paths where you can see many rare and endangered species. This is a living museum filled with plants that love the dry, arid climate the desert southwest provides. Some of the foliage comes from other places around the world that are just as hot and dry, maybe even hotter and drier.

The Desert Botanical Gardens is more than a place to spend an afternoon (although, that would be a wonderful afternoon). They offer many glasses ~ from gardening to photography; for children and adults; and so many more learning opportunities. Click this link to find out more of the offerings at the Desert Botanical Gardens.

Two of the current special exhibits are Chihuly in the Desert and the Spring Butterfly Exhibit. While the butterflies arrive at the garden annually, the Chihuly exhibit is extra special. I had the opportunity to visit during the holidays and to see the glass illuminated at night is truly magical.

The Chihuly exhibit is available until June 19, 2022 and the Butterflies exhibit will be available until May 8, 2022. Check their website for more details and to get tickets.

Now the Desert Botanical Gardens may be unique with all the cactus and desert plants, but there are many more botanical gardens in the US. If you can’t make it to Phoenix, Arizona ~ here is a brief list of gardens that may be close to you.

According to Curbed.com, the top 11 gardens are:

• Portland Japanese Garden
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden
• Desert Botanical Garden
• Longwood Gardens
• Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
• United States Botanic Garden
• Denver Botanic Gardens
• Missouri Botanical Garden
• Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
• Atlanta Botanical Garden
• Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

I hope you find some time to explore at least one of these living museums this spring.

Spending time outside everyday can improve your overall health and wellness. It promotes mental health and reduces stress. Now, researchers aren’t exactly sure how this all happens, only that time outside does this for everyone!

The Environmental Protection Agency found that 7% of the average American’s life is spent outside. It is time to change that. We need to move away from the screens a spend time breathing fresh air and appreciating the natural spaces around us.

The outdoors can be considered natural medicine. It not only can help people live a longer healthier life, but can also help people live a happier life.

The 5 benefits from spending time outside are ~

• Happiness ~ While researchers still aren’t exactly sure what links the outdoors and happiness, many studies have shown that our moods take a positive shift when we spend time outside. Research also suggests that spending time in nature can also reduce the risk of developing depression and anxiety.

• Stress Reduction ~ This goes with being happy, happy people deal with stress better. Spending time outside has been shown to lower stress levels and has similar effects on your brain and body as that of meditating. Although the exact science behind it is unclear, being in a natural setting shows evidence of lower stress levels through a lower heart rate and lower blood pressure. Get outside and take a deep breath of that fresh air!

• Better Sleep ~ Spending most of the day inside and away from the sunshine can affect your circadian rhythms (this can be a large factor during the winter months with shorter days). Getting outside and enjoying the sunshine can help you fall asleep and stay asleep.

• Energy Boost ~ According to research from the University of Rochester, 90% of people experience increased energy just by participating in outdoor activities. This boost of sudden energy can help inspire you to be more active, too! It’s a bit of a cyclical issue, but I wouldn’t call it a problem!

• Stronger Immune System ~ Becoming one with nature might have some amazing effects on your immune system. One study showed that adults who hiked twice a day for three days increased their white blood cell count by 40%. Well, that makes me want to get hiking!

Ways you can spend time outside without making too many lifestyle changes include ~

• Work from home? Take that laptop outside
• Read a book
• Start a garden in your backyard (You know we love to garden here at BKYD Life!)
• Go for a walk, bike ride, hike
• Eat your meals outside
• Tennis anyone? (I prefer pickle ball)

Now many of those outdoor activities can be done right in your backyard. No backyard, no problem! Your nearby park is a great place to walk, play, relax. Don’t find excuses, just get outside. Your health might depend on it.

Are you planning a fall garden? It has been so hot here in the desert southwest that planting has had to be put off. It looks like cooler temperatures are on the way and that means gardeners can start to put those plans into action.

This map from the Home Depot, identifies the growing zones all gardeners need to be aware of for optimal planting success. For more specific information, I would suggest checking with your local agencies. In the Phoenix metro area, Maricopa County has collaborated with the University of Arizona to create a Vegetable Planting Calendar. It includes a 2 page chart with an extensive list of vegetables and the best time of year to plant them.

Growing herbs and vegetables in your own garden is good for many reasons. ~

• Children will try new foods if they helped plant, water and harvest them.
• It saves money, fresh herbs and vegetables can be expensive.
• Planting, tending and harvest is a great family activity.
• It is good for the soul to get your hands dirty in the soil.

So what will you plant? What will I plant?

This season I’m going to try carrots, kale, green onions and radishes. I’ll let you know how they turn out.

I love an outdoor party! An outdoor party is usually on the more casual side ~ both from the food perspective and the attire. So, in the summer a pool party is a great option. Even now, when we need to keep our gatherings small a pool party can be a lot of fun. Just keep it simple.

As with any party, it’s all about the fun, food, and friendship!

Fun

Summertime is hot, so getting wet makes it a little bit easier to take. Don’t have a pool in your backyard? I found a few options that are portable so you can take the party to grandma’s house, if you like.

Inflatable pools are a great option and they aren’t just for the kids. I found this one on Amazon. Great reviews and room enough for the whole family.

Maybe a portable splash pad is a better option for you. This one is also from Amazon.

Of course, nothing is better than an actual pool for splashing and getting wet. But always remember ~ safety first. Otherwise, the fun doesn’t last long.

Food

Now that you have the fun down, what are you going to eat? I mean, what’s a party without food? My go-to is always something simple so I can enjoy all the fun, too.

I try to plan something that I can make ahead or get others involved. My husband loves to grill hamburgers and hot dogs and that’s usually a hit with the kids (and some of the adults). I prefer something a little elevated, but not fussy. Maybe some ribs on the grill.

If you are inviting a few friends or family members over, side dishes are a great way to get them involved.

Who doesn’t like dessert? While we know we shouldn’t indulge all the time, my husband likes to say, “Some things we eat for our body (you know, like salads), and other things we eat for our soul (like chocolate ice cream).

For more ideas, I have created a board on Pinterest to inspire you.

Friendship

While we need to be cautious with physical distancing, we still need to find a way to gather. Even introverts need social interactions and sometimes more than we can get through a video chat.

Safety is always my number one priority. It isn’t fun, if someone gets hurt. I encourage you to create a plan so all your guests feel safe and everyone can enjoy a great time and a great summer.

Sign up for our newsletter for more ideas for backyard fun.

*this article contains affiliate links