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Plants

Planners are Planters

January 8, 2021

Are you a planner or would you characterize yourself as more spontaneous? Do you like to think about things, write them down, have a list to check off? Maybe you just go with the flow, see how you feel in the morning kinda person?

Neither one is right, neither one is wrong. I would like to think of myself as somewhere in the middle. Sometimes I have a plan and sometimes I don’t. 

Many plans for 2020 had to be changed or discarded all together. New plans had to be created. Some people faced more anxiety than ever all because they didn’t know how to plan with all the restrictions. For that very reason, I don’t think plans should ever be etched in stone. They need to be flexible at all times. There are just too many factors that we can’t control. Even if there isn’t a pandemic to deal with, we can’t control the weather or the needs/wants of those around us. There will always be parameters we need to work within.

According to Wikipedia, 

Planning is the process of thinking about the activities required to achieve a desired goal. It is the first and foremost activity to achieve desired results. It involves the creation and maintenance of a plan, such as psychological aspects that require conceptual skills. There are even a couple of tests to measure someone’s capability of planning well. As such, planning is a fundamental property of intelligent behavior.

So how does a flexible plan work within an outdoor space? Well, to get the most out of your time and outdoor space you need a plan. You can create zones that are multifunctional. Let’s start with a few simple questions about how you want to use your outdoor space, as you answer these don’t focus on the outdoor space you currently have, just what you would like to have even (if it is eventually):

  • Do you want to garden?
  • Do you want room for animals (even just 1 dog)?
  • Do you want to play games outside?
  • Do you want to watch movies outside?
  • Do you want to have a fire pit?
  • Do you want to cook outside?
  • Do you want to eat outside?
  • Do you want a swimming pool?
  • Do you want a play structure or trampoline?
  • Do you want space to exercise, maybe meditate outside?

Once you have the answers to these questions you can move forward with the next part of the plan. If you don’t have the space for what you want, you have a couple choices ~ 1. Save up so you can eventually get what you want; 2. Decide what is most important to you right now (for example a garden to grow healthy food) and find a solution (use pots on your balcony to grow a select group of vegetables and herbs), or; 3. Contact a realtor and get moving!

For the sake of this article, let’s say you have space for a few items on your list and you are happy to make that work.

Next, it will be time to create zones within your outdoor space. But let’s table the discussion for now. This topic will be discussed more in-depth later this month. For now, continue to look over this list and envision you, family and friends using your outdoor space. You will need that vision when we come back to this topic.

To be continued…

Privacy and Peace in your Backyard

August 7, 2020

I think we can all agree that 2020 is unlike any other year in recent history. Finding a place for calm in all the chaos can be tricky, but so necessary. We need to relax and recharge, we need time to learn how to move with the new rhythm of life. Creating a space outside is perfect for accomplishing this.

Clean up

Start by cleaning up your outdoor space. It doesn’t matter if you only have a small balcony or a large patio with extensive grounds, dead leaves and clutter need to be cleaned up. Being surrounded by excess stuff does not bring calm to anyone.

Sweep the ground, get rid of cobwebs and contain any children’s toys. This will be the start of a soothing space. I would even suggest getting your children involved, if you have them. They should be in charge of their toys, they play with them, they should put them away. As a former teacher, I know that when reasonable, but high expectations are set for children they always step up to the challenge!

Furniture

You can use our backyard style quiz to identify your style, here. Having a comfortable spot to sit in your preferred style contributes to finding calm and peace on your patio or backyard.

Water

While a pool is a great place for relaxing, if your backyard is on the smaller size you might want to opt for a water feature. The sound of flowing or babbling water always contributes to a calming atmosphere.

Fire

Fire is another calming element and can make the evenings a perfect time to relax and recharge in your backyard. Read all about different fire pits or features here.

Plants

Plants help soften the hard edges and can increase privacy. While I would love to direct you to specific types of plants, the best options will depend on where you live. Contact your favorite local nursery for the best recommendations.

When speaking with garden professionals, you might want to ask about plants that attract birds, bees and butterflies. I would also suggest you consider fragrant plants with beautiful blooms, as both visual and aromatics can impact your ability to relax on your patio or backyard.

Other types of plants to consider are trees for shade and quick growing vines for privacy. Again, your local nursery professionals can guide you in the best choices for your needs and what will grow best in your area. They can also guide you in maintenance for your selections.

Getting fresh air out on your patio or in your backyard is a great way to relax and recharge. You deserve a great space that is private and peaceful so that you are better able to face the challenges of the day.

If you enjoyed this article, please leave a comment below or on our social media. We would love to see how you are using your outdoor space.

Pots: Character for your Backyard

June 19, 2020

So you just bought some fabulous patio furniture, but the patio still doesn’t look finished. One simple solution is to add planted pots. While the plants add much needed organic softness, the pots are the finishing touch to add some character.

Pots can be colorful or muted. They can be old world or contemporary. It all depends on your design esthetic. If you still need some guidance to find your preferred style, click here for our design quiz.

Here are some photos of options I found at The Plant Stand of Arizona.

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And to think, that is just a small sampling of what it available. So many shapes, finishes and sizes to choose from.

While the Plant Stand has many options, you might be able to find just what you are looking for at big box stores or online retailers. The idea is to find a pot that is the right size for your plant while it compliments and finishes off your patio. A beautiful patio is a great place to relax and recharge.

If you enjoyed these ideas for pots to compliment your patio, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media.

Happy weekend!

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