During the winter, the heart of a family can often be found in the kitchen, where the homey good smells of food cooking, plenty of seating and an atmosphere of warmth and comfort serve as a magnet to draw people together.
But in the summer, that heart can venture outside, letting your backyard become the center of the family’s universe. It’s the perfect place to relax and connect with your loved ones – and with a barbeque, you can still cook there, too!
In gardening trend terms, this is known as “garden-tainment” – moving the party outside to take advantage of beautiful weather and surroundings.
Successful garden-tainment lies in the atmosphere you create. No more boring spaces with just a vast expanse of lawn and a few trees. Garden-tainment allows you to customize your outdoor space, just like it was another room of your house.
So, mix your existing lawn with flower and vegetable gardens to give both beauty and nutrition. Plant trees for shade and privacy. And use container gardening throughout to provide pops of color.
Your outdoor room can be set up to reflect style of your indoor home in color choices and even furnishings. Today’s outdoor furniture comes in a variety of styles. So whatever your tastes – modern, rustic, fancy, sleek – you’ll be able to find something that complements your home’s aesthetic.
If you add a dining table outside, we suggest a small herb garden as both a pretty and practical centerpiece.
Large or small outdoor patios can define your garden-tainment space, lighting and water features can give it a special ambiance, and an outdoor kitchen can add functionality.
Fire pits are also a great feature, but we live in an area often plagued by drought, so make sure there are no fire restrictions in effect (you can check on fire restriction status in Flagstaff on the city’s website).
But the most important elements of your garden-tainment area are the people who will be there enjoying it.
Our staff at Warner’s Nursery is on hand to help you find the elements that will make your outdoor space the newest and most inviting room of your home.
Happy Gardening! FBN
By Misti Warner
