Let’s talk about a phrase that never fails to make me laugh: “outdoor design and living.” As if gardening isn’t, at its core, the ultimate act of designing an outdoor space for living!
Somewhere along the way, we started separating gardening from the broader concept of making an outdoor space inviting, comfortable, and engaging. But really, what is a garden if not a place where we live? Over the past two decades I’ve created a lot of landscapes: large, small, urban, and at least one in a solidly rural location. And never once have I said to myself, “I’m going to plant this spot so that I never want to be in or near it.”
Whether you’re planting a cozy shade retreat, a flower-filled escape, or a productive vegetable patch, you’re shaping
your surroundings to be a place of beauty, function, and joy. You’re arranging plants and hardscaping based on color, texture, and size—just like an interior designer, although probably with more dirt under your nails. And the same concepts used to curate your living room can be employed when building the perfect patio planting. Perhaps that’s why I was so drawn to the backyards featured in Dani Coulter’s article, 3 Takes on a Contemporary Backyard. Each sleek design is beautiful, yet so multifunctional and approachable I can easily imagine my family enjoying them, despite living on the opposite coast and in a vastly different climate. (I would need to explain to my husband, however, that the miniature climbing wall seen on p. 61 is truly only for young children—not for those who consider themselves young at heart).
So let’s ditch the jargon and celebrate what we gardeners have always known: a well-planned garden is outdoor living. Whether it’s a sprawling landscape or a few well-placed pots on a balcony, the goal is the same—to create a space where we want to linger, breathe deeply, and enjoy life outside. With spring temperatures rising, there is no better time to sit on the deck and dream about what is, and could be, by using the inspiration found in the following pages and running—outside—with it.
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Plant Covers Freeze Protection 10 ft x 30 ft Floating Row Cover 0.9oz/yd²
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Lightweight and Breathable MATERIAL Good for protecting Plant: the plant frost cover material is 0.74 oz/sq non-woven polypropylene fabric, which is lightweight, breathable, and durable. The plant blanket frost protection allows sunlight reach the plants, perfect for protecting plants from the damage of freeze or frost. Wide Application In your Garden Work. The plant row cover not only can work as a barrier against frost, but also can be a great tool for germination and good for rapid seedling growth. By using the fabric plant covers over your plant, you can start the plant earlier in the spring and extending the growing season of your plants. How to Use the Plant Covers: you can cover the plant covers for freeze over your the plants loosely directly and then secure the plant frost blanket with soil, stones or staples. You can also support the floating row covers with a hoop, make enough room for plants to breath and grow. You could also cut the plant covers into different sizes for different purposes.
Monarch Butterfly Rescue Wildflower Seeds 4 oz.
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
HIGH QUALITY SEEDS and EXPERT GUIDANCE: Experience the quality seed difference. We are committed to providing the highest quality, open-pollinated, non-GMO/non-GE seeds to our customers, guaranteed. A trusted source of high quality seeds since 1985. ATTRACT MORE MONARCHS: We know seeds and we know pollinators! Our expertly crafted botanical garden seed mixes contain a wide variety of both perennials and annuals that are specifically designed to attract pollinators. Attract more Monarchs and Butterflies in general. Gardener tested, pollinator approved! All Of Our Wildflower Varieties Are 100% Pure Seed, They come with complete planting instructions. Compare and see the quality value. This Wildflower Seed Mix will make the perfect gift for those gardeners in your life.
Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, Revised and Updated Second Edition: A Natural Approach to Pest Control
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
This revised and updated edition of Jessica Walliser’s award-winning Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden offers a valuable and science-backed plan for bringing balance back to the garden. With this indispensable gardening reference—now updated with new research, insights, and voices—learn how to create a healthy, balanced, and diverse garden capable of supporting a hard-working crew of beneficial pest-eating insects and eliminate the need for synthetic chemical pesticides.
