From Sarah’s garden to yours
Over the summer months, hanging out under the shade of a large tree, kicking your shoes off and feeling the cooling effects of the cut grass on bare feet and hosting alfresco BBQ meals with friends is a no brainer when it comes to enjoying the garden in the balmy warmth. However, when the conditions become less than ideal, enjoying the garden doesn’t appear very high on the list of things to do. This can mean that a significant portion of your home becomes under-utilised for an extended period of time, which seems a bit of a shame, when, with a bit of preplanning, creativity and determination, you can make the most of all of your property, all year round.
The cool season is renowned for its inclement weather, where cold, rainy, and windy conditions are expected and, more often than not, delivered. On these days, spending time in the garden isn’t practical, but the garden can still provide peace, inspiration, and joy.
To appreciate the wonder of a garden from inside the house, first look at the view from all of the windows and ask yourself if it will be a lovely view in the middle of winter or will it be dull and dreary? If the vista leaves a lot to be desired, make changes now to improve the outlook on a gloomy day.
Create an intentional vignette to suit the room the garden is viewed from to draw the landscape in. An evergreen planting scheme with a play on textures and shades of green can create a calming feel, with the addition of a subtle statue, a gently bubbling water feature or the soft tinkle from a windchime can help winter woes melt away.
For a more vibrant lookout, plant in a way that takes advantage of the conditions resulting in a dynamic display. Large grasses or a sculpture that waves in the wind gives you something interesting to gaze upon. A water feature that comes to life as the rain pours through it, creating sound or visual movement, is an interesting way of lifting spirits on a rainy day. Statues or plant pots painted in bright colours will stand out from the gloom, adding a smile to the soggiest day.
Choosing plants with light or bright coloured foliage or blooms that radiate joy through colour or fragrance can fill the garden with a visual delight. Trees and shrubs with an interesting shape or bark texture without any leaves make a unique focal point. Window boxes and hanging baskets can bring the garden display closer, to be enjoyed without having to venture too far out into the garden.
As much as we anticipate winter to be all doom and gloom, it has its fair share of mild, sun filled days. It may be cold, but heading outdoors to enjoy the garden is still worth doing. Strategic placement of wind breaks, whether it is a trellis, a tree, or windbreak fabric, cutting the draft can reduce the wind chill effect. Alternatively, taking advantage of a sheltered corner or the radiated warmth of a brick wall can, even in the weakened sunlight, create a cosy nook and with comfy seats can become a warm spot to linger with a hot beverage and a good book.
When day turns to dusk, extend your outdoor time with added heat and light. A firepit is a magical way to spend the evening watching flames dance across the charring wood. A firepit can also do double duty as a cookout spot to prepare hearty stews in the coals or toast marshmallows in the embers.
While the firepit will radiate heat, the cold will be ever present and attempt to nip at the edges of your cosy spot. Ward off the chill with fluffy blankets and throws, scarves, and hats readily available to add an extra layer of comfort.
Comfy cushions will take the edge off cold hard seats, encouraging a longer, more relaxed evening of entertainment, but be sure to bring them indoors or store away in a weather proof spot so they stay dry and are always ready for the next time you want to linger in the fresh crisp air.
As the days are shorter, the darkness that encroaches earlier creates the perception that it is later than it really is. Clever lighting can exclude the impending shadows and illuminate the night with a welcoming glow. Solar lights or a timer will come on as twilight sets in to ensure pathways and hazardous tripping spots stay well lit. Fairy lights can provide a festive atmosphere, and can be more appreciated during the earlier evening than in the summer when the sunsets are so late that the magical twinkling of lights is often missed.
Setting up a warm and welcoming outdoor area is a wonderful way to draw friends and family out of their homes to create lasting memories of good times wrapped up warm around a fire.
The cool season needn’t be spent indoors waiting for the good weather to come back. By embracing the opportunities that outdoor living can provide in the off season, the garden will always be an asset to your home and will be enjoyed all year long.
