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
The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees
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The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Doug Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area.
Corona E-Grip Trowel
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Handle Material: Aluminum. Handle Length: 14-1/2 in. Overall Length: 14.5 in. Head Material: Aluminum. Handle Color: Red.
The New Organic Grower, 3rd Edition: A Master’s Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener, 30th Anniversary Edition
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Since its original publication in 1989, The New Organic Grower has been one of the most important farming books available, with pioneer Eliot Coleman leading the charge in the organic movement in the United States. Now fully illustrated and updated, this 30th Anniversary Edition is a must-have for any agricultural library.
