Nature is healing for our bodies and minds, but it often feels like we’re not getting enough of it in modern life. Why let outdoor living end at your welcome mat? From growing food you can eat to gathering water for your lawn and even composting, there’s a lot you can do to bring the outdoors in.
These tips will help make your daily life greener!
Vertical Gardens
If you’re short on space but still want a gorgeous garden, it’s time to stop and create a vertical garden. These awesome gardens grow up instead of out, using tools like raised garden beds, trellises, and hanging baskets for flowering plants.
Because this type of garden requires a smaller space, it needs to be placed in the best area possible for sunlight. Avoid setting it too close to outdoor kitchens or fire pits.
Kitchen Gardens
Kitchen gardens are one of the best things any homeowner can have. They are an area where you grow fruits, vegetables, herbs, and anything else that can be used for eating, cleaning, or generally needing to be harvested.
Avoid the urge to section off areas for aesthetic reasons when setting this up. Rotating crops is a far better idea. People indigenous to the American continent have grown a trio of rice, beans, and corn called the Three Sisters together for centuries because crop rotation is good for producing all three.
Permaculture Design
If a classic garden bores you, you’re not alone! There’s a large movement right now for lawns and gardens to be more naturalistic and offer a less human-centered aesthetic. This means using native plants and picking a layout that’s more eco-friendly. Focusing on plants that are good for native pollinators and avoiding invasive plants like English ivy is a great start.
Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor kitchens will always be a popular choice for anyone who wants to entertain and hates the idea of being locked away in a kitchen while they have gorgeous views outside. Everything you include in this outdoor kitchen is graded for outdoor use, from the mini fridge to the stove. Even if you have it on a covered patio, these appliances will remain in the outdoor temperature and moisture.
If you want your outdoor kitchen to shine, put it against a gorgeous backdrop. Choose dark vinyl siding colors, which will let lighter counters and stainless steel appliances really pop.
Herb Spiral
If you love cooking and want to get the most out of a small area of land, it could be a good idea to plant an herb spiral. This is a spiraled garden that can grow plants that need a lot of sun and plants that need less, based on their position in the spiral design.
This is usually built, so the middle of the spiral is the highest point, with dirt held in by a spiral of bricks or stones. It is awesome for anything from basil to thyme and is perfect for any home cook.
Fruit Trees and Berry Bushes
Fruit trees are a dream come true, given how expensive groceries have been in recent years. Instead of sweating what you can afford, you just have to water and harvest! Research which plants do best in your environment, and avoid planting too close to your home.
If you live in an area with many raccoons or other animals that love the smell of ripe fruit, you need to make sure you regularly pick your fruit and remove any that fall, or your entire garden may become overrun.
Rainwater Harvesting System
Water is one of the most heavily used resources when gardening, and bills can add up to hundreds of dollars a month if you are careful. Instead, it’s a good idea to stop and gather your rainwater so you can use that instead. This will help keep your lawn from flooding when a storm hits while also giving you a lot to work with.
If you want to gather the most water possible, getting a rain barrel and some rain chains for gutters is a good idea. Tog them; they’ll guide the rain where you want it to go so you can get the most use out of it.
Composting Station
Composting is the only way to ensure that you’re producing as little waste as possible. Buying a compost setup or building one yourself can take up space, but it’s great for the environment.
Build this on a solid foundation. Failure to do so will result in your composting station leaning or tilting as it sinks into your lawn’s soil. Starting with a base of 12×12 outdoor tile will help keep the composting station strong.
Outdoor Living Doesn’t End At the Welcome Mat
Although there’s a clear line between inside and outside, you should blur it a little if you want to live as outdoorsy as possible. Follow these ideas, and check out our site Homewares Interior for more awesome inspiratior.
