How to Make an Outdoor Garden Relaxing

by Christine Harrell⁽⁵⁶⁴⁾ Blue Star

There is more to creating a garden in the back yard than planting trees and flowers. Adding elements of comfort and decoration are what make it a place to stay and relax. Choosing what to add, how much and how often makes a difference in how often people come to the garden and how long they choose to stay. Consider adding outdoor pottery, furniture and benches to make it a welcoming atmosphere.

Pathways

Create pathways in the garden to share the beauty and fragrances with visitors. Use mulch, stones or bricks to lay out walking path through the different parts of the plot. Use edging to clearly mark the pathway so that it can be followed in bright or low light, and in all types of weather. Each segment should feature a different type of plant or highlight certain colors to make it a unique place to go.

Outdoor Garden Furniture

Boldly designate beginning and ending point of the pathways with outdoor pottery markers or other stand-out pieces, such as tiki poles, totem pole statues or outdoor garden benches. This will create a meeting place or a point of reference. Add benches along the pathway to give people a place to sit and relax. Choose pieces that blend in with the natural decor and will withstand harsh weather with little maintenance. Use pottery to create an alcove for the benches. Use pottery planters to display fragrant herbs that promote a relaxing atmosphere, but may take over a garden without containers, such as mint or lemon grass.

Shelters

Build a shelter out of bamboo poles with a thatched roof for the outdoor enthusiast. Make it just large enough to create shelter from a beating summer sun or a chilling autumn rain. Put a small bench inside to make a place of rest. This might also be a nice place to keep some minor gardening tools, such as trowels, a watering can and a few stakes or bamboo poles to support drooping plants.

Lighting

If the gardens are to be used at night, put in some outdoor tiki lamps to mark the pathway and bring a whole new dimension to the different areas. Put them wherever there are benches, and be sure to leave a means to light and extinguish them as needed. Another option is to keep a tiki lamp at the garden's entrance, then take it along on the walk. This makes for a quiet and entertaining evening, whether alone or with a companion.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information about bamboo poles, please visit http://www.backyardxscapes.com

Article submitted Tuesday, January 17, 2012 & read 3 times.

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