A yard’s landscapes are not just about aesthetics or curb appeal. Landscapes — including backyards and green spaces around homes — should be purposeful, too. After all, they offer places for children and pets to play, act as outdoor living and working rooms and are vital habitats and providing food for wildlife. Numerous studies have shown the benefits of green space to human health, including improved mood, lowered stress, increased fitness levels and more.
The TurfMutt Foundation offers these tips to show off your home’s landscape this spring:
Improve the outdoor living room with a balanced landscape mix. Landscaping is a relatively easy improvement to a home that can make an immediate impact. Foliage creates a natural barricade between activity areas in the lawn, neighbors and other spaces you want “cordoned off.” Grass can handle the wear and tear that comes with pets and kids. Flowering plants and bushes are not only pretty but are vital food for birds, bees and butter-flies. Take stock of how the yard will be used and choose a balance of grass, trees, shrubs and flowers that meet those needs.
Create an outdoor office. Spring is the perfect time to move your office outside to your backyard. Outdoor offices offer a way to de-stress and enjoy nature while focusing on tasks at hand. Plus, it jazzes up those video conference call backgrounds.
First, select a comfortable spot for your outdoor office that offers seating and shade from the sun. Set up your desk and seating in a way that allows your computer camera to offer the best effect during video calls. Beef up your Wi-Fi and make sure electric outlets are reachable. Then, add any creature comforts needed to make your space cozy and productive. A portable heater, fire pit, pillows, curtains and lap blankets are a few suggestions. Warm up the space with lights and add speakers or use headphones to tune out neighborhood noise and help with focus. You can even keep yard games like darts or corn hole nearby for when a quick break is needed from work.
Choose plants based on climate zone for the biggest impact and best value. Home-owners should choose plants that are right for their climate zones (refer to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map for more information). This is the environmentally friendly choice; selecting appropriate plants will also save on water usage, and these plants are more likely to thrive in their native environments. Also, since grasses, trees, shrubs and other plant life provide much-needed food and habitats for birds, insects and small mammals, choosing the right plant for the right place helps native wildlife and creates a nature oasis in your backyard space.
Avoid toxic plants that can be harmful to pets. Pets don’t know to avoid plants that are toxic to them, and many will eat plants that are not safe for consumption. For a complete list of plants to leave out of the living landscape when pets are in the picture, visit ASPCA’s list of nontoxic and toxic plants.
Take advantage of lawn and landscape equipment. Consumers have more choices in their outdoor power equipment than ever before, from robotic lawn mowers to connected products that can be managed with an app. Also, there is equipment for every need and job, including power choices. Gasoline-powered, battery/electric, propane, solar and hybrid equipment is readily available in today’s market. Having and using the right equipment makes quick work of yard care and ensures the stage is set for purposeful backyarding this spring and beyond.
For more tips, sign up for Mutt Mail, a monthly e-newsletter with backyarding ideas and all the news from the TurfMutt Foundation. To learn more about creating the yard and outdoor office of your dreams, visit turfmutt.com.
Kris Kiser
Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
1605 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
turfmutt.com
opei.org
(703)549-7600
