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.

Danielle Sherry

See Issue #223 now

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.

Buy at Amazon

Corona E-Grip Trowel

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Handle Material: Aluminum. Handle Length: 14-1/2 in. Overall Length: 14.5 in. Head Material: Aluminum. Handle Color: Red.

Buy at Amazon