by Jack McKinnon

While attending several garden tours last month, the largest being the Venice Garden and Home Tour in Southern California, I noticed that more and more gardens are being adapted for outside living. One even had AstroTurf to allow for heavy use with low maintenance. I don’t recommend AstroTurf for several reasons, even though it has its place outside of the garden. What I do recommend is spending time in your garden, and making it comfortable is the first step.

Here are the tips.

1. Reliable paths and patios or decks make life outdoors so much more comfortable. If your paths are uneven, rough, overgrown or otherwise compromised then repair or replace them.

2. Get the best outdoor furniture you can afford. It is better to have less of good quality than more of mediocre quality. You can make your own from plans found on the Internet or in books on home crafts.

3. I like to see three to five large pots rather than 15 smaller ones. The Filoli estate in Woodside has a round pool with a waterspout surrounded by 6-inch geranium pots that is truly photogenic.

4. Study the shadow patterns in your yard. This will tell you where it is warmest when it is cool, where it is coolest when it is hot. Build a shade structure over the hot spots and add warm-colored pots and plants to the cool places.

5. For potted plantings, long time favorites (for good reasons) are geraniums, impatiens, alyssum and lobelia. The next level of design and complexity will include ornamental grass, flax, santolina, bacopa, ornamental strawberries and succulents.

6. I have seen gardens with extraordinary sound systems. This is where having a professional come in and install outdoor speakers, wiring and controls comes in handy. It is important to emphasize consideration for neighbors here.

7. Landscape contractors are installing pizza ovens, counters, sinks, bars and complete dining service centers in back yards. Many fantastic meals can be had with a small barbecue and an ice chest as well. I recommend starting out small and finding where in the yard you want to be the most.

8. Keep everything tidy. There is no need to look at piles of hoses, old empty plastic pots or tools left out after gardening.

9. Grow some of what you will be eating out there. If you have sun, plant tomatoes, beans, peas, corn, Swiss chard and other greens. It is always nice to have some flowers you can cut for the table. There is no better basting brush than a bunch of freshly cut rosemary sprigs.

10. Now for the occasion to have a party: birthdays, holidays, the game (pick a sport), a Saturday or Sunday gathering. Here in California the outdoors is almost always perfect for spending time in your garden; why not share it with friends and family?

Good gardening!

Jack McKinnon is a garden coach and can be reached at jack@jackthegardencoach.com or call 650-455-0687. Visit his Web page at www.jackthegardencoach.com.