Every home with children should have an area somewhere outdoors for them to play. Providing an outdoor play area for children brings lots of rewards: the children love it, parents know the children are safe and happy, and the rest of the garden is (usually) left to grow without too much disturbance. In fact, you may find that if you provide a very attractive spot, all the neighborhood kids will end up at your place, which can be a mixed blessing. It’s usually fairly easy to add at least a small play area into your garden design plans.

For small kids, a play area should be closer to the home so the children can be visible but not feel too restricted. An area, such as a kitchen window, that is visible from the most used areas of the house is good. While there are a lot of manmade toys that can be placed in a play area, young kids will often prefer to think up their own games using nothing more than sticks, rocks, and other natural materials. A simple sandbox (kept covered when not in use, to keep neighbors pets out) will keep younger kids happy for hours. Add some natural elements to the sandbox like small stones or sea shells. (Later, you can turn any sandboxes into garden beds.) An old log makes a good climbing frame, as can quite a small tree, especially if it has strong branches not too far from the ground.

Older children enjoy playing further away from the house, but they still need a safe area created in the front yard or backyard landscaping where they can enjoy imaginative play. Older children love to use their imagination, so don’t provide them with a treehouse immediately. Begin with the simple, possibly using some boards nailed to a tree as steps or even a piece of rope to climb up into the trees. Then the tree can become anything that comes to the imagination. A plane, boat, castle, house, or almost anything.

Read the rest of this entry

The entrances to your home should provide easy access through your landscaping and yard. First impressions count for a lot, so aesthetic appeal surrounding your landscaping plans and entryways is important. It’s usually best to start with the highest traffic entry area which is usually from your home to your parking area. Next, assess the paths and walkways to and from all access areas of your home. The plants that surround these spots should guide a visitors eye towards your entryways or exits. Side entrances that are used as much or more than your front door, should also be considered. Colorful blooms, walkways, foundation beds, and outdoor lighting may be used.

To create some height with plantings, start by building up towards your house. Start plantings low and then increase the height of your plants as they get closer to the house. This will help direct attention to your entryway. Pay close attention here because garden beds bordering a sidewalk or pathway can draw attention away from your entrance. The best I can explain it is that the beginning of your walkway is a starting point leading your entry as an opening leading you towards the door.

A sense of invitation and safety should both be considerations for your entryway. Depending on your neighborhood, good lighting and moderate visibility ensure safety at night when walking from your garage or driveway into your home. If you have a foyer, mudroom, laundry room, summer kitchen, or utility room that abuts your front or rear entry, plan for ease on the eyes as well as functional traffic flow.  

Read the rest of this entry