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.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Organo Republic 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix for Indoor & Outdoors

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Premium 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix - Special Garden Flower Seeds Blend designed for planting indoor & outdoors across North America. With over 16 varieties and 100,000 wildflower seeds, this mix is the best solution to attract pollinators - bees, butterflies & birds are essential for garden plants health. Our Special Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix Includes White Yarrow, Columbine, New England Aster, Siberian Wallflower, Shasta Daisy, Lance-Leaf Coreopsis, Sweet William, Purple Coneflower, Blanketflower, Gayfeather, Blue Flax, Lupine, Dwarf Evening, Primrose, Mexican Hat, Prairie Coneflower, Black Eyed Susan. Easy & Fun Growing Experience with our online guides - Don’t plant disappointment - Add more colors to your wildflower garden! We send only super hearty heirloom flower seeds with the highest germination rate and fast sprout. Our detailed growing guide helps you grow seeds the garden of your dream like a PRO. Colorful Wildflower Garden from Seeds - Grow wildflowers everywhere - Indoor in window garden or Outdoors Flower garden Garden make a beautiful design for your garden borders, pathways, field or meadow and attract pollinators. Made in the USA by Small Family-Owned Business - Quality You Can Trust - Our wildflower bulk seeds variety pack are tested at the highest germination rates before being sealed to last for up to 3 years before you need to plant. Each packet of our flower seeds variety pack is resealable to make it easy to store and has its own label with a QR code for the growing instructions.

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isYoung Birdlook® Smart Bird Feeder with Camera

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Upgraded Dual Granary Bird Feeder. G11 Smart Bird Feeder with Camera – The upgraded dual granary design allows for separate food dispensing, giving birds the freedom to choose while preserving the food’s original taste. With a 2L extra-large capacity, it reduces the need for frequent refills. The drainage design ensures the food stays dry and prevents spoilage from rain. Ideal as a camera bird feeder for birdwatching enthusiasts. 2K HD Camera & Close-Up Bird Watching. Experience clear bird watching with the G11 smart bird feeder. This bird feeder with camera features a 170-degree wide-angle lens and a 1296P HD camera, ensuring vibrant images and videos. With AI-powered recognition, it can identify over 16,000 bird species (subscription required, first month free) and provides extensive birding knowledge. Its unique design helps attract more birds to your backyard. App Alerts & Super Night Vision. The smart bird feeder camera detects motion within 0.5 seconds and sends instant notifications through the "VicoHome" app. With a 2.4G Wi-Fi connection, you can view real-time updates on bird activity right from your app. The video bird feeder also features night vision, ensuring vibrant images and videos even in low light conditions. Ideal for wild bird feeders, this advanced functionality enhances your bird-watching experience day and night.

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