What should I expect with my new backyard?
Whether you’re considering a new backyard or are underway with the construction, dreaming about what you’re going to do once it’s done is kind of the obvious thought that everyone likes to dream about.
Inviting family over for milestone events like birthdays and anniversaries
Old friends joining you for a bottle of wine (to four) under the pergola
A safe space for the grandkids to play in
Your new reading nook where you’ll enjoy countless books
A new waterfall to help melt away the stresses of the daily grind
Whatever your new backyard holds in store for you, there’s no doubt you’re likely expecting a lot of time enjoying a new outdoor living space with family and friends.
With the obvious out of the way, I’d like to suggest some things you should expect that aren’t so obvious.
A rejuvenated body and mind
When it comes to bringing nature closer, you begin to reap its benefits. There have been many studies that have all confirmed that spending time in nature had a dramatic healing effect on the human mind and body. There’s a primal need for us to spend time outdoors.
Too much time inside, sitting in front of a computer screen, on a phone, commuting in our car… it all takes its toll on us. Getting back out into nature reminds us to slow down, smell the roses, and listen to what comes naturally.
A renewed appreciation for nature
Creating a nature-inspired outdoor living space means using flagstone instead of concrete or pavers, using rocks instead of manufactured bricks, and using native plants that thrive naturally with minimal care. That backyard threshold seamlessly blends in with your surroundings.
New Visitors
While making a new space so inviting for humans, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll attract an audience that may not have visited before. I can tell you that when I finished my backyard, the amount of wildlife visiting my backyard doubled and wildlife that had never been around before began to visit.
My water feature was a hotbed of activity for birds coming to bathe and drink, while frogs found a new home to wallow in the slight ripple of the water. Moss grew along the rocks in very little time, making it look like it’s been there for years.
Deer tend to be a constant battle, as my wife shares a love for certain plants with the deer. There’s maintenance there, but we also make sure to include deer resistant plants. Regardless, seeing them along with the rest of the nature parade, the backyard has become a new source of entertainment.
A new addiction
I will also admit that when I finished my new backyard, I spent a lot more time outside. I wasn’t doing anything. I would just sit and enjoy my new surroundings. Just being in my backyard made me happy, relaxed, and content. The sound of the waterfall, the colors of the plants in the day, the shadows formed by the lighting and fire pit at night all combined to create a space I didn’t want to leave.
The task of watering plants on the deck wasn’t a chore anymore. And when guests left a gathering, I would sit outside by myself and take in the new sights and sounds.
Again and again
All of this happened last year for me. It’s still new to me and I can’t wait until I can uncover the deck furniture, clean out the fire pit, fill the waterfall up, and start watching nature from the deck rather than the kitchen window.
When you’re ready to turn your backyard into a space that Mother Nature would be proud to call home, Sierra Landscape Management would like to hear what your plans are and answer your questions. The website is full of great information to get you started on your backyard journey. Nature is waiting. Expect to see them soon.