How To Turn Your Backyard Into a Thriving Green Sanctuary
The benefits of spending time outside in nature are undeniable, but you're less likely to do so if your property is less-than-desirable. Believe it or not, gardening can help you soak up some sun, get some exercise, and create a yard you're proud of. Consider taking up gardening to turn your backyard into a thriving green sanctuary for you and the local wildlife.
What Is a Thriving Green Sanctuary?
A thriving green sanctuary is another name for a zen garden, a garden sanctuary, or a wildlife sanctuary. The beauty of it is that you can make it whatever you want or need it to be for your own personal satisfaction. Whether you have a massive or small property, you can create a green sanctuary to fit wherever you have the space.
The purpose of a thriving green sanctuary is to create a space that aids relaxation, calmness, healing, and oneness with nature. Consider implementing some of the following suggestions, but keep in mind that you have to make it your own.
Plant Various Trees and Flowers
Planting various trees, flowers, and other flora is the first step to creating your green sanctuary. The actual type of plant or cultivar doesn't matter too much, as long as it makes you happy and will grow in your specific hardiness zone. However, you should consider planting a mixture of fruit trees, privacy trees, flowers, and bushes.
The key is to include many colors, textures, and aromas in the area for the ultimate relaxation zone. Additionally, you should consider lining the area with privacy trees to make it feel like a true secluded sanctuary. Plant Me Green has a wide variety of border trees for sale. No matter what else you decide to add to your garden, trees and other plants are absolute musts.
Create Paths With Stepping Stones
Especially when you build your sanctuary in a small area, it can get overcrowded with plants. To make your escape easily accessible, consider creating small paths throughout the garden with stepping stones.
The stones will ensure you don't step on any plants, and you'll easily be able to make your way around to care for every tree and plant. Aside from accessibility, you can paint or decorate your stepping stones to add a touch of color and personality to the garden.
Consider a Water Feature
There's nothing more relaxing than the sound of water. Luckily, you can add a few different things to your sanctuary to create the natural sound of running water.
- Tabletop fountain: This creates a light, calming water sound and acts as an extra decoration for your garden. It's enough to soothe you and ease your stress-filled mind.
- Small pond: If you have enough space, then a small pond can be an excellent water feature. Consider adding a fountain to the pond to create a calming water noise.
- Birdbath: Although it doesn't seem like much, a bird bath can work as a water feature in your sanctuary. You might not get the most noticeable natural running water noise, but it'll still provide a calming touch. Additionally, you'll see several beautiful birds up close and personal.
Add Outdoor Lighting
Although the goal of a thriving green sanctuary is to be as natural as possible, you can add lighting to your space if you desire. For example, fairy lights or other string lights are the best options to keep it bright enough to see but not too bright.
If you're on the fence about adding outdoor lighting to your green sanctuary, you should keep in mind that you can relax in your space even after the sun goes down. There's something calming about listening to the crickets chirp and looking up at the stars in the night sky.
Make It Wildlife-Friendly
While your thriving green sanctuary is a place for you to enjoy, you can make it even better by including wildlife-friendly touches. If you love to observe animals in their natural habitat, you can ensure they feel welcome with these additions to your garden.
Bird Houses
Bird houses are perfect for welcoming all kinds of birds to come and stay in your sanctuary. Whether you prefer robins, cardinals, or blue jays, you'll see tons of different birds around your yard and garden. While you can purchase pre-assembled bird houses, you might enjoy building and painting your own!
Butterfly-Friendly Plants
Butterflies are some of the most beautiful insects. And they help the environment. Unfortunately, the butterfly population is slowly declining. Therefore, you can help them by planting butterfly-friendly plants in your garden. Consider planting one or a few of the following to attract butterflies:
- Milkweed
- Thistle
- Fennel
- Nettle
- Lupine
Bee Baths
As some of the most prominent pollinators in the world, honeybees play a huge role in our environment. Along with the butterflies, the honeybee population is also slowly declining. Bees need water to survive and make honey, but they don't like to get wet or land directly in water. Whether you're scared of bees or not, consider adding a few bee baths to your green sanctuary.
Line a shallow container with stones, and then fill it with water right below the surface of the rocks. This way, the bees can land on the stones and drink the water without getting wet or drowning.
Bird Feeders
Bird feeders are the ultimate way to draw in birds and keep them returning. Consider putting up a feeder containing sugar water for the hummingbirds and another feeder containing seeds or suet for the other birds.
Create a Zen Spot for Yourself
Last but certainly not least, you can create a zen spot for yourself. Whether you prefer a swing, hammock, or Papasan chairs, you should add something comfortable to your green sanctuary to aid in your relaxation. Additionally, consider placing a small table in the area to set down your drink, a book, and anything else you need to relax.
Turning your backyard into a thriving green sanctuary is the best way to hone your inner peacefulness and make use of the wasted space on your property. Gardening can be a relaxing hobby, but it's even more satisfying when you can use the fruit of your labor to soothe your stress and ease your mind repeatedly.
