PHOTO BY ZANE LEE

A Private Place Outdoors for No One but You

Build a place to get away from a chaotic world, to be alone, to enjoy nature

by Catherine Gannon Taintor

October 2022

WHAT IS AN OUTDOOR SANCTUARY?

Remember when you were a kid and all you wanted was a place to be left in peace? Maybe you wanted to dream about mountaineering or draw a horse picture or read Heidi. If you were fortunate enough to have a tree fort, you were very lucky. Otherwise, you hid in dad’s old pup tent or under a clothesline and blankets. I liked to hide out in an old falling-down barn in the back of my grandmother’s house. My sister and I spent hours back in that barn exploring and doing nothing. It was heaven.

That little corner where you tucked yourself away as a kid is where you felt happy and safe. It was your “secret garden”. Many of us lead hectic lives. It’s time to design a private, happy space outside that’s just for us.

Think of your own interests and hobbies as you design. Do you enjoy painting? Where will you put an easel? Where will you get the best light? Do you like to meditate or do yoga? A flat grassy spot is a good place to put a yoga mat. Do you enjoy watching chipmunks, birds, foxes, fisher cats, or deer? Face your private spot so that you can enjoy the wildlife. Add a bird feeder to watch the birds.

A sanctuary can be a secluded section of your backyard sectioned off with shrubs or a fence. If your place is small, consider a corner of your balcony, a narrow side yarn, or part of a back porch.

WHY FALL IS A GOOD TIME TO DESIGN A REFUGE OUTSIDE

• Develop a plan as gardening activity slows down.
• Sit with the space a bit while it is still relatively warm outside. Think about what you would like to add to make this space peaceful and personal.
• Get your hardscape in place during the offseason. Contractors are less busy now than in the spring. Now is the time to design your patio and walkways.
• Plan how you will separate this refuge from the rest of your garden or balcony. Trees, shrubs, potted plants, and fences are some ideas to separate your refuge from the main area.
• Build your raised beds now while the weather is cooler and cooperative
• Decide what non-plant items you would like to add, and buy non-plant items during Fall sales in garden centers and nurseries

DESIGN A HAVEN THAT IS SAFE AND COMFORTABLE

As we age, many of us will have to accept limited mobility, vision, and agility. Design for safety and comfort as you age.

1. Build a shaded area. Older adults need to avoid sunburn. As we age our skin thins, and we burn in the sun more easily. There are many to do this: plant trees, add a gazebo, invest in a large umbrella, install an awning…
2. Provide a comfortable chair, rocker, or swing. A chair should be easy to get in and out of and offer adequate back support (particularly for the lower lumbar region). A chaise lounge can be difficult to get in and out of for seniors with mobility issues. Consider instead a zero gravity outdoor recliner chair. A rocking chair is a good choice for aging adults. It strengthens muscles, improves balance and blood circulation, and loosens stiff joints. (Dick:
3. Provide a small cafe table to sip your morning coffee or eat a healthy snack or balance your laptop.
4. Raise the garden beds. Older adults may find bending difficult. A raised garden bed is easier to plant, fertilize, weed, and water.
5. Start planning where you will place low-maintenance perennials that don’t require a lot of pruning. Plants that are native to your area are a good choice. They grow well in your local climate.
6. Decide where you will place plants to attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
7. Add a ledge to existing walls or fences to use as a handrail as you age.

PATIOS AND WALKWAYS

Aging adults often have balance problems. Anticipate this problem and design your refuge to be flat. Avoid cobblestones and materials that may make it difficult for you to navigate walking the patio. Choose a material for walkways that drains well and won’t be slippery when wet.

Composite decks are a good choice for aging adults because they are low maintenance. If you decide on a paved patio, it’s a good idea to choose larger pavers as there will be fewer gaps and catch points.

LIGHTS

Install garden lights to improve visibility in the early evenings.

NON-PLANT ITEMS TO ADD SERENITY TO YOUR CORNER

Enjoy the simple joys of nature. Add non-plant items to your garden to help you breathe, relax, and take in nature using all of your senses.

Sight and sound:

• Add a bird feeder or a bird bath so that you can watch the birds and listen to them sing and twitter.
• Wind chimes add a melodious sound on windy days.
• You might add a small fountain to enjoy the sounds of running water in your space.

Smell:

Start planning where you will put a pot of lavender or plant a group of fragrant hyacinths now to bloom in early spring.

Touch and taste:

Install a small fire pit for cold days and evenings. You are never too old to enjoy a roasted marshmallow.