by Jennifer Poindexter
When I was younger, the idea of having a sitting space in my garden never entered my mind. However, my mother-in-law rarely created a growing space that didn’t have a sitting area nearby.
Now that I’m getting older, I understand why this was such an important part of her garden. Sitting spaces in the garden serve multiple purposes.
Let’s discuss these purposes and why you might wish to create a sitting space in your garden as well.
Quick Tip: Add a Sitting Space to Your Garden
When growing a garden, one of the first things you should consider in your design is where you’ll sit.
Here’s a few reasons why this should be a priority:
1. Add a Sitting Space to Your Garden Because It’s Hard Work
Gardening is hard work. When working in your growing space, there are times that you’re grateful for a designated sitting area.
This also voids the idea of dragging a chair around with you. Plus, by creating a sitting space, you can focus on proper placement and ensure it receives adequate shade during the appropriate times of day.
In my mother-in-law’s case, she added a nice table with an umbrella around her garden, so she always had shade and a place for her beverage.
2. Add a Sitting Space to Your Garden for Harvesting
The second reason you might wish to add a sitting space in your garden is for harvesting. When I harvest things like corn, it’s common for my family and I to sit under a shade tree in our yard while we shuck it.
We do this to keep the mess outside and simultaneously trying to rest. Plus, the shade keeps us cool as well.
By adding a sitting space in your garden, you’ll have room to process your harvest in a nearby location.
3. Add a Sitting Space to Your Garden for Enjoyment
Lastly, a sitting space in your garden should create a nice place to hang out even when you’re not working.
If you’ve gardened for long you know that visiting the garden is something many of us do frequently as we like to reflect on our hard work, and it’s a place of peace.
Whether you desire a sitting space around your garden for functional purposes or ensuring you take the time to enjoy your garden, it’s a wise investment in the space.
This may require a little forethought and putting design-efforts into your growing space, but if it makes it more enjoyable it could be worth the effort.
More About Garden Design
https://extension.umn.edu/lawns-and-landscapes/landscape-design
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/19-landscape-design
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