| You've raked up the last of the leaves to reveal your winter landscape. Dotted with evergreens, textured grasses and a granite sphere dusted with snow, the garden is ready to be enjoyed.
But, well, it's awfully cold and wet out there.
While winter seems like the time for a break, it's actually an ideal season for appreciating the garden without the imperatives of weeding, mulching, trimming and planting. The only hurdle is climate. So here are a few weather-minded strategies for appreciating your garden this time of year.
Crank the heat
Sometimes it's simply a matter of staying warm. Propane gas heaters kicking out 40,000-plus BTUs can heat up a cabana or make an open patio comfortable on a cool afternoon. (These are widely available from home-improvement stores and specialty shops such as Sutter Home & Hearth, in Ballard and Woodinville.)
Outdoor fireplaces are another option. This time of year, a full fireplace or partially covered chimenea (with a smokestack that is protected from the nearly constant rain) works best.
A flame provides heat and a warm centerpiece for spending time outside, but fires require dry fuel and considerable tending. Also on the downside, outdoor fire structures rarely provide the same concentrated heat source as a propane heater, and they release pollutants into the air.
Seek cover
... read the whole article |