Dreaming of a Better Backyard
As residents of the beautiful state of California, we don’t exactly deal with winter like the rest of the country does. While people in Wyoming are hunkering down in their log cabins and plugging in their cars to keep their fuel lines from freezing, Californians are putting on parkas because, well, it’s gonna be 60 degrees outside.
California “winter” isn’t exactly a tough season to bear—a slight dip in temperatures, a little more rain, and a few changes to the plant life in your yard are common side effects in a relatively consistent climate.
Fortunately, this doesn’t have to stop you from getting work done in your backyard—and it certainly doesn’t stop you from dreaming of a better backyard.
In this blog, the Bakersfield Landscape Supply team at Kern Turf Supply will help you dream up some ways you can improve your backyard. Plan now and do some groundwork, and you’ll have an amazing backyard when the incredible California summer comes back around.
Replace your grass with synthetic turf.
This might sound like blasphemy to some of you—but synthetic turf has many advantages over natural grass as we’ve discussed in a few blogs before this one. First of all, California isn’t exactly drowning in water—with frequent droughts and potential water shortages, it’s important to conserve water every chance we get. You might not be aware, but synthetic turf needs about as much water as your television does—swap out your old grass with new turf, and protect the environment while you save on your water bill.
Go with a hardscape design.
If you’d rather your backyard feel like a luxurious, Game of Thrones style mezzanine than a backyard, consider a hardscape design. Hardscapes maximize entertaining and lounging space while minimizing vegetation, leaving you with more room for guests and less yard work on the weekends. You don’t have to get rid of the vegetation altogether—add low-maintenance shrubs and perennial flowers to soften hard edges and add a pop of color. Hardscapes can also incorporate outdoor kitchens, cabanas, and dining rooms (more on this later), as well as the next tip on our list…
Get a hot tub.
C’moooooooon. You’ve wanted a hot tub for decades, but you always make up excuses to not get one. I’m not fancy enough for a hot tub, you think to yourself. I don’t use hot tubs that often as it is. This is exactly what someone who doesn’t own a hot tub would say.
Visualize it now: A spacious hot tub, filled to the brim with perfectly warm water and bubbling jets, is waiting for you in a secluded corner of your backyard. It’s large enough for seven or eight or your best friends, but what’s the point of that? You just want to relax by yourself on a mild summer night in Bakersfield. As you slide in, the faint sounds of traffic and coyotes are drowned out by the calming buzz of your hot tub jets, sending you into a blissful state of relaxation and peace—and that’s when you pick up your homemade margarita and take a sip.
These are the moments we live life for—all made possible because you finally said “I should live a little” and went to the hot tub store.
Build a bar in your backyard.
A bar? In your backyard? Why? We think the better question here is “Why not?” If you like to entertain guests, utilizing your outdoor space is a must. You obviously need a grill if you’re going to entertain in your backyard—but where are you going to whip up all of those fuzzy navels and buttery nipples? If you’re serious about having a good time, a small backyard bar is exactly what you need. Create enough bar space for four or five stools and take advantage of bar storage beneath the counter so you’re always organized and ready for the next shindig. Whatever you do, DO NOT give your bar a tiki theme.
Construct an outdoor kitchen.
Let’s take things one step further here. You can’t expect tiny tray attachment on your grill to handle mounds of grilled steaks, kebabs, and other grilled foods—you need to spread out a bit so you can become a true grillmaster. That’s where outdoor kitchens can come in handy. With plenty of counter space to make culinary magic happen and loads of storage for all of your grilling gear and party supplies, your outdoor kitchen will help you grill like you never have before, without having to make frequent trips to the kitchen for supplies. You can even get a few of your guests to join in and help you with the work!
Add on a full-scale dining room.
An outdoor dining room is one of the most practical and enjoyable additions to any backyard. Imagine all of your amazing grilled foods spread out on a large table, with beautiful arrangements of dishes, a nice tablecloth, and a few bottles of wine thrown in there for good measure. This is how you enjoy the perfect California weather, and create some great memories with your closest friends and family members.
The best outdoor dining rooms often accompany outdoor kitchens, and they make great use of pergolas and cabana-like structures—after all, it’s nice to have a little shade during the dining experience if the summer sun is still out.
Top off your dining space with a prep table, comfortable chairs, and of course, some amazing lighting to really set the tone. Once it’s all said and done, you’ll never want to eat inside again.
Warm things up with a fire pit.
When the sun goes down and your guests want to wind down with a “grease cutter” drink, it’s nice to have a few comfortable chairs and a warm fire to gather around. A fire pit is perhaps the hottest addition today in the world of backyard design—and why wouldn’t it be? You can relax with friends, roast some marshmallows, and enjoy the refreshing nighttime temps and the beautiful night sky—all from the comfort of your backyard.
Fortunately, fire pit setups are very inexpensive. For a few hundred dollars, you can buy a pit structure, some chairs, and enough firewood to last you a year. If you skipped out on Boy Scouts and don’t know how to make a fire, you can always buy a gas-powered model for all the flames and none of the work.
Plant your dream garden.
It doesn’t matter if you want to harvest a month’s worth of produce or maintain a small herb garden—when it comes to backyard gardens, the possibilities are endless. Gardens can make cooking fun and fulfilling, and are an excellent way to spend some more time outdoors. All you need is a little bit of space and some quality soil.
Stop by your local landscape supply store for all of your garden supplies, and make a diagram of how you want to plant your garden. WIth the right strategies, some hard work, and a green thumb, you’ll have an amazing garden that will give your meals (and your backyard) a boost.
Choose the landscape supply experts.
Whether you’re ready to pick up your supplies, or you just want to talk about your backyard dreams, stop by Kern Turf Supply. Our staff members know everything there is to know about landscaping and beautiful backyards (some of them have amazing backyards themselves) and are happy to provide you with advice, insights, and tips to help your backyard reach its full potential. Don’t wait—stop by our Bakersfield store today!