Winter is around the corner and, no matter how much you are dreading the cold weather, there are always ways to continue to enjoy being outside. For many Canadian homeowners, the backyard is a staple of summer living that may fade away once the snow starts to hit, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Winter takes away the daylight, the warmth and much of the plant and animal life and replaces it with a whole lot of snow. With that in mind, the key to enjoying your backyard is to make up for what Mother Nature took away, while making the most of what she provided.
Here are 5 great ways you can do just that:
- Find a new source of warmth: With temperatures plummeting, an enticing solution needs to be put in place to make your backyard more hospitable. There are a variety of options on the market that can address this concern. They include purchasing patio heaters, having a fire place installed or even getting a hot tub, which are more affordable now than ever before. These pieces are well complimented by other winter-friendly additions such as wooden furniture and gazebos.
- Find a new source of light: The sun’s presence in the sky is diminished in the winter, which means that the days are short and daylight is very hard to come by. A practical way to address this issue is by going with a neutral holiday light set, setting it up early and using it all winter long. You could also consider having more permanent lighting installed in your backyard as well.
- Bring back the birds: Want to bring vibrancy and life back to your yard? Bring the birds back! Black oil sunflower seeds are a favourite of Blue jays and Cardinals, which will be easy to spot against a snowy Canadian backdrop. Have a look at this Nature Conservancy CanadaTM resource for more tips on attracting birds to your backyard this winter.
- Rely on winter plants: Spring is the season of blooming for most plants, but there is still some plant life out there that can survive and thrive in the Canadian winter. Head over to your local nursery to learn more about cold-resistant and winter-blooming plants, shrubs and perennials that can add some much needed vibrancy to your backyard this winter. Look out for Red Osier, a red winter shrub, and Purple cone flower, a perennial, two options that will compliment any winter garden.
- Enjoy the snow: You might as well make the most of the winter by enjoying the one gift it provides that many Canadian’s don’t actually mind, the snow. The opportunities for fun are limitless, whether you want to make snow angels, a snow man, or even have a snow ball throwing contest (where you aim at targets, not at each other!).
With these five points in mind, even the harshest Canadian winter will be no match for your backyard.
