Jack Firneno, the Wire
With a virtually endless array of ideas and options, there’s virtually no limit to what you can do with a garden or other outdoor space for your home. But, where would you start?
Gasper’s Landscaping is one place. The Richboro-based design and landscaping service and store offers everything from small garden accessories to full-scale design and construction of gardens, multi-tier patios and more.
“We can design and build virtually any outdoor space,” said owner Bob Gasper.
If you’re just starting to think about what your dream garden could look like — or if you’d like to add a little more style to the one you have — Gasper has some ideas for you to consider.
Add the elements
Fire pits, outdoor stoves and other fire units have been becoming increasingly popular over the last few years. They provide options for family-friendly activities like roasting marshmallows or making s’mores, or just sitting and enjoying the heat from the flames.
Outdoor fire units run the gamut from simple, portable bowl-shaped fire pits to free-standing, front-loading fire places like chimeneas to large, installed pieces.
“Fire pits can extend the enjoyment of your patio well past the usual season,” said Gasper.
On the other hand, embracing a water theme can lend an air of peace and tranquility to your garden. Gasper’s offers virtually every item you would need to create an aqua garden or just add some accent to your patio. That includes bowls and containers, statuaries that “spit” water, and even fish and tadpoles to put in them.
“It’s a great way to get back to nature,” said Gasper.
Attract animals
There are various ways to attract birds, bats or bees to your garden. A hummingbird feeder or bird bath can attract small fowl to look at or listen to.
“People often like to hang them near their windows,” Gasper suggested.
Another option is a bird bath, which comes in a variety of shapes, textures and sizes. Stone or other opaque materials can create a more traditional look, while clear glass bowls give people a different view of the animals that visit it.
A bat house, on the other hand, is a great way to attract the nocturnal creatures who will eat unwanted insects while you’re sleeping. And, honey bees lured in by a bee house or honey bird feeder will help pollinate your garden.
“There are ways to help your garden while also adding a decorative touch,” said Gasper.
Accessorize!
Adding accessories and accents to your garden is a great way to personalize or frame your space, draw attention to different areas, or even make it more accessible.
Gasper noted that fairy gardens are becoming a hit, particularly with gardeners who have small children. There are many different ways to approach it, but most involve decorating a section of your outdoor space with miniature homes and buildings, and very small models of fairies and other creatures.
“It’s a great way to get the kids involved into gardening,” he said.
Meanwhile, you can create access paths and focal points with stone walkways or arbors and arch ways that viney plants can also grow around. Adding some lights or lanterns means you can draw attention to certain points, and also enjoy all these elements once the sun goes down, too.
“Lighting can give your garden more depth,” Gasper explained. “You can highlight certain parts, or break up the yard into fragments, including places for entertaining.”
For more information, visit www.gasper.net.
