With the warmer weather here for many of us, our focus turns to the outdoors. We’ve got some tips for you!
Staying cool in the heat
If you already have a passive home, you’ll know how comfortable it can be, even in hot weather. If you don’t, you’ll know what it means to rely on or wish for air conditioning during extreme heat events. These events are happening more frequently, and we’re sharing an idea for how to stay cool.
Summer kitchen
Outdoor kitchens have been on-trend for a good few years now, but have you thought about a simple take on an old concept: the summer kitchen. These used to be stand alone buildings, much like a shed, where the heat of cooking was kept separate from the main dwelling.
Not everyone has the space or the budget for a full-on outdoor kitchen. If you want to avoid heating up your home on the hottest days, think about setting up a cooking corner in an existing screened in porch, under cover on a deck, or in a similar outdoor space.
A barbecue is a great starting point, but the market is also rich in small appliances that will let you cook like you do in your main kitchen. From higher end toaster ovens that also airfry, bake, and roast, to induction elements for making large pots of pasta or corn on the cob, you can cook comfortably outdoors.
If you’re thinking about building a new home, consider covered outdoor spaces that can help keep you cool and perhaps cook outside more frequently.
Natural tips for the garden
As many of us experience more drought and flooding events, thinking about your choices in the garden is well worth the time.
Lawns
For a more environmentally focused lawn, consider mixing your drought-resistant grass seed with clover. Clover has many benefits, including the need for less watering and it’s a fantastic nitrogen-fixer, improving your soil health. Read more here.
Plants
For a more resilient garden overall, choose plants and shrubs that are drought resistant and naturally hardy. Talk to your local garden centre expert about the smartest local plant selections you can make.
Water
It may seem obvious, but re-using water wherever possible is smart as extended droughts hit many communities. The garden is an easy win by setting up one or more rain barrels to capture water. This can also help to manage flooding risk (more below).
Multiple ways of dealing with flooding in the garden and around your home are suggested in this Treehugger article.
Invest time in planning
It’s always worth it to put time into planning to make the best use of your home spaces, and functional shaded and covered outdoor spaces are more and more important. If you’re ready to discuss your new home project, we’d love to talk.