“Now I see the secret of making the best person, it is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Orchard Ovens loves to encourage its customers to make the very most of their gardens, by offering them the very best wood-fired ovens available, to optimise their al fresco entertaining. But why is outdoor living so important to our 21st century lifestyle?
Homeowners appreciate that a well-maintained garden can add value to a home, but having green fingers is not the only way to utilise your outside space. Your garden can actually become a vibrant living space, in which to eat, play, work, socialise, live and enjoy numerous benefits.
If the last two years have shown us one thing, it’s the importance of having time outdoors for our mental and physical health. There have been numerous studies to advise us the benefits of being outside with nature and in green spaces. Just last month, the mental health charity, Mind, released a survey of over a 1,000 people in the UK, highlighting that spending more time in nature has boosted the nation’s wellbeing. https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/over-7-million-have-taken-up-gardening-since-the-pandemic-new-research-shows-spending-more-time-in-nature-has-boosted-nation-s-wellbeing/#_ftn1
Research by the Mental Health Foundation has also discovered that people who are more connected with nature are usually happier in life and more likely to report feeling that their lives are worthwhile. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/nature/nature-research
So what are the further benefits of outdoor living and how can you get better connected with your own outdoor space?
Good mental health
Time spent outdoors, even for just a few minutes, has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety and lower blood pressure. Try taking time to enjoy your morning coffee in the garden and a moment listening to the birds – a mini-meditation opportunity to start your day. If you have a lawn or patio area, perhaps utilise the space, during the warmer months, for a yoga or Pilates session, instead of staying cooped up indoors.
How about creating your own quick and easy kitchen garden? Even a small space can accommodate a herb wall. Hanging individual pots or long rectangular planters works well for coriander, mint, rosemary, thyme and many more herbs. We love some of these creative DIY ideas – https://www.countryliving.com/gardening/garden-ideas/how-to/g1274/how-to-plant-a-vertical-garden/
A cooking experience
We believe that enjoying good food outdoors with family and friends is truly good for the soul. Our pre-assembled, ready to use Fornino wood-fired pizza oven is fully portable and can be positioned to follow the sun in your garden. In fact, it’s the ultimate ‘fire up and play’ oven! Perfect for a party, birthday celebration or dinnertime with the family, a wood-fired oven offers one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to cook. These ovens keep the ‘chef’ at the heart of the gathering, rather than having to be hidden away in the kitchen. They also encourage everyone to be hands on. Children and guests just love choosing their own pizza toppings and watching the cooking process, so it’s all completely interactive and engaging.
Boost your Vitamin D
Many of us don’t get enough vitamin D and some of us can actually suffer deficiencies. Enjoying time in our gardens can give us a welcome boost. From late March to early September, we should be able to make all the vitamin D we need, simply by processing sunlight. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!
Add value to your home
Turning your garden into a liveable space can add value to your property, and Instagram is a great source of inspiration. Just a quick browse will show how creative people are and outdoor kitchens have become the new must-have. With these, you can be as practical or fancy as you like, as you extend your indoor living outdoors.
Whether you choose a simple grill or barbeque surrounded by comfy seating, professional home smokers, or a bespoke wood-fired oven build as part of your outdoor kitchen, you can enjoy quality cooking and eating time al fresco.
Orchard Ovens has had the pleasure of creating a wide variety of bespoke outdoor kitchens, complete with built-in wood-fired ovens, for our customers. Our tailored-to-you outdoor kitchen solutions feature everything you need to get up and running, including sinks, fridges, wine coolers and outdoor bars. From fitting superb appliances to creating a stylish shaded zone or pergola, we can project manage your entire outdoor kitchen plans, to turn your dream into a reality.
Work outdoors
Home office space is now a ‘must have’ and on the wish list for buyers and, if you work from home as more of us now do, there’s great potential to make this from within your garden. Often having a dedicated and separate space to work away from the main home can increase productivity and create a healthier work-life balance.
We love the tips and tricks highlighted in this Ideal Home article https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/garden-ideas/garden-office-ideas-269114 on how to create, position and style a garden office.
If you’re on a budget, it can be as simple as re-purposing a shed or summer house, but the world is your oyster if you’re looking for something more permanent. We’ve seen everything, from garden pods to Shepherd’s huts!
Our gardens really do have so much to offer and if we’ve inspired you to think about investing in a wood-fired pizza oven or purpose-built outdoor kitchen, get in touch and one of our team will help you create something special.
For more information, tour the rest of our website at www.orchardovens.co.uk or call 01772 250000.
