Blog Post

Spring has sprung so it's time to start enjoying your outdoor living space again and make it your refuge. Cornerstone Homes thoughtfully designs your outdoor living spaces so you can seamlessly connect to the outdoors, bringing nature right into your home. Whether it is a private courtyard, patio, sunroom, or screen porch, these extensions of your living space are waiting for your personal touch.  

Container gardening has become very popular and easy, even for those of us with a not-so green thumb! After all, connecting with the earth while staying active is one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors and live a happier, healthier lifestyle. Put on your gardening gloves, play your favorite music, and let it grow! Here are some fabulous ideas to surround yourself with nature. 

Colorful Flowers

Growing flowers exclusively in containers optimizes your beautiful courtyard space and adds a fresh, clean vibe that’s perfect for spring and summer.  It’s so much fun to unleash your creative side and play around with arrangements, as well as container size, shape, color, pattern, etc.  Not to mention, adding a little of nature's elegance to your space is calming and relaxing. Here’s a little inspiration:

• Style with lush layers 
• Add some shade 
• Go for the greens
• Create simple succulent beauty
• Use contrasting colors
• Mix aesthetics and aromas
• Upcycle your own planters

Aromatic Herbs

We love giving “sage” advice! In your outdoor space, beautiful and tasty herbs are the perfect plants to grow. (Just the scent of them while sitting outside will send you to a blissful state of calm!) This spring, add a little green to your space and start growing herbs like chives, mint, parsley, thyme, and basil. You’ll enjoy them in your favorite springtime dishes soon... it’s mint to be! Below are a few delicious, herb-based recipes to try:

• Creamy Chive Potatoes
• Tomato Toast with Chives and Sesame Seeds
• Spring Peas with Mint
• Carrot Salad with Parsley and Spring Onions
• Mustard and White Wine Braised Chicken 
• Spring Green Lemon and Basil Pasta
• Lemon Basil Orzo with Chicken

Vibrant Vegetables

Believe it or not, you don’t need an abundance of space to grow your favorite veggies. Using containers, you can create your very own vegetable garden right in your courtyard or patio, which not only saves you money and trips to the grocery store, but provides the satisfaction of watching your favorite nutritious foods come to life. Veggies like peas, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, radishes, eggplant, leafy greens, and peppers fare well in containers!  More recipes......

• Spring Potato Salad with Green Garlic Dressing
• Spring Tomato Basil Bocconcini Salad
• Springtime Pasta with Blistered Tomatoes and Eggs
• Marinated Teriyaki Eggplant
• Spring Greens Quiche
• Spring Stuffed Peppers

The Benefits of Gardening

You might already know how relaxing and therapeutic gardening can be, but simply standing outside in the sun also helps to boost your bone health and immune system through exposure to vitamin D.  Not only that, gardening strengthens muscles, improves cardiovascular health, and even helps to ease chronic pain. Needless to say, gardening is good for your soul — it allows you to clear your mind, relax while being present, and enjoy the warm weather. 

Your outdoor space will become your favorite perfect refuge to entertain, curl up with a good book, or enjoy some star-gazing.  Add a few lights for a romantic vibe, or a trellis with vines to make the space feel very Zen, and even a graphic area rug to add warmth and texture.  Visually satisfying and good for your well-being, you are on your way to a healthier and happier summer! From all of us at Cornerstone Homes, happy planting and decorating! 

Don't miss out on our EARTH DAY Celebration at Woodside Farms in Chickahominy Falls on April 23rd from 10-2pm!  We will have many plant vendors on hand to get your green thumb started this season!