Introduction:
At some point in your life, you've probably heard about the benefits of nature-inspired staycations. Staying in a natural environment may help to improve overall mood, increase productivity and relieve stress. This article aims to help dispel some of the myths and assumptions that people have about what it means to stay outdoors during vacation.
Is your current vacation lackluster, like most people seem to be complaining about these days? Are you sick of endless amounts of sand, sun, and surf? I bet you could use some inspiration to switch things up a bit. If so, then this article is for you. I've compiled 8 popular misconceptions about nature-inspired staycations.
#1 – Nature gets in the way of clean lines
Nature is a great thing, but it can be a bit of an obstacle when you're trying to get your house in order. If you're building a new home or updating your existing one, the first thing you should consider is what kind of landscaping will work for you, and how it will look when all finished.
If your yard is small and compacted, consider planting something like bamboo or other vines instead of more traditional shrubs. These plants are more forgiving than others, so they won't take up as much room or require as much maintenance. They also tend to grow slower and higher than other types of trees, which means they don't shade out any other foliage.
If your yard is larger, then you might want to think about planting some trees or shrubs with trunks that are wider than they are tall — these types of trees can help create an open feel while still keeping things grounded. You can also plant several different kinds of trees together if they have similar characteristics (for example, redbuds and flowering dogwoods).
#2 – Nature is too loud for a bedroom
The more you sleep with nature, the quieter your bedroom will be. If you're like me, you spend most of your time in bed staring at a wall of lights, watching YouTube videos, or reading on your phone. The problem is that all of those activities emit noise. Even if you turn off the lights and just have the screen illuminated, the light from the screen still emits light waves that bounce around in the room.
And if you're using an app that has a lot of flashing colors or animated graphics on it, those can also be very loud. So as soon as I get home from work, I turn on all the lights in my bedroom and shut off all electronics except for my laptop (which I keep on airplane mode). This way I can relax without worrying about disturbing anyone else by watching TV or listening to music.
#3 – Nature can't be modified; it must be natural
One of the most common misconceptions about nature-inspired stays is that you can't modify them. While it's true that you're not going to have the same experience as if you were in an entirely natural setting, it doesn't mean that you can't have an experience like no other.
You can still make a difference in how your stay is experienced by choosing carefully what kind of activities or excursions are included. For example, if there's a chance to see animals up close and personal, but you're headed out on a hiking trip instead, then something is missing from your trip.
#4 – Lush landscapes are boring
If you're making a living as a photographer, it's important to consider how your work will be received by others. The best way to do that is to have some kind of visual vocabulary. This might sound like an obvious point, but it's easy to lose sight of when you're working on a project for yourself. You'll probably want to make the best use of your time, so it's easy to get caught up in trying to find the "right" shot.
But if you don't have any kind of visual language for yourself, then you're stuck with whatever comes out of your camera and what you feel like sharing with the world. And none of this will really matter unless it appeals to other people. It's not enough just to take photos and hopes they turn out well; they need to look good, too! A great landscape photo can help make even a terrible painting look good if it's framed well and lit well — but only if the viewer can tell what it is right away.
#5 – Vines and ivy can't be trimmed or controlled
The vines in the following photo were growing up on the side of a building and were blocking the windows. The owner was concerned that they would cause an accident if they fell on someone. The owner also wanted to keep them out of the way because they were causing a safety issue when walking through the parking lot to get into their building.
This vine was about 20 feet high and had many branches. The branches were growing over each other and creating a "tunnel" effect that made it difficult for anyone to move around in the parking lot. There was also a danger that someone could get caught on one of those branches during the night when there was less traffic on campus than during the daytime hours.
#6 – Trees, shrubs, and grasses will spread if cut back or not maintained
Trees, shrubs, and grasses will spread if cut back or not maintained. If you are getting rid of a tree that is too large for your yard, you may be able to keep it alive by planting it in a pot or using a tree wrap. A small tree can be grown from seedlings, but it will take at least two years before it is fully grown.
If you are buying a new tree, be sure that it has been properly pruned so that its branches will grow straight and not spread out too much. Also, make sure that the plant doesn't have any pests or diseases that could cause problems for your garden. If you are looking to add more greenery to your property, consider getting some plants such as iris or hostas. These plants come in all shapes and sizes and offer different colors as well as textures.
#7 – Plants are messy and make messes
Plants are messy. They make messes. They don't care if you're watching or not. They will grow out of control and have to be pruned back or removed altogether. Plants need sun, water, and soil in order to thrive, and for the most part, you have to deal with those things. If you want to grow plants indoors, then you have the same problems as with indoor gardening: proper lighting; adequate ventilation; the right amount of moisture; proper nutrient delivery (you can use a fertilizer bottle or sprinkle it on); and so forth.
If you'd rather do your plant-growing outside, then you'll still have some of these same problems with plants that require nutrients from the soil during their growing cycle. There are also some additional problems like insects (because they love plants), pests (because there are always pests), predators (because there's always something bigger than them), weather conditions (which can affect plant growth), and so on.
#8 – Plants will take over your yard
Plants will take over your yard. They will push out the weeds and grow into the space between the furniture and walls. They will take over your flower beds, your green thumb will be so strong that you’ll forget what a lawn looked like.
Plants are glamorous, they are exotic and they are just plain cool. But if you want to get rid of the weeds then you have to get rid of them. You can’t just plant flowers in an area that has been previously used for weed control. A good way to do this is with a pre-emergent herbicide that kills broadleaf weeds before they can even get started on your lawn or garden beds.
Conclusion:
If you have stayed at the home of someone who has taken the time to plant something, your first impression may be that it is unkempt, but upon closer inspection, you will see how the plants are placed to give a sense of order without getting in the way. You won't see dead flowers on display or ramshackle rocks in a pot—the vibrancy and life in the living landscape will leave you yearning for spring and inspire you to bring nature's beauty into your own garden.
Almost all of these misconceptions are either untrue or have solutions. At any time of the year, you can find fresh and unique inspiration right outside the front door. Take a look at our image gallery to get started! Then stop by the Design Library, and be sure to ask a Staff Designer if you need anything further.
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