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TurfMutt Foundation Predicts Americans Will Continue to Expand Outdoor Living

(NAPSI)“Backyarding is a way of life now,” says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Foundation and its parent organization, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). “Homeowners spent lots of time, money and effort over the last eighteen months improving their backyards to make them an extension of their homes so they could work, cook, exercise and even vacation outdoors. We believe people will continue to ‘backyard more’ in the coming year and beyond.”

People are expecting to spend more time than ever in their backyards in the coming year..

The TurfMutt Foundation predicts the following backyarding trends for 2022:

Lines between the indoors and the outdoors continue to blur. Doors and windows will be opened to the great outdoors and more people will enjoy breakfast or a nightcap on the deck. Decorating choices will marry the outside and the inside, with colors and tones that provide more visual connection between indoor areas and the backyard, for a seamless transition.

Offices turn to the outdoors. There will be no need to turn to technology to create a virtual backdrop for video calls. Trees, flowers, bushes and other plants are a beautiful video call background. Privacy screens, electrical outlets and Wi-Fi extenders become more common.

Kids (and adults) spends more time outside learning. Kids will take online classes or do homework under the shade of a tree, in an outdoor classroom at school or at a patio or picnic table. They brush up on STEM concepts (TurfMutt’s free lesson plans can help) by planting and studying flowers, bugs and weather.

Al fresco dining becomes the norm. Grills, pizza ovens and overhead lighting with seating will make many homes outdoor eateries for families and neighbors. Interest in outdoor kitchens, pergolas, shade sails and landscaping will define and enhance outdoor dining.

Business deals get cooked up in backyards. While socializing around fire pits and watching the kids play soccer on the lawn, adults will have the informal conversations that used to happen in other venues. Games of croquet and cornhole could turn easily into business networking opportunities.

The backyard is the first place people turn to for relaxation and stress relief. Yoga, hammocks, reading nooks, calming water features and more add spa-like features to the backyard. More people plant with peace of mind at heart, adding colors that make them feel good, while aiming for sensory or emotional connections.

Outdoor entertainment evolves. Movie projectors with sound systems and outdoor screens turn the yard into a theater under the stars. Expect to see fire pits, outdoor games and more that enhance outdoor recreation.

Homeowners will plant with wildlife in mind. Knowing the backyard is a habitat for pollinators, insects, birds and other wildlife, homeowners likely will choose plants, trees and shrubs that nurture and support wildlife—delighting in discovering them.

Pampering pets only increases. Fencing, sandpiles for digging, doghouses and even agility courses for pets to enjoy will become more common.

More people discover their backyarding personality types and design a yard that matches their outdoor lifestyles. They will map out their yards, take an inventory of tools and equipment available to create and maintain their dream and then work hard to create a defined backyard that meets their needs over the coming year.

To learn more about creating the yard of your dreams, visit TurfMutt.com.

“Fall, in particular, is a critical season for your backyard,” says Kris Kiser, President of the TurfMutt Foundation. “The work you put into your yard now will reap benefits all year long. Remember: Work your landscape and your landscape will work for you.”

Two backyarding personality types in particular—the Expert Landscaper and the Work from Home Pro—can really shine this fall. Here’s why:

Expert Landscaper

This personality type knows that yard work done in the fall provides a double benefit because what you do in autumn to maintain your yard sets the stage for its health and vibrancy come spring. Fall yard chores—removing leaves, pruning trees and cleaning out flower beds and garden plots—are a usual activity for you.

Work From Home Pro

As a work from home professional, you have been living for fall when the temperatures are perfect for taking your office outside. All you need is a strong Wi-Fi connection, your nicest leisure wear and a jacket for chilly morning meetings and you’re ready for work in your backyard. Nature is your video call backdrop and you have set up your outdoor office for success by using shrubs and patio planters to distinguish your outdoor office space from other backyard activity zones.

What do these personality types know to do this fall? No matter your backyarding personality type, you can have a fabulous family yard this fall and beyond with these simple steps:

Remove leaves. Mulching leaves rather than raking and bagging them is good for your lawn and the environment. As shredded leaves decompose they feed your lawn, naturally.

Mow at the right height. Cut grass until the first hard frost. Find the just-right length for your lawn’s species (typically between 2-3 inches) to keep your grass healthy when it turns cold. Overseed grass and don’t forget to aerate the lawn in fall to prevent soil from becoming compacted and covered with thatch—a thick layer of roots, stems and debris that blocks water, oxygen and nutrients from reaching the soil.

Water wisely. If you’re not getting at least an inch of water each week, keep watering throughout the fall. Install watering solutions, such as smart controllers on irrigation systems, to conserve water.

Plant bulbs and flowering shrubs that will give blooms in spring and summer to feed pollinators, such as birds, bees and butterflies, as well as provide beauty for those natural, video conference backdrops.

Plant a tree for shade or cover. It may take a few years to grow to shade-producing height, but it’s an investment in your outdoor space.

Identify the ideal time to prune specific tree and shrub species and do so accordingly. Depending on what is in your yard, fall may be the perfect time.

Consider putting in decking or a hardscape to create an area to set up a desk or table. Make sure adequate electricity is available to power those laptops and other devices.

Sign up for Mutt Mail, a monthly e-newsletter with backyarding tips and all the news from the TurfMutt Foundation, at TurfMutt.com.

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