Cold season solutions for your balcony, terrace or garden

It’s significantly colder and the rain has been very much present, but for those who believe that they can’t do without spending some time outside, weather is just an excuse.

What about those garden or balcony areas that you haven’t been making use of during the Winter and Autumn months?
The climate isn’t bad enough to make you want to hide under the covers, and in order to encourage you to go outside we’ve come up with a few solutions for your home’s outdoor spaces during the cold seasons.

You can start preparing your garden because Winter will kick in next month.

Bring a blanket

Cafes have been making blankets available so you can enjoy sitting outside during cold days, and you can enjoy them in Portugal too, despite the comparatively warmer weather. Why not get yourself some nice blankets to enjoy your sunny Winter days outside?

Create a sheltered area

You may create a sheltered area in your garden, with either an awning or roof, or build a wooden shelter, children will certainly love it.

Grow vegetables in the Winter

Build a small greenhouse to grow vegetables and herbs during the Winter, it will be fun for both kids and adults alike.

Furnish with comfort in mind

Good furniture might create a significantly warmer and comforting environment. Beanbags, lounge chairs, sofas and cushions are vital for your comfort. Materials such as wood, aside from being comfortable, also create a warmer ambiance, and remain in theme with nature.
By using comfortable furniture, you can create the perfect spot for relaxing with hot cocoa or tea outdoors.

By the fireplace

Outdoor fireplaces are trendy and there are several design options to suit every taste. They are great to create an intimate atmosphere for friends or family gatherings. Outdoor heaters, very common in bars or cafes, are also a great option for a Winter spent outdoors.

Cooking, eventually, heats up the environment and is a fun time to be spent among friends and family, so have you thought about cooking outside? Raclette or fondue, which are clearly non-portuguese meals, are great options. Even drinks will help keep you warm.

Plants with winter blossoms

Does your garden seem sad in the Winter? It doesn’t have to, keep some plants that will bloom in the winter, or some that support appealing branches, and you will learn about the wonders of a Winter garden.

Cyclamen coum – it has good dirt coverage, an appealing foliage and beautiful Winter flowers.

Helleborus – some Helleborus spawn in Portugal; they are a very interesting plant with a beautiful Winter bloom.

Viburnum – a bush that is very common in Portugal, blooms from January on.

Hamamelis – deciduous and yellow foliage by the end of Winter, this plant stands out by its scent.

Cornus – some plants have beautiful branches that may even light up your garden during the Winter. Cornus sanguinea, or Winter Flame, is one of them, supporting warm tones, which are exactly what we need.

These are just some of the examples you can use. You should also include evergreens because they allow for an interesting contrast with the deciduous during the Winter.

Attract animals

Your choice of plants might attract biodiversity, such as birds, into your Winter garden. Another option would be creating a shelter for them in one of your trees and supply food. Having water in your garden may also be very appealing to them.

Picking Winter fruits

Winter fruits are very useful: on desserts, on holiday decorations, you will have a lot to do with chestnuts and pinecones. Picking this type of natural elements is a great reason to leave the house.

Lighting

Another strategy to make your garden more appealing and cosier is lighting, not only because of comfort, but also because they allow you to highlight trees or plants, thus creating a very interesting environment you can gaze upon, even from inside your home.

You may also place some candles to create a cosy atmosphere for your outdoor meals, for instance.

Coloured pots

Another strategy to add even more colour to your outdoors is the use of coloured pots, and using them to create your own style, for instance, Hippie chic.

It’s not difficult at all, be brave, take the next step and enjoy. Winter also, and definitely, has its charm.

Amália Souto Miranda
Landscape Architect