Sometimes we find things we’re most passionate about by complete accident. That’s how Lifestyle Blogger and Photographer Diana Elizabeth Steffen discovered her love of gardening.
“My husband helped create garden beds [in our backyard] and left it up to me to maintain it,” Steffen explains. “I kind of got thrown into it.”
This wasn’t necessarily a move Steffen saw coming. Earlier in her career, she worked in Hollywood as an entertainment reporter. Craving a career switch, Steffen moved to Phoenix, where she began posting lifestyle content and photography on her blog. When she began taking over gardening duties at her home, she found it to naturally integrate with her personal brand.
“Gardening has complimented my love for interior design and entertaining,” she explains. “Having a beautiful garden has allowed me to have another area to decorate — it is a new palette to work with every season — and a place to entertain.”
Shade + Seasons = Success
Steffen notes that the beginning of her gardening journey was highly experimental, but with in-person classes and good old-fashioned trial and error, she quickly became aware of how to grow all types of items. She mentions there is a surprising amount of plants and food that will grow in the Valley, but stresses the importance of seasonal planting.
“Just because the nursery sells it, doesn’t mean it’s the right time to plant,” Steffen says.
She often looks to local garden calendars to help her plan out ideal sowing times for different crops to maximize growth. During the summer months, Steffen focuses on plants like zinnias, vincas and lisianthus. The fall months see a mix of vegetables, herbs and flowers: salvia, rosemary and Spanish lavender, to name a few.
Regardless of what Steffen plants each season, she’s always sure to focus on providing adequate shade. Early on, she planted as many small trees as possible, helping to give crops respite from the scorching summer sun. Before permanently adding trees to your property, Steffen suggests taking time to observe when and where the sun hits your garden.
“Almost every plant requires sun to bloom or produce, but a winning spot is where trees or buildings offer shade in the late afternoon,” she says.
Setting the Scene
Once your garden is planted and growing, you’ll have a naturally beautiful backdrop for outdoor gatherings. With the fall season upon us and cooler temperatures in sight, it’s the perfect time to start planning an al fresco soirée.
Steffen shares her top tips for hosting the perfect get-together:
- Plan to host when your garden is in bloom. The point of having a backyard garden party is to show off the garden. If it’s not looking very lush, head to the nursery and grab some new plants. Be sure to plant them a few weeks ahead of the party so plants have time to grow in.
- Have a fun theme. Decide on a central concept and plan from there. If the party is to celebrate the spring equinox, encourage friends to show up in a floral dress. If it’s a potluck, have a food theme. My recent garden party was a citrus theme, so every dish brought used citrus. We voted on best dish, awarded prizes and planned fun activities.
- Incorporate faux flowers. This is a last resort secret of mine. If florals are underperforming or mature plants are in between bloom, I have a few faux florals like lavender and roses and I tuck them in rose bushes or the ground. It works especially well for garden evening parties. No one has caught my trick!
Follow Diana on Instagram or visit her website.
This story appeared in the AZ Foothills Home & Design, Best Places to Live issue. Read the full issue here.
