The Urban Dictionary defines this new word as "a vacation that is spent at one's home enjoying all that home and one's home environs have to offer." With the rising cost of gas, "staycation" has become the buzzword wherever you go. Wegman's want to offer you some ideas for turning your home into a destination vacation to enjoy every day!

For the past few weeks we have talked about creating an island of tranquility with Japanese maples. This week we are talking about creating an outdoor room. Bringing the outdoors in has been a popular idea for some time; however, with the concept of staycations it can mean creating a "fifth room." Fifth rooms can be a place to sit and relax outside, a space to entertain, or a cabana setting for after a dip in the pool. The possibilities are as endless as your imagination.

During July watch the Wegman's newsletter for some intriguing possibilities we've come up with and the "how to" that will make your home the destination for your staycation!

During the past two weeks, we have discussed using Japanese maples to create a "quiet place" in the garden, a place where you can relax and let Mother Nature provide you tranquil respite. We have suggested Japanese maples to provide this oasis because of the abundance of varied forms, leaf shapes and leaf colors available for your selection. You may have decided to plant the trees as a grove or as a screen with one or two red-foliaged maples as accents. The beauty of using Japanese maples to create this quiet place--or as some would call it, an outdoor room--is that you can't fail to be successful if you follow a few basic instructions.

As you are probably aware, most of us have soil which is composed largely of clay. Japanese maples require a soil which drains well. Refer to our Care Guide on Soils which describes the steps involved in improving our difficult soil. We can’t stress too strongly the need to incorporate organic matter into the top 8 to 10 inches of the plot so that plants will have the maximum opportunity for a successful transition into their new environment.

After you have planted your Japanese maples (see our Planting Trees and Shrubs Care Guide) lay out any paths or sitting areas you want to include in your outdoor room. Shrubs, perennials and ground cover are then placed in what appears to be a natural arrangement. Remember, from your viewing areas the plants will be arranged so tall is in back and shortest in front. Some suitable and natural shrubs for a partially shady maple area: Mahonia aquifolium,’Compacta,’ dwarf Pieris japonica, Ribes sanguineum and Sarcococca ruscifolia. Do not plant one of each because that is not the way plants grow in Mother Nature’s garden.

If there is filtered or spotty sunlight reaching the floor of your outdoor room, there are numerous perennials that will bloom during the year such as columbine, astilbe, bleeding heart, heuchera, Pacific Coast iris, forget-me-not, foxglove and cymbidium orchids. A few ferns (e.g., leatherleaf fern or mother fern) would be a suitable accompaniment for your Japanese maples. If your design needs some low ground cover, wild ginger, lamium and sweet woodruff will fit in nicely for the shady areas.

Your paths and sitting area should be covered with two or three inches of one inch fir bark (e.g., Forest Bark) to blend with your natural plant environment. You will need a comfortable wooden bench or small café table and chairs and now or later, perhaps a water feature. For many of us, the sound of moving water is the ultimate refinement in our outdoor room of tranquility.

Finally, the last step of installing your outdoor room is to arrange the irrigation. The trees need a minimum of two bubblers on their own clock. We have stated many times that trees and turf (and shrubs) cannot be on the same clock. The shrubs, perennials and ground cover plants can be irrigated with sprinklers, drippers, soaker hoses or whatever works for you. Those plants can be watered together. It will take a year or two for the plants to mature and to fill in the area. If necessary, blank spaces can be temporarily filled with annuals. Meanwhile, sit and enjoy your tranquil room--and maybe even take a snooze.

Wegman's has real tuberous begonias, not the nonstop variety that has smaller leaves and flowers that you often see. Tuberous begonias are a perfect antidote to the heat with their bright colors and large beautiful blooms. Our Bedding Department has a large selection of tuberous begonias in 6- inch pots, wood boxes and hanging 10-inch pots. Tuberous begonias want partial shade or filtered sunlight. But the more sunlight your begonia gets without the leaves scorching, the more it rewards you with larger flowers. Be sure not to over- water, and apply Master Nursery Master Bloom or Dr. Earth Flower Food every 4 to 6 weeks. Surround the shady area of your patio or garden with these gorgeous plants and enjoy!

With the temperature rising and the need to be water wise the watchword is Mulch! Wegman’s has a number of products that will keep the ground cooler and the moisture in. Mr. Ed’s favorite phrase is “Mulch, mulch, mulch.” So here are some products to choose from:

Forest Bark
Forest Bark is 100% fir bark and it conserves soil moisture while inhibiting weed growth. Forest Bark insulates your plant’s roots from heat or cold. It also serves as an attractive ground cover or mulch that is easy to install. Available in 2 cubic foot bags for $9.99. Buy 3 or more bags for $9.49.

Shredded Red Cedar Bark
Shredded Red Cedar Bark is an attractive, aromatic shredded bark from 100% western red cedar which makes an excellent, inexpensive ground cover and mulch that retains soil moisture, inhibits weeds, and insulates roots from heat and cold. The cedar also has the added benefit of helping repel fleas. Available in 3 cubic foot bags for $10.99. Buy 3 or more bags for $10.49 each.

The Original Mulch Block™ Premium Grade Coir Mulch
The Original Mulch Block™ Premium Grade Coir Mulch is a 100% organic, biodegradable, renewable resource made of coir. It provides a thermal blanket for your entire garden keeping soil cool in summer, warm in winter, and moist all year round. In addition to saving water and insulating the garden, this premium ground cover looks great as a decorative top-dressing for pots and baskets. Lasts up to two years. The Original Mulch Block™ is unique in that its compressed size is only about 12 inches square but it expands to the same size as a 2 cubic foot bag of mulch so it is easy to transport. Only $9.99 for the large block.