The Grounded Gardener: Plant yourself in new outdoor furniture

By MARTY WINGATE
SPECIAL TO THE P-I

Changeable spring weather -- chilly rain with a few good days teasingly thrown in here and there -- has increased our longing to sit out on the patio or deck and enjoy the garden. We dream of inviting friends over for outdoor brunch, of hosting salad lunches and of firing up the Weber. The time is near, but meanwhile, where will everyone sit?

At no time is the need for new patio furniture more apparent than in spring, when we look at the garden with fresh eyes. Choosing yours may be a matter of finding the most Earth-friendly material, the style that suits your surroundings and the cost that fits your budget -- or some combination thereof. Here are some of your choices.

Teak, a tropical hardwood, has been the material of choice for ships and weather-resistant outdoor furniture for centuries -- and that's just its modern history. Teak outdoor furniture lasts a long time and weathers to a soft gray, unless oiled to keep it brown.

Teak has been loved almost to death, which has prompted the teak industry to protect the tree's native habitat by growing it in plantations. Many companies cite the Forest Stewardship Council (fscus.org) certification to show that their products come from sustainably managed forests.

At Gardener's Supply, the teak furniture goes beyond FSC certification. It comes from Reforest Teak, a Costa Rica-based company created by Gardener's Supply founder Will Rapp.

Instead of a monoculture of teak, Reforest Teak is grown in mixed stands, in plant communities typical to the area, and harvested without clearcutting, which saves the surrounding ecosystem.

Wood furniture, such as teak and other sustainably harvested woods (you can find Bolivian cherry, eucalyptus and ipe), can be had in formal, modern or country designs. Gardener's Supply bistro bar table ($625) and chairs ($325 each) suit not only the size of some downtown condo balconies but also the style.

In metal garden furniture, wrought iron is tradition -- heavy, long-lasting, easy to paint. These days, however, it gets edged out by cast aluminum. The aluminum is lightweight, durable and long-lasting -- its powder-coated dark exterior gives it the heavyweight look of wrought iron.

Choose cast aluminum furniture to match your style. The Chelsea Garden dining set from Smith & Hawken ($798) would look right at home in your English-style garden. Other styles evoke a sleeker, more modern feel. For a Parisian design, go with the small, wiry, bistro look of the Panisse set ($549), also from Smith & Hawken.

Another popular option with a contemporary look is a combination of aluminum frames and mesh seating; it offers easy maintenance -- just hose the chairs off.

Wicker has a classic look, lending the relaxed atmosphere of a front-porch setting. Real wicker -- made from rattan, reed, willow or bamboo -- isn't an outdoor furniture material. It can't be left in the sun and shouldn't be kept in a dry place, but it shouldn't be in a humid atmosphere, either.

With care, wicker can last for a long time; antique wicker furniture dating from about 1870 to 1930 can command a high price. On the other hand, what fun it would be to have a 1915 fernery -- a wicker plant stand to put your fern in -- on the front porch at only $575 from Antique Arts (antiquearts.com).

But newer "wicker" products, made from resin with aluminum frames, look fabulous. They are sturdy, can stay outdoors year-round and need only a wash to be ready for the season. The material is UV-resistant, which means there is no deterioration in sunlight.

The look is still classic, such as the Eden Rocker from Gardener's Supply or the Bristol Dining Chair from Crate & Barrel. Resin wicker furniture is priced from $100 and up.

Most sources offer outdoor cushions to soften seating, whether you settle on cast aluminum, wrought iron or resin wicker. That's where you splash out with color, but this is the garden, so remember you also add color to your furniture by including plants.

Place a pot of plants in the middle of your dining table, or include a small pot on a side table. On the dining table, use low, wide, glazed or terra-cotta pots, so that you don't block views. Remember the pots need to drain. If your table is in full sun most of the day, this is just the spot for low-growing sedum and hens-and-chicks. Echeveria, a tender succulent here, adds a touch of the desert.

Shy away from flowers that could get fried in the heat or attract aphids. No one wants insects dripping into their salad.

For the least-expensive way to spruce up the patio, refurbish what you have. Paint a metal table with a rust-resistant color. Phone your local welding shop to find out if they would repair a loose joint. Get new cushions in Sunbrella fabric, which withstands harsh sunlight and moisture.

With the stage set on the patio or in the garden, we are truly ready for summer.