Desert Garden Heating

However hot the temperature may rise during the day, once night falls a desert landscape cools off quickly. Instead of abandoning your garden when the chill comes, though, warm up your sitting area with one of the many forms of garden heaters available.

Garden heating comes in four main forms: chimineas, radiant heaters (propane or electric patio heaters), fire baskets, and portable fire pits.

Chimineas

First used in Mexico, these heating units are native to the desert. Although they were originally designed as a wood-burning oven for bread baking, modern chimineas are more often used only for heating and may be made of clay or cast iron. These heaters consist of a base or “bowl”, a neck with a lid, and metal stand. Three legged stands tend to be easier to use as they are easier to level however either is fine.

To prevent the fire coming in contact with the clay bowl, the bowl should be insulated with sand or pea stone up to 3”-4” below the lower lip of the mouth. Chimineas can burn standard fire place wood that's been chopped into smaller pieces, but pressure-treated wood, fire-place pellets, and charcoal should not be used. These chimineas come with an internal grates, so wood and charcoal can be burnt.

If you live in a climate where temperatures fall below freezing, it's a good idea to store your chiminea indoors as a combination of freezing temperatures and moisture could cause the chiminea to crack.

Cast iron chimineas, unlike the clay versions, radiate a substantial amount of heat. They're also weatherproof and can be left outdoors all winter.

Avoid positioning your chiminea on any wooden surface or under low tree branches, awnings, wooden roofs, which could catch fire from the rising heat. Likewise, chimineas should never be placed in an enclosed area such as a gazebo or covered patio.

Radiant heaters

These heaters warm like the sun -- they heat people and things before heating the air, which means the heat they produce doesn't blow away.

Most patio heaters are portable, free standing units with a base (often a gas cylinder) and an umbrella-like heating unit on top of a pole. Both butane or propane patio heaters and electric patio heaters are easy to find and work well in most landscapes. While those used to heat patios and poolsides are typically gas-burning, table and ceiling units may be electric. Many smaller radiant heater are designed to be mounted on walls, under awnings or on ceilings. To make the patio heater even more efficient, a tilt reflector can be used to help focus the heat exactly where you want it.

Fire baskets

A fire basket is exactly what it sounds like -- a basket made of cast iron in which wood or coal is burned to create a fire for heating or cooking. Most provide a removable ash tray and those designed for cooking have a removable grill bar top. Garden supply centers and independent crafts people alike supply a seemingly endless variety of sizes and designs fit any garden style. While most are upright square or cylindrical forms, others take a flatter, horizontal shape. Designer editions offer wrought iron embellishments such as flowers and leaves for a more unique look.

Portable fire pits

These fire "pits" may be upright units similar to fire baskets or may be an open dish and are typically made of steel or copper. They can burn standard fire place wood cut to size. These units are easier to clean up than a fire pit in the ground and also keep the fire more manageable. Many can also be fitted with a grill for al fresco cooking. They're the perfect size for small urban gardens, poolsides, tailgate parties or down by the waterfront. Most units come with a lid for storage. For added safety from embers and sparks, a safety screen can be attached.

When you're looking for garden heating consider:

• What fuel it uses (wood, coal, propane/butane gas, electricity)
• How big an area it heats
• How easily it can be moved (Is it heavy? Does it have wheels?)
• Safety features (Automatic shut-off activated if the heater is accidentally tipped over, safety cage around the heating filaments)

With the right garden heating, you can continue to enjoy that glass of wine and conversation with friends or family in comfort even on a chilly autumn evening.