Summer is well and truly with us and where better to spend it than in your garden.
Here’s some hints and tips on how to make the most of your garden and really have some fun!!!
- It’s All About Colour . . . there is nothing nicer than seeing lots of colour in a garden and even if you don’t have a large garden or only have a paved area then the use of strong colours can bring it to life. Plant garden borders or use containers filled with lots of annual plants and keep them looking their best with lots of regular watering. Also, remember to deadhead to and use water-soluble bloom boosters to bring through a fresh flush of colour.
- Freshen The Deck . . . hose down the patio and any paved areas and wipe down all garden furniture ready for the family barbeques.
- Encourage The Pollinators . . . the use of sunflowers and specialty wildflower mixes will encourage butterflies and bees into your garden.
- Growing up the Wall . . . you can make excellent use of your garden walls and fences not just by using climbing plants but also flower pouches and wall handing pots.
- Bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your garden with some alfresco dining on a warm sunny day. Consider where the sun and shade will be during the day, particularly at meal times, when creating an outdoor dining area.
- Light it up . . .Invest in some lighting (either solar or mains powered) to add a warm glow to your dining area on long summer evenings.
- Create a vegetable patch – you don’t need a large space to do this and it’s so easy to grow your own delicious vegetables or even a small herb garden.
- There’s no need to spend a lot on making your garden look great. Make some vegetable tags using corks or a candle centrepiece using plant pots.
- Get creative . . . reuse old pans as planter. Their hard-wearing shells make them perfect for outdoors. Just pop a few drainage holes in the bottoms.
- Impress your guests with an outdoor bar. Rather than disappearing into the house to replenish drinks, why not drink it all outside. A local DIY store will sell the materials needed to knock up your own Tiki-style serving area and keeping the drinks is as easy as filling a bucket with ice.