Summer is finally upon us! Thoughts are turning to long lazy sunny days spent in the garden. Why not treat yourselves, your family and friends to a glorious summer garden party? There are so many options, from informal barbecues and tea parties to more formal and sophisticated evening cocktails.
Use your garden to your advantage by making use of big trees to provide natural shade for your guests. Use lawn space to set out some activities that will keep the kids entertained. Games such as ring toss, hula hoops and lawn skittles are always a hit. No lawn space? Try letting them loose with chalk on the patio, another popular activity with the little ones. For older children try giant jenga! Listotic.com have some great ideas for keeping the kids entertained if you need some more inspiration, read more here.
Whatever kind of garden entertaining you have in mind, we've hunted online for inspiration to help make your garden look and feel more inviting this summer:
Tin Can Flower Display
Tin cans from a previous existence in the kitchen cupboard, once cleaned can be turned into colourful table top flower pots with a lick of paint left over from DIY projects.
Painted Tyres Flower Beds
Old tyres can be rejuvenated into colourful plant pots, brightening up that dull corner in the garden.
Jar Candle Holders
Empty clean jam jars or any kind of glass jar with a wide enough top can transform your garden into a magical world. Just pop a tea light candle into each jar and place around your garden for night time ambiance. Perfect for an evening garden party.
Painted Rocks
Even the most energetic of children can be kept amused if you have any large flat (or even smallish) stones and some paint and glitter. Use them as markers in the vegetable garden or as table decorations to stop table cloths blowing away.
DIY Wind Chimes
For those keen diy-ers, why not make your own wind chimes. Aanything that can be hung from trees and is light enough to blow in the wind can be transformed into a background musical accompaniment to any garden party. Check out some fun ideas here.
Finally, after all of your hard work, the last thing you need is those annoying insects to spoil your evening part. Make sure you have a supply of citronella candles to keep the beasties away!
If, after reading all of this you have been inspired, but are looking out at your garden and thinking it might be in need of some tender loving care but like many busy people time is short. Perhaps a recommended tradesmen could help you out. A gardener or tree surgeon can really add that extra sparkle to your outside space. And don't forget to check their recommendations or whether they've been approved by other customers just like you.