Fun in the Sun: Enjoying Outdoors in the Garden
Edible Gardens · plants

Fun in the Sun: Enjoying Outdoors in the Garden

PlantsandBeyond

When the warm weather rolls back around, there’s nothing nicer than spending time out in the garden and getting friends over to join you. Good food, good laughter, good drinks, fun games and good company makes for wonderful memories and allows you to make the most of the outside space of your home. Here are a few things to consider if you want to entertain outdoors this summer.

castle-park-806854_960_720

Get Your Garden Up to Scratch

bench-1162938_960_720

When you’re sat outside with guests, the last thing you want is to be looking at an overgrown and untidy garden. My eye catches mold and weeds overgrown in my own lanai and patio. Instead of enjoying my company, I tend to feel embarrassed that my deck might look unkempt to visitors.  It might be all in my head, but I had to call in the pressure washer company to take care of some green areas in my pool yard this weekend. Turns out, not only I have noticed green mold overgrowth, but the company found it on the wall, along with my pool screen. Oh my, did I expect to spend that much on the maintenance? No. Do I invite the guests over to the pool area-no way in this condition? My friends like to see my garden. Ugm, no, I am not taking them through the pool area. Now I am waiting for the company to give me this astronomical pressure washer estimate, while I am sitting near the pool right on dusty pavers.  The thought is coming through that may be replacing my whole pool area with lifestyle patios, would have been cheaper than doing this major clean up. A backyard food for thought. 

country-porch-825740_960_720

Invest in Good Seating

porch-186402_960_720

Once the patio area is up to par, the next thing to do is to invest in some good seating. It makes sense to have at least an outdoor dining set with a table and chairs if you occasionally host pool parties, or kids playdates then some extra seating would be helpful too. Some fold down chairs in the shed could be used in a pinch or some swinging benches could work out great as well. If you’re having a lot of guests and don’t have a lot of seats, one thing you could do is lay down a couple of blankets with some outdoor cushions for a fun, relaxed vibe. Ha! Yes, that’s my practice since I got no lounge chairs yet. My eye falls on Rattan corner sofa sets that seem to be popular.  Simply, consider your needs: how many people usually come over and also what seating you and your family are most likely to use for the rest of the time. Outdoor furniture can be expensive but it’s a good investment, take care of it well and it will last you for many years to come. 

camp-fire-2433112_960_720

Consider Shade, Warmth, and Light

fire-1947147_960_720

Shade from the sun and the occasional bit of drizzle is needed when you’re throwing parties outside. You could go with a parasol, these can be bought freestanding so even if you have a corner sofa dining set or another setup without a table with a hole for a parasol then you can still use one. If you live in a very sunny part of the world, something like a retractable patio hood could be useful. If your garden parties tend to stretch on through to the evening, it can get a little chilly even in the summer. A patio heater, fire pit or chiminea makes for a nice way to warm everyone up. I especially love the idea of fire pit since it reminds me of our Ukrainian camp out fires with grilling potatoes under the ash. I don’t think there is a better taste than fire baked potatoes. Plus kids love doing marshmallows in the fire and even grill hot dogs. Finally, when the sun goes down if you’re all still sat outside enjoying some drinks, with the firelight illuminating the cozy gathering.

fireppit

The best of the summer weather is still yet to come, so you have plenty of time to get your garden in ship shape and enjoy some time outdoors entertaining friends and family. Get your outside space spruced up and add the things you need, they’ll last you for years and help you to make the most of your yard.

Wishing you to make longlasting Summer Memories-that’s all that matters at the end.

Until next time, dear friends.

Luda@PlantsandBeyond🌿

Photographs listed here do not belong to Luda @PlantsandBeyond.com

©PlantsandBeyond.com

 

 

Published by PlantsandBeyond

Green Plants Based Living and Gardening

43 thoughts on “Fun in the Sun: Enjoying Outdoors in the Garden”

  5. Which reminds me … I just have to sand and repaint the benches on my patio.
    That’s a job I really do not fancy. *Sigh*.

    Can’t you do a post about how wonderful the rustic scruffy look is?
    🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

      6. Impressive! You did me proud. Thanks.
        One teeny, weeny, itsy, bitsy thing though …
        I am approximately 10,500 kilometers west of Australia …. in Johannesburg, South Africa.

        No biggie
        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      7. Haha! That’s what I do at 11 pm with my scrambled brains – 🙏🏼forgive me Ark- it’s corrected ! Tell me what else needs to be changed, my South African friend 😂 at least I got same hemisphere… oh my..🌍

        Liked by 1 person

  9. This all sounds so lovely! Definitely if you don’t maintain, it can be expensive. I need to trim hedges this evening, myself. I might even take on the sun and do it this afternoon. It’s hot in Texas. 😲

    You’re gifted. I love spending time outdoors. Mostly I go for jogs or walks and listen to the birds. Especially in the morning. I never thought about seating really. OMG! That image with wrap around porch!!! Love.

    I’m going to go swimming in your garden for a post on butterfly gardens. Or you can let me know. If not… please! Can you fill me in on the best way to start a butterfly garden?

    Potato update: first try… disaster. Second try… looking good so far. 👍

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Oh, don’t worry. Everyone makes huge mistakes in the beginnings. Butterly garden sounds amazing and relaxing. Start with this Butterfly bush. It sure will grow and attract Butterflies to lay eggs in its leaves. https://www.almanac.com/plant/butterfly-bush.
      Just know it will grow fast and needs to be trimmed and managed. I think it will be a perfect spot for meditation and grounding, meeting beautiful messengers from above and decoding their presence 🙂

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment