It may be winter still, but that does not mean we cannot prepare for a glorious summer. Whether you have plans to spend it abroad or within the comfort of your own home, having a place to unwind and relax as you safely bask underneath the sun can be the height of many people’s summer.
One of the best ways to enjoy your summer is in your own back garden. Not only do you have the privacy to fully rest after a long day’s work, but you can create a little oasis that is designed with you and your wants and needs in mind. Imagine coming home, with the daylight still shining, and being able to sit out in your garden. Picture lounging around in your garden and enjoying a relaxing weekend. This could be you this coming summer.
1. Invest in a Patio Area
Having a cosy patio area for you to relax on and enjoy the long summery days and nights can be absolute heaven for those who like to catch the sun and bask under the warmth. But what makes a great patio area?
Firstly, you will want to decide where you are placing your patio area and which materials you want to use. For instance, would you like a stone patio area that is made from slabs, or would you prefer a wooden decking for a more natural feel? You should ideally find an area in your back garden that soaks up as much sun as possible so that you can embrace the summer and stay as warm as possible. Remember, it is still possible to get cold in the shade, even during the summer!
Deciding on the materials you wish to use can help determine the overall aesthetic of your back garden. Wooden decking is very natural looking and can provide a wholesome atmosphere. You can build in plant boxes and grow herbs or hedging for added greenery. What’s more, you can also include a gazebo-like structure so that you have the option to shade yourself when the sun becomes too hot.
One great way to add value to your garden but also provide a beautiful structure and shade to your garden is through a patio awning. Garden awnings can be a beautiful focal point of your garden while also providing coverage, which is ideal for those who love to entertain. This patio awnings provider can offer you a wonderful variety of awnings for sale that will match your garden’s aesthetics as well as your needs, including retractable awnings and electric awnings.
Decking and a patio area in general can take a lot to maintain. You will want to keep on top of keeping it clean and apply the correct product to ensure it does not weather away too quickly. You will want to invest and apply proper decking cleaner and apply the stain. You may also need to apply a second coat and apply oil for optimal protection.
2. Keep on Top of Your Lawn
Greenery is a great addition to your garden and can provide a homely comfort that makes you feel like you are well and truly home. However, you will want to ensure that your lawn is well looked after and mowed so that your garden looks as pristine as possible. As it is winter, you will want to rest your lawn as much as possible right now and only mow it if it absolutely necessary. Remember to clear the leaves and any debris. You can also add fertiliser to your lawn if you wish.
Once it is summer, however, you will need to ensure that your lawn stays moist and continue fertilising the soil. When mowing, you will also need to adjust the mowing height so that you leave the grass taller. Overseeding is also a great way to repair any damage that your lawn may have incurred during the winter. There are many tips to help you care for your lawn during the summer months, so be sure to educate yourself as best as possible. If you are unsure of how to care for your lawn or will struggle with time, then you can always hire the services of a gardener.
3. Plant Flowers (and care for them)
You will want to ensure that you are planting flowers that are made for summer. Planting the wrong flowers simply means that, well, you won’t have any flowers blooming during the height of summer. The best flowers to plant ready for the summer are:
- Begonia
- Sweet peas
- Geranium
- Antirrhinum
- Busy Lizzie
- Petunia
- Lobelia
Of course, the flowers you decide on will depend on your garden’s aesthetic. Sweet peas are great for a cottage-themed garden and can transform a tired-looking garden almost instantly. If you are looking for flowers that are long-lasting and hardier, then geraniums may be the best flower for you. Geraniums are versatile and can be bedded in the ground, placed in hanging baskets and even patio containers. There is a vast selection of colours to choose from, too.
4. Have an Eating Area
Do you love eating outside when the weather is pleasant? Do you enjoy entertaining your friends and families? If so, then you may wish to invest in a large and useful eating area so that you can entertain and host many dinner parties. Of course, a patio or decking area can make for a great base, but you will also want to invest in sturdy furniture and consider outdoor cooking equipment and appliances. While this could be costly, it can be a timely investment that not only provides you with a lot of fun but also increases your property’s value.
Consider your home’s aesthetic. If you like the rustic aesthetic, then you may wish to have simple wooden outdoor furniture and cute cushions for your seats. You could also have lanterns that you light when the sun starts to set and hang fairy lights.
For an alfresco eating area, you may wish to have large worktops and cooking appliances such as a pizza oven or a large BBQ. This can make entertaining much easier but also much more impressive. You may also wish to invest in a chiller to sit outside so that you can have drinks and keep your prepped food outside and closer to the BBQ.
5. Find a Sunspot
A sunspot holds a lot of potential. Not only can it be the focal point for your garden, but it can be the most comfortable and pleasing place to spend your time outside. It is the ideal place to build a patio area so that you can entertain, but it is also a great spot to relax with a drink or read a book. If you want to top up your tan, this is the best place to be.
You will want to watch your garden and how the sun lands before you start making plans. Too premature, and you may find that you have started catering to a spot that doesn’t get the optimal sun. Once you know where the most sun hits, you can start to make plans on how you wish to use the space.
Rather than let your garden go to waste, spend the rest of winter and the spring months planning how you wish to transform your garden for the height of summer.
