9 Ways to Enjoy Your Garden this Summer

Ad. Summer is the perfect time of year to enjoy your garden and this year I cannot wait! My toddler LOVES being outside, last year he was a bit too young to enjoy it properly but this year I plan to spend a lot of time outside with him.

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Summer is the perfect time of year to enjoy your garden and this year I cannot wait! My toddler LOVES being outside, last year he was a bit too young to enjoy it properly but this year I plan to spend a lot of time outside with him. In fact, I am outside in the garden editing this post right now while he is running around having fun!

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Like most people in Britain, the garden is a bit of a no-go zone for half of the year, with the lack of sunlight and rain, it’s not very pleasant to be outside which means our garden gets a bit neglected. But with the warm weather and longer days comes the motivation to make the most of our outdoor space.

There are plenty of things you can do to ensure your garden is beautiful and functional this summer. Here are 9 ways to enjoy your garden in the summer, from choosing the right plants to hosting a BBQ.

1. Add Plants for Your Summer Garden

One of the most important things you can do when planning your summer garden is to choose the right plants. Different plants thrive in different conditions, so it’s important to consider factors like sun exposure, soil type, and water requirements when selecting your plants. Some great plants to consider for a summer garden include:

  • Sunflowers: These beautiful flowers are a classic choice for summer gardens. They love full sun and well-draining soil.
  • Tomatoes: Nothing beats the taste of fresh, homegrown tomatoes. These plants need plenty of sun and regular watering.
  • Zinnias: These colourful flowers come in a variety of shades and are easy to grow. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil.
  • Herbs: Fresh herbs are a great addition to any summer meal. Popular herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary thrive in warm, sunny conditions. Coriander is a must for salads! My personal favourite. You can use washing up liquid mixed with water to spray them – this prevents insects eating them.

You can get all the gardening supplies you need from Beetham Nurseries.

2. Weeding and Pest Control for a Healthy Summer Garden

When we think of spring cleaning, we often just think about our homes, but now is also a good time to spring clean your garden. Weeds compete with your plants for water and nutrients, while pests like aphids and caterpillars can eat your plants and spread disease. Here are some tips for weeding and pest control:

  • Weed regularly: Pulling weeds by hand or using a hoe is an effective way to keep them under control. Be sure to remove the entire weed, including the roots, to prevent it from growing back.
  • Use natural pest control methods: Rather than using chemical pesticides, consider using natural methods to control pests. For example, you can introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings that prey on common garden pests.
  • Remove diseased plants: If you notice a plant that is diseased or infested with pests, remove it from your garden immediately to prevent the spread of disease.

By being proactive about weeding and pest control, you can help keep your summer garden healthy and thriving.

It’s also a good time to sort out your grass. This time of year there are loads of lawnmowers for sale, so it’s the right time to buy one.

While focusing on weeding and pest control, you must be informed about the herbicide products you use. Many contain harmful chemicals that can affect both your health and the environment. The Roundup weed killer lawsuit has highlighted the potential dangers of such products. Opting for natural and safer alternatives can help maintain a healthy garden without the risks associated with chemical herbicides.

3. Garden Furniture and Decor Ideas for Summer

We want to be able to relax in our garden, so garden furniture is a must – especially if you plan to have friends over for BBQs. Here are some garden furniture and decor ideas to help you make the most of your outdoor space:

  • Outdoor seating: Whether you prefer a cosy loveseat or a set of comfortable chairs, you need outdoor seating. Look for furniture that is weather-resistant and easy to clean. There are loads of really nice garden furniture sets around these days!
  • Lighting: Adding some outdoor lighting can help create a cosy atmosphere in your garden. Consider string lights, lanterns, or solar-powered stakes.
  • Garden art: Sculptures, wind chimes, and other garden art can add visual interest to your outdoor space.
  • Water features: A fountain or pond can add a soothing sound to your garden and attract birds and other wildlife.
  • A Hammock: What’s more relaxing than a hammock? You can get a hammock with stand here.

By incorporating some of these furniture and decor ideas into your garden, you can create a beautiful and functional outdoor space that you’ll love spending time in. We currently have a rattan furniture set that has removable cushions. It works great for us. When we move house, I’d love some kettler garden furniture – those large corner sofas look so comfortable!

4. DIY Garden Projects for Summer

If you’re feeling crafty, there are plenty of DIY garden projects you can tackle this summer. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Build a raised garden bed: Raised garden beds are a great way to maximise your growing space and make gardening easier on your back. You can build them out of wood, cinder blocks, or other materials. My husband built ours out of spare wood from our decking.
  • Create a vertical garden: If you’re short on space, a vertical garden is a great way to grow plants in a small footprint. You can create a vertical garden using a pallet, a trellis, or even an old ladder.
  • Make a compost bin: Composting is a great way to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. You can make a simple compost bin out of a plastic bin or a wooden pallet.
  • Design a garden pathway: Adding a pathway to your garden can make it more inviting and help define different areas of your outdoor space. You can create a pathway using stones, gravel, or even wood chips.
  • Build your own decking: My husband and farther-in-law built our decking in a weekend. A great way to save on cash!

By tackling some of these DIY garden projects, you can add a personal touch to your outdoor space and make it even more enjoyable to spend time in.

5. Host a Summer BBQ

Hosting a BBQ is always a bit risky in the UK with the weather – I’m sure we’ve all been to some rainy BBQ’s before! But here are some tips for hosting one.

  • Plan your menu: Consider serving something a little different from the norm. We like to cook lamb, steak and pulled pork on the BBQ.
  • Set the mood: Use outdoor lighting, music, and decorations to create a festive atmosphere in your garden.
  • Seating: Make sure you have enough seats for all of your guests, there’s no shame in asking guests to bring their own if you don’t have enough.
  • Have games and activities: We’ve played garden games such as rope throws and darts and always had a lot of fun!
  • Consider dietary requirements: Make sure you cater for anyone that may have an allergy or be vegetarian/vegan. Oh, and children – they can be picky!

Read this post for: 31 Backyard Garden Party Ideas For The Perfect Summer Party

6. Think of the children!

Having entertainment for the kids in the garden is a great way to ensure you can relax while they play independently. Here are some ideas!

  • Climbing frames: Having a climbing frame can keep your child entertained for hours. You can get them with swings, slides and rock climbing walls. We have one with a slide and my son loves it! It’s a wooden one too, so it looks nice in our garden.
  • Balls: You can’t go wrong with balls. Kids love them and they are perfect for playing outside. We also have a basketball net and a goalpost.
  • Water table and sand pit: These are very popular with younger children who can spend a long time playing with water tables and digging in the sand!
  • Ride-on toys: Can’t beat, bikes, scooters and those little push-along cars for toddlers!
  • Playhouse: I would have loved a playhouse when I was younger. They’re great for role-playing and sparking their imagination.
  • Mud kitchen: When I was little I loved making ‘slop dosh’. This is what I called mud mixed with water. We didn’t have mud kitchens back then, though!

7. Grow some fruit and veg

Growing your own fruit and veg is a must if you have time and space! I’d love a greenhouse one day to get some tomatoes and strawberries on the go. It seems very rewarding.

Here are some tips:

  • Make a plan: Most fruit and veg can only be grown in certain seasons so you need to know when is the best time to get planting!
  • Harvest regularly: Many plants, like tomatoes and beans, produce more fruit if you harvest them regularly. Be sure to pick your produce when it’s ripe for the best flavour.
  • Store your produce properly: Some produce, like cucumbers and courgettes, can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Others, like tomatoes, should be stored at room temperature.
  • Preserve your produce: If you have an abundance of produce, consider preserving it for later use. You can can or freeze fruits and vegetables for use throughout the year.
  • Use your produce in recipes: From fresh salads to homemade salsa, there are countless ways to use your garden produce in the kitchen. Look for recipes that feature your favourite fruits and vegetables.

8. Have some you time

Setting aside some time to enjoy your garden is a great way to relax. We’re often fixated on getting friends over and sharing our space, but sometimes it’s nice to just spend a bit of time on your own to recharge. Here’s how.

  • A morning coffee: How nice is it to sit outside in the sun and have your first coffee in the great outdoors?
  • Read a book: Reading is a great form of escape and time to forget about the world around you.
  • Disconnect: Spend time outside without being attached to your phone. We don’t spend enough time just sitting and thinking these days!
  • Exercise: Try some light yoga or weights outside. I have worked out in my garden before and it’s so refreshing compared to the gym!

9. Enjoy the process

As you can see form the photos I’ve used in this post, it took us a long time to get our garden the way it is now. We still have some other adjustments we would like to make, but we have added new things each summer over the four years we have lived here. It might be tempting to throw a load of money at your garden at once and spend all summer working on it. Bit take it slow so you have time to enjoy your garden and see how you actually want to use it to avoid wasitng time and money.

Enjoying Your Summer Garden

I hope this post helps you enjoy your garden this summer! Do you have any other tips for enjoying your summer garden? Let me know in the comments below!

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8 comments

  1. I think one of my most hated tasks is weeding, I find it deathly dull! But I know it needs to be done to be able to enjoy my garden this Summer. These are great tips for enjoying your garden this Summer, I like to paint the fence (when it’s not too hot!), I find painting very therapeutic and plus I love having a freshly repainted fence! x

    Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk

  2. At the moment, I don’t have a garden but it’s on my agenda to build one. These are great things to do.

  3. I’m loving being out in the garden again. I think because everyday life is so noisy and full on, I need something to chill me out and gardening does just that! When we moved in the garden was already pretty established, but I’m loving growing my greenhouse – it’s a great activity to do with the girls too! X

  4. I am so excited to spend as much time as possible in the garden – we’ve already been out there loads. We’ve redone the back of the garden to add some bits for Jack to play. He loves being outside. Love your tips, your garden is my goals!
    Rosie

  5. I really can’t wait to sort our garden out for summer, but it keeps raining whenever I want to do it!
    Amy x
    callmeamy.co.uk

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