Tuesday 15th May 2018
Not having garden furniture in your garden during the summer season is like not having Christmas lights on your tree – it just doesn’t feel right.
At Homevalue check out our guide on getting you garden summer ready and bring you garden to life with some helpful tips to guide you along the way – think of it as extending your indoor space or home outside – like an overnight extension.
1. Choosing your garden furniture
Consider your space
You should always be realistic when buying garden furniture, if you have ample space in your garden with more than enough space to swing a cat comfortably then you will have space for several types of garden furniture – depending how many people you hope to entertain or not, if space is on your side your garden is your oyster.
Below are some garden furniture options for you to consider:
Why not invest In a Gazebo to protect your garden furniture and your guests
If you have a small back garden, a small patio or have a balcony but don’t have the space for a full garden set a small bistro set is a worthwhile investment. A foldable hammock is also a lovely way to relax when the sun is out but without the commitment of having the furniture taking up space as it can be neatly tucked away.
A foldable hammock is the perfect non-fuss solution to soaking up the sun when it comes out
Consider your comfort
If you prefer to escape into a good book in your garden or escape with some music investing in comfortable garden furniture with cushions is recommended.
A hanging egg chair is a very comfortable solution if you plan to spend hours reading outdoors.
Consider the quality
When considering what type of garden furniture to invest in remember quality is just as important as aesthetics and style.
Rattan furniture – this delicate feel material is light weight and will lend an air of romance to your patio or deck. Over time brightly coloured rattan can fade if left in direct sunlight, but the shade is always lingering around the corner in Ireland.
Aluminium furniture – this is an inexpensive option for garden furniture, but creates the impression of metal. This does not rust overtime so you can be rest assured in the rain.
Remember to always have a furniture cover to protect your garden furniture.
2. Choosing the perfect BBQ
Are any of your guests vegetarians or vegans? (Choose a BBQ with a side burner)
With more and more people choosing to not eat meat, you don’t want your guests to go hungry, investing in a BBQ with a side burner will allow you to saute or boil potatoes and veg.
Timing and convenience
A charcoal BBQ can take about 40 minutes to cool down but a gas BBQ will heat up and cool down within 5 minutes.
Your Budget
You may just want a cheap and cheerful charcoal BBQ if you are having a once off barbeque or do not barbecue frequently. Remember charcoaled barbecued food just so happens to taste great also.
3. Prepping your Garden to be summer ready - Don’t forget to take care of the plants
You want to get your garden picture perfect the summer don’t forget to take care of your lawn and garden plants. Below are a few tips to keep your garden and plants in tip top shape:
- Give your plants a nice drink of cold water once or twice a week to help deliver nutrition to your soil - yes we know rain in ireland can be plentiful but don’t forget that drink.
- Pots and hanging baskets require watering more frequently - at least once a day.
Watering your plant tips
- When watering your plants focus on the root zone and not the leaves – it’s the roots that require the water.
- For potted plants if the top layer of soil is dry by roughly an inch or so it’s a good indication that watering is needed.
- Water your plants late in the evening or early in the morning if you can. This will result in less water evaporating than on hot soil during the day.
Did you know that leaves that are made wet in the sun can develop slight burn marks.
In the event of a sudden heat wave make sure your Lawn is summer garden ready
We recommend mowing your lawn at least once a week to keep it looking summer garden ready. Little and often is better than once in a while.
Watch out for the slugs - at Homevalue we have slug pellets on hand.