I like to think we’re a pretty sociable family. My children constantly seem to have a friend round, and this Christmas we’ll also be hosting several friends and family members throughout the holidays; any excuse for a glass of mulled wine!
I must admit, with our move imminent, and a load of work on my plate the prospect of hosting a big party is causing a few migraines. I don’t do cooking (ever), so I’m just going to stock up on frozen party food & ply people with enough alcohol that they overlook their growling tummies. Thankfully our home is large enough to accommodate guests, and our garden is a great spill-out area when entertaining - no matter what the weather. It was definitely one of our better investments as having a party garden all year round has been great for maximising space, and it’s actually far easier and cheaper to create one than you might think…
Keep your guests dry
There are a number of ways to keep your guests dry in your garden, whether your budget is £100 or £10,000. Whilst mechanical awnings might set you back a pretty penny, and pergolas take up considerable space, simple pop-up gazebos and party tents are a great solution if finances are tight. Easy to erect and available in a variety of sizes and colours, gazebos do a great job of keeping everyone dry and warm as they can zipped up so only the entrance is open to the elements.
Keep your guests warm
Let’s be honest, no matter how dry and comfortable your garden is, when the temperature dips in the winter, people will quickly grab their glasses and make a beeline for your sofas. Yet there are a number of inexpensive ways to keep people nice and warm. Chimineas and fire pits are available for as little as £20 from most budget stores, with cheap firewood available from most petrol stations and garden centres. Of course, you might even be able to get your firewood for free via Freecycle or Facebook marketplaces - it saves people going to the tip after all.
If you want something slightly less fussy, and have a little more to spend, gas heaters can be rented out for impromptu parties. If you want a more permanent fixture, you can expect to pay between £100 and £500 for a standard gas patio heater that will live in your garden all year round. Far from being a seasonal purchase, they’re also spot on for long summer nights when the sun goes down. If this is too much, plump for a slightly cheaper electric wall-mounted halogen bulb heater (similar to those found in smoking areas at your local pub).
Add some ambient lighting
Whether you’ve the budget for some cute mains-fed lampposts, or nip down to your nearest pound store for some solar-powered stick lights, some discreet lighting will help create a party atmosphere late into the night.
I’m a huge fan of layering garden lighting to create added interest. My favourite purchase of 2017 were some hurricane lamps with LED battery candles that do a great job of creating a pretty ambience, particularly when hung from tree branches. I’ll also hang some fairy lights over fence panels all year round to light up the perimeter of the garden. It not only looks cute, but serves as additional security when I’m home alone and a little creeped out.
Plenty of seating
The general rule is that you’ll provide a seat for every bum, but how do you know how many guests you’ll have throughout the year? My best advice is to plump for an outside garden table and chairs set (as big as your garden will allow), additional modular seating, and buy plenty of stacking or foldable seats when they’re on offer in the winter-time. This gives guests plenty of options, whether you’re dining alfresco or simply having a few drinks.
Decking!
Perhaps the largest and most extravagant purchase when creating a party garden is decking. Of course you don’t have to have it, but it does mean your guests won’t ruin your lawn, or indeed their shoes when partying in your garden. We plumped for split level decking to better zone areas within the garden but this has lead to the odd slip when people have had a few too many glasses of wine. It does require some light maintenance too, with annual staining to keep it looking the part.
Colour all year round
You might think that perennial planting involves plenty of hard work, but it really doesn’t. Many hardy plants that thrive and flower throughout the year will actually require less upkeep than spring-time only gardens, and many can be contained in pots and raised beds to create extra depth in your garden. The idea is to create the illusion of a lush and impactful garden even in the depths of winter.
Among the most common varieties of perennial plants are geraniums, delphinium, hollyhock, begonia, lupin and dahlia - with peony and clematis to fill your garden with fragrance. Winter flowering perennials will also brighten up the dullest of days, with pansies, violas and hellebore’s performing particularly well in the colder months.
There you have it, my tips on how to best enjoy your garden all year round. Whether you’re hosting your family only, or inviting the whole town, your garden can provide the perfect entertaining space no matter what the weather is doing.
