Alfresco Lunch or Dinner Party?
11 July 2019
A GUIDE TO PATIO DINING
There’s nothing quite like long summer nights for entertaining on your garden patio. We may have past the summer equinox already but total daylight hours in the United Kingdom still knock the spots off those in a lot of other countries. Throughout July the sun will set on London at around 9pm, giving us a full half hour of extra light compared with Washington DC and a massive two hours extra when compared with Beijing in China. What better way is there to make the most of our little sunshine-haven than enjoying a bit of late night nosh in the garden?
Setting the Stage
Get your garden ready for an evening’s entertaining by giving it a quick spruce up in the weeks preceding your event. Get your pots, containers and hanging baskets looking their best by keeping them well-watered, putting some extra effort into the essential art of deadheading and giving them a feed with a high-potash fertiliser. This will ensure your flowers are blooming to the max when the big day rolls around. Be careful not to mow your lawn too frequently when the weather is this hot as over-mowing can cause brown patches to appear.
Take a long hard look at your patio. Is it blighted by pesky lichens or moss? Give it a quick pressure wash, whilst being mindful of the pointing joints. Are there weeds growing between the slabs? Pull them out.
Of course, if you’re feeling flush, you could always opt for a brand new patio? Choose slate or sandstone slabs for a grand, old-school appearance or opt for the clean lines of porcelain paving for a look that won’t fade over time.
EAT IN COMFORT
If you’re going to be eating outside, one of the most important considerations is comfort. Old-fashioned wrought iron patio furniture may look appealing, but it can be expensive as well as uncomfortable or unwieldy for guests at a dinner party. These days there are plenty of cosy alternatives available that won’t break the bank. Hartman do a stylish range, including wicker dining sets with adjustable-height tables and sink-in cushions that can be left outdoors all summer long as well as cast aluminium sets that have the vintage-look of wrought iron without the hefty weight or price tag. Invest in one of these comfy garden sets and your guests will be happy all evening long.
Menu
When planning your menu for a summer dinner party, choose light, simple food that is in season to get the maximum flavour and sum up the feeling of summer in one fell swoop.
If you’re growing your own produce, you can make excellent use of it in your menu.
Growing broad beans this year?
Kick off with lemon and garlic broad bean bruschetta to start.
Harvesting your homegrown carrots soon?
Roast them with honey, garlic and butter and serve them up with pan-fried white fish to make everyone’s mouth water.
Finish off with a light-hearted summer berry pavlova and remind everyone of the absolute delight to be had from the mouth watering flavour of fresh strawberries, raspberries, blackberries blackcurrents.
Garden herbs, too, will add a marvellous zing of flavour not only to your food but also to your summer drinks. Try some fresh mint in your Mojitos or thyme in your lemonade.
You can even decorate your glasses with edible flowers, like pansies, for that real ‘wow’ factor.
Finally, to make your table welcoming and homely, go all out on table decoration. If you’re a keen gardener, make a central display of cut flowers straight from your own garden. Try the lacy buds of Nigella (Love in a mist) and furled flowers of Rosa (Roses) together in a slender vase for a splendid and precise look or pop casual clumps of sweet peas in colourful mismatched pots about the table. Match your crockery with your flower choices to bring the scene together beautifully.
Decorate with tealights in gleaming holders for a contemporary look or go for tall candles in old-world candlesticks for a classic effect. Citronella candles can be a good choice to keep the bugs away whilst creating a pleasant atmosphere fit for an intimate summer evening’s entertainment.
So, make the most of our incredible light nights this year with a patio dining experience fit for royalty.
David Domoney's Garden & Landscaping Tips & Pavestone's news articles are posted regularly, every few days, in the News & Blogs section of the Pavestone website. Follow David's tips and the hot news from Britain's favourite landscaping brand by following us on Facebook and Twitter.
