With summer thankfully on its way you will no longer be confined to entertaining indoors.  Read my top tips on how to entertain outdoors:

Shelter – Rain can ruin an outdoor party, taking simple precautionary steps means that should the heavens open a down poor will not dampen the spirits of your guests. Depending on your budget and size of garden there are a range of products available to shelter your guests from the weather. Permanent garden gazebos are at the most expensive end of the scale whilst sails and parasols are far cheaper. A gazebo not only offers shelter from the weather but also provides a stunning focal point in your garden; parasols on the other hand are far cheaper and can be moved to different locations in your garden. Garden Sails are far more contemporary and will add a modern twist to your garden whilst still keeping costs down.

Decking Area – If you regularly entertain outdoors building a decking area is a great idea. A deck acts as an outdoor dining room. Not only does it help you to protect your lawn but offers a relaxed sophisticated space in your garden for you and your friends to sit and chill out.

Seating – When planning an outdoor party you must always ensure you have enough seating. At Jacks Garden Store you will find a wide range of furniture sets that can sit anywhere from 2 – 12 people around. For larger parties you may want to rent further seating or ask close friends and family to bring their own where possible. A garden arbour can offer a special secluded seating area for private conversations after dinner. There is a wide range of arbours available at Jacks Garden Store.

Food – A successful dinner party does not require over the top cuisine, just simple quality food that can be shared and enjoyed by all. A BBQ can help you to produce really tasty food at relative ease. Try to plan and prepare as much in advance so you can enjoy the time with your guests and not spend most of the evening hidden in the kitchen.

Cushions and Table Cloths – Brightly coloured cushions and table cloths can brighten up even the oldest of outdoor furniture sets.

Plates and Crockery – Use plastic cups, plates, knives and forks to reduce the chance of breakages. There are some really funky crockery sets not available that will look beautiful on your table outdoors.

Centrepiece – Create a stunning table centre piece simply with a glass bowl filled with water and fresh flower heads floating on the top.

Lighting – Fairy lights and lanterns hung in your trees will add a truly magical feel to your garden.

Music – Is a must to get you in the party mood.

Heat – Patio heaters or fire pits are great heat providers which allow you to stay outdoors for longer.

Visit Jacks Garden Store for more great entertaining ideas and products.

Good luck

Gardener Jack!

Garden mirrors allow you to create the illusion of far more space in a small garden. The mirror will add depth to your garden and make it feel much larger.

Outdoor mirrors add style and sophistication to a garden when placed at the end of a walkway they reflect light and the feeling of space. When placed behind a flower bed they can make your foliage seem endless and create a really enchanting atmosphere.

Large lattice garden mirrors will immediately make your garden feel bigger than it really is. The lattice structure allows you to grow climbing flowers which will partially cover the mirror and help it to blend into your garden.

Top garden designers use garden mirrors to create space and hide any unsightly wall or fence panels. Check our the range of garden mirrors at Jacks Garden Store where you will find large mirrors, small mirrors, Tudor mirrors and Gothic garden mirrors. Our range of lightweight outdoor mirrors are ideal for fixing against a wall, behind trellis or a flower bed.

Garden mirrors are made from acrylic and do not shatter. They are easy to clean and maintain.

Good luck

Gardener Jack!

Which Garden Bench material is best for your garden?

Garden Lovers will find choosing your garden bench as important as choosing your sofa. Whether your garden is big or small, with or without views,  choosing the right seat will ensure you hours of pleasure within your own sanctuary!

Some people will be looking for a garden bench that will stand out and be a focal point within your garden whilst others are looking for a seat hidden away in a secret spot where they can enjoy peaceful moments.

The material in which your bench is made from will vastly be determined by the function of this bench. i.e if you are looking to use your bench regularly it will need to be comfortable. If however your bench is more about design and the overall look of your garden comfort won’t be top on your list when seeking out the perfect bench!

Regardless of its functionality, as with all outdoor furniture your bench will need to be made of strong stuff so that it remains durable against the outdoors elements. Materials for outdoor furniture should be weather resistant and require minimum maintenance. Some furniture will be made of more than one material.

For some teak is the ideal material, it is extremely durable and will last for generations. As soon as you purchase this type of bench apply an oil or stain to protect the wood. It will then only require a good wash down once a year.

Another option is Cedar, this type of wood is naturally insect resistant and will age beautifully into a stunning silver grey wood. Again I would advise you to firstly stain or apply oil to your new bench. The Red’s or whites of Cedar benches tend to blend magnificently into your gardens colour scheme. As with Teak this will require an annual wash down.

Redwoods vary in shades and their beautiful reddish brown shades make them extremely popular. Redwood can be sealed or left to weather. It has an outdoor lifespan similar to Cedar.

Pine and Poplar can also be used but do bear in mind these types of wood are not weather resistant and will require some form of finish. Paint is probably the best option for these types of wood is you are looking to purchase a pine or poplar bench.

Look out for an FSC stamp when buying wooden products. This accreditation stands for the Forest Stewardship Council and guarantees that the wood has been sourced from a sustainable well managed forest. Some products may be FSC 100% but mostly they guarantee 70% of the products material has come from a sustainable source.

Cast Aluminium, will last a life time and probably your child’s and grandchild’s too! This type of garden bench will need to be repainted every couple of years.
The cheapest type of garden bench is one made of plastic either polypropylene or PVC. Plastic benches will last a good length of time but are not as aesthetically appealing on the eye or as durable as wooden or metal alternatives.

If the end whatever your budget and reasons behind purchasing a bench there are plenty on the market. With enough out there to suit every person wishing to enjoy their garden!

Gardener Jack

Picture a warm summers afternoon, imagine yourself gently drifting into a lovely sleep in your own back garden as you sway from side to side in a comfortable luxurious hammock.

More and more people are choosing hammocks over conventional sun loungers for the ultimate relaxation in their garden.

As well as using your hammock in the garden some can also be taken away on holiday if you are camping or staying somewhere with outdoor space.

Here is some information on the different hammock types available to you:

Camping Hammocks

These hammocks are lightweight and easy to assemble. Camping hammocks are fully portable so you can take them where ever you may go. I would recommend choosing a portable hammock with longer ropes so that you have more pitching options available in each new location.

Hammock Chairs

A great alternative to the conventional hammock. These chairs take up less space in your garden and only require one point of contact for support meaning they are more suitable for most gardens (especially smaller ones!). They are more stable and difficult to fall out of …  if you have small children who wish to use the hammock also this will be better for them. The only drawback with this type of hammock is that because of the shape you cannot lie back with your feet up. The different sitting positions in this hammock range from sitting upright with your feet on the ground through to drawing your feet up and sit cross-legged in the hammock.

The Traditional Hammock

This is the type of hammock you picture swaying in the wind on a tropical island. You can recreate this scene in your own back garden today with one of the many hammocks on the market. The fabrics differ a lot,  I will explain more about fabrics shortly. The most significant difference between each hammock is that some will come with spread bars where as others don’t. The spread bars stop the hammock cocooning around you and help to keep it open. It is purely down to personal preference as to which kind you opt for. Once you have decided then you will be able to purchase the accompanying stand which is dependent on the type of hammock you buy. Or garden permitting you can simply tie your hammock securely between two trees. If you do not have two suitable trees, make sure you choose something that is able to support your weight easily. Washing lines are not recommended!

Portable Hammock

These are easy to move, are lightweight and can be erected in seconds. They are great for your garden and can also be taken to the beach or out to the park. The portable hammock is simply fabric stretched over a collapsible frame. Do check the strength of the fabric used as flimsy materials are not very durable.

Once you have chosen the style of hammock best suited to your garden you need to decide which material you want, rope or fabric.

Fabric

Fabric hammocks come in many different qualities with the most luxurious being quilted. Fabric hammocks are suitable for sleeping. You can choose cotton, nylon and polyester. Cotton is the best for comfort where as nylon and polyester are far more durable and less likely to fade over time in the sun. Cotton is not waterproof and if left in the garden over a prolonged period of time you will notice mould and mildew forming. Man made fabrics such as nylon and polyester are far more resilient and less likely to suffer from mould or mildew.

Rope

This is by far the cheaper option. In hot weather rope hammocks allow far more ventilation than a fabric hammock. Air passes between the rope cooling you down. The drawback of a rope hammock is that prolonged use can result in marks on your skin and the rope is far more likely to rub than fabric; they are not as comfortable as their fabric counterparts. If you really want an authentic rope hammock, in order to maximise its comfort look for a hammock with smaller holes. Choose one made of cotton instead of polyester.

Hammock Stands

Very few of us will have trees in the perfect location for a hammock. Stands are now available and offer superb advantages. A stand enables you to put your hammock anywhere.

You must ensure that you buy the right stand for your choice of hammock, a chair hammock for instance would require a very different stand from a traditional hammock.

You must also consider things like whether your hammock has spread bars and if so it will require a specific type of attachment onto a stand. Many hammocks and stands can be purchased as a package.

You can choose either to have your stand in metal or wood. Metal is currently the most popular choice as it is light-weight and easy to assemble. Do bear in mind that without treating most metal stands will rust if left for prolonged periods in the garden. Stainless Steel stands which are slightly more expensive can be purchased and these do not rust.
Wooden stands are more pleasing on the eye and are available in a wide variety of beautiful designs. These are expensive, harder to assemble and heavier than metal stands but if you are looking for something elegant in your garden this is definitely a worthwhile purchase. Make sure the wood is suitably treated and comes with a guarantee against rot.

Whether you decide to purchase a wooden or metal stand one top tip is to add wheels to your stand. This will enable you to move your hammock freely around your garden.

Happy swinging!!

Gardener Jack

Many of us wish to spend more time in the garden than the weather will allow!

Patio heaters now allow us all to enjoy our gardens all year round.

During the summer, an evening of alfresco dining can be continued long after the sun has gone down and in the colder months  a comforting cup of cocoa can be enjoyed on a sunny crisp morning, under the heat of your new patio furnishing.

Patio heaters offer additional comfort in your garden all year round. They provide fast effective outdoor heating and some forms are quite cost effective. They are capable of heating a radius of 10-20ft and can increase the temperature in that area by up to 30 degrees fahrenheit.

You will find that patio heaters run on a variety of energy sources such as gas, propane, electricity, coal and wood.

There are many types of patio heater :-

Portable Patio Heaters

This type is ideally positioned on your outdoor table and can be re-positioned anywhere which is great if you use more than one spot to dine or simply to chat and relax in your garden.  The amount of power used by this heater is small and therefore makes it one of the most economical choices.

Natural Gas Patio Heaters

This is by far the cheapest method for running a heater. There is the initial cost of connecting the heater to your gas supply which must be considered and because of this you will not be able to move this heater freely around your garden. It will be in a fixed position.

Propane Patio Heaters

Often thought of as the optimal performance energy source. Propane is more expensive than natural gas but using this energy source allows you the flexibility of moving your heater around your garden as the fuel is stored in the same cylinders as used for your gas BBQ. This is the most popular type of heater for both private and commercial use.

Electric Patio Heaters

This type of heater does not have a flame like the gas heaters, instead it utilizes a radiant heat element which should appeal to those more environmentally conscious. It has zero carbon emissions, is odourless and unaffected by wind. You will have to connect this heater to an existing electricity supply, therefore you need to consider connection types and whether you are likely to want to move the heater around the garden.

Firepits and Fireplaces

Portable and extremely attractive outdoor heating product which gives the feeling of sitting around a camp fire! Generally fuelled by coal and/or wood. This type does smoke and will be affected by wind. Small children and animals will have to be watched when the fire pit is in use. This type of heater will require more cleaning than the rest but most come with a removable ash compartment.

Chiminea

This type of outdoor heater is fuelled also by wood and/or coal. It can be a beautiful focal point in your garden. Chimineas were originally produced only in clay but are now also available in cast iron and steel which are more durable than clay versions which had a tendency to crack if subjected to rapid changes in temperature. The cast iron chimineas also have a grill inside which can be used to cook on. Look out for the grill options as they can often be a handy alternative to a barbeque.

Remember to ask yourself the following questions before deciding on which type of heater to purchase:

• What area am I looking to heat?
• How easy will it be to connect the heater to my electricity or gas supply?
• Will I want to move my heater around the garden?
• Will it be safe if I have pets/small children?
• Do I need to use the cheapest energy source?
• Am I prepared to pay a little extra for optimal heat provision?
• Am I looking for a garden feature or a heater which is purely functional?

An outdoor heater can sometimes be an expensive purchase but by asking yourself the right questions and ensuring you make the correct purchase the first time round you are making a sound investment into your future happiness!!!

Happy Heater Hunting!

Gardener Jack