A smoking shelter will help keep your punters happy whilst they smoke outdoors. If you are planning to purchase one for your pub garden there are a number of different options available including large parasols, awnings, steel shelters and wooden gazebos. The most cost effective solution is a wooden gazebo with open sides. This type of structure will also look the most attractive in your pub garden.

Rules on smoking shelters
A smoking shelter is considered enclosed if the structure has a ceiling or roof and has sides that are enclosed on a permanent or temporary basis. To conform with smoking shelter guidelines 50% of your shelter must be open sided (this does not include the windows and doors.) You must ensure that your smoking shelter is distanced away from non-smoking areas so that second hand smoke does not drift inside your pub. Your smoking shelter must not be constructed next to an existing wall or another structure as this may affect air flow to the smoking shelter. If the smoking shelter is erected within 1.5m of a wall outdoors, this wall may be considered as part of the smoking shelter and therefore be counted within the shelters wall structure. The outdoor wall could take your smoking shelter to over the 50% enclosed allowance and therefore violate the rules.

Wooden smoking shelters
A gazebo has a roof to provide shelter and has open sides which will allow you to conform to the government guidelines above. Many pub landlords are using wooden gazebos to provide protected smoking areas for their customers. If you would like to learn more about wooden gazebos read Jacks gazebo guide. Outdoor heaters and seating can be used inside of the timber gazebo structure for added comfort. Another method of keeping your punters happy outdoors is to install an outdoor TV in your gazebo especially if your pub regularly shows sports matches. The increase in revenue from returning sports fans will far outweigh the cost of the TV.

There are many different styles of wooden gazebos available at Jacks Garden Store. Here you will find a reasonably priced timber structure that will blend easily into your pub garden. This is a large advantage over metal smoking shelters which look rather ugly and stand out. A wooden gazebo is also a far cheaper alternative than a metal shelter. Buy online now.

Good Luck

Gardener Jack!

Begin your party planning by assessing exactly what you already have: the particular nature of your flowers or vegetables, any special architecture – a gazebo, shack, wicker furniture, fountain, etc and use these pieces for inspiration. Keep your guest list relative to the size of your space, and get ready to relax in your gorgeous garden!

Décor and Table Settings

Use the natural colors found in your garden as your party palate. Bring your flowers to the forefront and keep tablecloths and napkins in neutral colors like off-white and cream. You don’t want bright, flashy pieces to overshadow the beauty of the colors in your garden. If you don’t have an overabundance of colorful flowers, you can add a few small potted plants, or if it’s a vegetable garden, you might scatter some already picked brightly colored veggies, as a centerpiece. Choose dinnerware that has an elegant touch. Sort through what you’ve got – now is the time to pull out the Noritake colorware or other special dishes. Polish them up if need be, and allow them to glimmer in the summer sun. Other centerpiece ideas besides potted plants or arranged vegetables: Floating flower candles, a fruit bouquet, painted birdhouses, or flower vases.

Drinks

Garden parties are ideal for light, refreshing summer beverages. Keep it simple with a few favorites: lemonade, flavored iced tea, and a big pitcher of filtered ice water with cucumber slices or lemon. For your iced tea, you might try peach or raspberry flavors, or add your own frozen strawberries or blueberries. You might also set out a variety of hot herbal teas and pretty teacups, if the weather isn’t sweltering.

Menu

Keep the menu light, crisp, and delicious with an assortment of salads, to start. Set out a colorful fruit salad and vegetable tray with hummus (be sure to use anything fresh from your garden!) and ask your guests to bring their favorite party salads to the table. Prepare a long loaf of fresh crusty bread and a little bowl of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and fresh herbs for dunking. Cheese and cracker plates, tuna salad croissant sandwiches, and chicken salad pitas are also great ideas.

Music

Music sets the tone for any party, and your garden party is no exception. Decide the vibe you want to create – perhaps you want classical music wafting through the garden to create an elegant afternoon, a sultry samba, sounds of nature, or jazz standards, all of which say something different, entirely.

Activities

There are so many options, depending on the size and feel of your group. For an eight lady tea party you might have a craft, or provide each guest with a small pot, some soil, and seeds for potting. For a young couples or family garden party you might set out lawn games, water toys, and badminton net if there is room. Above all, kick back, relax, enjoy the day, and beauty of your garden!

by Ann Martin – Guest Blogger on Jack’s Garden Store

Summerhouses and gazebo’s are both wonderful timber structures that can look fabulous in your garden. Not only do they both create a wonderful focal point but they also off a sheltered spot to sit relax and enjoy the views across your garden. However there are a couple of differences between the two types of garden building.

What is a gazebo?
A gazebo is a timber garden building with a roof that provides shelter and shade. A gazebo is not a completely enclosed garden building. Some gazebos have no side panels whilst others have half panelling or completely panelled sides on part of the structure. You can choose how you would want the sides of your gazebo to be depending on the level of enclosure and shelter you are after. Many gazebos are available with trellis panelling so that you can train plants to grow up and around the structure. A gazebo unlike a summerhouse will not have a door or any fitted windows.

What is a Summerhouse?
Put simply a summerhouse is a more attractive shed! A summerhouse is a wooden structure that has a complete roof, sides and doors at the point of entry. Most summerhouses have plenty windows to allow light to flood into the garden building.

One main difference between sitting inside a summerhouse and sitting inside a gazebo is that once inside a summerhouse you will feel as though you are indoors whilst you will always feel as though you are outdoors in a gazebo.

A summerhouse enables you to enjoy your garden even in the colder months when it would be too cold to simply sit outdoors exposed to the elements. Whilst a gazebo offers a more relaxing and spacious outdoors seating area which is more pleasant during the hotter summer months.

Think carefully about what type of timber building you are after, when you are planning to use it and the space you have for it in your garden. If you have a large garden why not buy both to allow you to sit out and enjoy your garden almost all of the year round!

Today there are is a huge variety of summerhouses and gazebos available, both are pretty similar in price and both become more expensive as you increase the size and the quality of your outdoor timber structure.

Visit Jacks Garden Store where you will find a superb selection of gazebos and summerhouses available at great prices and with free delivery!

Good luck

Gardener Jack!

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!

What is a gazebo?
A gazebo is a freestanding outdoor timber structure that has open sides and a roof. Gazebos provide shelter from the rain and sun allowing you to sit out and enjoy your garden whatever the weather. Gazebos are great for outdoor entertaining, they can provide a sheltered area for dining and relaxing outdoors.

Design
There are a wide range of gazebos available to buy in many different styles. A gazebo not only offers a great place to sit outdoors but also adds character and beauty to your garden. It can be a great focal point in any garden.
Typically gazebos have a round base with six or more columns supporting the roof. Gazebos have open sides but you can choose a design with partially enclosed panelling or garden trellis sides. The advantages of having a gazebo with partially panelled sides is that the panelling helps to shelter you from the wind. Where as a gazebo with trellis sides allows you to train climbing plants up and around your timber structure which will add beauty to your garden.

Decorating  your gazebo
You can create an extremely romantic setting in your garden with a gazebo allowing you to spend time outdoors with a loved one. It’s open yet enclosed design shelters you from the elements whilst still allowing you to look out and enjoy your garden. As mentioned above you can train plants to climb over your gazebo and also hang baskets and decorate the base with potted plants adding to the look and feel of your gazebo.

To find out more information about garden gazebos and further information on gazebo designs visit here.

For a wide range of garden gazebos check out Jacks Garden Store.

Good luck

Gardener Jack!