Garden Party

Five Easy Tips to Get Your Garden Ready to Party!

It’s the perfect time for a garden party!  There’s nothing more beautiful than the spring garden in all it’s blooming glory.  With Mother’s Day, graduations, bridal and baby showers, and maybe even a wedding on your calendar in the upcoming weeks, here’s how to get your garden ready to party!

Tip 1:  Fertilize Everything

A couple of weeks before your event, fertilize everything!  Liquid fertilizers are especially quick acting and many can be used with hose end sprayers which eliminate time consuming mixing.  Be sure to follow directions on all fertilizers for amounts to use.  Too much can do more harm than good!

Tip 2:  Mulch all Garden Beds

This may seem really boring, but once you mulch your garden beds and see how it makes your garden look super tidy and your plants ‘pop’, you’ll love it!  Without adding a single new plant, your garden will look awesome.  Be sure to weed first!  What to use for mulch?  Bark chips are great for areas with permanent plantings of shrubs and trees.  For flower beds, use compost (also labeled ‘soil amendment’ or ‘garden soil’).

Tip 3:  Eye Popping Pots

It’s tough to replant your whole yard in time for an event, but a few colorful and well placed pots can really give your garden a lush, party look.  To plant your own, practice the ‘thriller, filler, spiller’ technique.  Choose a tall or colorful ‘thriller’ plant, add complementary or contrasting ‘filler’ plants, and finally, around the edges, add ‘spiller’ plants that hang over the edge of the pot.  Or buy pots or hanging baskets already planted!  For about $20- $30 each, you can get arrangements at home improvement stores like Home Depot or Lowes.

Tip 4:  Bring Indoor Accessories Outdoors

This is so fun!  It’s like decorating a new home!  Bright pillows, candlesticks, vases, mirrors, rugs, even furniture can bring excitement and a party atmosphere to your patio, barbecue, and garden areas.

Tip 5:  Set a Beautiful Table/Buffet

Again, use your inside stuff!  Live on the wild side and bring your beautiful table cloths, china, crystal, and serving pieces outside.  And don’t forget the cut flowers!  Put vases of them where ever you can.  Opt for tall showy varieties like sunflowers or gladioli for buffet areas, and low centerpieces for the dining tables.

Happy Entertaining in your Beautiful Garden!