With school holidays on the horizon, most of us are keen to get out in our gardens and make the most of the sunshine. To help you make the most of your outdoor living space this summer, the gardening experts at Toro have shared five of their must-try summer activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Alfresco dining
Why stay indoors for dinner when the weather outside is gorgeous? Whether it be a barbecue or simply taking the dinner set outside, eating in the fresh air is a great way to enjoy the sunshine. With much of our lives spent indoors, spending time outside with loved ones is a great way to reduce stress levels and ease muscle tension. Being outdoors can even boost your mood and benefit concentration. If you’re growing your own herbs, fruit or vegetables, get the kids involved picking the ingredients for lunch or dinner!
Bee friendly…
In summer, colonies of bees will be building up their strength by collecting nectar and pollen. As bees are a crucial part of our garden’s ecosystem, we should all try to take better care of our buzzing friends. Making your garden bee-friendly by allowing wildflowers, such as daisies and dandelions to grow, will provide an easy source of nectar for the bees throughout the summer. By leaving a small area of uncultivated soil and wood in borders or hedge bases, you can help bees make safe and suitable colonies by keeping the colony out of busy areas of the garden.
Grow your food
Growing and preparing your own fruit and vegetables is always a satisfying thing to do. Fun for the whole family, fruits and vegetables from your own garden are higher in nutrients and have none of the pesticides used in commercial farming, making home-grown produce both healthier and tastier. Frequent gardening is also a great way to get loads of exercise, whilst taking responsibility for your garden and food.
Game on!
Outdoor games are a great way to bring the whole family together for some fun. How about playing giant Jenga, a game of badminton or even football? Anything goes, so pick your favourite! Before you start, make sure you remove any loose objects or debris, and check that your lawn is all prepared by getting the grass nice and short for games and running around.
One of the best ways to achieve a thick and healthy lawn ready for fun and games is to cut little and often. The summer can be a stressful time for plants and by regular cuts taking of no more than a third of the grass blade you ensure optimum health. The Toro Recycler® system re-cuts the grass trimmings into a fine mulch and spreads it evenly across your lawn as you mow to provide added nutrients and to help the soil retain moisture on hot summers days.
Garden cinema
With the warm weather carrying on long into the evenings, why not set up an outdoor cinema to enjoy your favourite films? All you’ll need is a projector and a blank surface, whether it be a wall, or a white sheet hung from a tree, you’ll be going in no time. Invite your friends’ round, get some popcorn and get lost in your own open-air cinema.
Toro has a multitude of garden tools and lawn mowers that can help you get your garden in its best shape and ensure its ready to be enjoyed by the whole family this summer.
