Summer’s on the way – time to wake up your garden and make the most of outdoor living

Do you have a garden worthy of Chelsea Flower Show or are you more shame-faced than bursting with pride at your patch? As spring creeps in, it’s time to take it in hand and have a clear out –perhaps give that tired-looking furniture a new lease of life and if all else fails, call in the experts…

“I hope we inspire people to get outside into nature and to try something new…” Motivating words from a somewhat unexpected source – Sir David Beckham. The footballing god has been turning his attention from the beautiful game on the pitch to the beauty of different kinds of green spaces.

As we embrace spring’s welcome arrival at last, and our thoughts turn to spending time in our gardens, let’s get on board!

As an ambassador for The King’s Foundation he’s joining forces with fellow ambassador and RHS champion Alan Titchmarsh and horticulturalist Frances Tophill to create The RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show (19th-23rd May).

When complete it will be brimming with plenty of takeaway ideas for people to grow more plants and create beautiful pockets of nature, be it on a windowsill, in a container garden or in a private garden space.

You could be forgiven for thinking getting out in our gardens has seemed a distant dream with the weather we’ve experienced at the start of the year but with spring sneaking in at last, it’s time to put the gloves on and get out with your spade, brushes and garden bin and start the transformation.

In recent years, our outdoor spaces have increasingly become an extension of our indoor spaces. Taking the indoors outside has is a continuing trend reflecting our changing lifestyles, driving towards greater sustainability and making every bit of space work.

Relaxation and entertaining are key for many when it comes to spending time in the garden which usually means a menu of dining area, a “chill zone”, kitchen or BBQ and “side dishes” of fire pits or outdoor heaters for year-round use.

Nothing says summer like the sizzle of the barbecue and dining alfresco is one of life’s simple pleasures. This means that not only do you need to think about the cooking itself – tried and tested traditional BBQ, pizza oven or no-holds-barred outdoor kitchen – but also how you’ll enjoy the food, too.

There are so many options for garden furniture, from casual bistro sets to larger wooden tables and chairs for any number of guests to gather around.

And when you’re looking to chill out then recliners, hammocks and comfy sofas certainly fit the bill. With the British weather being unreliable to say the least – some form of shelter is a desirable addition; pergolas, awnings and sails all fit the bill and after the sun has said goodnight you may well need to turn the temperature up with a chiminea, fire pit or patio heater. Add some stylish lighting and you can party into the small hours.

As we’ve already experienced this year, the climate here can be unpredictable; variable and just down-right horrible sometimes so when it comes to the finishing touches, plant diversity is key.

Guy Barter, Chief Horticulturist at the RHS, says: “Plant breeders are increasingly responding to changing weather patterns but also the expectations of gardeners who want plants that serve multiple purposes and are robust enough to survive our weather extremes. Cultivated plant diversity is important in future-proofing our gardens and this year looks set to see some new favourites take hold.”

One plant which excelled in last year’s dry summer was the tomato with demand expected to rise this year. Another growing trend is for “grow your own” and the RHS team predict tabletop veg will be big with dwarf varieties bred to fit in any space especially increasing in popularity as well as being a great way to introduce children to the delights of horticulture.

New popular choices include table-top chillies, aubergines, hanging basket cucumbers and small grape vines in addition to evergreen favourites, potted herbs.

The impact of gardening on our planet will once again be a key trend with plants for pollinators and foraging plants expected to feature prominently.

The RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden team are reinforcing this, encouraging more and more of us to put our green fingers to the test, grow more varieties of plants and exercise our curiosity to find out why and how gardening can be so good for our health, happiness and the environment.

As Alan Titchmarsh says, aside from “celebrating the real joy that gardening brings to our lives”, they are highlighting “why gardeners from enthusiastic new gardeners to incredibly skilled horticulturalists, are more important today than ever”.

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