Time to live large in the garden and beyond!

You know how, a few decades ago, it became popular to combine your kitchen with a living space? Many people had kitchen extensions or makeovers to include a fitted dining table and also a large TV for example.

Well, you may now be lusting after the latest trend – the ‘outdoor kitchen’. This concept can be as large and swanky or as small-scale as you want but it’s certainly catching on! You may also have heard about garden living rooms.

The pandemic has made our outside areas more important to us and so it’s not surprising that we want to spend more quality time in it – preferably entertaining or being entertained!

In our line of work, we’ve helped to bring many ideas to fruition. We’ve shared some of our thoughts in this blog.

Also, we hope that May really does bring us all a chance to enjoy more activities. Isn’t it wonderful to feel the warm sunshine on our faces and hear all those birds twittering away? The RSPB has a great event for this if you fancy a trip out – more below.

Chris & all the Bushy team

Wisteria for wow factor

We’ve been asked a lot about this beauty, which produces wonderful clusters of lilac, blue, white, pink or dark purple fragrant flowers around May/June. You can cover arches and pergolas with it, as well as walls, for a splendid display. It needs regular pruning though as it does like to climb!

Outdoor living with style

You can be really creative with outdoor spaces but of course, with anything outdoors, you’ve got to consider the weather. Invest in furniture that is robust and durable – you get what you pay for here. Consider what you want to do with the space and make a good plan before you start.You might be able to create individual ‘zones’ using different colour schemes for example. Consider electricity, gas and water requirements. And you’ll need to be able to close it off in winter months.

Outdoor Kitchen
There are many possibilities depending on your budget – from the whole works with grill, fridge, sink and dining area – to a covered patio with a counter and storage cabinet for cooking gear. Consider where to place the cooking equipment so smoke can escape but not into diners’ faces!

Lounging area
Again, you might choose just a hammock, as well as some comfy chairs and attractive plants. Or you could get an ‘all singing and dancing’ furniture suite. You might also introduce an attractive outdoor rug and some garden mirrors. We like the way a mirror can accentuate the colours of flowers or create an illusion on a wall. Ideal Home has some ideas – take a look! Another lovely option is to add some stained glass on a wall – perhaps using it in your front porch as well as out back for continuity.

May – the month for THE BEST asparagus!

Compliment your stylish BBQ and lounging areas with the best in fresh seasonal food – and this month, that means treating your guests to British asparagus! Roast asparagus with Jersey royals and salsa verde is perfect for adding flavour to a meal. Best of all, you can steam it quickly, add a bit of butter or a hollandaise sauce – simples! Nice recipe here for Asparagus with Jersey royals, salsa verde and Parmesan purée.

Dawn Chorus weekend

On Saturday 1 May and Sunday 2 May the RSPB invites you to get up and out – enjoy the dawn chorus at its reserve in Pulborough Brooks, West Sussex. While it’s open from 5 am, the kind team will be on hand until 12 noon – and there’s a chance of hearing a nightingale (plus there’s breakfast baps and coffee)! Details here.

Bushy Beverage

Take advantage of the two May bank holiday weekends to kick back and enjoy hosting a garden party (rule of 6 etc until rules relax – or just do it for yourself!). And fret not – you can order a fabulous home delivery of pre-mixed cocktails from NIO. You just need a glass and ice and your home cocktail bar is set. Daiquiri anyone?

Bushy Beverage

Cream, mini chocolate eggs and Baileys – conjour up some fave Easter flavours with this Mini Egg Martini from BBC Good Food – Mmmmm!

Until next time!

If you’d like to talk about how you could achieve your perfect garden space, why not give us a call? We have undertaken many large-scale projects and love helping with all aspects of garden design and landscaping. Now is the time to make plans!