Now that the sun is setting earlier and earlier each week, we may find that we’re spending less time outdoors in our gardens. If you’ve just invested in some new furniture and plants, you may want to get more use out of your space throughout the day and year. Luckily there are many more ways we can get use out of our external spaces, even after the sun has disappeared for the day – keep on reading to find out.
1. Socialise with Friends
Catching up with friends now feels more important than ever before, whether that’s over a cup of tea or something a bit stronger. Your garden can be the perfect place for a natter, especially if you have a fire pit or outdoor heater to keep talking long after the sun goes down. You could also add some outdoor speakers to set the mood, or even an outdoor canopy to keep the space sheltered from any bad weather. Don’t forget some lighting too, solar-powered fairy lights are an easy way to make the space look beautiful and to avoid any trips or falls in the dark when walking around your garden. These could be hung up around trees, bushes or your canopy structure if you have one.
2. Eat Outdoors
Of course, you could also enjoy an alfresco meal with your family, even after it starts to get dark. You could create a welcoming dining space on a patio or decking area, ideally near your house so you don’t have far to walk. You could also plant some herbs around the table to add to your meals as the perfect seasoning or garnish. And if you want a truly alfresco experience, you could also cook your food on a BBQ or fire pit. Or if your family take a real enjoyment to eating outside, you could set up an outdoor kitchen which would really impress during your next dinner party!
3. Relax by Yourself
It’s important to find the time to spend an hour or so relaxing and enjoying some ‘me time’. This is beneficial for our mental health, and spending this time outdoors can be even better for us. To encourage yourself to make time, you could get some comfy garden furniture. Or if your budget doesn’t stretch that far, you could get some new cushions and pillows for your existing set. Once you’ve got your seat ready, you may want to add some shelter from the weather with a fabric shade sail. If it’s too dark to read in the garden, you could listen to an audiobook or a podcast, this then means you can close your eyes and properly unwind.
4. Garden with Family
You may not first think it, but gardening during the evening can be great for your plants. Not only does it keep you cool and safe from the sun, but watering your plants in the evening stops the water from evaporating before it can be absorbed. Plus, if you have a busy weekend planned you can keep your garden maintained during the weekday in the evenings to keep on top of everything. Some flowers can even become more fragrant during the night, making it a more enjoyable experience too. You could go a step further and even plant paler coloured flowers which will be clearer to spot in the dark, like white roses and snowdrops.
5. Exercise Together
It can be challenging to find time to keep fit and exercise in between your busy schedule. Instead of having to travel to your local gym, you could complete your workout in your garden. This saves you time and money in gym fees and may even encourage your family to join in with you. You could invest in some outdoor gym equipment pieces like a Cross Trainer for a more traditional gym workout. Or if you’re spending time with your family, you could play some games like Padel or Tennis. These games are still a great workout, but don’t feel as draining as other exercises.
So now you will hopefully have more ideas of how you can spend time outdoors in your garden even after the sun has gone down. Whether you’re spending time with an old friend over a glass of wine or attending to your flowers, there are plenty of ways to get more use of your outdoor space in the evening.
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