Best of Summer Gardens

Summer gardens are what we long for in winter. With summer in full swing, we share a few favourite elements that have proven to make the best summer gardens. Bright flowers, green grass, pool water splashing and the smell of something delicious cooking on the braai is what really makes our summers special.  

Pergolas and Patios 

Your patio is an extension of your home and should be as important to you as the rest of your home. Whether you use it to lounge in the sun, enjoy time with the family or even indulge in a starry-night dinner it should be a comfortable space all year round.   

Pergolas are great for accommodating climbing vines and because this structure can be freestanding, you won’t need to make any complicated connections between the house or roof and the pergola, which is a win for DIYers.  

Outdoor Entertainment Areas 

Outdoor entertainment areas are about functionality and space. When the time comes for you to design, build and decorate your own outdoor space, you will have endless options to choose from. Having a functional space where you cook food and entertain people is essential.   

Create a space where people can do more than just stand around a braai. Start with well-crafted, outdoor furniture. Later you can include a games area and if it suits your lifestyle, a TV or an audio-visual system to watch the game too! 

Sustainable Pools 

By far the smartest way to build your pool. Natural pools are chemical-free and affordable. In a natural pool gravel and clay are used instead of concrete and fibreglass. Aquatic plants replace chlorine and mechanical filtering systems. These plants also have natural purification processes that support filtration. Beneficial bacteria provide a natural habitat for aquatic life that enriches the pool with oxygen. 

Saltwater pools have also been around for some time and are a great alternative to chlorine pools. According to experts, saltwater pools contains 10 times less salt than the ocean. There’s around 3,000 ppm (parts per million) salinity in a saltwater pool. By comparison, there’s 35,000 ppm in the ocean. Some people find this type of pool less harsh on their hair, eyes, and skin than a chlorinated pool.   

Gardens 

Kerwyn Fourie from the Guild of Landscape Designers says there are three things to take into consideration when you want a beautiful summer garden. Irrigation, lighting and edging. 

The key to great landscape lighting is subtlety. Less is more when it comes to lighting. Kerwyn says that edging is not only important to prevent lost garden space, but it is instrumental in defining the overall design of your garden as well as being a feature in and of itself. Lastly, Kerwyn suggests that homeowners select the correct type of irrigation, angle and radius of coverage for the specific area.