“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy.” Summertime entertaining truly is easy, whether you’re hosting a barbecue or pool party.  We’ve gathered a few tips, including easy recipes, refreshing drinks, table-setting ideas and more.

Harvesting Dinner

You’ve been working hard on your veggie patch. Now is the time to show off your work to friends and family. Head out to your garden and collect ripe vegetables or various herbs to personalize your dishes.

Fire up the Grill

English Gardens offers charcoal Weber Grills that will add the perfect smokiness to your veggies. Try this easy summer recipe:  In a large bowl, toss zucchini, squash, eggplant, tomatoes or scallions from your garden with olive oil, salt and pepper. Grill the vegetables, covered and turning when necessary, until tender. Serve with couscous as a simple side dish.

Get the Drinks Ready

Prepare for your summer garden parties ahead of time by planting herbs, vegetables and fruits according to your cocktail preferences. For simple cocktail recipes, visit our Planting for Cocktails blog.

Setting the Table

When setting the table, ensure you choose a color scheme that unites the individual pieces. English Gardens offers a wide variety of shatter-free dishware that are perfect when dining al fresco.

Floral

Wow your guests with extravagant floral centerpieces from English Gardens. Or utilize cut flowers or smaller arrangements as place cards with guest’s names attached.

Insect Repellant

As night falls, the mosquitoes come out, which can suck the fun out of your party. Repel insects with Mosquito Barrier, as featured in our Mosquito Control blog. Mosquito Barrier is an all-natural garlic spray that when sprayed on plants can last up to a month.

Lighting

Don’t leave your guests in the dark. Decorate your yard with tiki torches or double down on your insect repellant with citronella candles.

Add a unique twist to your patio with the Treasure Garden Luna Umbrella light with Blue Tooth speaker. It is available in black and bronze to match your umbrella pole and provides ambient light and sound. It even charges so there is no need to keep batteries on hand.