March has arrived and with its arrival we have seen the first few tentative rays of sun peering from behind the clouds.
With the year swiftly marching on, it will soon be summer which means a lot more time will be spent in the garden.
But is your garden ready? Whether you need a complete design overhaul or just some little touches, there are plenty of things you can do or add to your garden to make it the perfect summer retreat.
Summerhouses As the name would suggest, summerhouses are the perfect garden feature for the sunny season; they provide shade for relaxing on warm afternoons or protection from an early evening breeze.
Summerhouses come in many different designs.
Traditional wooden designs fit well in any garden because of their natural finish which makes them a very popular choice.
Recently however, contemporary designs have become fashionable.
Many such designs embrace unusual shapes such as octagons or bright summery colours including yellows, greens and blues.
These summerhouses make great features while still offering all the practicalities of having an extra, separate room from the house.
Some might think their garden is too small for a summerhouse but there is a large range of sizes available and corner designs can be tucked away.
Furthermore, even in a small garden, a summerhouse can take centre stage without being imposing because most have wide double doors, which open out into the garden making it accessible and inviting.
Summer Structures There are many garden structures that particularly lend themselves to summer.
Pergolas can section off areas in the garden where tables or seating can be placed or they can shade a path or walkway.
Elaborately designed structures such as oriental pergodas or domed pergolas can really add to the overall look of a garden as well by giving the garden a design theme.
Gazebos, like pergolas, are ideal to create shaded areas and larger designs include or can fit a table.
This makes them the perfect outdoor setting for a lunch with friends or neighbours.
Lastly, trellising looks particularly attractive in summer.
The gaps between the beams mean that the summer breeze can still drift through the garden and the garden still looks spacious.
Once you've got some flowering plants growing over it, it will definitely feel like summer.
Seating Sitting outside in the garden is one of the joys of summer.
Whether you're entertaining, getting stuck into a good book or just relaxing in the sunshine, having attractive and comfortable seating is important.
For barbeques or other social gatherings, benches and picnic bench style furniture can be a good way to provide ample seating for everyone.
Otherwise, for general everyday use, Arbours provide both practical and stylish seating.
Choosing an arbour can be difficult as there are thousands of creative designs.
From thatched roof arbours, coloured arbours and arbours with trellising to corner arbours and arbours with swing seats, we really are spoilt for choice.
A good British summer, even if short-lived, is always beautiful so being able to enjoy it in the garden is an added bonus.
Installing some summery garden features such as those listed above is a great way to ensure you get the most out of your garden all through summer.