I was chatting with my friend Kate the other day, and she was telling me about this fantastic gardening get-together she hosted. As someone who writes about home entertaining, particularly creative crafts and activities, I was instantly intrigued. It sounded like a perfect blend of fun, learning, and…dirt! I just had to get all the details to share with you.
“So, tell me everything, Kate! What was the idea behind it all?” I asked, already picturing the scene.
“Well,” she began, “I wanted something different, something everyone could enjoy, regardless of age. Gardening seemed like a natural fit. Plus, it’s so rewarding to watch things grow!”
Planting Seeds of Friendship (and Actual Seeds!)
Kate explained that the theme was ‘Planting Seeds of Friendship and Fun,’ which I thought was just brilliant. The core idea was to involve everyone in some form of planting. She’d considered various options, but ultimately decided on a mix of flowers, herbs, and a few easy-to-grow vegetables like cherry tomatoes and lettuce.
“I made sure to choose plants that were appropriate for the season,” she emphasised. “It’s no good trying to plant summer flowers in autumn, is it? I looked for hardy annuals that would thrive in the current weather conditions. The local garden centre was really helpful with that.”
Getting Started: The Setup
Kate’s garden was already quite established, but she dedicated a section specifically for the gardening get-together. She’d prepared several planting stations, each equipped with compost, trowels, and different types of seeds and seedlings. A really nice touch was that she personalised small gardening tools for each guest – little trowels and forks with their names engraved on them, which they could then take home as a souvenir. She also had small terracotta pots ready for everyone to decorate.
“I even had a separate station just for the children,” Kate said. “It had larger tools that were easier for them to handle, and a selection of fast-growing seeds like cress, so they could see results quickly.”
An Orangery Oasis
Because the weather in England can be unpredictable, Kate utilised her orangery to its full potential. It served as both a backup plan in case of rain and a dedicated space for more delicate plants that needed extra warmth and protection. She’d set up a potting bench inside, creating a lovely, bright space for indoor planting. Imagine that, sipping a herbal tea while surrounded by greenery, even if it’s drizzling outside!
“The orangery was a godsend,” she admitted. “It meant that even the elderly relatives could participate comfortably, regardless of the weather.”
Food, Fun, and Games
Of course, no get-together is complete without food! Kate opted for a relaxed buffet-style lunch with plenty of fresh salads, sandwiches, and homemade cakes. She even incorporated some of the herbs from her garden into the dishes, which was a lovely touch.
To keep everyone entertained, she’d organised a few garden-themed games, such as a ‘guess the seed’ competition and a plant identification quiz. For the children, she had a scavenger hunt in the garden, with clues leading to hidden packets of seeds.
“Everyone got really into it,” Kate laughed. “Even the adults were competitive during the quiz!”
Personalised Touches
Aside from the personalised tools, Kate also prepared small packets of seeds for everyone to take home, labelled with their names and planting instructions. She chose varieties that were easy to grow and would remind them of the get-together.
“It was all about creating a memorable experience,” she explained. “Something that people would enjoy and remember for a long time.”
Key takeaways
Kate’s gardening get-together was a resounding success, and after talking to her, it is easy to see why. Firstly, carefully consider the plants you choose to grow and match them to the time of year. Secondly, consider that a gardening event can be enjoyed by the whole family and you can cater to everyone with dedicated activity stations and tools. If you have an orangery, then it is also an excellent setting for indoor planting, as well as providing shelter from the weather. Games and quizzes can be used to add extra fun and do not forget the food and refreshments! Most importantly remember that this is about the experience, fun and friendships and this should lead to the creation of long lasting memories.
