Whilst we might still be in the thick of the winter weather, it’s only natural that we find our minds turning to the warmer weather that will hopefully await us as we move towards late spring and the summer.
It is never too early to start planning jobs for your garden. After all, the sooner you tackle them the sooner you will be able to sit back and relax, enjoying the fruits of your labour. If you have always wanted to create an outside dining area where you can sit with family and friends and enjoy an al fresco meal on a balmy summer evening, then there is no better time to start thinking about how you will achieve this than right now.
One thing that may be of concern when it comes to planning an outside dining area is of course the rain, and this can certainly vary from one place to another with Snowdonia, the wettest area, averaging around 6000 mm of rainfall per year in comparison to Herefordshire which only sees an average of 700mm per year. Cardiff has the dubious honour of being the wettest city in Britain with an average rainfall of 1152mm per year. It’s not all doom and gloom though, because Wales is also home to Porthmadog, and the Llanbedr coast, which can often be the sunniest and warmest place in the UK as a result of higher temperatures lasting longer on the west coast.
Planning your seating
With all of this in mind, one of the first things that you will need to consider for your outdoor dining area is your seating. Because of the higher rainfall in much of Wales it can be a good idea to look for something that can withstand plenty of rain without rusting, an issue which eventually leads to garden furniture becoming damaged and unsafe to use. Fortunately, there are plenty of garden table sets with chairs out there that are the ideal choice for a wetter climate.
It can be a good idea to avoid materials like wood and metal when it comes to outdoor seating options for rainier areas, as these can become damaged as a result of continua heavy rainfall. Over time, and particularly during the colder months, damp wooden furniture can become damaged as a result of water molecules expanding within the wood as they freeze. This means that you will need to check your furniture over in the spring and treat it every year to keep it looking and functioning to its best for as long as possible. Likewise, some metal furniture can need more care and maintenance if it is left out in wetter weather. Covering it can, of course, help to prevent damage, but this isn’t always a convenient solution.
Aluminium garden seating can be a great alternative that needs much less regular upkeep and fares better in damper weather conditions. All it will really need is a wipe over before you use it, and it will stay looking great in your garden for a lot longer than some of the other options out there.
Protected eating area
One way in which you can help to protect your outdoor seating is by creating a protected seating area. This will also have the added benefit of allowing you to sit outside to eat on those days when it is warm enough, but also raining. You can tie an area like this into the rest of your garden, so that it doesn’t feel out of place, by training climbing plants up the structure to make it feel like it is part of your garden rather than an outside room.
This will also have the added benefit of offering you a shaded area on very warm and sunny days but will not limit you to only eating under the protected area. Opt for a table and chairs that are easy enough to move and you will be able to have the best of both worlds.
Outdoor cooking
One final thought to complete your outdoor dining experience is that you may want to give some thought to your outdoor cooking arrangements as well. There is a limit to how much outdoor cooking you can do when it is raining. Even the hardiest of individuals may find it hard going to hold an umbrella in one hand and a pair of barbeque tongs in the other on a repeated basis. It can be a good idea to build a small shelter that will protect your outdoor cooking facilities from the rain so that you are not forced back into the kitchen to prepare your food or to take shelter under an umbrella.
This will also make a good place to store your outside cooking equipment when it is not in use as well.