How to Host a Garden Party

By Jennifer Matthews

Love the view from your backyard deck? Spent a lot of time and energy perfecting your green thumb? Make the most of your efforts and enhance your enjoyment of your garden by hosting a garden party at least once during the summer -- after you see how simple it is, you’ll probably want to do it again!

	Dog ate your plants? Even if there’s not a single bloom in your backyard now, you can add floral punch by tonight’s party. Here’s how: Buy some flowering annuals (like impatiens or geraniums) in four-inch or larger round pots. Then simply slide the plastic pot inside a slightly larger, prettier pot. For maximum impact and a “designer” effect, all of your plants should be in one or two colors at most and all of your pots should be the same color. Try terra-cotta pots with red and white geraniums, or cobalt blue pots with orange impatiens, for example. Click through for nine more easy ways to prep your backyard for your garden party.

The atmosphere

As with most summer parties, you’ll want to create a relaxed, inviting vibe, encouraging your guests to move around the yard and mingle. Make sure you consider the whole backyard, not just your deck, when setting up for your party.

Provide a seat with a view -- Set up seating to show the garden to full advantage. Strategically place chairs in conversation groupings where guests can enjoy the view of your Black Eyed Susans in full bloom (those same chairs might also be placed to hide the peonies that are past their prime).

Stage your lighting – Think through the stages of your party when planning lighting. If the sun will be blinding when guests arrive, use patio umbrellas strategically. If the party will extend into twilight hours, have candles, torches and string lights ready to light up when the time is right.

Add some sound background – It’s easy to forget about music when it comes to our outdoor parties. It is quite simple to add a set or two of outdoor speakers to the yard, however, or even to transport a portable stereo outside to enhance the energy and mood of your gathering.

The table

If space is at a premium (as it is in my small urban backyard), set up your buffet table indoors. Guests can come in, serve themselves, and step back outside to eat. The bonus of this plan is that you don’t have to worry about bugs, and foods are less likely to spoil in the heat. If you’re setting up your table outside, use mesh domes to protect food from flies, and light candles on the table, which will help to deter bugs as well (be sure the candles are toward the center of the table, to avoid burning your guests as they serve themselves).

	At your service Having a few sturdy trays on hand to transport dishes, food and drinks to and from the kitchen can be a godsend during your party, as can a bar cart or butler tray set up near your outdoor dining area. Bar carts on wheels can be used for their intended purpose, or as additional food serving space. Most are versatile enough to be used indoors during the winter months as well. Check out Stacks and Stacks online for ideas.

Decorate your table with potted herbs, or casual bouquets of flowers picked from your garden or purchased the day before and grouped in glass jars. For maximum impact, arrange the table with more than one level, using tiered cake stands or even overturned bowls to prop up some of your dishes (be sure they’re sturdy, of course).

Think about traffic flow as well when organizing the buffet table: Place plates at one end, cold items first, then hot items, with cutlery and napkins at the finish. If you’re serving a large group, you may want to duplicate the setup so that guests can serve themselves from both sides of the table. For a casual feel, place cutlery in glass jars or colorful pails, or bundle flatware in napkins and tie with raffia or ribbon.

The drinks

Set up a full bar outside, preferably near your garden entrance, so your guests can serve themselves. Use a portable bar cart, side table or bench, and include glassware, bottle openers, bar tools, liquor, ice bucket, and drink garnishes. Use galvanized tubs filled with ice to keep mixers, beer and wine cool. If you’re serving cocktails, keep a pitcher of your favorite at the ready, labelled so guests will know what they’re drinking (make and label a non-alcoholic version as well). Try homemade lemonade, Summer Fizz, for a refreshing cocktail, or even chilled, fresh-squeezed orange juice and vodka.

The food

Being able to enjoy yourself and visit with your guests during the party means not being chained to the barbecue or stove. Keep your menu simple, with foods you can prepare ahead of time. Try roast pork loin, cooked on the barbecue (who wants to heat up the house?) earlier in the day and served cold on a platter. If you’d rather serve it warm, as soon as you take it off the barbecue, wrap the roast in foil and several towels, then place in a covered cooler. When you’re ready to slice it, the roast will be warm and moist.

	Weatherproof garden art Who says garden decor needs to be limited to wind chimes and candle torches? If you’re creating a living space outdoors for the summer months, you now have the option of including paintings on your outdoor walls. Canadian company Rittenhouse offers a wide selection of waterproof, weatherproof artwork for the garden, painted on aluminum panels with UV-protected inks. At your service

Round out your buffet table with a basket of pita and specialty breads, store-bought dips and spreads, and assorted salads, most of which can be made the day before: Try homemade potato salad, our delicious grilled vegetable salad with tequila, and impress your guests with brandy vinaigrette on a tossed green salad.

For dessert, capitalize on your theme and on ice cream’s universal appeal with an ice cream buffet. Ahead of time, fill a tray of colorful dishes with toasted nuts, coconut, crushed chocolate bars and candies. At serving time, put out two or three kinds of ice cream along with dishes of seasonal fruit, fresh whipped cream and fudge sauce, give each guest a generous-sized bowl, and let the fun begin! You might want to award prizes for most creative sundae. Serve hot and iced coffee alongside your dessert buffet.

The entertainment

If you have the room, try hosting a croquet or bocce ball tournament. Both are classic garden games for a reason, and they’re fun for all ages. See our bocce ball article for the how-tos of this sport. You can print off the official rules of nine-hoop croquet (the most common backyard version), here. Your guests will have a ball!