SHOWCASING YOUR GARDEN DURING HOT SUMMER DAYS
by Sherri Sanders

The hot summer trend is cool garden parties, and no matter the age of the participants, a party to celebrate the summer garden is a blooming good time. This is Sherri Sanders, County Extension Agent - Agriculture in White County with some ideas of how you can showcase your garden during hot summer days.

Invite preschoolers for some backyard fun on any sunny day with the entertainment as simple as running through a sprinkler on the lawn. To really set the party tone, set up more than one overhead sprinkler, including at least one fancy sprinkler, and follow the garden theme with colorful but easy‑to‑clean oilcloth placemats on the table.

Need a quick treat for hot days? Throw some White County grown grapes or muscadines, sliced peaches, and blueberries in the freezer in the morning and serve as healthy, cool treats in the afternoon.

Older kids will want to gather for "Backyard Olympics" featuring such garden‑friendly events as the "Timed‑Weed‑Toss." Set a timer and provide kids with a stainless steel dandelion weeder or fun‑to‑use ball weeder then see who can dig and toss the most weeds into a designated bucket on the lawn.

This age would also enjoy a scavenger hunt that has on the list faded flower heads, blooming weeds, and foliage eating green worms or grasshoppers. Reward the garden champions with their own set of kid‑sized garden tools or gloves.

Turning your backyard into a party spot is easiest if you add some extra seating and decorate with galvanized line lights. In darker corners of the garden or along pathways, add the romance of garden torches and lanterns, and then stretch the fun into the evening hours.

For additional horticulture information, contact the White County Cooperative Extension Service at 1-800-467-8166. This has been Sherri Sanders in Searcy. 

Be sure and pick up a copy of Searcy Living filled with lots more stories and photos!

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