{"id":998,"date":"2026-06-03T10:18:28","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T09:18:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/?p=998"},"modified":"2026-06-03T10:19:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T09:19:10","slug":"summer-patio-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/summer-patio-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer patio projects"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"650\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2026\/06\/Night-Scented-Stock-Matthiola-bicornis-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2026\/06\/Night-Scented-Stock-Matthiola-bicornis-1.jpg 650w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2026\/06\/Night-Scented-Stock-Matthiola-bicornis-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2026\/06\/Night-Scented-Stock-Matthiola-bicornis-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2026\/06\/Night-Scented-Stock-Matthiola-bicornis-1-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2026\/06\/Night-Scented-Stock-Matthiola-bicornis-1-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/162\/2026\/06\/Night-Scented-Stock-Matthiola-bicornis-1-520x520.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Night Scented Stock <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Calendula and Night-Scented Stock \u2013 Create a Fragrant Summer Patio for Less Than \u00a310<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re looking for an easy gardening project that will make a real difference to your patio this summer, growing <strong>Calendula<\/strong> and <strong>Night-Scented Stock<\/strong> from seed is one of the best investments you can make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For less than \u00a310, a few packets of seed, a couple of pots and some compost can transform an ordinary patio into a colourful and fragrant outdoor space that can be enjoyed throughout the summer months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The beauty of this combination is that Calendula provides bright colour during the day, while Night-Scented Stock takes over in the evening, filling the air with a sweet perfume that drifts across the garden on warm summer nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Patio Project That Costs Less Than \u00a310<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many garden improvements can be expensive, but this project is simple, quick and affordable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All you need is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A packet of Calendula seeds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A packet of Night-Scented Stock seeds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A few clay or terracotta pots<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>John Innes compost<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A sunny position on the patio<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In just a few weeks, you&#8217;ll have pots full of flowers that not only look attractive but also add a completely new dimension to outdoor dining and relaxing in the garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bright Summer Colour with Calendula<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Calendula, often known as Pot Marigold, is one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bright orange and yellow flowers bloom continuously throughout summer, creating cheerful displays around seating areas, patios and doorways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Simply sow the seeds into pots filled with John Innes compost, cover lightly and keep moist. The seedlings germinate quickly and soon begin producing flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Calendula also attracts pollinating insects and beneficial predators such as ladybirds, helping to support the natural balance of wildlife in the garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Secret Ingredient \u2013 Night-Scented Stock<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Night-Scented Stock may not be the showiest flower during the day, but once the sun begins to set it becomes one of the most rewarding plants you can grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As evening temperatures rise, the small flowers release a powerful sweet fragrance that can fill an entire patio or courtyard garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The scent is particularly noticeable on warm summer evenings when doors and windows are open, making it perfect for growing near seating areas, patios and outdoor dining spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many gardeners are amazed by the strength of the fragrance produced by such a simple and inexpensive plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Easy to Grow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both Calendula and Night-Scented Stock are ideal for beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Simply:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fill pots with John Innes compost.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sow the seeds thinly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cover lightly with compost.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Water gently.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Place in a sunny position.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Within a few weeks the plants will be growing strongly and producing flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regular watering and occasional feeding with a liquid fertiliser will keep them flowering throughout summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Enjoy Your Patio Day and Night<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What makes this project so effective is that it works throughout the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During daylight hours, the bright Calendula flowers provide colour and attract pollinating insects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As evening arrives, Night-Scented Stock fills the air with fragrance, creating a relaxing atmosphere for sitting outdoors with family and friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a total investment of less than \u00a310, this simple project can completely change the feel of a patio, balcony or courtyard garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes the most successful gardening projects are also the simplest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Night Scented Stock Calendula and Night-Scented Stock \u2013 Create a Fragrant Summer Patio for Less Than \u00a310 If you&#8217;re looking for an easy gardening project that will make a real difference to your patio&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1000,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-998","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gardening-notes"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/998","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=998"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/998\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1000"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=998"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=998"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardenadvice.co.uk\/george\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=998"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}