When Does British Summertime Start?
British summertime is when summer officially begins in the UK. When the weather warms up, everything in our garden comes to life, including us! There’s nothing better than relaxing outdoors with family and friends, perched on comfy rattan with a drink in hand.
If you can’t wait for summer to begin, keep reading to learn when British summertime starts, what happens during UK summers, and how to prepare the garden for the warm weather.
When Does British Summertime Start?
Technically, British Summertime starts when the clocks go forward at 1am on the last Sunday in March. Even though this happens in Spring, it’s a sign for all Brits that summer has begun!
In terms of seasons, British summertime actually starts around 21st June and ends around 23rd September. Each year, these dates change very slightly.
Top 5 Reasons to Look Forward to British Summertime
When British summertime starts, our days become brighter and more alive! There are so many reasons to look forward to summer in the UK, from enjoying fresh fruit to finally getting some gardening done.
Here’s what happens during British summertime and why it’s so great.
1. Weather Warms
Summer in the UK is without a doubt the best season! Unless it’s an unlucky year, the weather warms up and the rain (finally!) takes a break from its daily showers. Depending on where you are in the UK, you can expect average temperatures around 15-25°C in summer. Sometimes, during a British heatwave, temperatures can reach as high as 30°C.
2. Days Get Longer
One of the best things about British summertime is when the clocks go forward, and we gain extra hours of sunlight in the evening. We say goodbye to leaving work in the dark, and hello to relaxing on our rattan garden sofas late into the night! During summer in the UK, the sun doesn’t usually set until around 9pm or later.
3. Mornings Get Brighter
Waking up to the sunrise is just how things should be! During British summertime, the sun rises earlier at around 5am. Few of us like stumbling out of bed so early to watch the sunrise. But 7am alarms certainly feel more welcome when the sun is already shining through our windows!
4. Gardening Resumes
Some people love gardening, while others despise the mere thought of it! If you’re in the former category, one of the best things about summer is that you can get outdoors again. There are so many things you can do in the garden when British summertime starts. Planting bulbs, sowing grass seed and de-weeding the flowerbeds are great places to start.
If you hate gardening, you can still enjoy a nice garden! Read our top tips on how to create a low maintenance garden[1] that looks stunning.
5. BBQ Season Begins!
Think summer, think BBQ! Hosting a luxury BBQ[2] with all your friends and family during warm weather is one of the top ways to enjoy your garden. Usually, the best time for BBQs in the UK is during July and August when rainfall is less frequent. All you need for a cracking BBQ is a good weather forecast, rattan garden furniture, and enough British summer food to go around!
How to Prepare the Garden for Summer
If the thought of a British heatwave has gotten you excited, here are our top tips on how to prepare the garden for summer.
Prep the BBQ
Perhaps the only bad thing about British summertime is the need to clean the BBQ. Thankfully, if you cleaned it before the end of summer last year, it shouldn’t take too much work before you can start using it again.
Clean the grills in the sink or rinse them down with a hose on the grass or patio. After cleaning, check how much gas you have in the tank and/or whether you have enough coal to last all summer long.
De-Weed Flowerbeds
Before you invite friends to relax on your rattan garden furniture, now is an excellent time to de-weed the flowerbeds. In late spring, most of the local weeds should have settled. Removing them properly now can mean less chance of them returning.
After de-weeding, plant bulbs between your shrubs and mulch the surrounding area with bark. The bark will keep away the weeds and the bulbs should spread and flower next spring, leaving you with a blossom rather than a weed pit!
Clean Rattan Furniture
Rattan furniture is strong, sturdy and built to last. You shouldn’t need to do too much routine maintenance when you buy a high-quality rattan furniture set.
The only time you may need to clean it is when you’re removing the rain covers and/or preparing to use your furniture after winter. To clean rattan, simply sweep away any cobwebs, scrub debris and rinse everything with a hose.
Read our guide on how to clean rattan furniture[3] to learn more.
Get a Parasol
Finally, to prepare for the pending British heatwaves, consider investing in a garden parasol for the patio. When the weather gets too hot to handle, you can put it up over your rattan table to stay cool.
Because parasols can cover an expansive area, they also work great during BBQs. They keep your guests sheltered from the sun or (if you’re unlucky on the day) rainfall. It’s much easier to put up a parasol than dash all the food and cushions inside!
Summary
When British summertime starts, everything about the UK comes to life. We can start enjoying our gardens again, hosting BBQs and getting the sun on our skin.
There’s no better way to enjoy your garden in summer than with good garden furniture!
At Harts Furniture, we deliver outdoor furniture that’s durable, weather-resistant and built to last. All our rattan products, from dining sets to sun loungers, are designed in the UK with outstanding quality.
Explore our full garden furniture collection today.