The month of June heralds summer and joy. The streets are dressed in colour, with balloons, garlands, popular music, dances, basil and, of course, large doses of grilled sardines. This year the typical street festivities will give way to small get-togethers at home with family and friends. Dare to be a real host and surprise everyone with a rigorous decoration recreating an ‘’in-house‘’ festival.
June is one of the Portuguese’s favourite months. All over the country we see the festivities taking place in the streets. However, this year those plans will have to be postponed, but not cancelled! The idea is to bring the whole atmosphere of Santos Populares into your home or a space where you can quietly gather your family and friends. All you need to do is organise and decorate the outdoor space with balloons, garlands and basil, prepare the grill and choose the music!
Customised spaces, perfect for celebrating and enjoying
The first step to being a true host, not only for Santos Populares but also for other summer gatherings, is to prepare your terrace and garden. Start by observing your space, realise its potential and plan how you would like to organise the different areas. Once you’ve defined the areas, start by planning how you’re going to set them up: a dining area, with pergolas to protect you from the sun, leisure areas with sun loungers, inviting you to relax and enjoy, a barbecue area, where you’re going to include your grill… Horto do Campo Grande can help you with this step with its Made-to-measure Service, where the team advises you and designs your space in a personalised way, designing, executing and assembling the pieces with the right measurements for each location.
The second step is to choose the plants. Climbing plants are perfect for natural shade and shrubs for privacy. You can also choose your favourite flowers to colour the various corners
of the garden. Explore the various options and choose the ones that best suit you and your space. When it comes to plants, maintenance is also something to bear in mind. You can opt for drip irrigation systems for sustainable, worry-free watering – even when you’re on holiday – or you can request a personalised maintenance service.
in terracotta vase
in terracotta vase
Once the maintenance has been taken care of, it’s time to choose the most beautiful pots to house your plants and flowers. Terracotta, clay or fibreglass vases? The selection is huge!
Finally, the most fun part: decorating! Choose the tables, chairs, cushions and lamps to create an inviting outdoor atmosphere. Horto do Campo Grande offers various services, including garden construction and maintenance, decoration and more, to help you create the space you’ve always dreamed of for receiving family and friends.
cement-coated bamboo
Barbecue for the sardines? Check!
Amongst the energy of the festivals, the aroma of the basil and the thousand colours with which the country is painted in June, we know that there are no Santos Populares without sardines. That’s why it’s essential to choose the grill that will make this an unforgettable moment. Gas, charcoal or electric? Weber answers: “There’s a grill for everyone!”. Choose the one that best suits you and your space.
According to our florist, basil is a must!
Tradition dictates that basil, also known as the ‘lovers’ herb’, should be part of these days of revelry because, according to the saying, boys used to offer small potted basil to their girlfriends on the occasion of Saint Anthony, the matchmaker saint. This gift was practically as strong a commitment as a marriage proposal. The girlfriend, upon receiving the basil from her ‘’sweetheart‘’, had to take care of the plant for a year until the basil was replaced on Saint Anthony’s Day the following year. As well as the plant, the vase traditionally comes with a paper carnation with a popular verse alluding to love. Have you chosen yours yet?
At Horto do Campo Grande you’ll find everything you need to be a true host, not only for the Santos Populares, but for all the summer dinners and lunches!
© Horto do Campo Grande, Fotolia, Shutterstock
