With Father’s Day fast approaching, we have Dad on our minds, and as gardening is our favourite thing to do here at Hoselink, we’ve come up with some great ideas for how you can get outside and enjoy more time with Dad.

Start a veggie patch with Dad

Has your dad got a keen interest in growing his own food? Well, now is the perfect time to make that dream a reality! Starting a veggie patch may seem daunting, but Hoselink is here to help. With plenty of resources on our YouTube channel and the right products, anything is possible! Veggie patches can be created directly in the ground, in a raised bed, in containers or even on a windowsill. If Dad fancies himself a bit of a handyman, he could construct a raised garden bed out of recycled or reclaimed materials. There are tonnes of YouTube videos to guide anyone through this. It’s a great idea to encourage environmental responsibility as well as provide a sense of self-satisfaction.

Start small if you’re a beginner and, don’t forget, mistakes are good, that’s how we learn! Consider what you may like to grow – herbs are always a good starting point as they’re versatile in the kitchen and simple to grow. Beyond that, you may want to try growing produce that is typically more expensive or hard to find in the supermarket. Most importantly, you want to grow things that you will use to prevent food wastage. Some popular options are zucchinis, leafy greens, cherry tomatoes, mint, rosemary or radishes. Choose a location that offers both sun and shade. This is important for growing fruit and vegetables, particularly if you live somewhere with warm temperatures as your produce will need some refuge from the sun. The right soil will be your best friend when you’re starting out – watch our video with Horticulturist Ben Hayman on how to perfect it by clicking here. Once you’ve done all your prep, you can put your feet up! Feed with Hoselink Seaweed Tonic every week or two and reap the rewards in no time.

Play a game of backyard cricket

What better way to get the whole family together than with a game of backyard cricket? Simply get some stumps (the bins will do if you’re short on equipment) and set them approximately 10 metres apart, or six metres if you have little ones joining. The batter’s stumps are best placed against a fence if you’re in a backyard. Finally, nominate your batters, bowlers and fielders. This Aussie tradition is sure to bring Dad and the whole family plenty of joy on a sunny weekend!

Plant some new life

What better way to bring your garden back to life or give it a little face lift than to plant something new? There are plenty of plants you can add to your garden that will spruce it up in no time. The first step is to examine the conditions you have to work with: is your chosen area in full sun, part sun or shade? This will help narrow down your plant options. Secondly, consider what you are planting near – will you want to plant an abundance of flowers or a sturdy leafy green shrub? There are many options out there and you can get some great inspiration from Pinterest, Instagram, magazines, and by looking at other gardens around you.

Call up Dad and share the love

Some people may not be able to see their dads in person this year. If that’s the case, you can still arrange some time to chat over the phone or enjoy a video call. Having that connection, even via a phone call, will still be special.

Install his new gifts

Was your Dad lucky enough to receive a Retractable Hose Reel for Father’s Day or some other Hoselink gear? What better time to install the new gifts than on Father’s Day?!

Dad is sure to love putting his handyman skills to work and having his family as the apprentice team! If you don’t consider yourself too handy with the tools, that’s not a problem – thankfully, we have plenty of videos to help you through the installation process and answer any questions you may have. Don’t forget our friendly customer service team are on hand to help if you get stuck.

Set up a new BBQ or Firepit area

Why not spruce up your outdoor cooking area to put a smile on Dad’s face this Father’s Day? Hoselink’s Solar Lights are the perfect product to add a little something special to his outdoor space. Hoselink’s Solar Festoon Lights are a popular choice, adding elegance and beautiful lighting without being over the top. If you don’t have a dedicated barbecue area, you can make a small fire pit instead and enjoy roasting marshmallows together or make a campfire cookout! Lighting is absolutely key to create that camping vibe. With a good clean, a few pot plants, and some lighting, any space can feel brand new!

If you haven’t considered solar lights before, there are many reasons they make the perfect addition to an outdoor space. One, they are environmentally friendly; using nothing but the sun for power. Second, you will save money with no running costs and, finally, there are so many varieties that there is something for every taste and occasion. Click here to view the full range.

Make some delicious food

Last but not least, to celebrate Dad, why not cook up something delicious for everyone to enjoy? Cooking is a great way to spend quality time together and make memories. In true Dad-style, barbeques are always a hit.

Main meal & sides

Grab your dad’s favourite cut of meat, some fresh herbs from that flourishing garden and toss it on the barbecue.

As an easy and healthy side dish, make some barbecued veggie kebabs. These are super simple; just combine red capsicum, Spanish onion, pineapple, zucchini and feta on a skewer and get it on the grill.

Let’s be real, everyone loves potatoes and, better yet, this recipe is quick and easy for a family barbecue night. Grab some potatoes (any variety that you like) and chop them up into 2cm chunks. Toss in olive oil and salt and pepper before wrapping in foil. Barbeque for approximately 30 minutes and enjoy!

Dessert

In the mood for a delicious dessert that Dad will love to eat? Try these barbecue and campfire-friendly desserts.

Grab some peaches, pineapple and strawberries, cut them up and put them on a skewer and barbecue until caramelised. Pro tip: Pair these with vanilla ice-cream or some melted chocolate – yum!

If your dad is a fan of chocolate, this recipe will absolutely be a hit. Grab some foil and tortillas. Fill one half with mini marshmallows, chocolate chips and crushed biscuits. Fold the tortilla over and pop it on the barbeque or over the fire for approximately 5 minutes. There you have it! A bit of a cheat hack to classic s’mores that tastes just as good.

We hope this blog has provided you with some inspiration to enjoy some special time in the great outdoors with Dad this Father’s Day!