Brought to you by McKnight Place Assisted Living

Gardening & Outdoor

Entertaining Guide

Assisted Living

Warm weather provides fantastic opportunities to enjoy outdoor spaces with friends and family. These events need not be elaborate, and provide an opportunity to show off some creative flair. Consider these suggestions to make your outdoor gatherings memorable and entertaining for guests and hosts alike!

Pack ‘Em InPlace packing peanuts in the bottom of pots to be used for container gardening. A few inches of loosely-packed peanuts under the soil will allow excess water to drain and makes the pot light and easy to move. 1

Think outside the (furniture) box.Bring some indoor furniture outside to create more seating. Arrange in such a way that you create an outdoor room with defined space. 3

4Getting to know youCreate areas for conversation. Whether using seating areas, standing tables, or both, arrange furniture to create conversation pockets of varying size. 6

Bug off.Citronella candles or torches lit throughout the space can deter unwanted insect guests. You may also want to fill a bucket with mosquito repellant guests may apply if needed.

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Squeaky clean.Take it from the landscape professionals who keep the lush gardens at McKnight Place Assisted Living green and beautiful: A little prevention makes clean up easy after yard work. BEFORE weeding to prepare for outdoor entertaining, draw your fingernails across a bar of soap. This helps form a barrier so dirt can’t get in. When you’re finished in the garden, a quick wash of the hands with a nailbrush will have your hands looking great in no time! 5

2Roll with it.Keep your ball of garden twine in a small clay pot. Pull and end of twine through the drain hole on the bottom of the pot. You’ll keep the twine handy for all your outdoor needs and while remaining organized and knot-free!

Contain Enthustastic GrowersCertain plants, like mint, are both lovely and useful in the garden. However, they can be invasive if not managed properly. Try planting invasive plants in a large clay pot in the ground. The in-ground pot helps create a barrier that keeps the plant from spreading too quickly. If using a plastic pot, cut the bottom off before planting.7

9Extra greenWhen you boil or steam vegetables, let the leftover water cool and use it to water your outdoor plants. It’s eco-friendly and provides extra nutrients your plants will love!10

Natural HelpersTry a favorite natural tip from our gardening experts at McKnight Place Assisted Living. Using some of these insect-repelling plants in your outdoor space can help keep pests at bay: marigolds, lavender, catnip, citronella, geranium, lemon balm, and basil. Plant them in pots and move them to where you gather most.12

Herb ‘n legend.From McKnight Place’s own Chef Anthony Lyons: “Use a fresh stalk of fresh rosemary as a kabob skewer to add extra flavor on the grill. Always soak skewers for about 30 minutes before adding your favorite combination of meats and vegetables. You may also need to first pierce your food with a metal skewer to create the hole for your rosemary stalk, but you’ll love the flavor imparted by the herb!”

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Chill.An entertaining tip from the professionals at McKnight Place:

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To keep cold foods chilled on a buffet, fill a bowl with ice and sprinkle with kosher salt. Place the bowl of cold food, such as a dip or spread, on top of the ice and it will stay cold longer.

Keep it light.A simple rule of thumb for outdoor dining: The warmer the weather the lighter the fare. Don’t serve heavy, greasy foods on a hot night. Sparkling beverages, grilled vegetables, sliced fruit and popsicles sound great when temperatures rise.

We invite you to learn more about McKnight Place Assisted Living. Call Kelley at 314-925-7330 to schedule your tour today.

McKnight Place is committed to being the premier assisted living destination in the region by providing the highest quality programs,

services, and healthcare to our residents each and every day. We’re expanding our community with new floor plans and

amenities. Twenty-five years of experience in Assisted Living have enabled us to develop a community where seniors thrive.

Our local owners have offices on-site and are always available to meet with our residents and their families.