The Joys of September September is a joyous, fantabulous and wonderful time. It really is a lovely, lovely month. The kids are going back to school on Wednesday and I have my hula hoop at the ready. I might start with a couple of Pornstar Martinis on Wednesday morning and then have a go at …
Autumnal August? August is a time we associate with the start of Autumn, or at least that was what I was taught in school. Autumn months were August, September, October, more recently sometimes August can be a wonderful month full of sunshine and warm sunny evenings giving us a longer spell to enjoy our gardens. …
Here at Rockbarton we are hosting our annual Harvest Fair and Vintage Rally on this Sunday 7th August from 10am to 2pm. We are expecting a good turn out from the local Greybridge Vintage club along with exhibitors from the surrounding area and further a field. This year we are also hosting a display of …
The Vale Star recently spoke to Lynda Sheehan from Rockbarton who has made a new addition to the Garden Centre with the opening of “The Chatty Hen Coffee House”. Lynda’s customers have been encouraging her to open a cafe for several years, particularly given the fact that the serene environs of the garden centre’s 18th …
January Snowdrops I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year to all. At this time of year we close the garden centre on Christmas Eve for a couple of weeks to rest recuperate and spend some time with the kids and it’s been great, lots of movies, chocolates, wine, card games and …
Confessions of an delinquent gardener I have been trying not to look at it every time I drive past. I just look the other way, pretending that all is right with the world, but yesterday I took the walk of shame through what was once a beautiful horticultural carnival of colours and textures only to …
Infested with Rabbits! Firstly, I want to give a word of thanks to Kate Harold and everyone on the Lough Gur Committee for putting my name forward for inclusion in the Lough Gur Nationwide special that aired on RTE on Monday 30st August. It was an amazing opportunity for me personally and it was fantastic …
Top 8 Autumn Flowering Perennials It’s funny, the kids are in school in my house until June, but come August, after just a month off, it feels like it’s already time to get ready to go back… and while I love the routine of school, I really enjoy our lazy start to the mornings and …
Pesky Pests Pesky Pests are eating my flowers. What is eating my Lupins?? And is there something attacking my Roses as well… nooo… This year, more than any other year, the aphids are on the attack. The current weather is perfect for them, they love the warmth and dry conditions that we are experiencing at …
Wildflower Meadow – to Sow or not to Sow, that is the question! These days it seems that every gardening guru and Green Party activist is recommending the rewilding of the countryside with Wildflower Meadows!! In recent months, countless people have called into the garden centre requesting wildflower seed. What is a Wildflower Meadow? The …