News

How do I plant Seed Potatoes? This is a question I’m frequently asked, How do I plant Seed Potatoes? Last year was the first year we planted seed potatoes in a good few years.  I had forgotten how good our own potatoes tasted.  I don’t use any chemicals in growing our own potatoes, just the […]

Composting made easy! Whatever your view of the “Green Agenda”, this week aspirational ideologies ran up against hard realities with the announcement that Bord na Mona has decided to stop harvesting peat from its bogs.  This decision may have very serious implications for the Horticulture Industry, who has for decades, relied on a steady supply

January Journey As I’m writing this I’m just back from my 5k walk, I’ve been inspired by Lough Gur’s fundraiser to walk 5k a day for the month of January.  Thankfully the weather while cold has been dry each time that I’ve ventured outside it has remained dry.  I’ve met a few neighbours on the

Planting for Colour in the Garden in November Hellebores, also known as the Christmas Rose, has a beautiful flower that appears from November and lasts right through to Spring.  However, the range of flowering plants at this time year is limited.  Therefore, it is a good idea consider evergreen shrubs with light coloured foliage to

November Here’s a scary thought, “it is only 7 weeks to Christmas.” (gives a silent internal scream of desperation, before pretending there is nothing wrong).  Wow, November, it feels a little surreal, where did the year go?  The evenings are really coming in now, the fire in the kitchen is being lit every day.  It

Hello Autumn We’re almost at the half way through October, but it’s only in the last few days that I feel we’re really into the Autumn weather. Crisp chilly mornings, with the leaves on the trees turning those amazing Yellow/Red/Pink autumnal colours. I’m not sure which time of year I love more, Autumn or Spring,

Planting Garlic… oh la.. la Have you ever planted your own garlic before? It’s really easy to grow your own garlic.  There are lots of different varieties of garlic available.  You can grow Elephant Garlic, which is a huge bulb of garlic to Germidor, which is an early variety with a mild flavour. If you’re

Is anyone else lonesome saying Bye September? I don’t know about you, but all of this talk of Coronavirus, the “difficult winter” ahead and gloomy predictions by foreboding health experts is enough to give anyone heartburn.  If you feel that a fog of impending doom is bearing down, you are probably not spending enough time

The kids are all back to school in this house. The silence is strange, I can finally hear myself think! At least until 3pm when they come barrelling back in the door. I love this time of year.  As things get more Autumnal, Nature begins its slow down, the angle of the sun changes the

The rain over the past few days may not have been great for the staycationers and holiday-makers.  However, it has been a boon for the gardener.  My salvias and perennial lobelias look great and are literally jumping out of the ground.  Also, I love a good shower of heavy rain, there is something mesmerising and