Now is the time to do a garden project!
Margaret Griffin
While we are all at home, we finally have the time to look at our garden and maybe begin the project that we have been putting off for years.
Our gardens are our haven these days and we appreciate how much special our own piece of open space really is. So with not being able to travel to garden centres, what can we do in our gardens this fortnight?
First tip: Turn off social media and take a break away from all the news even if its only for an hour or two - our mental health is so important. I have compiled a list of my favourite songs to listen to while gardening or walking. But sometimes I just prefer to turn all technology off and listen to the wonderful sounds of nature. The sound of the birds chirping is so precious to us all at the moment.
Gardening is believing in tomorrow
Stand back and dream. What would you like your garden to be, is it an area for entertaining or an area for the children to play or a bit of both? What can I achieve in our garden and believe that you can achieve your dream garden to enjoy for years to come.
Create a cottage garden border filled with fragrant and nostalgic plants. My favourite nostalgic plants are lupins, foxgloves, carnations, lavender and fragrant roses.
Would you like to grow fruit or veg in your garden? They prefer a sunny sheltered position. Wouldn't it be great to grow a pot of strawberries or tomatoes on the patio, to pick all summer long? Always remember to plant bee friendly plants around your fruit trees and plants. These are an invitation to the bees to come into your garden and pollinate the flowers of your fruit trees.
Make your own vegetable garden. There is some great vibrant colour vegetables that are so interesting for children. Children are known to eat a lot more veg when they learn to grow and cook them.
Where to begin
When you have decided on the area, dig it out and break up the soil. Remove all weeds. The best way for the environment is to do this by hand. We need to protect bees and pollinators so always think twice about using a weed killer. If the area is very wet or waterlogged, you may need to add horticultural grit or stones to improve the drainage. There are very few plants that will thrive in waterlogged soils.
Sometimes the area is too hard to dig down? No problem. Create a raised bed or try container gardening to achieve vibrant colour and fragrances. Everything can grow in a pot, just as long as it is the right pot.
Don’t forget, some of your neighbours may need some help in the garden too. They could chat out the window to you while you are doing a little garden maintenance for them.
Griffins Garden Centre's door maybe closed but our team are working remotely to stay in contact with our friends and customers. Each day we are putting up a Facebook video with easy tips and inspirational ideas to inspire you in your garden. We are creating beautiful summer baskets and containers to order.
The best way to contact us is on Facebook, email info@griffinsgardencentre.ie or call 087-9517574 or 087-9008235.