As we approach the end of Winter according to the Gaelic calendar of Imbolc or Brigid’s day, the days are definitely getting longer, but still not warm enough to shed the thermal layers and down jacket yet. I’m itching to get back out to work on the garden, but it still feels a bit daunting, with the yellow and brown surroundings still in hibernation.
We started the first stage of planting in October and now its lovely to see the bulbs emerging despite the chill of the winter and the onslaught of storms. Dangan nursey in Galway were very helpful with advice on selection of plants and layout, hardy plants are needed that can deal with our robust conditions.
There is a mixture of agapanthus (tall purple flowers bloom mid-summer), trailing Rosemary, carex Testacea grass, heathers, heuchera (maroon leaves), sea breeze (daisies), Campanula (purple flower), cabbages (these will be replaced with summer bedding plants). I also planted miniature tulips, Iris and daffodils, these will be hopefully be less vulnerable to the wind.
Cian made the planter box last September from timber sleepers, we treated them with bitumen paint on the inside and insecticide on the outside and then painted with an outdoor furniture paint. We put large stones in the base and sheets of cardboard, then filled with 3 tonnes of topsoil. Once I had finished the planting, I covered the top layer with composted bark to give a nice clean finish and inhibit the growth of weeds.
There are lots of options to finish the top layer from putting a weed barrier and finishing with a layer of stones, I’m not experienced enough yet to know what looks the best and gives most flexibility. It will be interesting to see once growth takes off in spring, how well the plants will fill out the space and what will deliver the most delight and learning through the seasons.
There is a list of garden projects for the year ahead including planting some larger trees, plants for the front of windows, entrance paving and planting a heather bed around the rockery. Wishing everyone a happy ‘anticipation of the Spring’ or Imbolc.
