An Organic Lifestyle (Organic Growing Pains)

I made 3 attempts to upload photos yesterday but Blogger was not cooperating,tried again now and uploaded without any problem. My allotment posts are way behind now but I will rectify that tomorrow. Ashtown is an old estate in the Phoenix park and the Bloom festival is held around it each year.Our Office of Public Works began restoring the old walled garden in the centre and even since last year there is a huge amount of work done. This is part of the herbaceous border which divides the garden, I think this would be called the hot end of it with orange and red plantings. All of the veg beds are laid out on each side, late potatoes here. Fruit bushes are in the centre sections and herbs etc around the wall beds for shelter. Carrots under mesh, even the carrot fly is no respecter of stately gardens! Spinach and various salad crops laid out with military precision Brassicas netted from the pesky pigeons of which there must be hundreds given the amount of trees within the park Envy inducin...

I did not think I had taken so many photos at Bloom!Now the dilemma of which to put in or take out, I will put short if any comments on today's ones as they are self explanatory for the most part. I will finish tomorrow with the walled garden and the veg growing.Continuing rain here so no pics taken today as I sprayed the spuds again against blight. Allium display Lillies Part of a hanging basket display Beautiful rose with a beautiful scent, Mary Rose Is it a hat,no, part of the flower arranging displays Kathleen standing by the garden gate! A simple but effective scarecrow Part of the same garden which won a special prize, having space for ducks was part of the plan. The GIY garden was a big attraction as it shows how an average suburban garden has plenty of space to relax and still have space not just to grow veg and fruit but keep a couple of hens too! The Crann garden left me a bit cold even though I could understand the reasoning behind it.Unwanted cardboard can be used for m...

Well, the torrential rain has arrived today so what better time to upload my photos of Bloom 2010!There are so many pics I will have to do 2 posts so today is not about the flowers and show gardens but all of the other activities and attractions that goes to make it such a success.I was surprised and needless to say delighted to be offered a Media pass by Bord Bia who organize Bloom, because I had blogged about our visit last year! Apart from the Bloom Bistro where full sit down meals were served, food of all tastes from sandwiches to pizza was on offer all over the site from vendors.Cadbury's had a chocolate fountain giving out freebies needless to say there was a Q! Holidays at home and abroad were on offer Barry's Tea, which is synonymous with Cork for generations were giving complimentary teas. The plant creche was in full swing and nearly full just after noon. My sister Kathleen who accompanied me talking to the Airfield rep on their eye catching stand.Airfield is a 35 acr...