An Organic Lifestyle (Organic Growing Pains)

Early in the day the craft tent was an oasis of calm, we could hardly see it later on! Lots of stalls with garden knick knacks for sale. The Keelings 'Love to Grow' garden. The Jack & Jill Children's Foundation garden which had some filming and photography going on. I loved the planting shapes and colours. Aliums growing above Hostas made a striking show. Heucharas making a colourful statement. Expert gardener Gerry Daly on the Woodies Expert Stage which different gardeners occupied throughout the show and gave advice and Q& A sessions The humble spud had its very own marquee! The different varieties in each bed. Just some more pics of a fantastic show which if you missed or have never been I would say start planning next year's Bloom.

We had a very enjoyable day  at Bloom not least because the weather was kind to us! There were 28  gardens this year, divided up between small,medium, large and concept gardens, which took some time to get around so we devised a plan of action ,down one side and up the other so we would not miss anything. The gardens were all different and not just 'show' show gardens something could be adapted from all of them to your own garden no matter how large or small. This one is The Kerry Group, Concern Worldwide, 1000 day garden designed by Paul Martin.The 1000 days is the length of time from pregnancy to the child's second birthday.Paul designed a garden which shows a Zambian locale growing Zambian and Irish food to emphasize the importance of the kitchen garden Woodie's DIY had a novel section of neighbour's gardens, 3 back and 2 front gardens a bit like looking over  someone's fence! Sis Kathleen ( with the plastic cape from Chelsea, it did spit rain for ...

We have just returned home after our day out in Bloom in Dublin, I just had to post these photos of the mother duck and her ducklings who spilled out of the Borage bed in the walled garden in front of us! We heard the quacking as we came level and spotted Mom making a break through the box hedging She turns to check the chicks Out she comes onto the gravel with 4 of the chicks tumbling after Wait for me.... 7 little ducks went out .... At last all 8 ducklings are in formation as Mum sails forth! The O.P.W staff said she comes back each year to the Borage bed to lay her eggs and hatch, but it usually is a week or two later and does not coincide with the crowds converging on Bloom. Mom is leading them to where she knows there is water but today there are too many people around so they cannot let her out of the walled garden into the main area A box is fetched to put the ducklings into and a coat is thrown over Mom's head to catch her but she flies up ...

This year was the 100th year of the prestigious Chelsea Flower show, I had not been before but my sister Kathleen had been there twice over the years. It was sunny for most of it but of course 'sods law' on the one day we were there it rained almost incessantly. it spoiled it not alone for us although we got to see nearly everything but for the shop/stall holders and all of the outside exhibitors. There are not a lot of vegetables at Chelsea it is predominantly a flower show! This stand was gardening through the century, this part was the Big House before the world wars. Cactus of all shapes and sizes! Don't throw anything away, it can be reused in the garden!There were some very clever reuses of items for plants. Irises and tulips Gnomes have never been a welcome in Chelsea but this year they have made an entrance Sis Kathleen getting up close and personal with a Chelsea pensioner, the show is held in the grounds of the Hospital where the Chelsea ...