'Action'

Another sunny morning in the NorthWest of Ireland .... it has to be said, that throughout the year we might get that bit more shitty weather then so many other countries, but overall we do get our share of sunny days. The reaction on a 'heat-wave' is almost overwhelming: once the sun decides to drench Ireland with its presence. Everybody is just so happy ... there is so much to do... go to the beach, climb a mountain, cycle the small country lane or just soak it all up. If you have a little or even big garden find your 'happy place' - it could be your patio or beside the back door, under a tree or beside a fragrant shrub ... soon the elder flower are in full bloom or did you ever smell any of the broom-family? The fine smell of the soft yellow broom initializes 'spring' in my head, while the stingy yellow gorse seems to puff out a gentle exotic Caribbean coconut scent.
                                     
                                               

Caribbean scent while walking country lanes

But if you feel like a bit of 'Action', now is the time for it. Make yourself realistic goals, what and how you want to 'produce' over the summer. An easy option is a trip over to the nearest garden center. I know people who would easily spend 300 or more euros on plants and seeds and other gadgets and then just don't get round to maintain it all. Others would say I would love to have more plant variety other then my lawn and Leylandy hedge, but I don't have any money to spare.
Why not try your neighborhood ... the old Lady in the B&B, who has the most beautiful Geraniums all year round in her little conservatory or the unemployed fella down the road who digs his ground every year. He might just have some cabbage plants left over or even might offer you an offspring of his massive Rhubarb plant. Or those green fingered people who have an abundance of herbs and rockery plants, flowers and wild hedging. Then the auld fellow in the hidden cottage down the boreen, who used to take pride by doing his raised beds for the spuds. At least he might be just happy to get out of the house and give you a demonstration how to do it right. All those people did exist in my gardening experience over the decades. Overall, gardening should be a bit of a 'give and take- game'. where in the end everybody should be left happier, healthier and proud about their effort.

our first 'lazy beds' with the help of our 'new elderly neighbor' Pat Smith - 25 years ago 

Last month Action consisted also of some spring themed workshops and talks about up-cycling. How to create small features around your garden/patio on a very small budget, how do do trellis for your climbers, how to create a small insect/ wild bee habitat and also how to revive a large broken pot. Oh I can sympathize with that  heartache when you realize that your dogs or cats or goats just knocked over your favorite pot. We even weaved our own hanging basket ... . Also we were taking on wild and cultivated herbs, how to grow and identify them and how to use them - but this will be another 'blog' one of the days.

a few cat-food tins can make a lovely herb-pot 

the revamped broken pot

hanging basket made out of 'dog-wood'

There were also Easter and spring-themed workshops with women-groups. As I don't sell flowers, I leave it to each participant to bring their own material. I never liked the idea to hand over some flowers, foliage and container and worse, maybe even demonstrating 'the right' arrangement beforehand. It takes away from the whole process. Your arrangement starts at home or in the flowershop or even in your neighbors garden ... thinking 'what would I really like to create'. It is amazing to see all the different materials in those buckets and bag, which the ( usually ) Ladies bring along to the workshop. Even on the night, the sharing goes on, as some might see a flower or a piece of greenery, which might just add to another girls arrangement.
'Am I doing this right?' is another popular question ... right, wrong .... at this entertaining level of flower-arranging there aren't such words. I can support with certain techniques and practical tips and ask the final, but important question ... are you happy with it ... ?

                                                     

spring center piece with home-made wild sally fence

                             
In June I will offer some workshops/talks in our local Resource Center in Tubbercurry. I also will hopefully have a bit of fun with Primary School children ... making up 'seed-bombs' and wild bee's habitats .... low cost is a promise. If interested follow my fb-page NATURE INSPIRES for more details or leave a message.

Enjoy the weather :), while it lasts.