We tend to think of Winter as a dead or dormant time, with plant and animal life shutting down and going into hibernation. But that needn't be the case, if you choose your plants with care. Winter flowering heather, viola and primula provide a vivid display, while variegated ivy, Heuchera, and ornamental cabbage give us [...]
I was quite late in putting food out for the birds this year - the good spell of weather in September had prolonged the life of many flowers and flowering shrubs, resulting in a healthy insect population for the birds to feast on. Nuts, mixed seed, and Nyger seed (from the African yellow daisy Guizotia [...]
Community Gardening would like to invite Primary Schools in Northern Ireland to take part in a Poster Design Competition. The competition is aimed at Key Stage 2 pupils and has two different themes: Grow your own: 1st Prize - £100 worth of vegetable and herb seeds, tools, and potting equipment 5 Runner up Prizes - [...]
In an interview with Gardeners' World Magazine, Butterfly Conservation President, Sir David Attenborough, noted that since the 1940's Britain has lost 97% of its wildflower meadows and many of the species that relied on them have declined or become extinct as a result. Butterflies are among those worst hit. Great Britain has 59 butterfly species; [...]
Well October has certainly heralded the beginning of Autumn - wind, rain and a ten degree drop in temperature. As I write, a gale is hurling rain at my window, which is very atmospheric, but I can't help worrying about the mess it's making in the garden! We can't really complain though, with one of [...]
Each year the University of Exeter carry out the 'Understanding Society' survey. The published results for last year's survey had some interesting but unsurprising conclusions. Researchers found that those participants who have moved to a greener urban area experienced a significant improvement in mental health: "It doesn't matter whether you live in a bungalow, a [...]
September is a good time to build a pond - you have the whole Winter and Spring to let it fill up naturally with rainwater before adding plants in May the following year. I made the mistake of constructing mine over Easter, when I had a bit of spare time. There followed a dry spell [...]
Antrim Castle Gardens and Clotworthy House hosted a Party in the Park on 23rd August 2014, and the organisers certainly embraced the gardening theme! The gardens are an excellent mix of informal woodland and elaborate parterre. According to the Antrim Borough Council website, 'Antrim Castle Gardens are one of the most unique and historically intact [...]
The vibrant autumnal colours of the Nasturtium certainly brighten up dull days. Despite the dreary weather in August, there is a bumper fruit crop. My dwarf pear tree is overwhelmed with the weight of rose-tinted fruit - several enquiries have been made as to whether the crop will be made into pear cider! The Joan [...]
The beauty of summer is the enjoyment of all the fruits of your hard labour during the previous spring and autumn. It’s time to gorge yourself on your strawberries and raspberries and delight in the colours and wildlife around you. It is also time to visit places to seek inspiration for your next project. I [...]
