Ok I'll put the first pics up so we can compare and contrast gardens around the world. We laid that "pour on" limestone last summer and got rid of the patio pavers so no more weeds coming through.

Cobbles and stones...couldn't "limestone" over this cos we have a soak well under it and need access

Looking across the pool toward the house

Planted a herb garden when we did the Limestone and it is now lush and lovely..this was it when it was newly planted

and my vegetable garden (not in view anywhere) has since taken off too. I am aiming for "the good life"...remember that TV show? No chickens or goats though!

Finn says - Hi Carol, Can't wait to do a big canonball in your pool.

Great Thread. I'll be in here a lot!

Carol, Your garden looks fabulous. So tropical! I could see myself there sipping a cocktail  and soaking up some sun .

No chance of me posting a photo of mine until I've done some serious weeding.

So you may get to see a photo in a year or two. In the meantime I'll see if I can dig up some photos of my last "project".

Looking forward to seeing photos of everyone's plot!

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z307/grainne_witch/garden path.jpg - http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z307/grainne_witch/garden path.jpg

I thought I was posting a picture!!!! Will keep trying!!

Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You did it! Wow-thats your garden? Beautiful.

You might know of fellow Grove-Siter MurfV...he lives in Carlow on the Knockanna Road? (And my boss lives on Pollerton Road!)

Carol & Grainne,

Heaven....................................................th ose gardens, I will be spending loads of time on this thread, lying in your gardens - hope that is ok with you both, Carol put out the lie-lows, Grainne clear the clothesline after our chat...............................

This weekend is gone lads - have a load of work to catch up with you - is there anything better thaning sitting in the fresh air enjoying nature and the beauty a garden can bring.

Well done girls - you could go on tv and produce your own programme.  C - is you gardener like the chap on Desperate Housewives???  You have both set the standard very high (remember my Dad was sending photos to USA many years ago to an old pal, he was in a jokey mood & went down to Fairview Pk. then to Botanics in Glasnevin - posted on his garden photos, only remembered a year later when his friend was coming on holiday - Father thought it was gas fun, chap from America was not impressed when he saw his real garden.

Talk soon & again well done.

V

Yvonne, You are a howl - imagine if HD got his camera in there, he would have you posing as a statue in amongst the blooms, you could title it BLOOMING GORG.  Got J a digital camera so hoping for great things in the future.

V

Just got the glasses back and am trying to name some of the beauties. 

Lovely silver plant  =  Silver Artemesia - grown for foliage

Delphiniums  =  (Blue flower

Scabias = Usually pink or blue flowers

Is that a Bamboo at the wall ?

Is that climber Pyracantha (Berries / thorns) /

In the back garden that looks like a Henchera (likes sun / shade and plenty of humus (purple leaf) tiny pink flower on foot of stem.  You seem to have a pink woodland geranium a beauty.

Several different Honeysuckles great for climbers (ie covering walls) dont buy them, I just save seed so you can slip from them the following season.  Tell you what Grainne write down names of ones you have - plus ones of names you like, I will tell you what we have ok.  I love to have something "alive" summer and winter and there are plants that look great even if there is snow on the ground. Carol you have it all there - Bali in your garden, all you need is a sun hat and factor 50.

V

Hahaha Verh..I decided to get a gardener a few years ago cos Ferg was having to bash the garden into shape when he was home on his week off and I felt he should just be able to relax in it so I "bought" him a gardener (who comes once a fortnight) as a Valentines present. Turns out he WAS just like the guy from Desperate housewives. Ferg didn't meet him for months cos they never crossed paths with the roster but was really pleased with how the garden was coming on. Then once they were both here together and got on like a house on fire and then Ferg said to me " you bought that gardener for YOU!! ya hussy!" *LOL*. He left after about 6 months for bigger things and then we had a brilliant guy who had emigrated from Ireland - but he put his back out and had to give up. Now I have a GIANT of a man about 6'7" and he's just brilliant. I'd be lost without a gardener for the heavy stuff cos I dont have time (or inclination) to do the sh*tty work and Ferg now gets to just relax when he is home.

And yes..we bought this house cos the garden was like Bali!

It's a beautiful garden Carol. I'm very jealous!! Might have to hide a bottle of roundup in my handbag during our lunch!!!

Floydman wrote: You did it! Wow-thats your garden? Beautiful. You might know of fellow Grove-Siter MurfV...he lives in Carlow on the Knockanna Road? (And my boss lives on Pollerton Road!)

 I haven't come across MurfV - will keep an eye out for him

Verh - If it ever stops raining again I will go out and look at what is there and let you know! Thanks.

Today I bought 2 beautiful Pavier Orientale - pale pink poppies with a deep purple/black centre - more perennials!

ANYONE WANT THEIR GARDENS DONE - Contact Black Russian

On this site -

Reasonable Rates Etc.

A pp Black Russian

verh wrote: Just got the glasses back and am trying to name some of the beauties.  Lovely silver plant  =  Silver Artemesia - grown for foliage Delphiniums  =  (Blue flower Scabias = Usually pink or blue flowers Is that a Bamboo at the wall ? Is that climber Pyracantha (Berries / thorns) / In the back garden that looks like a Henchera (likes sun / shade and plenty of humus (purple leaf) tiny pink flower on foot of stem.  You seem to have a pink woodland geranium a beauty. Several different Honeysuckles great for climbers (ie covering walls) dont buy them, I just save seed so you can slip from them the following season.  Tell you what Grainne write down names of ones you have - plus ones of names you like, I will tell you what we have ok.  I love to have something "alive" summer and winter and there are plants that look great even if there is snow on the ground. Carol you have it all there - Bali in your garden, all you need is a sun hat and factor 50. V

The one that looks like a delphenium is actually aconitum - I chose that one because the homoeopathic remedy Aconite is made from it. The remedy is a big remedy used for shock. Suggested it to Carol for Niamh.

Also in that bed cosmos chocolate - the flowers smell like chocolate!! Not a huge chocolate lover but I do love the colour of the flower!

It is Bamboo against the shed - black bamboo which I got at the Bloom show for 15 euro each!!

By the way Carol's gardener may look like the one from Desperate housewives but my gardener was Freddie Mercury's last boyfriend and has great stories to tell - not much work gets done but coffee and chats happen a lot!

Ian and Roundabout Grainne is known as "the hayfever lady" in Carlow - has GREAT success treating it...so speak to her! I'm a musculoskeletal therapist so only work on your muscles and bones. Grainne is a homeopath.

Ian I'd say you have your work cut out for you with 1.4 acres. We had a big plot in Navan before we came to Australia and I remember cutting the lawns was the bain of Ferg's life! We couldn't afford a "ride on" in those days..the lawn mower was forever breaking down so cutting the grass and keeping the mower going was a half day job!. The last time he cut that lawn, after we'd sold the house an were about to move to Oz..he ran the mower into the side of the house and  was quite vocal about how he would not be missing it!

We dont have much lawn our place now, lots of patio area and beds with different things in them. The front garden is mostly native Australian trees with a small bit of grass because we have "water police" here and have been on water restrictions for a few years now. Only allowed water the garden twice a week so we all tend to try and minimise the plants/grass that might need a lot of water.

IanL wrote: We have 1.4 acres to play with in Mayo. On the positive side .. planting native deciduous trees (120+) on the perimeter of the site was a condition of planning.. and I love Irish native trees.... On the negative side.. I wish I was more green fingered but come June 1rst... sniffle.... I'm washed out with rhinitis (hayfever). I'm tanked up with anti-histamines and grass and tree pollen are my worst friends. I'd talk for hours about birch.beech,ash, oak, cherry, poplar, alder, elm , sycamore, norway maple, etc but... sniffle.. I'm an armchair gardener between June-July (when it really matters!!!!)

Hi Ian - You poor thing with your hayfever! Carol is right I treat hayfever all of the time. I will send you my number and if you'd like to call feel free. Otherwise I know there are a few homoeopaths in Mayo - not sure where exactly but they meet up in Westport. if you search ishom.com and look through the registry you will find exactly where they are.

Carol said there was someone on here giving away Oak tree seedlings - you might be interest in - when you get your hayfever sorted!!

Here's the photos of the garden and what we did with it in our first house (Current Garden is in no fit state to be seen )

Before we started it was all concrete with 3 stables and a tack room! The laugh we used to get out of telling people that.

Before....

During...

Planting up and putting in the pond...

A Couple of years on...

That looks fabulous! I love those before and after photos!  I seem to have too many before ones though! I'd love to put in a pond - is it difficult? Well done.

Don't forget to take the before photos of your current garden.

Yeah I took some before shots of current garden. Only really getting started on it and reckon it will take a few years to complete. But that's the challenge and the fun .

BB, not sure why you can't see the photos. Does this link work? http://www.freewebtown.com/esthalon/PhotoAlbum/1910/e_244925.jpg - http://www.freewebtown.com/esthalon/PhotoAlbum/1910/e_244925 .jpg

Finally got the grass cut today. I was working so I got my son to do it. He began at 10 am and finished at 3! The garden is not that big!! I think he was hoping for rain!

Esthalon did you put the pool in yourselves?

June - Love your garden - full of character, you almost feel as if you are sitting in it - well done

V

June any chance u want to come around and do mine for me ??????????

Will baby sit while ur hard at it

grainne_witch wrote: Finally got the grass cut today. I was working so I got my son to do it. He began at 10 am and finished at 3! The garden is not that big!! I think he was hoping for rain! Esthalon did you put the pool in yourselves?

Hi Grainne, We did, but it was only a tiny pond, so not too difficult. I think the main thing is to spare no expense on the pond liner and use Carpet/sand etc to ensure there's nothing to puncture it.

Grainne

That is P's specialty ie Pools - you could just lie back on the lielow and enjoy the view.............................................V

Well I just got in from the garden as my friend Bernie who I was with last weekend gave me some clippings and I was out planting them.  The garden is full of flowers galore and I love it.  Now that I am back from holidays I will mulch this weekend and get my pots going.  Oh I love the garden and I am excited about this topic.

C your garden is to die for - I love it.

T

I love the garden as well but as you say, it is impossible to look after in this weather.

There is only one thing to do--Go Fishin'

Notice 5 layers of clothes !!

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z20/Gwn_01/Clonbur2007.jpg - http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z20/Gwn_01/Clonbur2007.jp g

Gary wrote: I love the garden as well but as you say, it is impossible to look after in this weather. There is only one thing to do--Go Fishin'   Notice 5 layers of clothes !! http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z20/Gwn_01/Clonbur2007.jpg - http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z20/Gwn_01/Clonbur2007.jp g

Nice brownies, Gary. You'll be giving Matt Hayes and Mick Browne a run for their money. Where is that photo taken?

B

Hiya B

Lough Meask

We stay in Clonbur and fish Meask and Conn depending on the weather

Grainne

From a young age, fish, pheasant , bunnies, lobster. Catch, clean cook and eat.

But only what I or we will eat. I have never shot or caught anything purely for the fun.

During the shooting season my daughters will not go into the shed because of the hanging birds. 

that really made me laugh and remember one time my dad telling me to up to the bathroom and get him the shampoo - I didn't even think about it - just went up and pulled back the shower curtain and there was the Christmas turkey hanging up by its feet.

All that could be heard was my screams and him in fits of laughter!!!

grainne_witch wrote: Hi T - Isn't it great to spend some time in the garden?  I'm a Very frustrated gardener here this week. First few days of no rain and I've been working all week! I've the weekend free and it's forecast that we will get the tail end of the floods!! Next week BETTER be dry!!

We are in need of some rain here Grainne! The ground is so dry and the flowers look famished.  I water at night and you would never think it in the morning.  It's been in the high 90's here so perhaps a storm is in the making.

Teresa

I've just been on lunch and went down Henry Street, it's pi--ing down

I got soaked coming back to work, another Irish summer day.

I'm off tomorrow to play Golf and at least the forecast is saying there is some chance of a few hours of sunshine but there is no way we will get any gardening done again at the weekend as it's raining both saturday and sunday

Teresa

Ment to say a big thanks as I've used your excellent link to get a picture uploaded.

THANKS

You are so welcome Gary!

Grainne I wonder what it was like moving back home after 14 years away - there is hope for me after all...

I love to look at gardens when I go home to see some different flowers around.  Never appreciated it when I lived there.  My friend gave me some clipping off some lovely flowers that she brought from home.  I hope they work for me.  There is nothing nicer than walking around your garden and being able to point out different flowers people gave to you.  Most of my flowers came as gifts to me.  The one gift I love most is flowers and do you think the hubby ever gets them for me. 

Note to Teresa! Must go out and get herself some flowers today!!!!

Yey! No rain today, finally managed to get some of my stunted seedlings planted. I doubt half of them will flower at this stage but hey I enjoyed being out in the garden pottering about. So now half of my main flower bed in the front is stunted seedlings and the other half of it is still full of dandelions and couch grass (Which hubby is currently out spraying for me)

T and V, are you going to post photos of your plots???

Working on the garden over the next few days weeding and such and will take a shot of it them.  We just picked up some landscaping wood so I will be well set for a photo.

June,

The camera is still in the box but J has promised me 1st chance he gets to get it going.  After seeing your garden, Grainnes & Carols am beginning to think my specimans will look very ordinary.  Regardless, I love it - so relaxing.  Bet the princess is getting big.

V

Lookign fwd to the photos guys. And T I'm still waiting on the one of the Lifeguard. Hope I didn't miss it!

BB, That was our old garden in Donaghmede, current garden isn't fit for a BBQ, but when it is you'll be top of the invite list  (It might be a while though as I'm only getting started).

Anyone interested in gardens or gardening The Rose Festival & Flower Show is to be held this coming week end at St. Annes Park - Saturday and Sunday....................................................

V

Cheers V, but I plan to support my local horticultural show which is on in Rush this weekend! No idea what to expect but who knows, maybe it will put the RHS Chelsea flower show to shame! (I wish)  

Still I am curious to see what the local interest is like as not many people out here seem to be into gardening.

June

Oh yes they are. Have sampled the product already

June,

What he is trying to tell you is - he is BIG into gardening so ring him 24 /7 for any dig outs.  Bet the Rush show will be as good if not better than the rAHENY ONE.  Will let you know if you missed anything - although unless the weather improves you can bet a lot of the exhibitors will not show up.

tAKE CARE, v

Gary, by product do you mean the show?

I know Rush is market gardening central. But very few people seem to have done much with their gardens....my neighbours seem to think I'm mad trying to turn our site into a garden.....their sites are just plain grass.

jUNE

Like everything else in life - when they see yours it will be a case of monkeys sees - monkey does.  One thing I could never accept is a filthy garden  - you can almost tell the personality of someone by their gardens.  You dont even have to be big into it, think about it - someone with a dirty unkempt patch...................enough said. Have a look around the next time you are out for a walk.

Then they say cleanliness is near to godliness (so it is not even a case of having green fingers).  More a case of having respect for yourself and those who live nearby

V

verh wrote:  you can almost tell the personality of someone by their gardens.  You dont even have to be big into it, think about it - someone with a dirty unkempt patch...................enough said. Have a look around the next time you are out for a walk. Then they say cleanliness is near to godliness (so it is not even a case of having green fingers).  More a case of having respect for yourself and those who live nearby

.................and so endeth the lesson.

Verona, hope you never walk past our gaff but glad ya clarified that generalisation by saying " almost ".

Between trying to run my little business, looking after my under 11 footballers and hurlers,keeping up to date with all you nutters,calling in on my relatively elderly parents now and again, teeing it up in St. Annes the odd time and trying to find the odd moment for my favourite high stool, afraid the garden is so far down my list of priorities that it doesn't even register.

Doesn't make me a bad person .

my neighbours seem to think I'm mad trying to turn our site into a garden.....their sites are just plain grass.

June

Thats what I meant

We've just had a 'green' verge collection so most people's gardens here are looking great, especially with all the rain we've had.

My next door neighbour even trimmed the bushes and trees in his next door neighbours garden.

No-body lives there at the moment so it made his garden look awful!!! Couldn't persuade him to do mine tho'.

Rolo wrote: verh wrote:  you can almost tell the personality of someone by their gardens.  You dont even have to be big into it, think about it - someone with a dirty unkempt patch...................enough said. Have a look around the next time you are out for a walk. Then they say cleanliness is near to godliness (so it is not even a case of having green fingers).  More a case of having respect for yourself and those who live nearby .................and so endeth the lesson. Verona, hope you never walk past our gaff but glad ya clarified that generalisation by saying " almost ". Between trying to run my little business, looking after my under 11 footballers and hurlers,keeping up to date with all you nutters,calling in on my relatively elderly parents now and again, teeing it up in St. Annes the odd time and trying to find the odd moment for my favourite high stool, afraid the garden is so far down my list of priorities that it doesn't even register. Doesn't make me a bad person .

Well I sure as hell hope that not all people make that generalisation as my "patch" is rather the worse for wear at the moment.  I'm afraid my priorities at the moment don't have room for weeding and tarting up the flower bed - full time job, marriage, parenthood, inpending second baby, housework, feeding us all, shopping for the food to feed us, the odd sit down so the blood pressure doesn't go sky high, maybe put the feet up so they don't swell and not fit into shoes, and of course some sleep!!  I'm not currently able to bend down to tie mine or TLF shoes so I'm certainly not going to do it for a few ole weeds.

I quite like the wild flower garden look as it happens so sod what anyone else thinks!!  Its certainly not "unclean" and I'm sure its providing lots of cover and food for insects and birds, so I'm even doing my bit for the environment.

Here endeth my lesson.

Pete

Do I detect a bit of self doubt here my man.

Stand up straight, take a deep breath and say to yourself

" I don't need a garden to be a fulfilled person in life. I can make it without a patch of weeds "

Then go an buy a window box for your bedroom ledge

Eh rolo really feel i would have to take issue with a few of your comments here 

" teeing it up in St. Annes the odd time and trying to find the odd moment for my favourite high stool, afraid the garden is so far down my list of priorities that it doesn't even register "

Be honest now we all know there is nothing odd about ur golf r infrequent about ur visits to the high stool !!!!!!!!!!

And Peter the answer is Yes does make you a nobody

X completely agree with the wild flower garden / environment thoughts and its definately my story from now on if anyone comments on my "natural looking garden " !!!!!!!!

Pete,

I knew a guy in the 70,s who lived in an attic and had a window light that looked into the valley between two roofs.

A little imagination, one bag of compost and a few seeds and he was in business. Mind you he had to block the downpipe so his precious garden wouldn't get washed away and the other occupents of the houses were wondering why the water was running down the front walls. But with a little thought you'd never know

Aries wrote: God I hope no-one is reading this. I'm in the WI-FI space at Heathrow and with all the new security I could be in the sh-t

Depends on what he was growing in his window box Gary!

Gary, by product do you mean the show?

I know Rush is market gardening central. But very few people seem to have done much with their gardens....my neighbours seem to think I'm mad trying to turn our site into a garden.....their sites are just plain grass.

End of quote

See we have people that live across from us and they go to Florida for the winter!!! If you seen the state of the garden, there has to all kinds of wild life living in it.  I know their neighbors and they are beside themselves and we even have an ordinance in place here.  Problem is it brings the housing value down when they do things like that.  That is the only thing that bothers me.  I'm all for just grass as some people are just not into gardening but it is nice to see a place kept clean at least.