The #SodShow meets Garraí Glas. Ireland’s Garden Radio Show
The SodShow – with Peter Donegan & Brian Greene – Every Friday 3pm – Live
Listen to The SodShow Live @ 3pm:
- Tune in: 103.2fm on your radio dial if you are in the Dublin area
- Listen live online: every Friday 3pm via TuneIn.com – on your phone or desktop
Listen Later:
- As Podcast: on the garden blog – in the podcast category
- in iTunes: Hit The Sodshow Page
On The Show This Week:
This week our guest is Síle Nic Chonaonaigh, host of Irelands feel-good gardening television programme Garraí Glas on TG4. Garraí Glas, returns to our screens Tuesday 13th March 2012 at 8pm on TG4
Síle meets different growers from around the country who garden organically and gives us an opportunity to learn about growing without chemicals. She travels from Galway to Dublin, West Cork to Donegal and home again – and along the way we meet many of the characters who make this country so special.
Garraí Glas is must see TV, encouraging and inspiring. It will help you on the journey to growing your own which will give you enormous joy and satisfaction. And this is the perfect time of year to start planning.
- Garraí Glas website: garraiglas.ie
- Síle on twitter: @Garrai_Sile
- Garraí Glas returns – Tuesday 13th March 2012 at 8pm TG4
Make Contact with The SodShow:
- use the hashtag #SodShow
- email – info@DoneganLandscaping.com
- twitter – @DoneganGardens
- Facebook.com/DoneganLandscaping
- and Brian is on twitter as @BrianGreene
About The SodShow:
The SodShow, Ireland’s Garden Radio Show with landscape gardener Peter Donegan and armchair gardener Brian Greene airs on Dublin City FM Friday’s at 3PM.
The Sodshow is podcasted, blogged, streamed and live tweeted to the world via its internet site: http://blog.DoneganLandscaping.com/category/podcast
Garden Group Tour: Rathbeggan Lakes – Sun 5th Feb 2012
- Date: Sunday 5th February 2012
- Time: 11.30 am on location.
- Details: Dave Robinson, Manager/ Owner of Rathbeggan Lakes will be our personal guide for this wonderful day out and the first official gig of 2012.
- Numbers: limited to 18
New To The Garden Group ?
There’s no membership. It’s very simply people who like the great outdoors with a side order of horticulture, should you ask the question. There’s no membership and I try to keep it as free as possible. This usually comes by people likle Dave donating me and you their time and venue.
What else have we done – see Catgeory Garden Group
What’s at Rathbeggan Lakes ?
Dave tells me – they have 85 allotments, a viewing tower, a new geometric garden, a two year old orchard and new mini woodland walk! And that’s without going near the lakes themselves. We also have a small coffee shop on site.
Please Note:
- There will be no charge for the tour of the gardens – but – and only on this occasion you can make a donation to Temple Street childrens Hospital should you wish.
- Children, kids, Grandads and families are more than welcome. Very much a case of the more the merrier so long as you say hello, goodbye and thank you.
- I do this garden group for free. This is year 3. The best thing you can do to help is come along – the day you don’t is the day I scratch my head – also: Garden Group for 2012.
Garden Group-ees Note:
- Booking: via comment – here only. Its a very easy numbers count.
- Contact me: see below. not a problem
- Other: My suggestion is car pooling from Dublin City or Swords meeting point. Most of you know each other. If you are stuck and wanna go just leave a comment noting that – it will be easily solved.
- Dress Code: this is Ireland. See weather.
- Duration: 1.75 hours or longer if you are enjoying yourself
- Weather: the weather…. your guess is as good as mine.
- Lunch: I had suggested bringing a picnic. That’s what I will be doing anyway. All things going good it’ll be a flask of coffee and some nice sambos!
- Anything else: leave a comment below or gimme a call.
- Directions: Rathbeggan Lakes, Dunshaughlin, County Meath – on the old N3 now called the R147 and are easily found by taking Junction 6 on the M50 and then leaving the M3 at exit 5. See what you think. Dave Robinson
- - or – see Google Maps
- More info: Rathbeggan Lakes Facebook or rathbegganlakes.com
Contact Me:
- by email info[at]DoneganLandscaping[dot]com
- call mobile – o876594688
- twitter.com/DoneganGardens
- Peter Donegan on facebook
Garden Tour: Hedgerow Walk – This Sun, Jan 29th
Amongst the many varying brilliant things that The Ballyboughal Hedgerow is one thing you can take for absolute granted is that it is a brilliant day out for any age or group of people.
That aside there is always some form of a theme to them. The first walk of 2012 is themed
5 x 500 Year Old Bridges In One Day
We won’t being spending 376 hours looking at Bridges and hedges just in case you are thinking that… It’s a walk. It’s the craic, the banter and on your merry way – you might ask:
Wooo00oot the flippin jaaaaaysus is that over dere, Luv ?
That’s were chatting to Anne Lynch or Peter Donegan maybe comes in. Or not. Whichever suits you the dandiest.
Who, What, Where When, you’re now asking ?
- Date: This Sunday 29th Jan 2011
- Time: 2pm – or – 2 ‘o clock whichever you prefer
- Meet: O’Connors Pub, Ballyboughal
- Cost: make a small donation if you feel like it – if not, no sweat brother. It’s heading the way of Temple Street Childrens Hospital fyi
More info or any help you may need – simply contact:
- Peter Donegan on 0876594688
- or Anne Lynch on 0863638487
- or email info@DoneganLandscaping.com
Links and info that may help:
- Temple Street dosh info
- The last hedgerow walk
NB: this is not a [Peter Donegan] garden group outing outing [official], yet it is. That’ll be announced later this week and takes place Sun 5th Feb
St Annes Park, Dublin
It may well be January and a little chilly for some, but for me, Parks and Gardens have to be seen in their Sunday best as well as first thing in the morning – by way of all the seasons, if you get my drift – in order to fully appreciate them. Sunday 22nd January saw me visit St Annes Park that borders Clontarf and Raheny on Dublin’s Northside.
A park I have noted it many times here on the garden blog, but never on its own. A credit to dublin City Council, I have to admit one that I am very fond of and will highly recommend.
A little research look on wikipedia tells me thus:
The park, the second largest municipal park in Dublin, is part of a former 202 hectares (500 acres) estate assembled by members of the Guinness family, beginning with Benjamin Lee Guinness in 1835 (the largest municipal park is nearby (North) Bull Island, also shared between Clontarf and Raheny). Features include an artificial pond and a number of follies.
Not wishing to brush history to one side, the park is a great way to see garden features built as they should be. The views and ‘what is around the corner‘ type challenges exist and adding to that there are many ‘should I take the road less travelled’ routes – or not [?] to its design and layout. Intrigue in any garden, irrespective of size is always good.
More than that, there are age old majestic Quercus Ilex [Holm oaks] all along the banks of the water running streams, their roots exposed for all to see. And equally there are trees clad in Ivy with daffodils just waiting to explode the park into colour. Good parks, nee great gardens should look brilliant at any time of the year – and that includes the months outside of Summer. That doesn’t mean they have to be infinitely perfect – more, at the very least that they should call, invite and want you to want to spend time in them.
The audio I recorded is a little windy in parts – but irrespective of what I say – I do love St Annes Park. We had coffee and cake there, used the playground, wandered the woods and admired what I can only imagine will be a busy week after for the lawn repairs division.
On a side note, do keep an eye out for my upcoming garden tours to be announced this week on my garden blog.
- Peter Donegan on Facebook
- email – info@doneganlandscaping.com
The #SodShow. Dublin’s Garden Radio and Podcast. Friday 20 January 2012
The SodShow – with Peter Donegan & Brian Greene – Every Friday 3pm – Live
Listen to The SodShow Live @ 3pm:
- Tune in: 103.2fm on your radio dial if you are in the Dublin area
- Listen live online: every Friday 3pm via TuneIn.com – on your phone or desktop
Listen Later:
- As Podcast: on the garden blog – in the podcast category
- in iTunes: Hit The Sodshow Page
On The Show This Week:
We return for our first live garden radio show of 2012. This week our in studio guest will be Dominic Loughran [pictured below with the hat on] and we will be talking amongst many things about gardening in South Africa.
Making Contact:
- use the hashtag #SodShow
- email – info@DoneganLandscaping.com
- twitter – @DoneganGardens
- Facebook.com/DoneganLandscaping
- and Brian is on twitter as @BrianGreene
About The SodShow:
The SodShow, Dublin City’s Garden Radio Show with landscape gardener Peter Donegan and armchair gardener Brian Greene airs on Dublin City FM Friday’s at 3PM.
The Sodshow is podcasted, blogged, streamed and live tweeted to the world via its internet site: http://blog.DoneganLandscaping.com/category/podcast
Temple Street. Half Marathon. 2012. April 14th. Wants €650. Thank You. Please.
Donations Thank You Note To: Luke Donegan [no relation]; Eoin Delaney of Directing Media ;
There’s a recent enough and great reason why Temple Street Childrens Hospital is so close to my heart, but in short and for the moment this is a gig I am now doing, again. NB: we all got a medal. everyone. I did not come second
Here’s my thoughts on the matter Press play and take a listen
More than that I am asking for your help and in short I need €650.
What will Temple Street Childrens Hospital do with your money this year ? Marianne who works there explains:
Hi Peter,
Great to hear you’re on board again this year. Please see below what we are raising funds for this year.
Our aim for 2012 will concentrate on fundraising for two ICU Specification Patient Monitoring Units. The Intensive Care Department at Temple Street Children’s University Hospital needs additional Pandemic ICU Specification Patient Monitoring Units. In the event of a Pandemic or surge in activity these pieces of equipment are vital as they enable us to monitor patients on a close and regular basis, whilst the child fights their infection.
I’ve set up a My Charity Page were you can donate securly online and any amount is appreciated however if you are feeling a bit groovy you might also consider a slightly larger wad of cash. If you do and [understandably so] wanna little more bang for your buck ? No problemo. Wanna chat ? I’m open to any suggestion and my details are below.
Contact Peter Donegan
- info@DoneganLandscaping.com
- twitter.com/DoneganGardens
- Facebook.com/DoneganLandscaping
- mobile: 0876594688
Further info:
Garden Ideas: 5 Uses of Features and Focal Points In Garden Design
All images and gardens by Peter Donegan/ Donegan Landscaping, Dublin
The better nee best features of any garden I have ever seen work, are those where the client, with the designer or creator almost decides to compel that design feature to commission.
A little Machiavellian by way of word choice maybe – but it is the revelation, the revealing over time and finally the receiving of that something very unique, created one-off and just for you and your garden – that makes what may possibly seem like a gamble that I note, irrespective of garden size and budget – so very, very, very worthwhile.
That said, there is a difference between a house and a home – and – with gardens, better gardens – the main feature or what some may feel should be the main focus, should also work in tandem with its surrounds. Get that chemistry spot on and you might just have something very special.
The following are five examples of features in gardens that I have created. They are also decisions that made that garden a little different from the rest and for their owners, for the better.
1. Garden Walls with a Difference
If you can get this one right, you are on to an absolute winner. What I will say is it does require one to be a little bit daring, maybe, at the point of imagining what it will look like. Most tend to choose, as one might in interiors to have one featured colour wall and the rest white, for the sole logic of light purposes. As you can see in this garden, myself in the top corner planting away, the white was actually used on the lower walls the entire way around therefore allowing licence to be a little more sporadic on the upper level.
The backdrop plant of choice to soften is Fargesia, a dwarfed bamboo brought in slightly more mature and that shall only grow to around eight foot tall in its lifetime.
2. Garden Art
It doesn’t have to be a piece of sculpt type olde art that you choose for your space outside, but do rest assured we have been using art in our gardens for absolute centuries. This piece was used in two of my gardens – one won two awards, one didn’t. Both great gardens. That aside, the decision to use art in our gardens has it seems been on the decline for some time.
That said, pick the right piece for the right space and surround it with choice perfect planting and you might just have that something so very special. In my opinion, we don’t use art outside enough.
3. A Feature Garden Structure
I’ve made and designed some great structure for some so much the better for it gardens, but this has to be one of my all time favourite garden structures I have ever used. I will admit there is no feeling greater than sitting underneath the stars whilst feeling like you are in a room of your own sipping a gin and tonic with some close friends.
If you can master that feeling ie. including the surrounds, so that the structure just stands out for the very right reasons during the day time, you have managed to achieve something extremely wonderful.
4. The Water Feature
There is nothing worse than a grandé anything in the wrong space and it is at this juncture that some variation of the quality not quantity cliché comes to mind. The key in all garden features is to get it just right and that’s were a good eye comes in for a great overall picture of just what it is you want. A bit like the gazebo, if it can have an additional use ie. during the day and at night-time, you have just got double bargain value for your pound.
5. A Hard Garden Surface
Decks, cobble and all that is functional does have its place in the great outdoors – but if, once again, one can master so very good-looking with functionality then who am I to argue. I have created many walkable hard-surfaced finishes in my time – one of the simplest ever used in a garden of mine was this timber surface above. Divine perfection. Extreme simplicity.
In summary: the images used are ones I thought might strike a chord with you and personally, I’ll be very surprised if you like all of the images you see here. That said, they are a little unique, a little personal and individually loved by their owners.
More info:
- Peter Donegan on Facebook
- email: info@DoneganLandscaping.com
The #SodShow. Wild Camping, The Finalé – Dublin Garden Radio and Podcast. Fri 13 Jan ’12
The SodShow – with Peter Donegan & Brian Greene – Every Friday 3pm – Live
Listen to The SodShow Live @ 3pm:
- Tune in: 103.2fm on your radio dial if you are in the Dublin area
- Listen live online: every Friday 3pm via TuneIn.com – on your phone or desktop
Listen Later:
- As Podcast: on the garden blog – in the podcast category
- in iTunes: Hit The Sodshow Page
On This Weeks Show:
Part 3 – the final part in our mini series which began December 10th as Peter Donegan and The #SodShow teamed up with Gelert and Millets Mary Street to take five people and record the journey in audio as we hiked, trekked and wild camped overnight, without tents, in The Wicklow Mountains.
The following blog posts have relevance:
Why do this for Dublin’s Garden Radio Show, The SodShow ?
We have spoke many times on The SodShow about my Hedgerow walks, eating from the wild, native Irish plants and trees, the garden groups outings and [ordinary] camping. We thought it a good idea to somehow and in someway, join them all together.
In this case and of note we went to a [Wicklow] National Park. From a horticultural perspective, it contains many pre mapped nature trails including a flower walk and tree walks. Eight of the Park’s plants are in fact classified as threatened – three are vulnerable and five are rare. We also wandered much of its forestry and slept only with what nature could surround us with. Also we don’t think this has ever been done for radio before and – the landscape is absolutely stunning.
Listen to Part 1 of The SodShow Wild Camp – aired December 23rd, 2011.
Listen to Part 2 of The SodShow Wild Camp – aired January 6th 2012
Making Contact:
- use the hashtag #SodShow
- email – info@DoneganLandscaping.com
- twitter – @DoneganGardens
- Facebook.com/DoneganLandscaping
- and Brian is on twitter as @BrianGreene
About The SodShow:
The SodShow, Dublin City’s Garden Radio Show with landscape gardener Peter Donegan and armchair gardener Brian Greene airs on Dublin City FM Friday’s at 3PM.
The Sodshow is podcasted, blogged, streamed and live tweeted to the world via its internet site: http://blog.DoneganLandscaping.com/category/podcast
Garden Inspiration: 5 Uses Of Red In Garden Design
Although it may be considered sometimes mildly bold the use of a feature colour in garden design, when one looks back through the ages and historically we quickly realise there is absolutely nothing new to its use at all.
Red seems to resonate more with some when referring to Oriental themed type gardens – a garden style that uses a usually green or basic colour range, at least when compared to that of the olde English type herbaceous borders. Historic, avant-garde or modern-day, that it is used to lead the eye from afar or [reworded maybe] to draw one to a particular space, in its most basic explanation what it does is change entirely what would have been a pretty bland and monotone photograph.
The following examples and explanations show that there is little variance behind the theory in the usage of the colour. More than that it also shows when used correctly just how effective one colour can change the entire feel of a gardens design and your space outside.
1. The Monte Palace Tropical Gardens
On the go since the 18th Century – The Monte Palace Tropical Gardens are one of my all time favourites ever visited. But, can you picture just how boring [?] this image might be if the red was removed ? It may well be exciting to the plants person or horticulturist like myself, from afar or when up close – but as a garden to draw one in – would it actually do that ?
2. A Red Garden Bench
A stark change from The Monte Palace Gardens of Madeira but – this is the most basic format in which I have used and can show this theory – put simple, a bright colour against a neutral backdrop. A solitary garden seat that prior to was beige and appeared so, aged in appearance on a dark shaded side to the garden that very simply needed a lift. Personally, I knew I liked sitting here – but it just didn’t feel it was entirely me when it was just so bland. Can you picture the grey beige bench ? A much, much happier place to sit and have a coffee now.
3. The Red Dead Tree
Just like the walkway of the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens, the colour palette I used in this garden is a smooth groove from brown to yellow to green – all great neighbours on the colour wheel. What was required was something that would stand out whilst the similar coloured flowering Penstemons were not in flower, yet also compliment when they were. The red-painted dead Sophora isn’t as stark and unusual as one might think in situ – yet just enough to bolt some inspiration into a fairly solid toned plant choice colour base.
4. The Red Satellite
Once again the colour palette here is quite close on the spectrum, but it was my recycling of my own satellite painted bright red that created the highlight in this garden. Sometimes it is the mildly unusual, highlighted, that can change the entire image of how a garden is perceived. Just imagine for a moment [once again] if you can how this garden might have looked had I chosen not to use it ?
5. The Red Exhaust Pipe Bird Feeder
The exhaust pipe bird feeder – a little different, a little intrigue and whilst the planting had a little to go in order to make this image a little more picturesque, it is clear to see that yet again the neutral colour scheme is used to highlight the more unusual. Imagine if you will, that all the plants are red ? In which case I’d most likely have painted the exhaust pipe photosynthetic green.
And the more we think about it – the more we see it. Masses of green with red being used to highlight where we are intended to go towards and what it is the [beauty is in the eye of] beholder actually wants us to see. Highbury Stadium maybe an unusual one to finish off with but as an image, it proves the point – once again, just imagine if you will for a moment, should the seats be coloured green…. or see below.
More info:
- Peter Donegan on Facebook
- email: info@DoneganLandscaping.com
A bit green….
*all images by Peter Donegan.
Garden Ideas: 5 Uses of Mirror in Garden Design
Mirrors are a great way to brighten up any garden and add that extra added and varying dimension to your space outdoors. The following are 5 examples of how I have used mirrors in gardens to change, for the greater a gardens space.
If you have an area which needs that little something to brighten it up, this should get the mind flowing and maybe thinking in a slightly different light.
1. Surrounded by Walls on all Sides
This garden area is walled in on all four sides making available light almost at a premium. To change that, three of the walls in this garden were painted white whilst one was covered with three full length, slightly separated mirrors. The light increase now as the sun moves around is phenomenal. More than that, it made the garden interesting and the views so different depending on where you stood. Brighter for the better on so many levels.
2. Low Level Light Reflection
With lights installed at ground level a 4 metre wide paved area separates the light source from the mirror surface installed on the far side. This allows the light, as you see it in the image, to be viewed from a very different angle. Extremely effective at night and made even better by choice planting which dappled the lights shadows as the winds movement caused it to appear to flicker.
3. The Small Courtyard Garden
This small courtyard is around 1 metre by 3.5 metres in size. Raised beds in place the mirror choice allowed the transformation from a dull and non descript potential no mans land to one were dappled planting gave it just that extra added dimension. The photograph was taken from inside the kitchen area and the rain at the time dapples the image captured slightly.
4. Mirror Garden Surface Furniture
Sometimes less is more and this table top covering was just enough to create a little intrigue from one point within the garden. On a non garden design side note, the use of mirror here also ensured a clean easy of the eating area. That aside, personally [and although I might have been told off for it in my youth], I liked it most when my elbows rested on it.
5. The Narrow Garden Space
Just at the point where the garden narrows and the design may appear like it has just, well… ended. In this case this garden very simply needed that something to take ones eye away from a path that I was not able to change nor move – [client is king]. Note the distance it created as you look at it. Simple, yet effective.
mirror n 1 a sheet of glass with a metal coating on its back, that reflects an image of an object placed in front of it
More info:
- Peter Donegan on Facebook
- email: info@DoneganLandscaping.com
Gardening Classes, Garden Talks and Speaking 2012
Whilst my previous working life did include teaching horticulture, the last few years have seen that skill been recalled into action. Public gardening demonstrations, certificate classes to schools in Dublin, garden sessions with Fingal Libraries and talks to Gardening and Horticultural societies all took place throughout 2011.
Live in the heart of the Dublin City Centre, in a community hall, in the middle of a field or in the library – every venue and almost every possible topic was covered.
Bookings and inquiries are now being taken for 2012.
Recent Examples of Garden Talks and Gardening Demonstrations:
- Talks for Castleknock and District Gardening Society and Clontarf Gardening Society.
- Grow your own garden talks and workshops with Fingal Libraries and Fingal primary schools. [2011]
- In a free to the public event, I was one of the acts for Dublin City Council’s Urban Living in Dublin City [2011] that took place live in Wolfe Tone Square.
- I organised, put together and spoke at the Oldbridge Country Fair garden Talks. [2011]
- The talker of gardens that I am, alongside Brian Greene I host The SodShow, Dublin’s Garden Radio Show on 103.2 Dublin City Fm
Other:
- I also run the Garden Group and am more than happy to chat garden tours and outings tailor-made to suit you, your needs and your group.
For Your Event…
- Public demonstrations and talks for events/ public or other can be done. Probably best you phone me on this one or drop by for that mug of coffee.
- Got a random suggestion or query – just give me a call – see below for details.
- Some inquiries have been made recently as to sponsoring products and/ or a course/ class. You’ll probably want to have a mug of coffee or call me first – I’m open to suggestions.
- Anything else just ask
Contact Peter Donegan
- email info@doneganlandscaping.com
- call 087-6594688 if you don’t get an answer please do leave a message and I will call you back as soon as is possible. I am possibly up a tree and it may be dangerous to take your call at that time.
- on facebook: facebook.com/DoneganLandscaping
Welcome The Garden Group for 2012
It’s August 2009 and a plethora of lovely people respond to the following question
Would you Join a Garden Group ?
Since then we have visited The War Memorial Gardens, Ireland Eye, The Battle of The Boyne site and even gone hedgerow walking with approx 200 mainly non gardeners in 2 years. All with huge thanks to you for coming along and equally to those who offered me sites, gardens and their time so for the group to visit.
At the time I also noted the characteristics I felt you needed:
- an ability to smile
- a likening for the colour green in any shape or form
Now it’s 2012. And I need your suggestions as a garden group go-er or the suggest-er/ owner/ know-er of a place were where it would be good for us to visit.
Answers on a postcard or leave a comment below ? 
The #SodShow. Friday January 6th 2012. Dublin’s Gardening Radio Podcast
The SodShow – with Peter Donegan & Brian Greene – Every Friday 3pm – Live
Listen to The SodShow Live @ 3pm:
- Tune in: 103.2fm on your radio dial if you are in the Dublin area
- Listen live online: every Friday 3pm via TuneIn.com – on your phone or desktop
Listen Later:
- As Podcast: on the garden blog – in the podcast category
- in iTunes: Hit The Sodshow Page
On This Weeks Show:
Part 2 in our mini series which began December 10th as Peter Donegan and The #SodShow teamed up with Gelert and Millets Mary Street to take five people and record the journey in audio as we hiked, trekked and wild camped overnight, without tents, in The Wicklow Mountains.
The following blog posts have relevance:
Listen to Part 1 of The SodShow Wild Camp – aired December 23rd, 2011.
Why do this for Dublin’s Garden Radio Show The SodShow ?
We have spoke many times on The SodShow about my Hedgerow walks, eating from the wild, native Irish plants and trees, the garden groups outings and [ordinary] camping. We thought it a good idea to somehow and in someway, join them all together.
In this case and of note we went to a [Wicklow] National Park. From a horticultural perspective, it contains many pre mapped nature trails including a flower walk and tree walks. Eight of the Park’s plants are in fact classified as threatened – three are vulnerable and five are rare. We also wandered much of its forestry and slept only with what nature could surround us with. Also we don’t think this has ever been done for radio before and – the landscape is absolutely stunning.
Making Contact:
- use the hashtag #SodShow
- email – info@DoneganLandscaping.com
- twitter – @DoneganGardens
- Facebook.com/DoneganLandscaping
- and Brian is on twitter as @BrianGreene
About The SodShow:
The SodShow, Dublin City’s Garden Radio Show with landscape gardener Peter Donegan and armchair gardener Brian Greene airs on Dublin City FM Friday’s at 3PM.
The Sodshow is podcasted, blogged, streamed and live tweeted to the world via its internet site: http://blog.DoneganLandscaping.com/category/podcast
Myth: Grow Your Own And Save Yourself Money
[image courtesy artofmanliness.com]
I have heard too many green companies people for far too much of the what can only now be described as the grow your own pandemic use the cliché:
Grow Your Own and Save Yourself Money
The question is, does it ? Does growing your own vegetables actually save you money ?
A quick glance between Superquinn’s prices [correct as of 05/01/12] and what potato seed and onion sets [2011 prices] cost make me wish to mildly scratch my head, a lot.
I and you can figure the maths out on an abacus.
note: All prices from supermarket websites were taken January 5th 2012 and show their normal prices before and after discount. To the potatoes alone, I know I was able to buy 10kg for €2.49 in Dunnes Stores up until recent.
I had noted the B and Q grow your own kits way back in 2009. But it seem how we grow our own has evolved so much more, or at the very least the range of products available to you to do so has.
[image courtesy edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com]
If we trail all the way back to 1917, the cliché may make a little more sense. Here it’s slightly more honest in todays relevance and notes ‘to cut food costs’. That however was a time long before compost at €4-7 per bag ever existed.
I spoke before about the gentleman I witnessed in the hardware superstore buying organic compost with miraculous powers [4 bags @ 6 euro each] one pot [15 euro] and non-organic seed potatoes [6 euro]. Throw in some raised vegetable beds instead if you should like – and you possibly have the most expensive spuds per kg in the country.
Back to the original question. Can growing your own save you money ? Personally, I believe it depends on how you [in this case] grow your own.
There is a bigger picture in all of this. And if like camping in 1980′s Ireland and Britain and its recent revival, the trend is to continue I believe the PR firms need to go back to the drawing board and come up with a new slogan.
Maybe it’s just that as a 6 year old in Ireland in 1982 I chose to spend my pocket money on garden sieves as versus growing mediums, at a time when gardening wasn’t very popular and I was cutting grass to supplement my hobby – how times haven’t changed.
But from then til now aged 35 – I don’t believe my personal life outdoors [to an extent] and gardening has ever been about how much it cost me to enjoy my passion. It was more about who I spent the time with and in a different context, in my working life, what had or can be been achieved. Most of the time however it’s simply because I love what I do – and equally as important – I get to smile doing it.
Hyacinth, Daffodil and Gigantic Onions. January Gardening.
Whilst my garden needs a total overhaul to cheer up the Donegan household at the start of what promises to be another great year, I thought maybe I should do something to make an even greater smile come to those who visit my home.
Don’t get me wrong I’m halfway there as my hyacinths are just peeping into flower ready to scent the house with all its glory. When that goes I will of course have my daffodils ready to come on as well and fill the kitchen with even more colour.
But have you ever tried growing mammoth or giant onions ? Onions, edible and all – but – they can grow bigger than footballs and up to 15lbs in weight. Take a listen….
As a by the way hyacinth were the first ever bulb I grew at about 6 years of age. the bulb cost me 7 pence. I remember being told manure was good fertiliser. I spent ages collecting and covering that bulb in dogs doo [?]. Back to the giant onions ?
Want to give it a go….. ? Just let me know
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