March up the Cherry Walk

We are finally getting some real spring weather and it is very exciting to see the gardens bursting into life again. I would say that we are around two weeks behind the average, but it seems to have benefitted the plants, as some of the displays of Magnolia and Cherries are absolutely sensational. Our Cherry Walk on the approach to the castle is currently stealing the show, but there is literally a new sight around every corner of the gardens. I expect them to be replaced by a new show around the Mansion as the azaleas and rhododendrons start to flower.
The next few weeks will be very busy as we try to keep up with the growth of weeds in all the beds and borders. They also know it’s spring! We still have planting to do, including moving out all our tender plants back into the tropical borders, jungle and fern garden just as soon as the weather settles, and I’m looking forward to getting them back into their summer homes.
We will also shortly be thinking about renewing the bedding displays around the main entrance and café areas, and our usual hanging baskets will need to be put together. They make another show stopping display, and we have become quite well known for it. Last year we extended the display by making the beds bigger along the road leading into our main entrance. It was a great success, so we are going to add even more colour there for this year.
We are in the process of replacing our glasshouse and because of this, we are having to try to manage entirely without it for this year, which has put a considerable strain on our 3 polytunnels, especially right now as we are still storing a lot of the tender plants until the risk of frost has passed. We expect the new glasshouse to be completed by the end of September, and I’m very excited to start filling it back up with some wonderful plants.
We are busy with seed sowing, potting on and planting out fruit and vegetables. Jobs for the next few weeks include sowing sweet corn, runner beans and outdoor salad crops, carrots, parsnips, and beetroot. Plant out onions, shallots, and potatoes if you haven’t already. Plant indoor tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and tie in and pinch out new growth on the grape vines, hand pollinate indoor peaches to ensure a good quality crop, sow herbs and check for pests and diseases, as it’s good to get a handle on things early.
Over the last ten years we have created one of Ireland’s finest gardens, and what is fast developing into a real haven for biodiversity. For somewhere so close to the city, we are very fortunate to have most of Ireland’s native animals still present. A quiet visitor to the river, lake or woodland walks can be rewarded with the site of an otter, kingfisher, red squirrel or even one of our elusive woodpeckers that have recently taken up residence. If you haven’t visited us recently, I would encourage you to come and see. Adam

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