Wood Pallets and Vertical Planting

I love all the amazing projects using old (and new) wood pallets, like these vertical planters. So creative! Quite eye catching! And quite easy and fun to make.

Photo left, and most of those below, were taken at 'Bloom' garden show in Dublin (what a fantastic annual garden show - highly recommended.) They have inspired me to make my own vertical planter for the garden - however its now in winter hibernation and needs some TLC in the coming months before I freshen it up.

Above: My own little wood pallet planter made very easily and quickly (photo taken early summer), and easy to hang on an existing sturdy fence panel. The trailing petunia filled out over the summer and looked really good.

What a great way to recycle an old drinks crate!

Copyright: All words and photos are property of Kelli's Northern Ireland Garden.

Gardening Guru - Monty Don

Recently I was involved in volunteering at the Garden Show event at Antrim Castle Gardens in Northern Ireland, and was lucky to attend  a Question and Answer session with Monty Don which was fab! Monty has many an interesting story to tell! Then I was lucky (again) to have a chance for him to sign my book.

Monty has quite a fan base in Northern Ireland. In fact, when I meet up with the community gardening group on a Saturday morning, one of the first things anyone says is, 'did you see what Monty was up to on Gardener's World'!

Thanks Monty Don for signing my book!

Copyright: All words and photos are property of Kelli's Northern Ireland Garden.

Flower Arranging From the Garden

 

Novice Class "From the Garden Shed"

The City of Belfast Autumn Flower Show took place this month with lots of inspiration on display amongst the flower arrangers. I particularly like the 'pastimes' garden theme they had chosen this year and the category "From the Garden Shed" for the Novice Class flower arranging competition.

Pictured is my favourite creation - wellie boots overflowing with flowers such as lavender, calendula, cosmos etc) and lots of little gardening items. Looks lovely!

This reminds me to add a few plants that are good as 'cut flowers' into the garden this year. Cut flowers are a great addition to any garden. There are numerous articles on the internet for information, including a 5 minute video by BBC gardener, Rachel de Thame. View Rachel's cut flower diary video by clicking here. 

Novice Class "From the Garden Shed" arrangement / display.

This is an entry under the Open Class, themed "A Pleasurable Pursuit".

Lots of events providing Autumn/Fall inspiration this month! It's great when fellow bloggers show their local shows, so do share!

Copyright: All words and photos are property of Kelli's Northern Ireland Garden.

Bloom Garden Show Dublin

'Goal Global' garden (Gold) designed by Joan Mallon.

Recently I attended Ireland's largest garden show 'Bloom' in Dublin. I think the show is in its 9th year however this is the first time I attended.

It was a fab show and I was very impressed. There were lots of design gardens, lots of stalls from food to crafts, and lots of entertainment. I think this is now my favourite show. In my view, it was just as good as Chelsea with added benefit of feeling fun and family oriented. Here are a few features from my visit.... 

A show garden called 'Water in the Air; featured copper wire fish sculptures hanging from trees. It was awarded a Silver Medal.

This garden had a cottage feel and a romantic flair, sponsored by Irish Country Garden and designed by Fiann O'Nuallain and Lisa Kelly. It was Gold standard in every aspect, and had many practical features that could be incorporated into any garden. One of my favourite gardens in the show.

This garden, designed by Fiann O'Nuallain, is a 'healing' garden with herbs that could be used for medicinal purposes. It achieved a Silver Medal in the small garden category.

This Gold Medal garden, by Alan Rudden, was lovely but expensive. Suppose that's to be expected in the Premium Garden Category.

I opted for a two-day pass and really enjoyed all the festivities of the show. Think this will become an annual trip! More info the Dublin garden show can be viewed by clicking here.

Copyright: All words and photos are property of Kelli's Northern Ireland Garden.

Upcycling Wood for the Garden

Garden Bench made from wood pallets.

There seems to be a bit of a craze for upcycling items for the home and garden! And its such a great idea.

Upcycling is really about finding a way to reuse items or materials that would otherwise be thrown out. Here are some items I've recently come across from an organisation called 'Grow it Yourself'. These items are made from wood pallets, which are usually available at no cost.

This vertical planting wall is made from wood of three pallets. It's a great idea for herbs or alpine plants that don't need much water.

These benches look quite easy to make from a few pallets. This low cost idea is great and I've shared this idea with a local community gardening project, and we're hoping to make some of these next month. Of course they can be painted and decorated with cushions.

This table was made by a member of a Men's Shed Project, which is a group of men who stay active after retirement by taking part in lots of hands on activities such as woodwork and gardening. This table is used at the gardening project I volunteer with, and it only cost £15 ($23 US) which covers the cost of the materials. Its sturdy and great for planting, etc.

Instructions, and demonstration videos, on how to make items from wood pallets can be found simply by doing a search on the internet.

Copyright: All words and photos are property of Kelli's Northern Ireland Garden.

Pottering in the Garden

When I 'work' in the garden, I don't consider it a chore... I consider it a bit of play time. It's a time to get my hands dirty, do something messy, get creative, and try something new. Pottering about has become one of my favourite past times. 

Earlier in the month, walking around our local Garden Show, I was struck by all the great ideas others have come up with, and it was great to see young people and children getting involved in the show. 

Here are some playful and creative ideas from our local Garden Show...

The winning 'Team Garden Challenge'  was created by young Level 2 Horticultural students. I've seen this design idea used a number of times, and it's always eye catching and effective. I particularly like the old boots planted with alpines. (Click on photos to enlarge.)

Above: Local schools get involved in creating 'edible gardens' - this one has a cute little chick made from an egg shell with what looks like watercress growing from it, along with sage, chives, and other herbs. 

Above: Growing lettuces and herbs from recycled plastic milk or water bottles is a great way to start a mini garden in a small space.

Above and below: School children use recycling boxes to plant up mini edible gardens. If you look closely they're really clever and packed with lots of great plants.

Above: Recently, I was pricing clay herb pots and they were quite expensive. The use of plastic bottles to grow strawberries, herbs and lettuces are a great idea, and children would enjoy this as their own little garden patch to look after.

May is the month for garden shows... this weekend I'm visiting 'Bloom in the Park' in Dublin (the 'Chelsea of Ireland'). It's the first time I've managed to make it down to the garden festival, now in its 9th year, and I'm really excited (camera ready!). Hoping for lots of inspiration (and good weather! (raincoat ready)). 

For more information on the Dublin show click here.

Copyright: All words and photos are property of Kelli's Northern Ireland Garden.

Garden Show Ireland Inspiration

Lots of inspiration and gardening tips at this year's Garden Show Ireland held at Antrim Castle Gardens during May. 

The show featured lots of ideas that could easily be incorporated into smaller gardens, which is something I enjoyed seeing. From growing veg in 'trugs' to creating a little piece of paradise outside your back door and using splashes of colour and a variety of pots (and no grass to mow) - there were lots of tips that could be adapted. Here are some of the designs that caught my eye... 

The winner of the Eppy Schierbeek Cup, sponsored by Friends of Antrim Castle Gardens and supported by the Enkalon Foundation, was the Men's Shed Project. This little garden definitely has a man's touch and uses lots of recycled materials (tins, old stove/wood burner, tools, etc). This is the 1st garden the group has ever designed and they did a great job! Gold star for creativity / theatre!

Above and Below: It's great to see a design concept on paper, and then the finished product. This is one of the professional show gardens on display, called 'My Space' by Ryan McGee. It had a little water feature (the circle with pebbles) and has features that look as if they could be incorporated into an ordinary back garden (with a good joiner/ woodworker and bita cash!)

Above: Another professional show garden, by James Purdy from JP Architects and Landscape Design.  

Above and Below: More great ideas for the small garden - raised beds for growing herbs, flowers and veg (no more sore backs!). I love the bright orange garden furniture and lime green plant pots - a little splash of colour is always welcome in Ireland to brighten up our rainy, overcast days! 

Of course Monty Don was the main feature of the garden show this year. I was impressed that he took time to autograph books, chat with people and he posed for numerous photos.

Monty gave a very inspiring talk to a packed out audience. For those outside the UK, Monty features regularly on TV and in numerous magazines. His talk was on the theme of 'easy gardening' and included the importance of the soil (feeding the soil not the plant), growing things you're good at and suits the growing conditions (not fighting against nature). He talked about how the best tasting potatoes are 'earlies'. He gave lots of other tips and insights, and he received a roaring applause from the local crowd (I've never seen such a happy lot after listening to Monty - who is much more humorous than I'd ever imagined!)  If Monty happens to come across my blog... Monty, please return to Antrim next year!

Copyright: All words and photos are property of Kelli's Northern Ireland Garden.