Community Garden Update

Our volunteer group at Antrim Castle Gardens has had a busy Summer. From June we've planted and planted, both annuals and perennials. We didn't think we would ever get the areas planted. As a group, who didn't know each other, we've worked well together and we have some very committed volunteers who keep the areas looking respectable. This is a snapshot of our planting and our first three months in the garden (the first bed we planted was 29 June 2013). Here's a little update on our progress... 

Above and Below: Two of our beds planted with annuals and perennials. We had drawn up a planting scheme/design, however, we had difficulties with our plant order and in the end we had to improvise. Our beds were supposed to look like rays/swirls from the sun in blocks of colour (orange, blues, yellows, etc).

Above and Below: We have had a few gaps in our planting. This is because we were waiting for other plants to arrive which never did so we ended up with gaps waiting to be filled. We all just adore working in the garden (so we no longer see the gaps)!

As we potter about weeding or deadheading at the weekend or evenings, we always hear positive comments from people passing. We often get asked what the tall purple plants are (verbena and salvia purple majesty).
It has been very rewarding being a volunteer in the gardens.

Above: This was the first bed we planted as a group. It was planted on 29 June and the Perilla (tall purple plant) is the second most popular plant in the garden in relation to the public enquiring about the plant name.

Now we move on to our next stage of gardening - growing fruit and vegetables. This month we've built veg boxes for growing veg, and we have planted fruit trees. We will be busy next year! We're hoping to recruit some new volunteers to help maintain all these areas.

We have also decided to designate an area to growing heritage vegetables, which is really exciting. And we're getting a polytunnel.  Wow, are we going to be busy!

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

Veg Update (Potatoes, Lettuces, Greens)

This year I grew two types of potato: Charlotte and Maris Peer. They were planted in April (rather than March because of the colder than usual Spring) and I generally leave them to it until such time I remember to dig them up. The green growth had died down a number of weeks ago; I tend to leave them in the ground awhile, just digging what I need. This year I grew them in containers, a raised veg box and a few directly in the ground. I didn't water them at all during the warm summer spell and and think the yield was ok.

Charlotte and Maris Peer potatoes should last through to December. I made potato soup at the weekend in the slow cook (potatoes, milk, water, cheese, herbs) - just ok. The recipe called for ham and that probably would have given it that extra flavour needed.  

Once again gardening magazines have tempted me with their free seeds, which I find hard to pass by. I've planted these during June, July and August with mixed results. I have never been able to get Pak Choi growing for some reason.

In June I sowed a range of seeds in my pop up greenhouse, and planted them out about  July/August. My plants look too close together, however, I can't bare pulling plants out so I might just leave this lot and see what happens. These plants were popular with the caterpillars over the past month but I think I've picked them all off (on numerous checks).  Plants include:
Coriander Cilantro - quick to flower.
Basil Red Rubin - huffing and not growing.
Kale Curly Scarlet - a few little plants in the middle.
Pea Kelvedon Wonder - huffing and have mildew.
Kale Nero di Toscana - the caterpillars has eaten much of this plant.
Kale Dwarf Green Curled - doing well and taking over much of the bed.
Calendula - for a bit of colour - they're still to flower (far left).
Kohl rabi Purple Vienna - my first success growing from seed!
and
Cabbage January King - does anyone know if they'll over winter without protection?

Happy Gardening!

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

Mid September Blooms

It's Blogger's Bloom Day and I've mostly pinks in the garden this month. I do like pinks and purples. Up at the community garden at Antrim Castle Salvia Purple Majesty is making a gorgeous display planted alongside Verbena - this is a combination I will have to introduce to my own garden (3rd photo shown below).

Here's a little tour of some of the blooms this month. The colours of summer are still showing in the garden, however, it won't be long until frost and things will change quite a bit. The bottom photo shows more Autumn looking colours with oranges and yellows.

Left: Two Echinacea plants were added to the garden this year.

L to R: Echinacea, Rose, Sedum Autumn Joy, Fushia Tom Thumb.

Above: Verbena planted with Salvia Purple Majesty at the Community Garden.

Above: Phlox, rose and leek flowers.
Below: Phlox.

Above and Below: The star plant for Autumn - Sedum Autumn Joy. I'm hoping to add  new varieties of sedum to the garden as they're such great plants and easy to divide and make new plants. 

L to R: Sunflower*, Nasturtium Tutti Frutti*, Crocosmia, Calendula* with Petunias. (* = grown from seed).

The 15th of each month is Blogger's Bloom Day hosted by May Dreams Gardens. If you'd like to see blooms from around the world click here.

Happy Blogger's Bloom Day!

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