I did do a review of the year 2009. But it’s onwards and upward and whilst we head into 2011… here’s a look back on the last 12 months of 2010.

*If I missed or forgot something or someone – just hollar and I will ammend as soon as possible

• January started 2010 with the Garden Group finally get its garden boots on.
• In February Donegan Landscaping picked up yet another award, I was a guest on the Today Fm Sunday Business Show, John Williams snapped my first ever profile pictures, I was nominated for the Irish Blog Awards and The Garden Group took its first outing…. and breath!

• March saw the first in a series of gardening classes kick off whilst Davy McDonald invented a new brand for this gardening website. There was a great piece that featured me in The Irish Independent and after more than 10 years I left the institute of horticulture.
• In April I was guest speaker for the GIY terenure/ rathgar garden group, I was shortlisted for the IIA best business blogger award and the garden group sailed over to Irelands Eye. I even met and interviewed comedian Eric Lalor – But nothing would ever make me smile as much as the birth of my first child [but of course] Ella.

• May kicked off with Susan Daly’s day out at one of my gardening classes, the garden group was featured in The Mail On Sunday and Conor Pope spoke to me about Growing Your Own
• In June The Garden Group took its third outing and whilst I bumped into Shawna Coronado in Dublin – one of my hens went wandering….

• July saw me speak on podcasting alongside Bernie Goldbach and Mark Rock whilst it seems a trip to Ladies View in Killarney was most definitely a worthwhile highlight.
• August saw the first ever Irish Gardening Podcast hit iTunes – the public picked the name and The Sodcast was born. I also took my first ever summer holiday, to Roscommon…. well ?

• September – I met and got to interview Jack Charlton. Enough said. That almost,  I jest, beats the highlights for April
• October kick started with the garden podcast first sponsor and whilst I guest spoke once again on Radio Dublin City Fm – my post that I called the happy gardener summised, I feel, where I stand, now.

• November saw the arrival of the snow…. but thanks to John Kyes and The Sodcast coffee mug was invented and cheered me up.
• Throughout December the guests on The Garden Podcast continued to pour in and I suppose essentially the year ended on a nice note with The Garden Sodcast Christmas Episode and finally putting it all in perspective with the creation of a garden for Cappagh Hospital in Dublin.

Whilst I flicked through my diary and realised just how much I actually had done… it should be noted that none of this would make any sense without someone to share the stories, the laughter and equally the tears with. I am forever greatful to the so many great friends and people I have met along this years road. From my heart, thank you.

Did I enjoy it? Every second. Don’t get me wrong… no road is an easy an easy one especially when I work in an industry that is so weather dependant and I am self employed. That is not a complaint…. more an additional reason to appreciate the people who stand tall by my side when times are a little tougher. You were there too when we laugh our socks off.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh. Nollaig Shona duit agus na hathbhliana. Slán agus beannacht.

Thank you again, for everything.

Peter