A call came in on Sunday evening [27th march] from Anton Mannering.
…you see basically Peter I’ve set up a new newspaper
I’ve had some unusual phonecalls in my time, but this has to be up there with the best of them, well, as regards my response being…
I’m sorry Anton, I thought for a minute there you said you set up a newspaper…
I heard Anton right the first time. He proceeded….
It’s called The Tribesman. It’s for Galway South…. and I was thinking you’d write about gardens for us….
As I looked through my kitchen window I could see my two fried eggs on the pan, change from dunkable to tanned, the ever energetic Anton going at a million miles an hour most likely fixing the tilt on his cap in the mirror over and over like a sort of Forrest Gump at the speed of light in constant running mode. And as I realised the extent of damage to my now charcoal textured eggs I found my self submerged in a one sided conversation, slowly, realising what Anton had actually achieved.
He has an office. He’s looking for more staff. He has created jobs. The first edition is out, already, this week….
We go to print on, well Tuesday… yeah Pete, like the day after tomorrow… so I was thinking about 1,000 words… listen I gotta go…. and don’t forget a nice picture of yourself…
Bam! He’s gone. Not a question mark in sight….
Congratulations to all at The Tribesman and to all in Galway County. As Anton says, it is your news and your paper. If nothing else, send them an email saying well done.
It’s not that long ago that I mentioned my rhubarb and the fact that I would be cropping it soon.
I did it today. This video, hopefully will help you get the most out of yours. I don’t have that many plants, but I will when I divide them most likely next season. Another video for another day you say. You can of course grow these in pots if you would like some from a small space. As you can see from this and my last post on rhubarb, they get very little special treatment.
The variety I recommend and know best from my college days is Timperly Early
To deviate mildly, because of where I live, the mobile library is there should I need it and to that it has been a while since I was in a library building. I was so impressed. Blown away, is most probably a more apt description.
If you thought libraries are dull, boring and dreary places reticent of ’80′s Ireland, you are miles nee kilometres off the mark. Childrens areas, wifi, bright and bustling – with areas of quiet – is what they are; all complete with modern meeting rooms – which is were my talks were held.
I centred my talks, in [extremely] short, around a plant starting as a seed, maturing into a plant in order to produce a flower which in turn produces a seed, basically it’s life cycle, only for it to start all over again. Examples and samples of my apples trees in bud, actual apples, bananas, carrots, onions, onion plants and sets [i threw in a leek and a flowerless daffodil for the craic], as well as potato seeds and potatoes, to name but a few.
To the staff in all I extend a massive thank you for being so amazing and so very kind. Also to Siobhan Walshe who was my point of contact for the week and such a pleasure to chat with.
As a by the way, Rush library, [pictured above] formerly an old church building if for nothing else is well worth a visit for sake of the architecture, the interior and the way in which modern technology has interacted with it. The compliment can be extended, albeit in a varying light, to Baldoyle library semi wrapped in glass and overlooking the waters leading to Irelands eye; Malahide library get my applause for their front garden which I love dearly and Balbriggan library I actually got lost in it.
More details on fingal libraries and the garden classes/ talks contact:
Siobhan Walshe
Development & PR Department
Fingal County Libraries
County Hall
Swords
01 8905532 www.fingalcoco.ie/Library
More information on garden talks & demonstrations:
I’ve mentioned onions here before. But I was asked for an instructional video on how to plant… so here it is. Let me know how you get on. More importantly…. enjoy
Before I begin my review of The Living Garden, I must admit that I know Jane Powers. Who doesn’t, this is after all Ireland you say and Jane has been writing gardens for The Irish Times since ’97.
As to my knowing her better, Jane is a regular guest and contributor on the SodShow, the garden radio programme I present.
It has been a long time since I reviewed any garden books. Like ’80′s music I got quite bored. A bit of the same old same old, you might say. But this review is not the place for more detail on that, although, it does pose relevance to the reason I like this book, a lot.
The first thing I noticed throughout Jane’s writing is that she refers constantly as I, the singular, her, the individual – the gardener of her own garden. And it is from there that I get a better insight into what, how and why Jane gardens as she does. I can disagree with her as I read. Or agree. With her. I have done both before and will most likely do again. My point is that this is not a cook book. It is not a series of menu’s. And neither is gardening. This is Janes way of gardening as she does it, for real and it is written and explained in that manner.
On a slight side note, I was in touch with Jane Publishers looking for some images, Fabio emailed back asking me to ensure that: author and publisher are clearly stated. I replied asking for some info on the photographer [?] so as to give credit to. I got this note:
Now we’re on the same wavelength. You see I know Janes garden. I also know after 4 years writing this blog you can’t set up nature for a great photo shoot. Sometimes you were just there. And Jane as versus any other photographer was. Greater than that, it backs up what is in text format.
I love the oddball yet relevant and logic elements of the book. Jane’s plea to save the clothes line, a note on avoiding the Leyland Cypress, a crash course in thinking about vegetables. There’s a title called things that slither in the night – slugs and the like – it comes with a sub plot called strategies. It speaks logically about hens, about them getting on in life and gets you, to think for yourself, before, during and whilst you garden. It doesn’t assume I and you have a degree in horticulture.
Not to sound so grand, but I have studied horticulture. I have plant dictionaries, albeit very useful to me they are the worlds most boring books.
Similarly, I have always analogised explaining gardening with being thought poetry in school. One can tell me what the poet is thinking, the theory and theme of the poem. Or one can read me poetry, allow me to enjoy or not the tune being read and allow me to think for myself. Rather than being able to recite, I want to first understand. We may all be gardeners. But we will never know it all.
Potential or expert, Balcony or Estate, The Living Garden – is – a bible for those who may wish to begin gardening and a problem solving, idea generating, creative mind stirring directory for those who have a garden. More than that it is a genius piece of reading for those who, like me, enjoy gardening.
Nice one Jane. I enjoyed that
Here’s the opening paragraph from the press release. In this I refer you to its closing line:
In The Living Garden Jane Powers writes entertainingly and expertly on how we can manage our plots – big or small – in a way that is both welcoming to wildlife and good for the rest of the planet. By cutting out harmful chemicals and using the right plants for our climate and conditions, we can make a garden that has a life of its own, in which flora and fauna are intricately interwoven. Jane describes, in her lyrical but commonsense writing, how to plan and plant for birds, bees and other creatures (including humans); and how to grow our own food, look after our soil, make compost and plant potions, sow and save seeds, propagate plants and carry out other essential tasks. She is in favour of sustainable, eco-friendly methods, but is realistic about her limitations.
The book is priced at £25. I don’t know what that is in Ireland/ euros. And is all good book stores now.
Janes confirmed book signings are as follows
Newbridge Silverware, Newbridge, Co Kildare: 3pm, Friday April 1st.
Brown Thomas, Grafton Street, Dublin 2: 2pm, Saturday April 16th 2011
Launch of the West Cork Garden Trail, Glebe Gardens, Baltimore, West Cork: time and date (June) to be confirmed
I’ve had some unusual phonecalls in my time, but this has to be up there with the best of them, well, as regards my response being…
Peter On: