I did do a review of the gardeners year for 2010. But it’s onwards and upward and whilst we head into 2012… here’s a look back on the last 12 months of 2011.

*If I missed or forgot something or someone – just hollar and I will ammend as soon as. In this review I try to include the bits that are not garden making….. if you get what I mean

• January saw me hit the Irish Times Innovation with note for my online endeavours whilst the years first outing took the Garden Group to Skerries Mills
• February saw the garden podcast interview some gardening greats like Frank Foley and Anne O’Hara whilst you donated around €650 in 24 hours so I could go to Inis Mór. Legends

• March saw The SodCast my solo garden podcast evolve to radio as alongside Brian Greene The SodShow was born on the airwaves of Dublin City FM. Still talking gardens, alongside Fingal Libraries I began a series of garden talks with some of Fingal’s Schools.
• In April I ran a half marathon on the island of Inis Mór whilst that month saw my ugly mug beautiful face grace the gardening slot and the screens of RTE’s Four Live

• May started with my Garden Talks sessions at The Oldbridge Country Fair and the same month saw The Garden Group come to Ballyboughal for The Hedgerow Walks
• June began with my live in Dublin City Centre garden demonstrations. I did yet another talk on podcasting at the SMMB conference and i also took some time out [?] and went camping by beautiful Lough Ennell.

• July as always included the creation of many fine gardens but of note in this month was for Dublin’s Garden Radio and podcast, The SodShow, with mentions in The Fingal Independent and The Irish Times
• August saw me take another weekend camping by Lough Ramor and whilst the garden group adventures continued I also took a trip to Dunderry House to see a new festival borne.

• Although I tend to note only the more momentous of occasions, September really was one just for the love of gardening and horticulture, that apart from The Spirit of Folk festival.
• October however was to change all of that as the floods hit Dublin and Ireland. On a seperate note – I visited the Future of Water exhibition. And as my garden talks to Clontarf Gardening Society and libraries continued so too did my magical hedgerow walks.

• As Novemeber became Mo-vember, I did a talk for Castleknock and District Gardening Society, what has now become known as ‘ hashtag Ugly Veg‘ kicked off and my historic landscape walks continued.
• More than 4 years after I began this garden blog – December saw the milestone blog post number 1,000. On a seperate note I went wild camping [without tents] in the Wicklow Mountains - I did of course remember to bring my equipment so I could record it for the radio and podcast.

Whilst I flicked through my diary and realised just how much I actually had done outside of making and creating gardens… 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 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

More information:

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• Peter Donegan on Youtube