Diarmuid Gavin

5 days ago | belfasttelegraph.co.uk | Diarmuid Gavin

Now is the time to take drastic pruning action on neglected, top-heavy bushesThe place where I grow my climbing roses isn’t exactly easy to reach. They clamber up the pillars and sprawl across the railings of the veranda — a lovely sight when they’re in bloom, but challenging when it comes to maintenance. Over the years, the task of pruning them properly has been neglected, mostly because getting to them means battling through the billowing plumage of tree ferns below.

1 week ago | independent.ie | Diarmuid Gavin

Now is the time to take drastic pruning action – your roses will forgive you, eventually!The place where I grow my climbing roses isn’t exactly easy to reach. They clamber up the pillars and sprawl across the railings of the veranda — a lovely sight when they’re in bloom, but challenging when it comes to maintenance. Over the years, the task of pruning them properly has been neglected, mostly because getting to them means battling through the billowing plumage of tree ferns below.

1 week ago | belfasttelegraph.co.uk | Diarmuid Gavin

But first the basics… if you’ve been ignoring your garden, you may need to start with a tidy-up. Decluttering is in vogue — if an object is no longer useful or your tastes have changed, consider either upcycling or discarding it. This could be a broken pot, a shrub that you hate or some tired old garden furniture. Will a lick of paint transform that old bench, perk up a fence or reinvent the garden shed? Consider the magic of outdoor lighting.

2 weeks ago | independent.ie | Diarmuid Gavin

But first the basics… if you’ve been ignoring your garden, you may need to start with a tidy-up. Decluttering is in vogue — if an object is no longer useful or your tastes have changed, consider either upcycling or discarding it. This could be a broken pot, a shrub that you hate or some tired old garden furniture. Will a lick of paint transform that old bench, perk up a fence or reinvent the garden shed? Consider the magic of outdoor lighting.

2 weeks ago | belfasttelegraph.co.uk | Diarmuid Gavin

At its heart is co-founder Minnie Preston, who brings a producer’s flair, a deep belief in the transformative power of nature and gardens, and a wonderfully unpretentious vision of what a modern horticultural festival can be. “The idea probably began with my brother’s Festival of Writing and Ideas at Borris,” Preston says.