About
I moved to Ireland and a derelict cottage in Tipperary, in 2004; my own personal back of beyond. The initial idea was to turn the 1 1/4 acres into a smallholding and garden but as life progressed my concerns for wildlife became more identifiable. The planting then became, yes of beauty to me but more importantly, of use to the local wildlife. Trees were native or produced fruit, shrubs were for berries and perennials for the pollinators and seeds for birds. Boggy areas were planted with reeds and the streams cleared of briars and replanted for frogs and the grass became part mown and part wildflower. The Installation of bird boxes, bat boxes and hedgehog houses.
Admittedly, it is not everyones idea of a garden but in the spring and summer the meadows are abuzz with bees and butterflies and all manner of things that fly. The hedges resound to the tweets and chirps and song of birds and in the evening I watch as pipistrelle bats exit their roost in the cottage roof.
When the sun is shining, the meadow is awash with flowers and the sounds of nature fill the air, there is nowhere on earth I would rather be.
Admittedly, it is not everyones idea of a garden but in the spring and summer the meadows are abuzz with bees and butterflies and all manner of things that fly. The hedges resound to the tweets and chirps and song of birds and in the evening I watch as pipistrelle bats exit their roost in the cottage roof.
When the sun is shining, the meadow is awash with flowers and the sounds of nature fill the air, there is nowhere on earth I would rather be.