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Now is a good time to plan features in the garden

Now is an excellent time to have a look at your garden and plan any new beds, water features or seating areas.
With relatively little growth, it is easy to take measurements and mark out where your new project will take place.
There are a few things to bear in mind when planning new features. First, the practical: are there water pipes, septic tanks, gas or electricity lines etc in the way?
Or, if planning a feature where construction is required, is there access to water and electricity?
Secondly, if you are planning a new bed, what is the soil like in that area, or have you better ground elsewhere which can be exploited?
I have learned over the years that the best thing to do with an area of bad soil is to cover it with paving!
On the other hand, if you are planning a patio, should you excavate the topsoil for use elsewhere? Planning a new bed or planting area is a lot of fun, and I always think it is a good idea to take the time, close your eyes and give your imagination free reign. Consult magazines, gardening websites and social media!
Have a look at a friends’ or neighbours’ gardens for ideas.
Decide how much time you have to maintain it, and keep in mind Irish weather, commitments and other hobbies.
Often we take on gardening projects which we think, at the time, we will have time for. Say you want to commit to, for example, three hours of gardening a week – Saturday morning is the one time you have free.
Guaranteed one of those Saturdays it will rain! Then there is a morning spent mowing. Weeding will take up another few hours. Time flies, no matter what you do…and with age, I am coming to realise we have to work realistically with the free time we have. Gardening should not become a job you are forced to do.
Plan what the new area will be used for, and again, keep time in mind. Maybe a mixed area is better than a single purpose one.
What I mean by this is, you may have decided this year is the year to grow vegetables. Rather than planning out half your garden as a rotating vegetable garden, it may be better to plan out two small beds and a seating area, surrounded by an area of wildflowers.
This can then easily be converted to a larger veg garden if you feel the trial run went well, or converted entirely to a patio. In my experience, it is wise not to commit to a large scale project, especially if you are new to it.
News
Matt Britton Flooring Now Open in Cork
Matt Britton a thriving, local, sustainable, family-run business that has evolved into the ultimate destination for Ireland’s finest hardwood flooring, luxury carpets and bespoke rugs is now open in Cork. […]

Matt Britton a thriving, local, sustainable, family-run business that has evolved into the ultimate destination for Ireland’s finest hardwood flooring, luxury carpets and bespoke rugs is now open in Cork.
Established in 1997 by brothers Matt and Craig, both fitters by trade, Matt Britton has become a popular household name throughout Ireland, a favourite among Ireland’s top interior designers and has been featured in an array of celebrities’ homes, including Peter O’Mahony, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray, Pippa O’Connor, Vogue Williams, Rosie Connolly, and Suzanne Jackson, among others.
Recent expansion plans included the opening of their fifth showroom, Matt Britton Cork, unveiled by Ireland, Munster and Lions rugby legend Peter O’Mahony.
“We are delighted to have launched our first Munster store as part of our expansion plans across Ireland. We have been overwhelmed with positive feedback from our customers who have previously travelled from Munster to visit us in Dublin and Wicklow and this has encouraged us to open a store closer to home for them. Moreover, we are pleased that the opening of this showroom has allowed us to create 10 new jobs in the local area,” said Managing Director Matt Britton .
Their showrooms are designed to offer customers a luxurious experience and showcase their extraordinary collection of hardwood flooring, opulent carpets, and bespoke rugs tailored to clients’ unique preferences.
News
Quest Killarney named Ireland’s best fitness and wellness event
Quest Adventure Series organised by Kerry based Elite Event Management came out winners at the Gym+Coffee Make Life Richer Awards. Quest won Best Large Fitness and Wellness Event, beating other […]

Quest Adventure Series organised by Kerry based Elite Event Management came out winners at the Gym+Coffee Make Life Richer Awards.
Quest won Best Large Fitness and Wellness Event, beating other well-known names in the fitness and event industry.
Irish gym clothing company Gym+Coffee established the Make Life Richer Awards as community-based awards that celebrate those who ‘Make Life Richer” to include people who have the same passion as they do and facilitate events and meet-ups that bring people together.
“The team at Quest are super-proud of this award and the achievement and would like to thank everyone who voted for them, and enjoys being part of the Quest community.,” said Elite Event Management’s Rebecca Kemp
Entries for Quest Killarney October 7 are now open at www.questadventureseries.com