garden design | Gardening

Cheyenne River Youth Project Promotes Health, Sovereignty With Organic …

As the winter begins to wind down, gardening season is just around the corner, and the Cheyenne River Youth Project (CRYP) is gearing up for its Get Out and Garden! Program designed to promote food sovereignty, agricultural development and community health through organic gardening. The free classes begin Thursday, March 13, and will include practical life skills-based training from seed to harvest and beyond.

The classes are open to all community members in helping to build a sustainable food system on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation. This year’s programs include:

Thursday, March 13 (5:30-7 p.m.): Gardening Basics—An introduction to garden preparation concepts for beginning gardeners. Michelle and Rick Grosek of Bear Butte Gardens outside of Sturgis will be visiting to lead the discussion. They have many years of Prairie gardening experience to share with everyone. While the class will be aimed at beginners, Michelle and Rick are an excellent resource for any gardener seeking to learn more.

Thursday, March 27 (5:30-7 p.m.): Backyard Poultry Keeping—If you are a fresh egg enthusiast this is the class for you! Topics to be covered include chicken coop construction, bird varieties, and chicken health. There will be baby chicks, as well. This is one not to miss!

Thursday, April 10 (5:30-7 p.m.): Building and Designing your Garden—This class will focus specifically on preparing and designing a garden plot that fits the needs of your family and the conditions of your growing site. Participants will learn about several different styles of garden design. At the conclusion of the class participants will have drafted their own garden design and a plan for implementing it!

Thursday, April 24 (5:30-7 p.m.): Garden and Craft Entrepreneurship—Ever thought about selling the extra vegetables in your garden or the crafts you put together at home? Join us for an introductory presentation on food and craft entrepreneurship led by Four Bands Community Fund. This is a must attend for all those interested in having a booth at the CRYP Farmer’s Market during the 2014 season.

Thursday, May 8 (5:30-7 p.m.): Garden Irrigation and Organic Fertilization—Gardening on the water weary prairie is not always an easy task! This program will focus on cost and time efficient ways to irrigate your garden crops during the dry summer months. Organic and DIY methods of garden fertilization will also be covered.

The focus of CRYP’s gardening programs is the award-winning Winyan Toka Win (which means “Leading Lady” in Lakota) Organic garden, which is planted and managed throughout the growing season by community children and teen youth through the Gardening Club, classes and internships.

The two-acre plot not only provides organic fruits and vegetables to the local community, but also jobs and a host of other life skills that include cooking, canning and marketing vegetables and food items at the CRYP Farmers’ Market.
CRYP’s gardening program is made possible by many individuals and community members and through the support of our partners, including the Northwest Area Foundation, National Relief Charities, the J.R. Albert Foundation, the Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation (DARE), the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Notah Begay III Foundation.

To make a cash or in-kind donation to support our Get Out and Garden! Program, please visit CRYP’s website at www.lakotayouth.org and click on the Donate Now button.

For more information on the classes, contact Ryan Devlin at sustainableag.cryp@gmail.com, or follow CRYP on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lakotayouth for updates and details.

Founded in 1988, the Cheyenne River Youth Project is dedicated to providing the youth of the Cheyenne River reservation with access to a vibrant and secure future through a variety of culturally sensitive and enduring programs, projects and facilities, ensuring strong, self-sufficient families and communities. Today, CRYP provides a wide variety of programs and services to the community, covering nearly 3 million acres in South Dakota.

‘Diabetes Is Not Our Way’: Cheyenne River Youth Release a Prevention Campaign

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Pepperell Garden Club presents — Design-less gardening

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Do you enjoy looking at gardens? Do you enjoy flower cuttings in a pretty vase in your home? Do you have a garden at your home that you don’t have time to maintain, or maybe you can’t or don’t want to do the work of maintaining a beautiful garden?

Well, the Pepperell Garden Club may have the solution to your problem. Learn to create a low-maintenance garden that supports the environment and is beautiful for people and pollinators.

Dan Jaffe, propagator and stock bed grower for the New England Wild Flower Society, will present “Design-less Gardening: A Naturalistic Approach.” The lecture is geared for all levels of gardening. Using a slide presentation and hand outs, Dan will discuss nontraditional designs and adopting a new approach to garden design. He will focus on taking clues from your landscape to choose the right plants.

The lecture will be on Wednesday, March 12, at 7 p.m. at the Pepperell Senior Center on Nashua Road in Pepperell. Admission is $5, $2 to seniors, free to members. Refreshments will be served.

For info call Kathy at 978-433-8031 or visit webpages.charter.net/pgc.

The Pepperell Garden Club is open to members and guests from all communities. Attend a meeting and bring a friend. There is always something to learn. Share the excitement and the beauty of gardening.

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THE FRAGRANT GARDEN: Designing a garden to share with neighbors – Austin American

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When we walk and drive the streets of our small towns, or even outlying areas, many of us notice when our neighbors have made an effort to share their gardens with us. It might be as simple as a vine on the mailbox, an arbor over the entrance to the front walk or unobstructed views into the garden itself.

I am working with a couple, new to the area, who live in the burned area off SH 71 near McAllister Road, east of Bastrop. Fortunately their home and all but the back 30 feet of their nearly one-acre lot was spared from the fire, but much of the landscape has suffered greatly in the recent drought. I am working with them to restore the Post Oak Savannah landscape to its former glory (and more), and with an eye on creating a garden both they and their neighbors can enjoy.

They do not have sidewalks in their locale, but we have made an attempt to dress up the area along the road as an “offering to the street.” There will be three Parsley Hawthorne (Crataegus marshalii) trees, native to the Post Oak Savannah (which do well in an under-story setting) scattered along the driveway at the road to driveway entrance. In spring, their white apple-blossom like flowers will show against the existing Post Oaks and Yaupon and their small parsley-like leaves will turn red/orange/yellow in fall.

Across the rest of the front 180 feet, we will add a mix of American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs and Turk’s Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus drummondii) under the existing trees for blooms from spring to fall and brightly colored berries in autumn. At the other end of the front property line, we’ve place a double wide parking pad of gravel edged with limestone blocks. Surrounding the pad will be planted Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) and Mexican Feathergrass (Nassella tenuissima) and it will continue to adorn (at intervals) the flagstone in sand pathway that climbs to the front door. We are also adding a couple of Sour Gum or Tupelo trees (Nyssa sylvatica) to provide shade and autumn color over the parking area. These are native to the Post Oak Savannah, but need a little supplemental water here in the heat of summer.

The next feature that will provide a connection with the homeowners and the passing road is a roughly circular small patio at the connection of this (distant parking pad) pathway and the pathway from the driveway to the front door. It won’t be large; only big enough to fit a small round table and a few chairs, but allow the clients to see (and be seen) by those passing by. Many old Texas farmhouses had large front porches, but they are seldom seen in more modern stone abodes such as this one. This was our solution to the problem.

In a small town or city setting, providing shade trees over the sidewalk is a neighborly thing to offer those walking by. It also creates a more favorable climate for any plantings in the parking strip, which can often be insufferably hot and dry otherwise. Another option that will allow for plantings that can show to the street is to set the fence and gate back a few feet from the property line or sidewalk. Here the fence may be lower, perhaps only 2-feet high, allowing views to more extensive plantings close to the house. In my 1910 California bungalow in Menlo Park, I planted some low/cascading shrub roses in front of a low white picket fence as an offering to the street.

Creating a wide walkway, and planting the sides with a variety of low shrubs or perennials, will lead visitors (both visually and transitionally) to the front door. Providing landscape lighting (soft and somewhat hidden … not the airport landing pad variety) will welcome visitors at night. Fixtures should be placed evenly so that there are no light/dark areas and both young and elderly will find a safe path to the doorway.

Finally, planting the foundation and area to the sides of the entrance will draw the eye to your door and perhaps provide a fragrant experience for those passing by. Shrubs such as Myrtle (Myrtus spp.), Roses, White Mistflower (Agaratina havenense), Honeysuckle bush or vine (Lonicera spp.), Cherry Sage (Salvia greggii cvs.) or perennials such as culinary herbs can provide fragrance in flower or foliage on the way to the front or side door. With a little thought in terms of landscape design, the exterior of your home can be a pleasure to both you and your neighbors.

Please address any questions or suggestions you might have for me by visiting my website www.thefragrantgarden.com and clicking on the “CONTACT” tab.”

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Eye of the Day Garden Design Center Announces the Launch of Its New Blog …

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Carpinteria, California (PRWEB) March 04, 2014

As part of its social media and online revamp, Eye of the Day Garden Design Center announces the release of its newly redesigned blog called Eye on the Garden.

The blog, which has been online since the year 2010, regularly features four writers, owners Brent Freitas and Suzi Freitas; Sarah Kinbar Ristorcelli, and Virginia Hayes. Categories include the following: Adventure, Edibles, Fountains, Garden Décor, Good Times, Landscape Architecture, Planters/Pots/and Containers, and Plants. The platform showcases the staffs’ personal insight into styling gardens, and takes a deeper dig into the personality of the design center that’s beloved by locals and by bigger names that include Tommy Bahama, Ralph Lauren, DIY Network, and more.

The blog offers information that the average gardener would not be privy to – for instance, as detailed in the latest blog post by Brent, “Just Say Yes to Rocco Italian Terra Cotta“. In it, Brent explained why Rocco Italian terracotta is so coveted by industry garden design gurus and landscape architects in that the clay can withstand extremes in high temperatures as well as low. For this reason, Eye of the Day prefers to sell products of Galestro clay, which is sourced from Tuscany and produced by Colorobbia of Montelupo, providing durability and a specific high quality composition of mineral content.

“I want my customers to see that we not only sell the best products, but we also stand behind them, and for good reason. I travel to find the best products, and I’ve done my research. Home accessories, for indoor or outdoor use, really make a house a home,” says Brent, “and speak to our motto ‘Paradise at Home.’”

In addition to the updated blog interface, the Santa Barbara Garden Design Center is also re-launching its once active newsletter, Daisy’s Dirty Words, now in e-newsletter form. Customers and interested individuals can sign up for the newsletter online with their email, and get the latest news, specials, and tips-of-the-gardening trade sent right to their email inbox, in both desktop and mobile compatibility form.

“The blog, as well as Eye of the Day, is named for our daughter, Daisy, old English for “Day’s Eye”, the flower resembling the sun. We understand the enthusiasm of die-hard gardeners because we’re the same way,” concluded Brent. “It’s what makes us, us. It’s why I get up every day near 5 a.m., before the sun, to get a jump start on the day.”

For more information about Eye of the Day’s blog and other social media, visit http://www.eyeofthedaygdc.com.

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3D printing gives new life to garden design

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Sarah Eberle, Adam Frost and Jo Thompson, three of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Best in Show winners, are among the 10 leading garden designers taking part
in the project.

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Professional garden design models made by a 3D printer

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5:50pm, Wed 5 Mar 2014
by Martin Stew: ITV Weather Presenter

– last updated Wed 5 Mar 2014

And Finally

With Spring in sight and dry, warm weekend ahead many of us will to venturing back into the garden for the first time this year.

If you’re planning a major overhaul but struggling to visualize it you could be jealous of new technology on display at the Strand Gallery.

These professional garden design models haven’t been built, they’ve been 3D printed.

It’s quite a strange experience because today literally this moment is the first time I’ve seen the garden in reality which is strange because usually as you’re building a garden you can see it from ground up so this is very strange but it’s great it’s great that you can see something that you haven’t had to build and you turn up and it’s there.

– Jamie Dunstan, landscape designer

Original 3D printers work like an standard inkjet printer – except they also add height on every run. But new technology is even more advanced.

One of the most exciting things about the new 3D printers is that they can support structures which seem to float with no struts underneath.

Well it builds them layer by layer on top of each other these layers glue to each other. Because it’s moving down a layer every time it builds up the powder that’s lying around it doesn’t glue acts as a support and this is an amazing technology because once we remove it out of the printer we just blow off all the excess powder which is the support and we are left with the model at the end.

– Michelle Greeff, Hobs 3D

Complex designs like this gardens can be printed in 6 hours – far quicker that glueing, sticking and decorating hand made models. According to landscape designer Sarah Eberle the potential is endless:

I think it’s enormous. There are so many people who find it so hard to visualise that it’s great for presentations for clients, you know I think it’s the way we will go.

For now the technology remains relatively niche and expensive – but 3D printing has big plans for the future.

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How to create a Japanese garden in Britain

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_{Large, flat stones are used as small bridges (MMGI / MARIANNE MAJERUS)}

These other gardens being admired are not Zen gardens but possibly dry
landscape gardens or courtyard gardens designed to give a relaxing, calm and
comforting feel to the often tiny but intricate spaces around the ryokan.
They have a few serene plants, often carefully pruned and shaped, pillows of
mosses and maybe water, and the composition of rocks, pebbles and gravel is
considered and ordered.

The whole surroundings of these inns are intensely soothing. As soon as you
enter you feel you have arrived in a different, highly restful world. You
can glimpse different views of parts of various mini green gardens from
inside to captivate you further. The contrast is heightened when you compare
the soothing, cool inn with the jostling, hot streets just a few steps away.
Many of these gardens are just a few square metres in size.

When the Japanese design a dry landscape garden they will usually start with
the stones and rocks. Today these cannot be simply purloined from the wild,
and they are usually recycled or reclaimed from elsewhere. The shape, size
and colour of these raw materials will dictate the way the garden develops,
and they will be arranged according to the fundamental concept of Japanese
gardens to create the feeling of a landscape. The rocks may symbolise land
or an island, other carefully selected stones may be positioned skilfully to
represent a waterfall, and smoothly raked gravel designed to represent the
sea, broad river or lake surrounding it.

The plants are then chosen to accompany the hard landscape; for instance
irises may be planted on the “banks” of the water. The growing material
comes in as a secondary stage.

In Yoko’s parents’ garden a stone represents Mount Fuji; there is also a tree
that is carefully pruned twice a year. This is a specialised job for
professionals and is expensive. Many trees are regularly shaped (there are
different styles of pruning, with Japanese names) not just to maintain them
to the confines of these often restricted spaces but to bring out the beauty
of the tree, and to show off its trunk and branch structure. If you cannot
afford this high maintenance, you leave out the tree. Yoko now lives in
Cardiff with her British husband; she prefers the trees pruned, he likes
them natural.

_{Parts of the garden are kept hidden from view (MMGI / MARIANNE MAJERUS)}

Three common elements that we Britons put into our “Japanese” gardens are
tea-houses, red lacquered bridges and stepping stones. Often our tea-houses
are too high and narrow. Proportions are cultural, though: the authentic
tea-houses are raised off the ground, so you view the garden from your knees
while you drink your tea. They are broad and lower than the proportions we
use. Our buildings are often used as focal points, whereas in Japan you come
across them, carefully placed in partial view initially, discreet and then
slowly revealed. Our red bridges pop up in quite small plots here. In Japan
they will only feature in quite large gardens – such as “stroll” gardens,
which started as aristocratic gardens in the 18th and 19th centuries – where
they may be used to cross a ravine. These gardens are designed to be walked
around, enabling you to admire a series of framed views, and you can stand
back and glimpse the bridge from various cleverly sited points. In a smaller
space, a simple, large flat stone would be used to get over water, real or
imaginary, wet or dry.

Stepping stones always lead somewhere in Japanese gardens. Yoko remembers
visiting a “Japanese” garden in Liverpool and the stepping stones ended up
at a herbaceous border; she was puzzled. “Are we meant to walk through
this?” she wondered.

The planting in traditional Japanese gardens is much calmer than we are used
to and the palette is more restricted. Camellias, azaleas, Prunus mume
(Japanese apricot) with its intense pink or white blossoms around February
or March, cydonias and cherries are popular, but on the whole there is less
colour and more foliage, giving that restful, verdant feel.

Japanese gardens favour blank space, with carefully raked gravel or sheets of
moss and occasional plants. Part of this is that it is thought to make the
garden look more spacious. When you are working with a plot just three
metres by five metres or smaller, which is the size of many courtyard or dry
gravel gardens, this is important.

_{Stone features are used inside pavilions (MMGI / MARIANNE MAJERUS)}

There are many situations here, such as roof gardens, tiny low-maintenance
spaces and basement gardens, where features of a Japanese garden would work
brilliantly. So how to approach the design? Yoko recommends adding Japanese
elements. Many Japanese people now love roses and other plants that give
colour, herbaceous plants especially. Yoko has added peonies to hers, but
she has used them in a more Japanese way by positioning them near her shed,
so she cannot see them from her kitchen but “discovers” them when she pops
down the path to her garden building. The winding path, too, with its curvy
route rather than going directly from A to B, is more Japanese. And does it
have lots of empty space to make it look larger? “Oh no. I am quite
undisciplined – I just like to cram lots in!” she says.

Modern gardens are changing in Japan, too. Previously, gardens were often
designed to be viewed (or walked through on certain routes) and not
physically used. But now they are starting to eat, sleep and entertain in
their gardens as we do.

It seems that quite a lot of British influence has rubbed off on Yoko, too.
“The point of a garden is to have it so you enjoy it and it makes you
happy,” she says.

*’Japanese Zen Gardens’ (Frances Lincoln, RRP £30) and ‘Serene Gardens:
Creating Japanese Design and Detail in the Western Garden’ (New Holland,
RRP £12.99), both by Yoko Kawaguchi, are available from Telegraph Books at
£26 and £11.99 respectively, plus £1.35 p+p (0844 871 1514; books.telegraph.co.uk)

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Springfest Garden Show begins March 13

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AUGUSTA — For gardeners and homeowners looking to improve their properties, there is no better place to be inspired than the 18th annual Springfest Garden Show, March 13 to 16, at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta.

The custom glass Springfest Conservatory encloses a sun-filled space blooming with garden exhibits. The building, a gift to the Fairgrounds from Bev and Bruce Gordon of Sussex County, houses what has been proclaimed “New Jersey’s finest flower and garden show” (Star Ledger). Springfest, a non-profit show produced by garden-lovers for garden-lovers, hosts more than 8000 visitors from the tri-state area. Proceeds benefit the promotion of excellence in horticulture.

Premier garden designers and landscape companies are featured in displays of natural stone, ponds and waterfalls, arbors and patios, and plants and flowers in all their variations of form, fragrance and color. Representatives of these premier companies are present throughout the show to share their knowledge and expertise.

The faces of the Sussex County Master Gardeners greet visitors to the Show in The Entry Garden, designed by the staff of Three Seasons LLC. In this garden you will find a whole new ‘Art Gallery’ serving as a backdrop for the “Still Life Comes to Life” exhibit. Here both amateur and professional contestants ‘paint with plants and objects’ to make arrangements full of ideas for your own home and garden.

Garden enthusiasts can plan their visit to catch a free lecture, included with paid admission to the show. Among the speakers this year is renowned garden writer and lecturer, Ken Druse, sharing his passion and knowledge of propagating plants. The Lecture Series includes such diverse subjects as bonsai, perennials, hydrangeas, native plants, garden design and more and features experts both local and national. DIYer’s will want to catch the popular Chain Saw Safety Demo offered by Stihl, one of Springfest’s Presenting Sponsors.

Last year, the newest trend in outdoor living — Designer Sheds: Living in Your Garden was a huge hit with visitors and will be returning with even more stylish transformations of three lowly garden sheds into terrific outdoor living spaces such as ‘A Wine Enthusiast’s Tasting Room’ and ‘An Upscale Potting Shed’. One lucky visitor will win their favorite shed completely furnished.

The show’s Marketplace provides the area’s garden shopping where exhibitors and are selected to reflect Springfest’s commitment to quality. Visitors will find such widely diverse items as garden ornaments and furniture, hats and gloves, dried flowers, fertilizers, garden machinery, fencing and sheds, seeds, bulbs, and potted plants, including orchids, topiaries and perennials.

Arborists, outdoor lighting and irrigation specialists are among the expert service exhibitors. Educational displays offering information and advice include public gardens and various plant societies. The Master Gardeners of Sussex County will showcase ‘Planting Out of the Box’ featuring the latest viral internet sensation of a 16th century idea, ‘mosaic – culture.’

Much anticipated, year after year, is the Kids Plant Your Own Zone, where children discover the enjoyment of gardening. Another popular feature for children is the Treasure Hunt.

The Garden Café e will offer lunch or fine pastries with gourmet coffee, teas, and wine bar.

Springfest is sponsored in part with donations from Intercar Mercedes-Benz of Newton, Eastern Propane and Stihl, Inc. and with support from Brodhecker Farms, The Morville Agency, Appleby’s Corp., Tri-State Insurance Agency, Lakeland Bank, Blue Ridge Lumber and many more.

Springfest 2014 begins Thursday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta and runs through Sunday, March 16.

Admission: Adults $12, Seniors (65+) $9, Kids under 15 free. Senior Day $8 on Thursday.

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Young Cumbria garden designers asked to follow war theme

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Last updated at 11:21, Friday, 28 February 2014

BUDDING young garden designers are being encouraged to get creative and see their work exhibited at one of the area’s premier gardening festivals.

The North-West Evening Mail has teamed up with Holker Garden Festival and Crooklands of Dalton to run an exciting competition for children and young people of primary school age and the secondary schools years seven to nine.

This year we are asking students to create a garden design to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One.

We would like groups or individuals from schools or youth organisations and clubs to produce a 3D design or collage that is no bigger than 60cm x 60cm.

Three finalists will win hundreds of pounds worth of gardening prizes from Crooklands of Dalton, and have their work displayed at the 22nd Holker Garden Festival alongside some of the best gardening and horticultural exhibitors in the country.

The festival will also present Gold, Silver and Bronze gardening awards to the finalists, just like the other successful exhibitors.

Holker Garden Festival is a three-day summer extravaganza in the grounds of Holker Hall, in Cark, running from Friday May 30 to Sunday June 1.

Our finalists will be special guests on Saturday May 31.

Frank Stretton, commercial director at the North-West Evening Mail, said: “We are delighted to once again launch our competition for young garden designers with Holker Garden Festival and Crooklands of Dalton.

“The finalists will be able to take great pride in seeing their work exhibited at the fantastic Holker Garden Festival.

“This year we felt it was important to have a commemorative garden to mark the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One.”

Jillian Rouse, festival manager, said: “We are so pleased that the younger generations are interested in gardening and design and we are looking forward to seeing all their entries.

“It is fitting to have a commemorative garden this year.”

Marc Charnley, the managing director of Crooklands of Dalton, said: “It’s great that so many young people are interested in gardening and we are delighted to be supporting them.

“It is fantastic that the competition is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War.”

The competition closes on Friday April 11.

Entry forms will be avaialble here at nwemail.co.uk from Monday.

First published at 11:18, Friday, 28 February 2014
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk

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Garden Show set for Castle Gardens debut

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Celebrating its 10th birthday, Northern Ireland’s premier gardening event this week launched its 2014 programme in the show’s stunning new venue, Antrim Castle Gardens.

Running from May 9 to 11, an expanded new look Garden Show Ireland will be packed full of all things gardening including appearances by Channel 4‘s River Cottage team, Alys Fowler from BBC Gardeners’ World, Ireland’s world-renowned plantswoman and broadcaster, Helen Dillon, and much more.

With thousands of specialist plants ready for spring planting, great garden shopping, garden designers and expert plantsmen, show gardens, a craft village, a free design clinic, artisan food stalls, live music, garden gourmet, challenges for community groups to create a garden, a dedicated kids zone and more, the event promises to be the ultimate garden show experience for gardeners of all ages and experiences.

Following the completion of the largest ever historic garden restoration undertaken in Ireland, the 400-year-old gardens at Antrim Castle are an historical gem and provide the perfect new backdrop as Garden Show Ireland Director, Claire Faulkner explained: “We are delighted to be launching the 2014 Show in our new home at Antrim Castle Gardens. The Show has grown and has many new elements this year. These gardens offer great space and superb facilities and the central location makes it accessible to a wide catchment area. The restoration work is simply breathtaking and we are excited and privileged to be working in partnership with Antrim Borough Council to present our 2014 Show in these stunning surroundings.”

Mayor of Antrim, Councillor Roderick Swann, added: “Hosting the garden show within Antrim Castle Gardens is a perfect fit and the beginning of what we hope will be a long partnership between Antrim Borough Council and Garden Show Ireland.

“This prestigious event will not only attract many visitors to the Borough from across Ireland, but will also provide an ideal opportunity to celebrate the restoration of this historic place.”

Reflecting the rise of the kitchen garden movement this year’s show will focus on ‘Grow your Own’ and the big attractions for 2014 will include a gardening double bill as BBC Gardeners’ World and kitchen garden expert, Alys Fowler will be on hand alongside world-renowned plantswoman, writer, lecturer and broadcaster Helen Dillon. Plus, River Cottage Head Chef and Head Gardener will share their passion for home grown produce and their drive for improving the eating habits of a nation as they host numerous demonstrations throughout the weekend.

Show Gardens will once again be a centre piece of the weekend and the introduction of a UTV Magazine Show Garden Design Competition is set to raise the bar for this year’s event.

The Show will also witness the debut of a specialist Garden Design Clinic organised by GLDA (the Garden Landscape Designers Association) offering free garden design ideas for visitors from qualified professional designers.

In addition, children of all ages will be encouraged to get involved with a dedicated Little Green Fingers zone for the youngest gardeners, Allianz Scarecrow Square created by primary schools from the integrated sector, the Edible Containers Competition for Primary School children and the Allianz Schools Garden Challenge for Secondary Schools.

The Team Challenge supported by The Enkalon Foundation will be encouraging community groups, charities, groups of friends and work colleagues to get their gardening gloves on and design and build a garden in a day. Green-fingered or beginner gardeners alike can enjoy browsing the many exhibitors’ stalls for creative gardening ideas and outdoor purchases.

Home-baked treats, fresh coffee, strawberries and cream and fizz on the lawn can all be enjoyed whilst listening to the Martello Jazz band and more.

Eddie Rowan, Events Manager at Northern Ireland Tourist Board, said: “NITB is pleased to sponsor Garden Show Ireland in its new home at Antrim Castle Gardens.

“I have personally attended the event in previous years and have always enjoyed the experience and the professional organisation of the show. We wish the organisers every success for 2014 and beyond at this stunning new location.”

The 2014 Garden Show Ireland will run from May 9-11 at Antrim Castle Gardens and is open daily from 10am to 6pm with parking adjacent. Admission for adults is £10 (concession £8) and the event is free for children under 16. There is a reduced rate for online booking. For more information visit www.gardenshowireland.com

Filed Under: garden design

Cheyenne River Youth Project Promotes Health, Sovereignty With Organic …

Pepperell Garden Club presents — Design-less gardening

THE FRAGRANT GARDEN: Designing a garden to share with neighbors – Austin American

Eye of the Day Garden Design Center Announces the Launch of Its New Blog …

3D printing gives new life to garden design

Professional garden design models made by a 3D printer

How to create a Japanese garden in Britain

Springfest Garden Show begins March 13

Young Cumbria garden designers asked to follow war theme

Garden Show set for Castle Gardens debut

Innovative vertical growing

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