After the coldest March on record in Ireland it looks like Spring is certainly here. Felt like it today anyway, 9 degrees (c) and not a breeze. We spent the day in the garden. There’s so much to be done here. Plants to prune and plants to move or get rid of. So many Blackcurrants…everywhere. Andy dug up some today which my Mother will take back to Tipperary with her. The rest I offered on Facebook and a couple of people said they would have some. Great! Don’t want to be dumping good plants.
After dealing with some of the Blackcurrants we decided to tackle this neglected Rambling Rose. Badly positioned and badly needing a prune it looked a bit sad.
After cutting out all the dead wood Andy gave it a good cutting back with a long handled pruners. Pretty thorny this one so gloves an essential.
After pruning it was easier to dig out. Another job for Andy. We had intented to plant it into the earth on the south facing wall of the guest house but on trying to dig we discovered that the foundations come out quite a way. So….
it ended up in a big pot instead. Hopefully it will survive and produce lots of flowers next year. Can’t see it flowering this year. I put some Rescue Remedy in the water to help the plant recover. Fingers crossed!
That leaves us with a nice empty bed to plant up. The soil feels pretty tired here so lots of compost will be dug in plus lots of mulching when the new plants are in.
The first plant to go in here will be this Prunus kojo-no-mai. It was a new home present from our nearest neighbours back in Arigna. Beautiful Spring flowers…just what the garden needs.
The dogs loved the sunshine too. Little Lettie was totally crashed out as we worked away. Humans and animals alike, we all enjoy a nice sunny day. Hopefully it was the first of many.
fromacountrycottage 
Where is that big greenhouse(tunnel I think) that you had in the previous house? Anything growing inside there? The weather has been lovely for the last 1 week here and I busy putting in 35 roots of Asparagus!!
I’m afraid the big tunnel remained at our old place. We do hope to get one here but maybe not until next year. A lot to do sorting out what is already here.
Did seem an odd place for a rambler. Very pretty prunus. Hope Lettie feels better for resting after her exertions.
Certainly was an odd place for a rambler. Don’t think it had been pruned in years.
I’m sure your rambling rose knows its flowers will not go unnoticed … and it will bloom for you
Thanks Diana, that would be nice. Don’t even know what colour it is so a surprise waits. x
Poor old Lettie, she’s obviously been working too hard sorting out the garden. It’s snowing here…gardening is still a dream.
Jane x
Hopefully the dream will soon be reality. x
That first spring day in the garden is such a pleasure. Pruning and pulling weeds does not have the same feel any other day of the year.
Love Lettie basking in the sun. We’ve had a lot of lovely sunshine recently and my little plants on the window sills are lapping it up. Still cold outside in the wind. Maybe we’re sheltering Ireland from it now 😉 The extra hour of light on an evening has been a joy to see. Look forward to seeing your plans for the garden over the coming months.
Like the look of the little blossoming tree! Yay!! Spring is really here…….am looking forward to seeing you work your magic on this garden……
Magic it will be! Our last place was just 3 acres of rushes with a house plonked in the middle when we bought it…
It looks like the garden will be keeping you busy for quite a while – and lucky you to have a warm day – here, even though the sun is out the wind is still very cold. Funny how dogs always know how to find the warmest spots.
Yes! It will be a busy Summer ahead, and maybe Autumn too. Hopefully the weather will be good this year.
glad you have some better weather and time in the garden Bridget, it is just so nice to get out, lots to do but it sounds like you have a better starting canvas than your previous home, how long did it take you both to tame your last garden? I have an acre here covered in thick deep grass and sphagnam moss or over grown wild heath/calluna with mosses and only me to tame it, it’s a very slow job,
here’s to many more sunny windless gardening days ahead, Frances
We were in our last house for 10 years and it was only in the last 2 or 3 years that we felt the garden was finished. It is hard work on your own. Many hands make light work certainly rings true. Certainly hope we get a good Summer this year. Fingers crossed. Bridget x.
thanks Bridget, that makes me feel better, I have been here 11 years but in the early years I didn’t have much time for the garden, was even away most of one year, it’s since I took full retirement I have been working in the garden more, also as a complete novice gardener I made a lot of mistakes because I trusted the ‘experts’.
we had a nice day today and I have been in the garden, I hope you did too, yes fingers crossed for a nice summer, Frances x
Love the pretty cherry blossom, Bridget. Looks like you achieved quite a lot on your first day out in the garden! No blooms or leaves on my shrubs and trees yet. Can’t wait! P. x
What a beautiful way to spend the day. I would so love to be your dog, resting in the sun. I’m looking forward to following your progress.
Hi Bridget, I love your new place! That garden looks like a challenge to take on, I’ll wait and see how it evolves! Lettie is number one! 🙂
Thanks Alberto. It certainly is a challenge. Luckily we moved at a good time for a long garden season ahead.
Loving your new garden, how exciting! We’ll be looking for another place in a few years, so quite looking forward to that! Sweet little doggies …
It is quite fun house hunting and planning what to do once you get there.
Thanks .. sounds like a lovely adventure/journey we will be taking in a couple of years … thanks for the positivity, Bridget!!
Thanks for visiting. I am envious of the space and enterprise in creating a new garden
Hej from Sweden!
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and liking my recent post. You are most welcome back.