Growing Our Own

At first, it was just some apple trees. 15 of them. We were looking for trees to line our driveway. Something pretty, striking and native. We ended up with something free. A friend was working on a television commercial for Bulmers in nearby Clonmel and when the shoot had wrapped, they had the problem of what to do with hundreds of unwanted Bramley apple trees.

So we headed off with an empty trailer and came back with more trees than we knew what to do with. Any that weren’t planted in the Three Acres were given away. Thanks to Bulmers, there’s no shortage of cooking apples around these parts any more!

We also decided to plant a little orchard – of quince, plum, damson, pears and apple trees. And, thanks to our busy bees, every single one of them is now weighed down with fruit. Even ones that have never produced before.

Our herb garden provides us with rosemary, sage, parlsey, thyme, lemon thyme, chives, fennel and mint. And all of our veg is grown in a 16 x32 foot polytunnel. My outside ‘office’ and favourite part of the garden. It may not be pretty to look at -  although in high summer, when its bursting with tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines, peppers, basil, spinach, kale, potatoes and every kind of salad leaf imaginable – it can be beautiful. And it keeps us fed all year round.