As the year draws to a close it is always a good time to reflect on the last 12 months as well as look forward.
I think this year the weather has really dominated my posts. Our climate influences so much of what we do from gardening to enjoying a day outdoors! And certainly this year’s messed up seasons has had an impact. From days on the beach in APRIL in t-shirt and shorts when it would usually be hats and gloves; to a cool, wet summer that meant a poor harvest; to storm Desmond and the gloom of constant grey days of late winter.
It is more than likely that the weather is a result of the El Nino as well as climate change but I wonder if what we are experiencing is a glimpse into the future and that there is more of this in store for us. With this in mind for 2016 I need to think more about the crops we grow and how to grow them better and make better use of our space.
I also have been thinking a lot about our wildlife and how we can make more room for it in our garden. More bird boxes are planned. I would love to create a wildflower haven in the area that has been cleared to widen the road at the end of our lane. I also need to get more wildflowers in our meadow and more pollinator friendly flowers into the bee and butterfly garden. So over the next week I will start making plans including the fun part of looking at seed catelogues. This year I’ve been trailing more seed saving too but the proof will come in the spring as to whether this has been a success or not!
So roll on 2016 and let’s hope it is a bit drier than 2016! Wishing you all a wonderfully productive New Year:)
Thank you for a super blog that keeps this townie in touch with nature. I look forward to more blogs in 2016! Happy New Year to one and all. xx
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Thank you Miranda for being such a loyal reader and commenter and of course friend:)
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I am scaling back my garden, such as it is, so it is lovely to see all that you can do with yours.
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Sometimes I think with the veg patch I have too much (it’s hard to keep all the weeds in check) but at the same time I have to feed a family of four. Oh, to win the lottery and spend all my time gardening and wildlife watching, that to me would be close to heaven!!
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Some of the slug damage looks really beautiful thanks to your wonderful photography. ♡
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Thanks Jenny – it would be beautiful if they didn’t consume the whole plant!!!!
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What a nice year-end review. Best of luck in the coming year for you and your lovely garden!
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Thank you – we’ll keep our fingers crossed for better weather:)
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Good to look back and enjoyed your post. btw, I threw out an old packet of health store linseed never thinking it would grow – & got a meadow of blue flowers!
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Wow, maybe I should try that!
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It was really pretty – and swamped out veg patch weeds wonderfully!
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Unfortunately, I don’t think we can tell *what* we’ll get in 2016–everything’s gone sideways! But with some luck and a lot of hard work, I think we can all get in a nice crop of whatever likes the “new” weather. Whatever it is! Happy New Year!!!
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Happy new year to you too Lori – for us here I think brassicas (particularly the older more traditional varieties and with exception of cauliflowers) are probably good things to concentrate on – they don’t seems to mind the cool wet weather.And as for beans and courgettes they will need to be under cover (probably polytunnel). More planning to do though!
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This is the planning time of year, for sure!
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We gardeners and nature lovers really are at the mercy of the weather. I try to stay positive, but like you, I can’t help wonder what the future will bring and whether the sins of the fathers will be put upon the subsequent generations.
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I fear the future is a bit wet Eliza! It is so gloomy here today – we are currently experiencing Storm Frank – it’s 10am but the lights are all on it’s so dark!!!
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😦 Hope you stay safe, warm and the electricity stays on.
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And your review is testament to the unexpected this year. It’s good to keep tabs on things as well as enjoying your beautiful pictures and fascinating detail. I shall enjoy my planning here, however tiny, and the profile of things here is raised due to the mindfulness of your blogs. Happy 2016 to you.
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Thank you Jane – you are so kind and happy new year to you and all yours too:)
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I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog this year. Here in France it’s been very dry and in high summer our poor garden turned brown! Gardening is always a step into the unknown.
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Thank you – you are so right gardening is a step into the unknown particularly when you don’t know what the weather will throw at you! Here’s to a productive 2016:)
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great summary. Happy New Year!
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…and the same to you too:)
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Great pics!! I rather envy you those rich harvest rewards!! One of my dreams… a little bit of Irish soil I can call my own so we can plant!! Happy 2016… may it indeed be more fruitful!! 😉
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And many happy returns – lets hope for a good year:)
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All my best wishes for 2016. Hope you and the family get to enjoy many happy hours outdoors and in your garden, making the Irish countryside a better place for all. Slainté, Melissa
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Happy New Year Melissa to you and all the family:)
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Happy New Year! I am hoping to be a bit more responsive blogger while there is not so much to do outside. Here , like you, it is so wet and everyday we mutter ‘not more rain’ . All the best for 2016 from The Acorns.
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..and to you Roz. Here’s to a successful 2016 in the garden and all things creative.
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