{"id":14170,"date":"2016-01-25T14:08:17","date_gmt":"2016-01-25T14:08:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/greensideup.ie\/?p=14170"},"modified":"2016-01-25T14:08:17","modified_gmt":"2016-01-25T14:08:17","slug":"snowdrops-in-carlow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greensideup.ie\/snowdrops-in-carlow\/","title":{"rendered":"Love in the snowdrops"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Love<\/span><\/h2>\n

Snowdrops and Romance<\/span><\/h2>\n

A few years ago I published a post following a February visit to Altamont gardens in Carlow<\/a> when the snowdrops and hellebore were in bloom. If you\u2019ve never seen carpets of snowdrops in February I\u2019d recommend looking for a garden this year as the experience can be breathtaking. That late winter walk was my first of 2013 and it managed to pull me out of the winter doldrums and back into our own garden. <\/span><\/p>\n

Research suggests that getting outside is fantastic for our mental health and it\u2019s true, there\u2019s nothing better for the mind than to be out in the fresh air. That said, I\u2019m a real bear in the winter (hopefully a cuddly one and not a grisly). I like to hibernate in the warmth of my home, by the stove and usually with a bag of knitting. I have to really be in the zone to enjoy being out in the cold, wind, mist or rain. This year has been no exception. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"LoveStorm Desmond<\/span><\/h4>\n

For the past couple of months our entire garden has been a quagmire, so much so that even the dogs won’t venture beyond the stone drive. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the high winds of storm Desmond our polytunnel ripped along the length of a middle hoop. As a result it\u2019s looking like we\u2019ll need to replace the polythene as it’s almost impossible to patch well there. <\/span><\/p>\n

We’ve also unwittingly added a stream to our *features* that runs down the pathway from the chicken run, filling the front lawn that’s scruffy\u00a0and overgrown thanks to the mild winter temperatures. I know things could be a lot worse, but when you live on the top of a hill you don\u2019t expect your garden to flood! To add to the garden woes, I’m not sure if our bees have survived the winter with little food sources to call upon, so all in all, I’m not feeling the love for our garden right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

Valentine\u2019s Day<\/span><\/h4>\n

As a result and weather permitting, I\u2019m going to suggest to Mr G that we wrap up warm and have a Valentine\u2019s Day out to one of several local gardens that are opening for snowdrop week. Perhaps I’ll be able to bend his arm and find lunch out somewhere nearby like the Forge restaurant who also have a local art exhibition or Duckett\u2019s Grove tea rooms who are advertising a delightful sounding afternoon tea offer on Facebook at the moment.<\/span><\/p>\n