Photographing plants in the wild

Snowdrops at Altamont Gardens.

As we emerge from our winter caves and think about doing some gardening, inspiration is at hand. The team at Altamont Gardens in County Carlow have been busy preparing for the annual treat which is Snowdrop Week (see link below). I visited Altamont this week to get a sneak preview.

When photographic plants, a 'narrow depth of focus' is required to isolate the plant from it's background. Auto settings won't do this so you'll need to open the aperture to it's maximum (f2.8 in this case). I think this is how we naturally see things, selectively focusing on particular objects and it is straightforward to replicate this in photographs by switching to manual or aperture priority. (Your camera might have a close-up setting which does the same thing). To steady the camera, I rested my arms on a box hedge and knelt on the path to get a low angle for these shots (you need thick skin to be a photographer).

This year Snowdrop Week runs from 11th-18th Feb 2013: See http://www.carlowgardentrail.com for flyer.

Wood ash - Rain stops play

Rain stops play

Still too wet to do much outside of the polytunnel but I've been spreading wood ash around the base of the fruit trees. The potash will help the trees to produce fruit.

See this links for more details: http://masdudiable.com/2010/01/06/wood-ashes-in-the-garden/

I've also found a great source for Irish-grown fruit trees: www.englishsfruitnursery.ie so I'll be ordering a few apple varieties and a Quince to go beside the pond when the ground dries out.

End of Summer vegetable garden update

End of Summer vegetable garden update.

Because we had such a wet and cold 'summer' here in Ireland, the spuds in the metal drum did much better than the ones in the lavishly-prepared raised bed. Other casualties included carrots (vanished without trace) and peas, which were very sparse. Thank goodness for the polytunnel - bumper crops of tomatoes and chilli peppers plus loads of herbs. I read in Joyce Russell's book that you can freeze whole tomatoes for winter use. They go a bit soggy when thawed but are ideal for cooking. Joyce Russel's Book link here

Here are some of the big fat Beefsteak tomatoes from the polytunnel. Lovely thin skins and dense flesh. They don't travel, so you won't get them in supermarkets. Must be grown under cover in Ireland - I germinated them in a heated propagator as they cost big money and you only get 8 seeds per packet. I'll try to save some seeds for next year.



Other crops

The runner beans did well but were quite late - I've given them to my Welsh friend who is homesick for runner beans and is marooned in Ireland where they don't seem to sell them. Our Victoria plum tree produced about five plums - last year we have hundreds. Maybe all the blossom froze or blew away?

Trees: One thing that responds well to the incessant rain is trees. I've spent days lopping the height out of our hedge and individual trees. I've also cleared a space for an 'orchard' - not very big one but I do like an apple pie so will plant Bramleys.

I lopped the willows and made several rustic-looking hurdles to keep in the ever-increasing piles of tree loppings. I need an industrial mulcher to chop them all up..

Every year is different in the garden so you have to be stoical. Onwards and upwards!

Bunty's blog on YouTube

Excellent video blog, week by week. Allow a few weeks for the colder Irish climate!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie1C-3mSupc&feature=relmfu

Altamont Gardens

New YouTube video I made at Altamont Gardens in Carlow.

Spuds in a drum

My First Early spuds are thriving in an old metal drum I fished out of the river. Drilled a few holes in bottom and added 2 inches of compost then the chatted spuds. Top it up as they develop. Sharpes Express variety.

Outdoor Blogger Network

Well I know this blog is not strictly 'outdoors' but it does happen outside of the house so I'm pleased to display the badge:

http://www.outdoorbloggernetwork.com/