The June rains have brought phenomenal growth to Clondeglass - Dermot has been away on garden tours and in his absence the garden has become completely overgrown. There's a lot of weeding to be done. Thankfully the potatoes are surviving and in the meadow all growth is good. To help pollinate and trigger seed production and ensure the future of Clondeglass's productive beds, Dermot has a bee hive installed. He has a treat for his rescue hens and has a new sedum roof installed on their coop. In his friend Carmel Duignan's garden in Co Dublin, Dermot discovers a treasure trove of exotic plants.
Fiann has also been away in June, he's been busy at our Ireland's Chelsea - Bloom in the Phoenix Park. His garden is the centre piece of the festival with its iconic Irish planting and mythical elements. And the gardening gene obviously runs through the family - his ten year old niece (youngest exhibitor ever) has won gold for her garden design.
Back in Clondeglass, Dermot has a boozy lunch with local forager and chef Mary Bulfin. Mary cooks up a storm from a wealth of edible foods foraged from the hedgerows around Clondeglass. She and Dermot feast on Elderflower Turkish Delight, Summer Berry Salad, delicious Damson Brownies and wash it all down with a potent Beech Leaf Liquor!
