Donal Doherty from Carndonagh showed me around his extremely productive garden this week. Donal has always had a keen interest in all things green and spends more time in the garden after retiring from 37 years working for the Inishowen oil Company. Before that, Donal worked for a company called JJ and LF Goodbody in Carndonagh, who made jute sacking for packaging potatoes for export. When he isn’t gardening Donal is running marathons and half marathons as well as 5 and 10 km races. He has recently won a national medal from the Athletics Association of Ireland for coming second in a half marathon (I really should exercise more!)
How long have you been working on the garden?
30 years. I set the trees and laid out the lawns. I have worked with potatoes for longer than that though. My father inspired me as he always had the earliest spuds in Carndonagh.
What is your favourite plant?
I think the curly Kale is very versatile. It is great for winter and spring use.
What is your favourite feature in the garden?
I have been working with bees for year and I love the hives. I got the queen and fifteen workers to feed her from Buckfast abbey. I would recommend Goriston College in County Meath if anyone wanted to take a course on beekeeping
What is your favourite season and why?
The spring. There is so much work to be done
What work gives you the most pleasure in the garden?
Planting seeds and seeing the fruits of my labour
Any irritations in the garden. How do you cope?
Nothing at all. Its all part of the cycle. If plants are in the right place with companion planting they look after themselves.
What is your best gardening tool?
I have a great fork that I use all of the time.
Top gardening tip?
Take it easy and enjoy the garden. The journey of 10,000 leagues starts with a single step.
Any plans for the future?
I would like to get the garden designed at some stage but I am happy with things as they are in the meantime.
Horticultural.
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