Anthony Ginn and Kathleen McLaughlin from Moville make a great gardening duo. Anthony worked for years in the oil industry deep in the Saudi Arabian desert so he loves nothing more to be knee deep in the wet Inishowen soil. Kathleen on the other hand is the design and ideas person (the boss!) Together they have created a garden that can be appreciated at any time of the year.
How long have you been working on the garden?
Only three years. The front garden has seen the most work. Initially it was wet grass so we have gravelled it and put in the pots.
What is your favourite plant?
Anthony: I like the dahlias the best. They are fantastic at this time of year and produce lots of lovely blooms for cutting
Kathleen: I love the daffodil. We have heaps of bulbs to plant this year.
What is your favourite feature in the garden?
We both enjoy the heart shaped raised bed in the back garden.
What is your favourite season and why?
Anthony: Summer is the best time of year. You can sit out and relax, enjoying the meals on the patio.
Kathleen: I think the spring is lovely because of the promise of new beginnings. And the daffodils!
What work gives you the most pleasure in the garden?
We both enjoy the planning stages and seed planting.
Any irritations in the garden. How do you cope?
Slugs are a real pest. We do put down some slug pellets occasionally and sparingly. Dahlias can be vulnerable so they will get a sprinkling.
What is your best gardening tool?
Secatuers for cutting the flowers. We are investing in a new petrol mower soon to get away from the awkward cables of the electric mower. That will probably be next years best tool!
Top Tip?
Don’t be in a rush. If things don’t grow well in the first year, give them a chance to establish. We had a peony rose that was sickly for a few years but looks fantastic now.
Any plans for the future?
How long have you been working on the garden?
Only three years. The front garden has seen the most work. Initially it was wet grass so we have gravelled it and put in the pots.
What is your favourite plant?
Anthony: I like the dahlias the best. They are fantastic at this time of year and produce lots of lovely blooms for cutting
Kathleen: I love the daffodil. We have heaps of bulbs to plant this year.
What is your favourite feature in the garden?
We both enjoy the heart shaped raised bed in the back garden.
What is your favourite season and why?
Anthony: Summer is the best time of year. You can sit out and relax, enjoying the meals on the patio.
Kathleen: I think the spring is lovely because of the promise of new beginnings. And the daffodils!
What work gives you the most pleasure in the garden?
We both enjoy the planning stages and seed planting.
Any irritations in the garden. How do you cope?
Slugs are a real pest. We do put down some slug pellets occasionally and sparingly. Dahlias can be vulnerable so they will get a sprinkling.
What is your best gardening tool?
Secatuers for cutting the flowers. We are investing in a new petrol mower soon to get away from the awkward cables of the electric mower. That will probably be next years best tool!
Top Tip?
Don’t be in a rush. If things don’t grow well in the first year, give them a chance to establish. We had a peony rose that was sickly for a few years but looks fantastic now.
Any plans for the future?
We have ideas to plant an archway in the front garden and to grow more vegetables. As well as the hardy veg such as beetroot and courgettes we plan to get a small greenhouse to grow tomatoes and cucumbers.
Horticultural.
