WHEN the grass has been neatly mown and the edges carefully clipped after proper straightening with a spade, edging tool or shears and the grass fed not over generously, moss and weeds attended to appropriately, the diligent gardener will look to the occasional stray dandelion lurking in a corner. After the rain, weeds have emerged in profusion, so we may be engaged a while in the satisfying task of trowelling or hoeing.
Such labours must be rewarded, and for some the pay off will be a fix in the garden centre. One word of warning: do not be tempted to fill every vacant spot with purchases made on one visit. The result inevitably would be a jolly spring garden with little follow through interest into summer and autumn. Be wise, buy a little but very often. One of the most rewarding ways to learn is to visit other gardens, observing and noting plants, their positions, their companions, their behaviour and performance.
We all learn a lot on a nice afternoon outing. So arm yourself with the new edition of Marianne Heron's The Hidden Gardens of Ireland, Where To Find Them, published by Gill and Macmillan at £9.99.