Q1 Why did you start growing your own food?
A. I have always been interested in gardening and growing but I've only had the opportunity to pursue it in the last few years. My grandad (the other one!) was a great man for gardening I learnt a lot from him. It's very easy to take vegetables and food generally for granted when you can buy them cheaply and nicely packaged of a supermarket shelf but growing your own food gives you an appreciation for the work, time and skill involved. Since man first began to settle down and live in one place thousands of years ago he has had to grow his food, it's very important to have an understanding of how to grow your own food.
Q2 For how long do you have this garden?
A. I've been keeping my garen for 3 years now. It's small scale and experimental. I've been trying out different things and keeping an eye out for what works and what doesn't. Some of my beds are in straight lines, some are circular some are wavy. straight lines are the most practical but not as much fun!
Q3 What kind of vegetables do you have in your garden?
A. I have all sorts but among the more interesting things I have is the Cherokee Trail of Tears Bean. The Cherokees were a Native American tribe who were able to bring with them. It's pretty amazing to have that link with them. I also grew some Lumper potatoes this year which were the main variety of potato grown in Ireland during the time of the famine.
Q4 What is the best about gardening?
A. I think the best thing about gardening is being out in nature and the elements. Its also fascinating to read about the many different approaches and philosophies with regard to gardening. My hero is a little Japanese man called Masombu Fukuoka he said "The ultimate good of farming is not growing of crops but the cultivation and perfection of human beings".
Q5 Do you have any tips that you could share with us?
A. Try out different things and keep records so that you will know what marks and what doesn't.
Q6 Can you suggest what kind of vegetables are suitable for these conditions (weather and soil)
A. Irish Seed Savers Association have a wide range of varietis that are very suitable for the Irish climate. They also do great work in preserving heirloom ( no longer commercialy avaible) vegetable varities and give fascinating histories for each in their catalogue.
MR.COYLE, in the name of all the group I would like to thank you for helping us with our garden.
Alex
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