Last Saturday I spent a lovely morning at Kilcoan Gardens, a family run garden situated on the Islandmagee peninsula, approximately 40 minutes or so from Belfast. I was there for their ‘Autumn Abundance’ course, to learn how to make an autumn wreath and create an autumn posy.
Kilcoan Gardens is an organic garden extending to 5 acres, made up of a cottage garden, vegetable and herb areas, an orchard and several meadows. Shortly after 10 am, when everyone had gathered in the barn, we ventured out into the blustery weather to get a tour of the garden. Although it was a little soggy underfoot from the persistent rain we have had these past few weeks, the garden was still looking lovely and full of colour. And so, of course, I lingered behind the rest of the group to take a few photographs (I couldn’t help myself really !).
Then, having finished our tour, it was back to the barn for a welcome hot cup of tea and a homemade brownie, before our lovely host Cherry gave us a demonstration on how to make an autumn wreath. Soon it was our turn to have a go using the varied selection of dried foliage and seedheads that had been collected from the garden for us. I donned the apron provided, picked up the secateurs and set to work creating ten little bundles of autumn foliage to decorate the wreath with.
Now I must admit, not being that gifted in a craft making sense, I was a little slow in getting my wreath completed but help was on hand and I did get there eventually. I enjoyed ‘faffing’ with the flowers and seeing it all come together was really quite rewarding. There was just time to rustle up a little posy of fresh flowers before gathering up my floral delights and heading home in the rain, feeling very autumnal !
All in all, it was a lovely way to spend a Saturday morning – discovering a lovely garden, meeting new people and learning a skill. It’s an experience I’d like to repeat ..maybe in spring time when the garden comes back to life again.
If you are interested in finding out more about the garden and the range of courses they offer, please check out their lovely website www.kilcoangardens.co.uk.
It was a great day and I find myself looking at plants in the garden in a different way !!!
That looks like a lovely way to spend some time, as you said. The gardens are beautiful.