Hunters Lodge Living

I find it hard as an Irish food blogger writing about growing my own food, not to start every post off with a comment about the weather. Maybe it’s just an Irish thing - the first topic of every conversation is likely to be the weather isn’t it?

But since my last blog post I have endured snow blizzards, glorious sunshine, winds strong enough to dry clothes in the blink of an eye, hailstones, harsh frost and the most stunning Caribbean-blue skies. So try growing food in that! Okay, so maybe it’s a little early to sow in the garden, but my windowsills are packed with trays of seedlings bursting into life as I write.

Last year I sowed the first seed potatoes in coal sacks on St Patricks Day. There’s not a chance of it happening this year – and not only because of the weather, they definitely need another week or two chitting before they are ready to go outside. Slowly does it at this time of year and I’ve more than enough seed packets to keep me going indoors until the temperatures rise outside.

I had the most wonderful surprise on Mother’s Day last Sunday with the arrival of our first chicks of the year. Our little white Silkie hatched out three of the most adorable chicks and I’m delighted to report that they’re strong and healthy. Willow Goose has started to lay this week too so all is well in the world of Willow Goose and Mahatma Gander.

Okay so one last comment about the weather – we are patiently waiting for the temperatures to rise a bit so that we can get down to the beehives and open them up for the first full inspection of the year. Eamonn has great plans for the bees this year – but believe me, that’s a whole other post……!

Have a great St Patrick’s weekend – and buy an oul packet of seeds if you’re out and about…..