1 August 2023
Matthew Lee - Head Gardener, Northern Ireland
I can’t tell you all how excited I am to join the team and to nurture and develop the seventh Horatio’s Garden.
Before we get started, I’d like to introduce myself. I’m Matthew, the newly appointed Head Gardener of Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland, and I can’t tell you all how excited I am to join the team and to nurture and develop the seventh Horatio’s Garden.
I am a reasonable newbie to the professional world of horticulture, having decided to change career four years ago after 18 years working for the NHS. The spark was ignited when I volunteered in the grounds of Montalto Estate and was encouraged to sign up for the Foundation Degree in Horticulture at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise’s (CAFRE) Greenmount Campus.
It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride since starting as Lead Horticulturist at Carrickfergus Urban Farm and Garden Centre, a social enterprise for adults with learning disabilities, autism, and acquired brain injury. Here, I gained a wealth of experience in all aspects of the horticultural sector.
I was then sent the link for the role of Head Gardener at Horatio’s Garden Northern Ireland by a friend, and I couldn’t believe what I was reading. If someone had asked me to describe my dream job, this is exactly what I would have written. Not only does this role require, and invest in, high levels of horticulture, it is gardening with the most extraordinary purpose. Creating more than just a beautiful garden, it is creating a sanctuary that brings to the forefront the undeniable benefits of the healing power of green spaces, with patients at the heart of every design feature and plant grown.
I was sold instantly, applied, and here I am, living the dream (cliché I know, but it’s true).
As the nights get darker, growth begins to slow and the garden centres start thinking about Christmas, it’s easy for the August garden to start looking tired and a little less lush and inviting.
Don’t give up! Although the end may be in sight as autumn feels just around the corner, with a few simple tips, you can keep the garden alive and awash with colour for another few months yet.
The basics
These are just a few simple jobs that will make a world of difference to the appearance of your garden and encourage you to keep going.
I could go on with more specific jobs for the month ahead, such as cutting back lavender, cutting back wildflower meadows, or pruning cherries and plums, but instead I’m going to remind you to stop. Sit in the garden and take note of all the things you love about it, all the things that have worked and all your accomplishments. You garden to feel good, so don’t dwell on the other stuff. The garden has had months of your attention, it’s your turn now.
My favourite August plants
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