Schedule
SATURDAY 3rd May
12.00pm
TABERNACLE
Reflections of Life in the Kitchen and Garden
Kick off the festival feast hearing our two favourite cooks – Rory O’Connell talks to Nigel Slater
PAVILION
Nettles, Petals and Everything in Between
Maverick gardener Jamie Walton, shares insights with expert
organic grower & TV’s Homegrown presenter, Kitty Scully,
about companion planting, natural fertilisers and easy
techniques for a blooming and colourful vegetable patch.
HOW TO
1:30pm
TABERNACLE
Great Dixter: Biodiversity in Abundance
Great Dixter is an iconic garden in SE England. It was the home to the late Christopher Lloyd – one of the greatest gardeners of our time. The recent biodiversity audit at Great Dixter revealed how extraordinarily rich the gardens and estate are in wildlife, explained by trail blazing head gardener, Fergus Garrett, introduced by the legendary Mary Keen
PAVILION
The Captivating Power of Birdsong
Lyrical ornithologist and recorder of birdsong, award winning author, Seán Ronayne, talks with acclaimed nature painter and avid bird watcher, Andrew Gifford about their mutual fascination for birds, and how their song connects us to nature.
HOW TO
… Liberate Your Floral Designs
Break free from the shackles of the tightly bound bouquet, free up your mind and vision, and learn how to create a naturalistic and airy display, with super stylish Sean Pritchard and Kildare cut flower maven Amelia Raben
3.30pm
TABERNACLE
Paradise on Strangford Lough: The Creation of the Mount Stewart Gardens
Edith, Lady Londonderry, was at the centre of politics and society, a campaigner for women’s suffrage, an editor, writer and activist – but her garden is her most eduring legacy. Former head gardener of Mount Stewart and horticultural supremo Neil Porteous explores Edith and and her gardening world.
PAVILION
Natural Farming
What is soil fermentation? What is agroforestry? Would you like to grow perennial foods? Come and hear it all explained by pioneering regenerative farmer Josh Sparkes, talking with organic growing guru Klaus Laitenberger.
HOW TO
...Capture Nature on Canvas
A unique chance to watch master landscape painter Andrew Gifford live at work, doing what he does best. Sit down and watch, chat, ask him questions, go away, come back, witness the painting unfold.
TABERNACLE
Pushing the Boundaries – A Garden for the Future
Wine maker Peter Sisseck, and landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith have collaborated over 12 years on the creation of a landscape around the biodynamic farm in the challenging environment of the Duero valley in central Spain. They talk about the collaboration, the successes and failures and their latest environmental and garden projects in the vineyard and cellar.
PAVILION
Creating Space for Nature in Urban Areas
Oslo-based, planting design researcher, Sally O’Halloran, and biodiversity guru, Hans Visser, look at the value of creating space for nature in cities – the challenges and solutions. Discover what we, as individuals can do to restore nature, and to reverse biodiversity loss.
HOW TO
…Grow Without Using Chemicals
A golden opportunity to hear Jamie Walton’s (aka @nettlesandpetals) top tried and tested tips.
6:30pm
TABERNACLE
A Gardening Path – Introduced by Mary Keen
Andrea Brunsendorf, head gardener at Lowther Castle, has spent nearly 30 years in horticulture. She talks to Catherine FitzGerald, garden designer, about her adventures and the unexpected opportunities of a gardening career.
PAVILION
Gardening for Insects
Get the bug’s eye view with Professor of Bumble Bees, ecologist Dave Goulson and hear about gardening from a whole new perspective
HOW TO
…Design a Dynamic Border
Stuck in a rut and needing some contemporary garden dash? Come and hear the brilliant, award winning garden designer, Oliver Schurmann of Mount Venus Nursery – show us how its done.
8:30pm
TABERNACLE
PAVILION
Song With No Name
Folk Singer, Actor, environmental activist and all round heart throb, Johnny Flynn will play some beautiful music.
HOW TO
SUNDAY 4th May
Time & location TBC
TABERNACLE
Dawn Chorus Walk
Rise and Shine Early birds!
Who better than Seán Ronayne to lead us through the explodingly noisy, bird-filled gardens of Ballintubbert on International Dawn Chorus Day? Followed by a bowl of very delicious, very local, organically grown Merry Mill porridge by Kevin Scully
PAVILION
HOW TO
11:30am
TABERNACLE
Sunday Soul Sessions
Join a gathering of our talented speakers, with a rattlebag of uplifting Nature Inspiration – poems, songs, memories and wisdom
PAVILION
The Tree Hunters
In light of the battering from this winter’s three storms, Thomas Pakenham draws solace from the tree planters of the past, and explores how the legendary plant hunters brought the worlds’ megaflora to our shores.
HOW TO
Make The Best Compost & Keep your Soil Healthy
Notebooks at the ready, come and reap the rewards of growing master, Klaus Laitenberger’s years of experience and depth of knowledge and get the foundation of your garden singing.
TABERNACLE
Rewilding the Garden
Knepp blazed a trail with re-wilding on a large scale. How can these principles be transferred into the context of a garden? Charlie Harpur explains how the Walled Garden Wilding project at Knepp came about and how it continues to develop.
PAVILION
40 Years in Kiltumper
A Meditation on Place: life, love and the importance of nature. Authors Niall Williams and Christine Breen share their thoughts with actor Dominic West
HOW TO
…Choose Which Indoor Plants and Keep them Healthy and Thriving
Revelations from house plant impresario
Tig Mays will talk us through the dos and don’ts of how to have flourishing indoor plants.
3:00pm
TABERNACLE
How Fungi Make our Worlds
Foundress of the Fungi Foundation, Giuliana Furci, and author and fellow mycologist, Merlin Sheldrake explore the world of fungi: how it can help mitigate climate change and restore global biodiversity. From a scientific, legal and philosphical perspective they will explore the question of how best to work with fungi to help transform life during this time of crisis.
PAVILION
Romance and Beauty -Bringing the Seasons Inside
Sean Pritchard reveals how to achieve life enhancing flower filled rooms and the secrets behind his seemingly effortless displays.
HOW TO
…Weave a Rustic Obelisk Plant Support
Master of traditional basket weaving, Sarah Jenkinson will run a 2.5/3 hour workshop for just 14 lucky people, where you will learn how to make a 6ft willow plant support, and have it to bring home.
Usually €70 per person, on offer at the festival for only €25.
Strictly first come first serve basis, so sign up fast.
To apply, please email:
admin@festivalofgardensandnature.com
4:30pm
TABERNACLE
Big Thinking – Leading From the Front
Learn about the EU’s goals for tackling waste and dependency on pesticides, and mission to create a circular economy. How can we play our part? Hear from Darina Allen, Kenneth Keavey and MEP Nina Carberry.
PAVILION
A Romp Through 30 Years of Garden Making…and Other Stuff
Join the game changing garden designer Diarmuid Gavin as he discusses his long and varied journey with fellow seasoned designer Daphne Shackleton
HOW TO
… Plant support weaving continued..