Welcome

Hello Gardeners,

May has arrived, and while we’re all hoping the biting Donegal winds finally give us a break this week, the garden is absolutely bursting with energy! This is the month where everything shifts into overdrive. For Milo and me, May isn’t just about planting; it’s about stepping into our role as partners with nature and watching our garden ecosystem truly come alive.

With the sudden rush of green, the urge to "get control" of the garden can be overwhelming, but we’re encouraging everyone to share the space this month.

Embrace the "No Mow" Magic

Before you pull out the lawnmower for that first heavy summer cut, hit the brakes! May is the ultimate bridge month for our pollinators. By letting the grass grow a little longer—or leaving dedicated patches completely wild—you are providing a literal lifeline. Clovers, daisies, and those late-rising dandelions are the premium fuel our bumblebees and early butterflies need right now.

Let Nature Do the Pest Control

As the lush new growth appears, so will the aphids (greenfly). Don't panic and reach for a spray! A truly healthy ecosystem relies on a bit of patience. If you leave the aphids alone for just a week or two, you’ll give the birds, ladybirds, and hoverfly larvae time to discover the feast. Trust the balance—your garden's natural defense league is already on its way.

And if you do have to reach for the spry , make sure its natural like the one we use here using Garlic and Neem oil which has been very successful to date. 

Remember , A slightly untamed, buzzing garden in May isn't untidy; it's a thriving, joyful sanctuary for you and the wildlife!

Thank You

First, a huge thank you to everyone who joined Milo and me for our Companion Planting workshop at the end of April. It was absolutely inspiring to share the space with so many of you as we explored how to choose plants that truly support our growing. We loved diving into the world of plant guilds and brainstorming how we can bring those supportive relationships into the fruit garden. We’re already hard at work implementing these very guild designs into our forest garden, and we hope you’re feeling inspired to weave a bit of that interconnected magic into your own plots at home! 

May Workshop: The Polytunnel

As the outdoor garden slowly catches up, things are absolutely roaring to life under cover! This month, we are stepping into the polytunnel and exploring the beautiful permaculture principle: "Use and Value Diversity."

A polytunnel is its own unique little microclimate, and the key to a thriving, abundant undercover harvest is moving away from the "lone plant" mentality. Instead of single-crop rows, we’ll be looking at how we can get plants working in teams to maximise every single square inch of space for the home gardener. 

In this hands-on workshop, we will explore:

• The Art of Interplanting: Learning how to pair fast crops (like lettuce and salad greens) with slow-growing crops (like tomatoes) to get the absolute most out of your soil.
• Maximising Vertical Space: Creative ways to grow upwards, making the most of your tunnel’s height.
• Climate Control: Practical tips for managing heat, airflow, and humidity as the summer sun starts to peek through.

Whether you have a tunnel, a small greenhouse, or are just dreaming of undercover growing, this session will give you the tools to build a diverse, resilient, and self-supporting ecosystem.

The Details:

• When: Saturday 23rd May | 11:00am – 2:00pm
• Investment: €15.00
• Refreshments: Warm drinks and refreshments will be served to keep us going!
• Booking: Non-members are incredibly welcome! For our wonderful members, remember to apply your individual discount code at checkout to claim your place.

Biodiversity in your garden, soil and seed

Join Joanne Butler at Ourganic Gardens in Gort a’Choirce for a walk and talk to celebrate Biodiversity Week in Donegal

This biodiversity week event was funded by Donegal County Council and NPWS through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund Programme, in partnership with the Heritage Council.

Wednesday 20th May - 1pm-3pm

OURganic Gardens Farm Biodiversity Walk Co Donegal 2026 with Talamh Beo

Join us for a walk through our garden and native woodland & re-connect, while surrounded by the beauty and wonder of the natural landscape that OURganic Gardens has to offer.

​Get out doors and just 'be' in nature.​

Friday 22nd May - 11am-1pm 

Free Workshop - All Welcome

Community Meditation

At OURganic Gardens

We will continue our monthly meditation sessions with Caroline Burrow from Sea,Stone and Sky for some beautiful meditation in our lovely space at OURganic Gardens. Date for the next workshop will be coming soon but do get in touch if you wish to be added to the WhatApp group. 

There is no need to book for these sessions and we are looking forward to seeing you there.
You may wish to bring along with you a meditation cushion or yoga mat, and a blanket.

Summer Garden and Kitchen Workshops 

At OURganic Gardens

Get ready to reconnect with your food from seed to supper this summer!

We are thrilled to host a new series of Summer Garden & Kitchen Workshops at OURganic Gardens in Gortahork. Join Sian from Wild Fuschia Bakehouse and Joanne from OURganic Gardens for a unique, hands-on experience where you’ll learn to grow, care for, and cook seasonal delights.

Whether you're interested in the "Power of Herbs" on July 18th, perfecting fruit tarts on July 26th, exploring the wild hedgerows for foraging on August 8th, or celebrating Heritage Week on August 23rd, there is something for every palate.

Each workshop runs from 10am to 2pm and includes a delicious lunch, exclusive recipes, and a goodie bag to take home. Spaces are €85 per person—perfect for a summer Saturday or Sunday escape into nature!

To book simply log onto our website : https://www.ourganic-gardens.com/workshops-classes/summer-garden-kitchen-workshops or email ourganicgardensdonegal@gmail.com 

PLANT SHOP OPEN

Are you ready to get your own garden growing but not sure where to start?

Our new plant shop is officially open for the season! We are proud to offer organically certified plants and specially curated vegetable starter packs to give your food journey the best possible start. Whether you have a full polytunnel or just a few pots on a windowsill, we have hardy, healthy plants waiting for a new home.

By buying your plants from us, you’re getting varieties that are already acclimated to our local climate and grown from organic seed , in peat free compost and repurposed plant pots.

Shop Online: Browse our current availability and secure your plants through our online shop HERE

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