Dear Fellow Gardeners,
February is the official beginning of spring in Ireland. On the continent, February is usually the coldest month of the year. We can really feel the days are getting longer now and the dormant life starts to wake up. It’s such a great strategy of plants to be herbaceous perennials. These plants die back in early winter and patiently wait for February. I love this time of year when plants are slowly re-appearing one by one. The pace is still very slow. Many herbs are in that category – mints, lemon balm, oregano, comfrey, horseradish and many others.
All herbaceous perennials can be propagated now either through division or root/rhizome cuttings. It’s a great and reliable way to get more plants.
Seed Potatoes in stock
Our seed potatoes and onion sets will arrive next week and will have them available on our website next Friday (6th February). The first earlies can be planted in a polytunnel or greenhouse in February.
We’ll have the following varieties:
Premiere, Red Duke of York, Sharpes Express, Charlotte, Purple Rain, Vitabella, Axona, Oscar and Sarpo Mira.
We will also have onion sets (Sturon) available.
They usually sell out quickly so check our website next Friday www.greenvegetableseeds.com
Ballymaloe Gardening Course 2026
Growing Organic Vegetables, Fruits & Herbs with Klaus Laitenberger – (A Series of 10 Classes throughout the year)
This course is subsidised by the Rural Food Skillnet and people can avail of a €500 discount.
For more information contact Karen
Email: karen@ballymaloefarmschool.com
This course runs one day per month from February to October 2026. This ten-day gardening course offers a unique, hands-on learning experience set in the beautiful surroundings of Ballymaloe Cookery School. Participants will learn how to grow their own vegetables, herbs and fruit.
It seems too obvious to mention but the delicious and generous lunches on each day are one of the highlights.
The course is suitable for beginners as well as those with some gardening experience who wish to deepen their knowledge and practical skills in organic growing and sustainable food production.
Here is the link:
Diploma in Organic Medicinal Herb Growing
Another exciting project I’m involved in is with The Irish Herbal Medical College – Core College, run by Helen and David Begadon. They train herbalists from all over the world and recently launched a new Diploma in Organic Medicinal Herb Growing.
The course, which was fully booked in 2025, combines online learning with monthly practical days with Head Gardener Heiko Klee and myself. It’s a wonderful programme for anyone passionate about growing and using medicinal herbs. An amazing group of scientists and herb agronomist are part of the course – Prof. Peter Jones, Iain Tolhurst, Leonardo Piervitali and Ronan Tormey.
For details, contact djudah@corecollege.com
Students based in Ireland can apply for a 30% grant through the National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS).
Here is the link:
Diploma in Organic Medicinal Herb Growing
Upcoming Courses, Talks and Events 2026
Wednesday 4th February 2026 – Talk: Grow Your Own Food
Venue: Westport, Co. Mayo – (Order of Malta)
Contact: Maureen maujoyce43@gmail.com or 087 2945279
This is the first meeting to re-start the Westport Garden Club. I’m looking forward to meeting local gardeners. I will also show updates of the progress of our new project – Tilled Earth in Achill.
Sunday 15th February 2026 – Day Course: Grow Your Own Organic Food
Venue: Coolamber House, Co. Westmeath
Contact: annmariedurkin@gmail.com / 087 1436292
Grow your own food| Coolamber Garden Workshops
The original course on Saturday 14th is fully booked and Ann-Marie put on a second day on Sunday 15th as there was a waiting list.
Saturday 21st February 2026 – Course: Grow your own food
Venue: Eden Hall Estate, Co. Kilkenny
Contact: info@edenhallestate.ie
Saturday 1st March 2025 – Course: Spring in the Polytunnel
Venue: The Organic Centre, Co. Leitrim
Contact: info@theorganiccentre.ie
Sunday 17th May 2026 – Course: Summer in the Polytunnel
Venue: Eden Hall Estate, Co. Kilkenny
Contact: info@edenhallestate.ie
Happy Gardening
Klaus