In our series #GMinyourgarden, we’re peeking over the fence into gardens across the country to explore their places in our lives today. This week, Conrad’s garden on the Antrim Coast in Northern Island (@thatbotanicguy):
“I started this garden to create a bit of an escape. Lush, layered, a wee bit wild in places, and filled with plants that look like they shouldn’t grow here but do, and thrive while doing it.
I’ve always been drawn to the oddities: big leaves, bold textures, anything with a bit of drama. It’s become a sort of ongoing experiment, testing what I can get away with in a breezy garden not far from the sea.
It has changed a lot since the start. Plants come and go, ideas shift, but the goal is still the same. I want to create atmosphere. I want it to feel like stepping into a different world. I think I’m part way there.
I also use it to help encourage more people to garden. You don’t need fancy tools, Latin names or perfect soil. Just give it a go. If it doesn’t work, try something else. There’s no real failure in gardening, only lessons learned.
These days I’m growing more mindfully, using peat free compost, composted green waste, saving seed, and cutting down on plastic. The garden is always changing, always teaching me something new. That’s what keeps it exciting.”
Follow along with our #GMInYourGarden series on Instagram @gardenmuseum