Guest speaker Jilly helps gardeners dig into her philosophy on fresh produce
THE Fermanagh Gardening Society (FGS) met on the evening of Tuesday, February 20 at the Killyhevlin Hotel.
The guest speaker for the evening was a native of Garrison, Jilly Dougan, who is now a Director of the Yellow Door Deli which has premises in Portadown and Belfast.
They also cater for corporate and wedding events and have a wholesale bakery. The bakers work from 9pm to 8am, and the pastry chefs from 8am to 4pm.
Her subject for the evening was, `A place for food, a place for nature – Life at the Yellow Door Kitchen Garden’.
Healthy lifestyle
Jilly promotes a healthy lifestyle and respect for the environment. She is an advocate for good quality food, growing her own produce, bees, educating via schools and protecting wildlife. She sources local and supports other local artisans in her quest.
At one time, Jilly was unsure of what direction to follow. She began to learn at The Organic Centre, Leitrim, and with a few courses under her belt, she grew in confidence and found her niche.
A house and a few acres materialised in 2006. She started with raised beds, a 10’ x 8’ greenhouse and fruit cages.
Then followed a 60’ x 24’ polytunnel and a smaller tunnel exclusively for edible flowers.
Storm Isha
Alas, the plastic departed from the frame when forceful Storm Isha came to visit on
January 21/22.
Jilly’s philosophy is to grow expensive things, or things which are hard to source, as she feels there is no point in growing potatoes, cabbages and carrots, which can be sourced very locally and at good prices.
So, in the fruit cages, she grows blueberries and raspberries. She also grows quince, medlars, wild garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, pumpkins, and grapes.
The orchard produces apples, pears and plums.
There is a pond with newts, a rhubarb patch, and an expectation that truffles will eventually come following their planting.
Part of her mentoring is towards her chefs who are encouraged to consider responsible sourcing and to work seasonally and to appreciate the added value of fresh food and its immense flavour.
Part of her education input was when involved in the `Food for thought` project (via funding) which resulted in 70 orchards being provided at primary schools.
Her own progression has seen her plant 1,350 mixed native woodland trees on her smallholding, which includes 13 different species.
A firm believer in the necessity to feed your soil, Jilly would encourage us all to use peat-free composts, and always to make room for nature by not cutting back the garden foliage in autumn, but waiting until the early part of the year.
In her own area, where the grass is allowed to grow, she likes nothing better than lying there on her back and listening to the sounds emanating from the life around her.
Log piles and bug hotels add to the range of critters living and working in close vicinity.
There followed a Q & A session where the FGS gardeners got advice about walnut trees, vegetables that are hard to grow, fruit cages, figs, quinces, compost and wildflower meadows.
Everyone went home much the wiser, and keen to get at growing for another season.
MEMBERS of Fermanagh Gardening Society are back in the Killyhevlin Hotel again on Tuesday, March 19 at 7.30pm, when their guest will be Joy Caskie, garden blogger (@country_garden-jottings).
Joy will talk on her favourite plants and seed sowing. This will be FGS’ last monthly meeting for this season, and one not to be missed.