It’s been almost nine years since I began planting this smallholding in the west of Ireland. 
Many of you are familiar with the landscape as it looked then.
The picture above shows Bealtaine Cottage after a lot of cutting and clearing, around the time that the planting began. 
This picture shows the same view today.
As you can see, the cottage is obscured…melting into the gardens of intense production.
The lonely, abandoned cottage on the first day I saw it.
Disappeared into the Permaculture Gardens of Bealtaine Cottage…nine years of planting by one woman and a spade!
This picture shows the Bog Garden after the first pond was created and the surrounding land cleaned up for planting.
Photographs taken at the time depict a barren looking, rushy, wet landscape that offered little hope or sanctuary for gardeners, growers, wildlife or Nature.
The same view down to the pond is obscured with dense and abundant planting.
This nine year journey has opened my eyes and my mind to the problems facing the entire planet in terms of food production, sustainable living and facilitating Nature.
The answer is simple.
Plant!
As the planting develops, so fertility returns to the land.
Birds choose to set up home nearby.
Frogs, Toads and Newts find their way to your pond and start to breed.
Wild flowers make a show…like these wild Orchids.
Fruit trees and bushes grow and give you fruit…more than what can be harvested!
Micro-climates evolve as everything grows.
Fuel is harvested.
Small mammals settle into chosen areas…there is a Badger set at Bealtaine Cottage now.
Your body becomes attuned to the seasons and good health follows.
The best part of all this, is that although permaculture requires labour to set up, it is maintained with minimal work and attention.
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What a fantastic space you and mother nature have made! Beautiful Collett, simply beautiful.
hi colette, thank you so much for such an inspiring blog- the transformation is inspirational. we have not long lived in our cottage in north east england and your before picture of bealtaine cottage is very similar to ours! mainly boundary planting! I am very keen to adopt the principles of permaculture but just don’t know where to start! We have a 1 acre plot that has a small veg plot but apart from that only boundary trees. could you recommend a good book/website to get me started or indeed suggest what i should plant first and foremost. the land does not need clearing its just one vast lawn!
best wishes and blessings margy x
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Lovely to hear from you Margery and great news that you are inspired by permaculture.
My advice is easy to follow.
Plant a really wide and varied mix of food for you, food for bees and insects and food for birds and small mammals…and everything in-between. Trees…lots of trees with groups of shrubs underplanted, then perennials underplanting that.
Emulate nature wherever you can and allow her in to have her benevolence re-instated.
A pond is always great, especially if it’s in a catchment area naturally.
Listen to your inner voice, follow your intuition, lose your control…Nature knows best, so help her in whatever way you can…is this making sense to you?
Most of all, have fun, be joyful and love the day that’s in it! (Permaculture Magazine is great…subscribe.)
Blessings from Bealtaine Cottage
oh thank you so much for your lovely reply – lots of ideas and i will take a look at the magazine. if i could create a place half as amazing as bealtaine cottage i would feel as though i’d benefitted nature. we are hopefully here at our cottage for the long haul so lots of time to make a transformation. there is so much inspiration in your blogs – thank you so much from a snowy afternoon in ne england ..much love x
Reblogged this on SunnyRomy.
Colette, It may take awhile to reach you, but I posted a tube of seeds to you today. I won’t spoil the surprise, but the many packages of seeds inside will certainly keep you busy for a day or so. The gal at the post office said “three-weeks to nine weeks” for the 1st-class package to get to you. Eric
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Thank you so very much Eric!
It will be like a birthday…I love surprises!
I shall let you know as soon as it arrives!
Bless you for your kindness X
Colx
Down here in Roscommon we are about 9 years behind you, but delighted to use your blog as part of our inspiration and mentoring. Thank you very much. Keep it coming. We love your ’9 years ago and same view today’ pictures, which we are also taking.
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Great to hear of others on the same road…more power to you!
Blessings from Bealtaine Cottage
Colx
A good garden should never be rushed
Your pictures are very inspiring.
Having moved into our new house a year ago, it is encouraging to see what can happen in nine years! I love the before and after pictures too! Thanks!
Hello Colette,
I just loved the Missy in the sink blog and the video, which I will watch again. And Your blog today. The changes are remarkable. Its such a warm and inviting space now for animal kind and humans. Permaculture is the answer for everyone. I can’t wait to dig in the soil again. My best to you and your, thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas.
Carole
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I have been reading your wonderful blogs in my email box and will visit to leave some comments soon. Rugs, sheep, the barn in the snow… I’m looking forward to see your planting and pick up some great advice.
Bright Blessings from Bealtaine Cottage
Colx
Wow, what an amazingly lush, attractive and fertile smallholding you’ve created! Just about to get plan a new bit of veggies, flowers and herbs in an area cleared by Berkshire piggies for us last year. It’s currently just a big area of mud – but you’ve inspired me!
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You will have a very fertile plot. It’s always a great idea to clear ground using pigs. Good luck with your planting!
Bright Blessings from Bealtaine Cottage
Colx
Hi Colette, it is very inspirational to see the before and after pictures. Now I feel that our job is not so much an up hill struggle. Slightly different climate but we are gong to swamp the garden with love to make up for the salt air and strong winds.
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That made me laugh…I like the concept though: swamping the garden with love!
Bright Blessings from Bealtaine
Colx
Your gardens sing with life… You can feel the energy flowing. It’s so peaceful and romantic.
Cheery pictures to see on such a grey, ice cold day. Spring is only one month away but you’ve made it seem a little closer! Thanks!
Fantastic transformation of landscape and connection with nature, inspiring, well done !
Reblogged this on Eremophila's Musings and commented:
Great before and after images of what can be achieved in making a true garden.
Wow – an inspiration.