Donal Skehan: How does your garden grow?

 TV presenter and food writer Donal Skehan will share some of his favourite recipes on the Dunnes Stores Quality Kitchen Stage at Bord Bia Bloom this year. Well-known for his culinary credentials, Donal is also brushing up on his gardening skills. In the latest instalment of our popular ‘How does your garden grow?’ series he tells us about his “chaotic, coastal, cottage” garden at home in Howth, Co. Dublin.  

I would describe my garden as… a little chaotic, a little coastal, but full of intention – even if it’s not quite there yet! Our cottage is nestled right beside the sea, so we’re working with salty winds, sandy soil, nightmare weeds, and a slightly weird inherited gravel garden. Think more “gentle encouragement” than control. We’ve been inspired by the likes of Derek Jarman and Beth Chatto – gardens that embrace their landscape rather than fight it. 

Right now, our plot is somewhere between romantic and ramshackle. Horsetail weed has declared itself an uninvited guest, and while we’ve got bigger dreams for a proper landscaping job in the years ahead, for now it’s about the little wins – a raised bed here, a new herb patch there, and plenty of room for the kids to dig, explore, and run free. I did a huge amount of work on it last year and it all got eaten by weeds, so I think I’m going to go the gently, gently route this year. 

My favourite plant at this time of year is… Rosemary. It might be boring but established bushes have the most beautiful flowers at this time of year. It thrives with almost no attention, loves poor soil, and our two hives of coastal bees adore it when it blooms. It’s the plant equivalent of an always there for you friend – always there when you need a bit of flavour in the kitchen or something evergreen to soften a stone wall. Plus, it smells incredible on your hands after a quick prune. 

Now is a good time for… keeping it simple. April is ideal for sowing some easy wins –lettuces, radishes, and sugar snap peas all do well without too much fuss. Even just popping a few seeds into old containers on a windowsill can give you a mini harvest in weeks. If you’re short on time, pick up a tray of plug plants from your local market or garden centre – instant gratification, no guilt. 

In my garden I try to… create a space that feels alive, not just useful. We’re planting for pollinators and letting nature take the lead where it can. We compost, mulch with seaweed when we remember, and try to think in terms of long-term health for the soil. The ultimate goal is a space that’s as good for the kids and wildlife as it is for dinner. Right now, it’s a work in progress but there’s something really satisfying about watching it slowly come to life, one tiny victory at a time. I also love creating little nooks to enjoy it in – hammocks in the veg garden and old beach style chairs to enjoy the morning coffee.

At this year’s Bord Bia Bloom I am… back on the Dunnes Stores Quality Kitchen Stage doing what I love most: cooking with the best of what Irish gardens and growers have to offer. I’ll be sharing simple, seasonal recipes that show how easy and rewarding it is to bring what you grow into the kitchen, no matter the size of your garden or your skill level. Most of all I want to encourage people to enjoy cooking food in the space they’ve worked hard to make beautiful and embrace the season.

Alongside all things garden and kitchen, I’m also… launching Wind Shore Goods, a new project inspired by the Irish coast, the rhythm of the seasons, and the kind of simple living that starts with what you grow and cook at home. From pantry staples to handmade homeware, apparel, it’s all rooted in a love of the land and sea around us. Bord Bia Bloom has always felt like a celebration of that same ethos, so it’s exciting to share a little more of that story this year. 

See Donal in action live on the Dunnes Stores Quality Kitchen Stage at Bord Bia Bloom this June bank holiday weekend. You’ll find details of his appearances on the stage schedule here. For more updates on Donal’s food and gardening adventures, visit donalskehan.com and follow him @donalskehan.