If you live by the coast, wind can absolutely batter a garden. Exposed coastal sites can be difficult to plant because strong winds can damage larger leaves, dry plants out quickly and make outdoor spaces feel far less comfortable to use. But creating shelter doesn’t always mean planting huge trees or completely blocking off the garden. Smaller trees such as rowan, hawthorn and whitebeam can help filter the wind while still allowing light through and keeping the garden feeling open. The key is to mix your planting and build up layers rather than relying on one single hedge or one large tree. On exposed sites, the right combination of trees, hedging and lower planting can make a massive difference over time. This garden is in a very exposed coastal location in County Kerry, so the aim here is to work with the conditions rather than fight against them. Keep it simple, choose plants that suit the site, and think carefully before spending money on something that may struggle long term. Think before you spend. #CoastalGarden #CoastalPlanting #WindyGarden #GardenAdvice #GardenDesign #IrishGardens #LandscapingIreland #GardenIdeas #OutdoorLiving #RowanTree #Hawthorn #Whitebeam #CountyKerry #Ireland

ON THE ROAD | Outdoor Projects Across Cork & Kerry 🇮🇪 Hon Kerry! This week I’ve been on the road across Cork and Kerry, getting out to a wide range of outdoor projects, including a stop in Ardfert, County Kerry — the Kingdom of Football! 🟢🟡 It’s been a busy week of travelling, meeting homeowners, looking at real outdoor spaces and seeing the challenges people are dealing with first-hand. And for us, it really doesn’t matter whether it’s rain or shine. In fact, sometimes the miserable weather is when we learn the most about an outdoor space. When the wind is blowing and the rain is coming down, you can actually see how a garden or outdoor area performs in the elements. Where is the wind coming from? Where is the water going? Which areas are exposed? Where is the shelter? How is the drainage performing? And how is the space actually going to feel and function throughout an Irish winter — not just on a beautiful summer afternoon? Those are the things that can be difficult to understand from a photograph or a plan. Over the past week I’ve been looking at everything from new builds and established gardens to planting, shelter, drainage, boundaries, outdoor living areas and practical ways of getting more from the space and budget available. I’ve also been recording plenty along the way, so there’s lots of fresh content coming over the next few weeks from Cork and Kerry. At GreenTouch Outdoor Advisory, the aim is simple: practical advice before you start spending serious money on your outdoor project. Whether you’re planning a new garden, improving an existing space, reviewing ideas or quotes, or you simply want another set of experienced eyes on a project, we offer video consultations and on-site consultations. And yes — we’ll come out in the rain. ☔ Sometimes that’s exactly when we need to see it! Think before you spend. Follow and subscribe for practical outdoor advice, real projects and simple ideas that can help you make better decisions before the work begins. #GreenTouchOutdoorAdvisory #Cork #Kerry #Ardfert #IrishGardens #GardenAdvice #OutdoorLiving #GardenDesignIreland #NewBuildIreland #HomeImprovement #IrishHomes #LandscapingIreland #GardenIdeas #OutdoorSpaces #ThinkBeforeYouSpend

A little detour on the way to my next call-out in West Cork. Not exactly a postcard day at Gougane Barra, but maybe that’s the point. The stone, the trees, the water — nothing is overdone, and everything feels like it belongs. There’s a lesson in that for our own outdoor spaces. We don’t always need more materials, more features or more money spent. Sometimes the best results come from keeping things simple, working with what’s already there and letting the surroundings do some of the work. Inspiration doesn’t always come from another garden. Think before you spend.

Heat pumps are becoming a standard feature in new-build homes, but where they're positioned can have a massive impact on your garden. This should have been a brilliant private courtyard space. Instead, the heat pump has been positioned right in the heart of it. It's not just about how it looks. The cold air coming from the unit can make the area unpleasant to sit in and can also make planting around it more challenging. With a little more thought at the planning stage, this unit could have been positioned away from the main usable areas, leaving this space to become part of the garden. When you're buying a new build, don't just look at the house and the size of the garden on the plans. Look at where the heat pump, bins, services, drains and other utilities are actually going to go. Small decisions at the beginning can make a massive difference later. Think before you spend. Need help making the most of your outdoor space? Book a video consultation today — link in bio. #HeatPump #HeatPumps #AirSourceHeatPump #HeatPumpIreland #NewBuild #NewBuildIreland #NewBuildHome #NewBuildGarden #IrishHomes #IrishGarden #GardenDesign #GardenIdeas #GardenPlanning #SmallGarden #SmallGardenIdeas #OutdoorLiving #OutdoorSpace #GardenAdvice #GardenTips #HomeImprovement #HomeDesign #HouseDesign #Homeowners #FirstTimeBuyer #NewHome #PropertyIreland #IrishProperty #HousePlanning #GardenMakeover #GardenInspiration #Landscaping #LandscapeDesign #OutdoorDesign #GardenProblems #GardenSolutions #HeatPumpPlacement #HeatPumpEyesore #GardenConsultation #OutdoorAdvisory #ThinkBeforeYouSpend