The author of Dainty Dress Diaries’ top tips to create a cottage-style retreat and beekeeping like a pro …
I live in a typical semi-detached home in a housing estate. When I moved in the garden was unremarkable – the space had no landscaping or structure – just a lawn, one existing tree, a fence and wall. For a long time, I believed gardening simply meant cutting the grass, but over the years I’ve become more passionate and gradually transformed the space.
I wanted to create distinct zones and pockets of interest. The greenhouse is now a key feature, along with raised beds for cut flowers and vegetables, and a dedicated wildlife area complete with a mini pond to attract insects. Trees planted over the years have matured, providing a haven for birds, and I’ve introduced herbaceous borders full of perennials and shrubs that return each year. I’ve also experimented with a mini meadow and embraced the no-dig approach after discovering the soil was full of builder’s rubble.
In the front garden, instead of paving it over I kept a lawn and introduced raised beds, miniature trees, shrubs and perennials to create a cottage garden feel. My overall goal was to create a feel like the countryside, despite being ten minutes from the motorway – somewhere lush, green and immersive – a true escape.
My approach is rooted in experimentation; I’m not afraid to make mistakes, redo things and learn as I go. One of my top beginner tips is to play with height (having learned the hard way not to put short plants at the back!) and now I always check labels. I would encourage others to embrace miniature trees that are ideal for small gardens; offering structure, shade and a vital resource for local wildlife. After some creative zoning using pathways, planting and gravel, my garden now appears much larger than it is and has year-round interest.
A new addition to my garden is a hive of bees, which started with a conversation with one of my father’s friends, who’s a beekeeper. I hadn’t considered keeping bees, but it led me to enroll in a beginner’s course with Fingal Beekeepers’ Association in Dublin. After six weeks of theory, I visited the association’s apiary and got hands-on experience. I initially just wanted to learn about bees and the native Irish honey bee, Apis mellifera mellifera, or black bee. I didn’t know if I’d ever get my own hive, but I knew I could help as a hive assistant.
When I first visited the apiary, I wasn’t sure if I’d panic when the hive was opened with bees flying around me, but I actually found it strangely soothing. You can feel the bees vibrating on the frame and they make a relaxing humming sound.
Last spring, I decided to take the leap and get my own hive, acquiring a small colony (known as a nuc) from a local beekeeper. Its DNA is unique to Ireland, so preserving its genetics is crucial for the future of our bee populations. That’s why many of us are advocating for a ban on importing non-native honey bees.
My top 5 tips to keep a hive:
1. While it’s possible to keep a hive in a garden, it’s not always an ideal long-term solution. Space is a key factor as one hive might be manageable, but as the colony grows there needs to be room to expand. It’s important to think ahead as you might start with one small hive, but as bees multiply you need a plan for where they’ll go next. I recommend teaming up with other local beekeepers, or reaching out to farmers and landowners, who may be open to hosting hives. It’s also wise to have a back-up plan in case issues arise with the location and the bees need to be moved.
2. Another factor is security. Keeping them in a secure spot away from curious eyes is key. It’s heartbreaking when a hive is disturbed, so it’s worth thinking carefully about where you place them.
3. It’s definitely a commitment maintaining a hive. Honey bees need to be checked once a week from late spring to autumn, before they hibernate for winter. This involves checking for fresh eggs, monitoring for signs of swarming, ensuring there’s enough space for the colony to expand, and assessing the bees’ food supply and overall health. Recently, I had the exciting experience of catching her first swarm. It can look intimidating, but swarming is a natural process that happens when a hive becomes overcrowded or the queen is ageing. When bees are swarming, they’re less likely to sting.
4. If you see a swarm, report it at swarms.ie to allow a local beekeeper to collect it. Never spray them with water or insecticide as that can make them aggressive.
5. Beekeeping brings together people from all walks of life, and it’s such a rewarding and supportive community. It’s an outdoor, routine-based hobby that encourages mindfulness and patience. Spending time with the bees is calming and grounding, and it’s one of the things I love most about it.
Need to know: For those eager to learn more or start their own beekeeping journey, Catherine recommends visiting the Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Associations to find local courses and resources. For more garden and home inspiration, visit Catherine’s website at www.daintydressdiaries.com or follow her on Instagram @daintydressdiaries.
