Amidst the fluctuating weather patterns that have characterized the start of the gardening season, SOLAS Garden Centre in Portarlington has been bustling with activity.
Despite the persistent wet conditions that lingered throughout March and into April, garden enthusiasts are finally seeing a glimmer of hope with the forecast promising drier days ahead.
As a result, eager customers are flocking to SOLAS in pursuit of bargains and essentials for their gardening endeavours.
However, SOLAS isn’t just a hub for gardening supplies; it’s also a beacon of community engagement.
Co-owner David Maher exemplifies this commitment by taking matters into his own hands, personally clearing and cleaning footpaths adjacent to the garden centre.
Alongside the vibrant display of thousands of daffodils lining the roadside, SOLAS and Mr. Maher are dedicated to maintaining a welcoming and attractive entrance to Portarlington.
The spirit of community service extends beyond the confines of the garden centre, as evidenced by the annual Portarlington Spring Clean-up.
Spearheaded by David Maher, this initiative, now in its 17th year, mobilises volunteers to rid the town of tons of accumulated rubbish, enhancing the local environment for all.
Looking ahead, SOLAS Garden Centre is gearing up for more community-oriented events, including the highly anticipated relaunch of its food market.
Set to occur monthly, this market promises a diverse array of stalls featuring local producers and artisans, further cementing SOLAS’s role as a vibrant hub of both commerce and community in Portarlington.
Already lined up for the first date, April 27th, are Laois Taste, Feighery’s butchers, Creans Bread, John Egans Butchers, as well as local producers Ion Oils and O’Mimos. If you wish to join the SOLAS FOOD MARKET you can email Georgina : events@thegardenshop.ie
Upcoming Events
Saturday April 13th
Herbalism and Natural Beauty Workshop. 2-5pm -Vintage Lounge
Come join Rachel from Wild Soul Beauty & Laura from Yarrow Lane for a relaxing afternoon of self-care and self-love.
Laura will guide you through the benefits of herbal oil & then you will blend and make your own custom facial oil blend to take home.
Rachel will guide you through a Facial Gua Sha Ritual, to encourage embracing our uniqueness, she will use Ancient Traditional Chinese techniques.
Contact Laura to book.. https://yarrowlane.ie/
Sunday April 14th
Car Boot Sale at SOLAS 10-2pm
‘’One Mans Rubbish is another Man’s Treasure’’ Join us at SOLAS for our next Car Boot Sale. Sunday the 14th 10-2pm.
With over 40 different vendors you are sure to find yourself a bargain or treasured piece.
You can book your spot online @https://www.thegardenshop.ie/car-boot-sale/ or call 0830452810.
Food @ SOLAS
In Solas Food courtyard we do care and listen to our customers, and so for this busy weekend we are having the most asked for dish as a hot special: Chicken & mushroom vol-au-vent, served with homemade style chips. It’s delicious, made in-house and with simple fresh ingredients.
Don’t forget to check our cake offer, where most of the cakes are homemade, with no extra additives, from brownies, lemon drizzle, banana bread, to Aero traybake and crunchy honeycomb slices.
Solas Heated Courtyard open daily Monday – Friday 10-4pm and weekends 10-5pm.
(last food order 30 minutes before closing).
Product of the Week @ SOLAS
April is of course lawn care season! And if and when the rain stops and the ground dries up you can great deals on lawn care products at SOLAS to be the envy of all your neighbours.
Lawn feed, Weed & Moss killer (440 sq/m) is on offer this week at SOLAS. This product is a fast acting, 3 in 1 care for lawns and maintains the growth of a healthy lawn.
It kills moss and weeds that prohibit healthy grass growth and instead rejuvenates existing lawns.
This easy-to-use product has a high nitrogen-based fertiliser that encourages lush foliar growth. Visible results shown in just under two weeks of application.
Plant of the Week @ SOLAS
Cytisus scoparius – Broom Plant
This evergreen Broom Plant looks similar to Gorse, without the spikes, making it a more friendly garden plant. The flowers range in colour, though yellow is more familiar.
Cytisus does well in poor soils and can tolerate wind, so makes a great plant for coastal gardens or gravel beds and is drought tolerant when established.
Pruning after flowering to ensure abundance of blooms the following year.
SOLAS Weather
Dry weather all weekend! No not Spain, Ireland! Yes that is right The forecast ahead, for the next 4 days at least is for dry conditions.
This much needed dry spell will , we hope dry out what is very saturated grounds and give gardeners and farmers alike much need hope for the rest of the month
Join us for a special weekend at SOLAS Eco Garden Centre, situated in Portarlington, Co. Laois R32 RPX8.
We extend a warm invitation to visit us daily from 10 am to 6 pm. We can’t wait to welcome you!
SEE ALSO – Check out the Solas Eco Garden Centre website here
