Joyce Russell visits a thriving restaurant and teashop business in the south-west of Ireland and finds that for organic growers Jean and Peter Perry it all starts with the garden

Joyce Russell

GLEBE GARDENS, BALTIMORE

Pictures: Ben Russell

Jean is a hands- on gardener

Enjoy the silver birch and iris walkway

There is a special place in the south-west of Ireland. It’s a haven for the soul and a great place to feed the body too. Glebe Gardens is small, but, with a creative approach to a unique setting, a visit here feels as if you have stepped into a better world. The garden was made by Jean and Peter Perry, who know a lot about growing vegetables as well as making the most of flowers, shrubs and herbs.They also embrace the sustainable principles that make good things flourish. If you want to stop by and soak up some of the tranquillity, then be prepared to enjoy the restaurant too: this won the Irish Times Best Cafe/Teashop in Ireland award in 2015. But really it’s the garden where everything began and it’s the garden that makes this a truly special place.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Jean and Peter started out as market gardeners in the Cotswolds.They grew organically from 1977 and received the organic symbol for their business in 1981. Running a market garden is hard work and the Perrys worked harder than most. They had a farm shop and a commitment to providing the full range of seasonal vegetables, which meant they also collected and distributed produce from many other organic growers. Eventually, the unremitting work took its toll and in 1989 they looked for change.