Creating a Secret Garden, from the beginning.

Let enchantment grow and flourish in your garden...I am! Here's how!
Living a solitary life, in an old stone cottage, amid three acres of planted woodland and garden, Colette O'Neill is a published author and passionate environmentalist, Druidess (Bandruí) and Woodlander, promoting Celtic indigenous wisdom and culture in all of her work.
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[@bealtainecottage]

A very special offer on my books from today until July 31st only! Save up to 15.00€ All books are posted from Bealtaine Cottage and can be inscribed for you! bealtainecottage.com/bealtaine-cottage-bookstore/

[@bealtainecottage]

It's full steam ahead this weekend as I am determined to finish this by Monday...I may post some pics here as I go...

[@laurathompson2801]

creating is what we are born to do!

[@ZoeLateNight]

The transformation in 20 years is absolutely amazing! Lucky 🍀 Lady 👑

[@user-zp9hx3bs4f]

Yes, please do post more photos as you go along. Thank you! Love and blessings to you and Patsy.❤

[@margolovesflowers]

What a job, Colette! Just in case you don’t know this, you truly inspire others to reach for the stars. One day you decide you want a Secret Garden, the next few days you work your bum off (at the age of 68) to accomplish it, giving yourself a deadline (Monday) to have it completed. I hope you treat yourself with a glass of Irish whiskey and I hope you sleep well and dream big!

[@larkwood123]

Henry David Thoreau mentioned that when wasps began nesting on the inside of his little cabin windows, he elected to leave them alone, an unexpected benefit was that when uninvited visitors stopped by, as they approached the cabin and saw that wasps were nesting on the inside, most would turn around and leave

[@wildrosecottage9844]

I always leave my wasps alone too. They never bother me. They have a nest somewhere near the front of my house as well and at my shed door

[@marymiles9922]

Love it! ❤ 😆

[@marianfrances4959]

😅

[@margolovesflowers]

😂😂

[@joycewirth3022]

You are so inspiring, I'm 80 and going to be 81 in October, but I feel quite young and I do everything myself and I enjoy it because no one distracts me from my goals. Gardening is therapeutic and relaxing even though I am exhausted but with a broad smile on my face, anticipating what tomorrow will surprise me with. Storms and heat are coming through right now, encouraging the plants to expand and yield their magic. Take care, say "Hi " to Patsy. Blessing from Jersy Ann in NJ in the USA🌺🌼🌻🐝

[@linpollock54]

I'm planning to spend a lot of time in the garden this weekend - but I do most days anyway. And why not? It's my place of peace away from the craziness of the world. After two years of neglect ( due to my needing a hip replacement ) the garden is being restored and new ideas put in place. It's tiny but it's mine and it makes me ridiculously happy! Have a great weekend everyone. Hugs from Crete!

[@JulieSkinner777]

Hello Crete!!💙

[@linpollock54]

@@JulieSkinner777 Hi Julie! I presume you know Crete. It's blisteringly hot but still able to get things done early morning and evenings. Good to hear from you!

[@stompthedragon4010]

I totally understand. The garden was always my place of bliss. After a bad leg break coupled with an already bad knee on the opposite leg, I no longer have the leg strength or stability for all the digging, bending, squatting, and being on the knees required. I love this channel.

[@marysmyth8288]

Dear Colette , no wonder you are exhausted , you never stop , your energy is like magic like the Crescendo of intensity in an Orchestrator you cottage is the perfect Oasis for you and wee Patsy how cosy is the cottage , under your own roof after tackling all the many functions needed on your Land . no ownder you enjoy your coffee with your Gingersnaps ❤ Mary Canada 🍁

[@Clanbaniffe]

Colette your entire three acres is a secret garden. I remember years ago when I first saw your videos, I was stunned by the beauty and privacy that you created.

[@stompthedragon4010]

Your digging- up and using the clay reminds me of a place I once lived and worked very hard on for 5 years. Lots of clay, overgrown forsythias that had stopped blooming, garden beds over run with forsythia roots and English Ivy. The soil was like grey dust. Not s flower in sight. Oh, that Ivy was something else to get out. Anyway, I used all the clay and branch trimmings, leaves, and odd shovels of soil to make mounds. At the time I had no idea they were called huegels and I'm sure they were not ' proper', but I ended- up with them covered in lovely flowers. From working the soil and mulching in all the raked leaves I finally had nice fertile beds. In the front there was a garden area that would end- up a lake due to broken rain gutters; ( I was renting so there was no getting them fixed) . A dead old Ewe bush and lots of pachysandra was taking the space up. I was digging at that Ewe for a few weeks to try to remove it. I might have been digging my way to China. One day a young man stopped and said he's d seen at it for weeks and offered to yank it out with his truck and a chain. You should have seen the explosion of soil, which turned- out to be very useful! I might have still been digging a decade later. Eventually I improvised my own French drains ( which I'd never heard of) to take care of the lake problem. I carried river rock from the backyard to the front and made a lovely stone wall with turrets along the border. I no longer have the strength and stability in my legs for all that and I miss it so much. Excuse my rambling, but I love watching your channel and listening to your soothing voice. Many regards. Thank you!

[@TallulahBelle3276]

Thank you for sharing with us! I can imagine that your garden is spectacular! 👍🏽🌹💝

[@aaaaaaajer]

Pace your dear self Colette...please take care of that precious thing, your health❤

[@francisjohnson665]

You are an amazing lady. Blessings to you and may you continue your journey for many years. 👍👍

[@jackieleipert1950]

My only stress reliever is digging in my garden and I love to just sit nearly under the bushes.

[@diamondslashranch]

You are an amazing woman Miss Collette! I admire very much people that dig in and get stuff done.

[@kathybrooks-uz2kv]

Beautiful day blessings 😅

[@kittykatty2898]

Blessings to you Colette, your secret garden will be a pearl 💝Love your hair too! 😍

[@marciamellow1211]

So interesting..❤

[@enquery]

Love when you're silly. Such work, great inspiration , well needed here. Blessings on ye and she. ✨💫✨

[@anthonynewsome]

Secret garden looks amazing, well done, nothing like a good garden workout and the results for mind is awesome both in spirit and the beauty which will grow, I got lots of plants sent and now a friend has offered to plant them as I am unable to at moment, keep safe, it has become very calm here weather wise

[@margarethughes3763]

Blackcurrant Jam. 😊

[@summerrain7466]

😂 The wee hedge! I don't know why I find it so adorable! You're tiny hedge for a mouse story! Very Beatrix Potteresque! Thank you, Colette! But what an undertaking! Once you get something in your head you just go go go until you've got it done!!

[@susannautterback6815]

I have a secret garden as well…small but private. A chipmunk lives inside under the huge cucumber plants and around the corner I spotted a hummingbird moth on the butterfly bush! Blessed be and much love to you Colette and Patsy💜💜

[@corneliabraun9071]

Oh yes the hair looks great , i also use hairwax and it is brilliant . Best regards to you , Patsy and your loved owens from Conny and cat Felix 🐈‍⬛from Germany .

[@wandamyers2690]

Colette, you look exhausted honey don't over do it try to get some rest. Thank you for the hair wax tip. Your secret garden is looking wonderful.

[@paulinegreen2654]

Cannot wait to see how the secret garden progresses ❤

[@diannerobb8376]

You, my dear, are a wonder and an inspiration!👍

[@lisabradley7292]

Thank you Colette! As always, you are so inspiring 💖 I appreciate all the love and time taken to create your lovely soil condition with compost over the years. I have done this before and have seen for myself the benefits of the results. I'm excited to see the building of your secret garden 💚 I laughed out loud at your comment wanting a ginger biscuit with your coffee ☕ because I've had that very same conversation myself!! Lol 😃 wishing you a good rest and I look forward to hearing all the details! Blessings 🌿💖✨

[@joanneoverstreet72]

How wonderful! 😊🌱💚🌻🐝

[@dsolis5125]

Nothing wrong with being an individual who prefers spending her time with Mother Nature over people. We are all different and wonderfully made ❤ Enjoyed seeing the silliness part of your nature 👍 Blessings to you dear Colette and to the wee Patsy ❤❤

[@querflote497]

Da steckt soviel Wahrheit drin. Ich gehe in 35 Tagen in Rente und bin auf dem Weg dahin, eine Einsiedlerin zu werden. Ich bin Menschenscheu geworden und am liebsten mit mir allein. Draußen in der Natur zu sein, mein Garten, viele Bücher, wunderbare Musik und Wollknäuele - das ist mein Reichtum 🎉

[@Nightowl-72]

My favourite story as a child was The secret Garden. The concept still holds much wonder and magic for me. Yours will be absolutely beautiful, can’t wait to see it come along. Blessings to you Colette 💚

[@maryannknox7158]

Blessings Dearest Collette you are such a amazing woman and fabulous Gardener 🪴🪺💐

[@lm9753]

Cold and clammy! Worries me. Heat exhaustion symptoms. Take care, our dear one!

[@susancazier8244]

Agreed, lots of water and rest please.

[@jensummer3549]

I absolutely love your channel! Thank you for posting so much and being a voice for Mother Earth. You’ve helped me to speak up as well. We let most of our yard grow and the amount of different herbs and beneficial plants that have popped up is amazing! We do have a farm with animals but we have let some of the fields grow and several baby trees have popped up and we’re letting them grow. (We have wooded areas but want more trees to grow)It has brought me so much joy! Thank you!

[@maxinedefty9462]

Thank you Colette for sharing xx

[@monanasreen3414]

You have turned a blank canvas into a beautiful landscape (the cottage and its' surroundings). Thanks for sharing.

[@Gardenwitch1954]

Don't forget to rest! You have accomplished so much🎉

[@9FatraBbits]

You’ve made me laugh during your hair advice! Wonderful that you laugh at yourself! The roses look lovely and your secret garden project is coming along nicely.🐇😅

[@garymoore581]

Collette looking good I am currently laying in bed with COVID feeling like I have been in the ring with Frank Bruno god bless❤ and take care Gary on the windy Isle of wight

[@maxinedefty9462]

Get well soon.

[@jillychandler]

You reminded me of Under Milkwood, and Lilly Smalls words "Where you get that hair from Lilly, I got it from an old Tom cat! Give it back then love, oh, there's a perm!" Not meaning that your hair is a mess, as it certainly is not, but I thought that would just make you chuckle! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I too love being outside in nature, as that is my happy place. Away from human beings, and all the stuff that is going on in the world at the moment. xxx

[@booth9666]

blessed be Colette and Patsy love your videos much love and respect ..overgrow overshare overcare overseed everywhere worldwide ..stay safe and hydrated all cheers

[@mysticmimi3924]

Colette your knowledge and memory of all the names of the plants is incredible!!! Love your secret garden 🥰🦋💕🌷😅

[@karensmith9662]

Now, you’ve really woken up my imagination, just as the book did when I was a young adolescent! I so look forward to seeing your “secret garden” prosper!

[@lm9753]

Fantastic! Just keep swimming!

[@raymondandmelaniebolton3775]

Hi sister! Greetings in the love and light of our Goddess!! I think your secrete garden is beautiful and will be more beautiful when you finish - I love it!! You are a remarkable woman my friend. I know you are exhausted, but it´s a really good tired, good sweat, makes for bodily functions and a good sleep. To my thinking, being distant from society and closer to Mother Earth sounds awfully good; it´s the perfect place to be. Blessed Be Sweet Sister )O(

[@christinebell8185]

I really like your haircut it works well because you still have nice thick hair. I love watching your videos. I've only recently discovered them. You're giving me inspiration for a little patch in my wee garden which I've been neglecting for a long time. Thank you.

[@mikeinportland30]

Colette, I think you underestimate your efforts. You are nurturing the soil below ground just as you are the plants and trees above ground. It's just most apparent in the veg beds where you dig the most. Those very trees and plants and their ever increasing vitality attest to the work you have done below ground level - not just with your compost (and compoost!) but all your planting. And the Earth Mother Goddess smiles. A garden, an Eden, is as much what is above the soil as below. That "poor land" is no more!, 👏👏👏

[@sue7621]

Beautiful Colette are you making a Heart Shaped area? Can’t wait to see the finished transformation, of your secret Garden! 🙌😽😸 Be careful with your back! Don’t forget to take a rest and relax! ❤️🌲🍃🍄🪴🪴🪵💐🪻🪻☕️📚🪄📮I know that when you sit your always doing something else writing ✍️ sewing 🧵 knitting 🧶 etc etc 🧚‍♀️🧚🏻😴 Ps I’m knitting 🧶 I’m with you with keeping distance from other people but close to nature and animals and grandchildren in small doses 😸 Ohh a lovely dark chocolate and ginger biscuit from M&S a treat 😋 Gorgeous hair! 🙌😘

[@mightymissk]

Colette, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, your woodland gardens are breathtaking this year. My God woman. You really are an artist. Your beautiful Bealtaine Cottage remind me of a book I read as a kid called Tom's Secret Garden. Your woodlands have the same otherworldly feel as that magical little novel.

[@mightymissk]

Colette I am an idiot. I've had a bit of a brain fart. The book is Tom's MIDNIGHT Garden, by Phillipa Pearce.

[@cathylynnpietranton]

This was a delight Colette. Thank you. Sending hugs and love to Patsy and you ❤

[@karenbransome6978]

The secret garden is taking shape nicely. So exciting to see what is revealed on̈ Monday xx😊

[@elainecoll7868]

Hi Colette, Garden is looking absoloutly divine. You are incredible with such vision. You, Patsy and family continue to enjoy. E x

[@TheEmpressgoth]

Thanks Colette❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@cathylagache7506]

J'adore votre maison et ne loupe pas une vidéo. Pourtant je ne comprends pas vos mots mais pour le plaisir des yeux j'adore. Merci 🌈 🇨🇵

[@nicoeeek.7181]

Absolutely magic Colette! You are so talented and inspiring.

[@mizmzappamizmzappa9548]

Dear Colette I would like to love to see you create a knot garden as to me it would be so much in keeping with your Celtic heritage and traditions and your old veggie garden looks like an ideal sized plot. Love your work ❤

[@marikajohn6522]

Doing a great job. Just be carful. Body aches is telling you to rest for a bit. So far very hard work look forward to finish. 😊😊

[@lindylou3519]

So glad I’m pretty much done with any big projects. This year all I’ve had to do is plant & keep the weeds pulled …and, of course water it. It’s been quite refreshing to just enjoy the garden beds this year.

[@sharonsharon7775]

❤ Absolutely the split in humanity is here. Grow your own food shop at farmers markets buy raw milk make your own yogurt butter L Reuteri yogurt for your gut . Much love to you all . Find your tribe 😉

[@norafarrell8487]

Colette I love your oneness with the earth. You do so much I have begun to think of you as wonder- woman😊

[@margaretohara7250]

Beautiful job. Have a break and a pot of tea.

[@myrtleholly2016]

Those arches are so lovely

[@marianfrances4959]

This was another "best"! I loved your candid intro and I'm left (in awe and) feeling like I've been taken through a garden story by an elf!😊 I adore the new, secret garden! All a mixture of human toil and intelligence and the mother's magic...🙏💝🌿🌸🫐 👍😎🇨🇦

[@janmalone8641]

That would make a sweet cut-flower garden ! You could sell little nose-gays tied up with ribbon😊

[@daggy1778]

dear colette.................your secret garden is wonderful and you,ve done a good job................you can be proud of what you have created...................Blessings and Greetings for you and a big hug for Patsy from Daggy,Kiel,Germany......☘☘☘................here in Kiel its wet and cold

[@omaeve]

I can’t wait to see your progress. I have had to quit gardening and everything is in pots now because I cannot bend over without having heart, palpitations and dizziness severe enough. It feels like vertigo, but it’s all related to my heart. I’ve had open heart surgery, but I still have all of these issueshave been putting flowerpots or buckets on my deck and planting. I even use an upside down bucket to sit in front of me so I don’t have to bend over too much to plant. I’m now up to 50 plants. Individual plants 50 pots.❤

[@Ms.Norths.Musings]

I would live to see a Moon Garden! Lovely as always Colette.

[@Auntie7024]

Please give yourself grace to go at your own pace. Blessings to you. ❤😊

[@colleenfcarroll]

Just great! Makes me remember the book and movie I watched over and over with my daughter ☀️

[@bettygachao9596]

Truly your hair style and color is lovely "all shinny and gorgeous". Sacred Secret Garden it shall be❤

[@shondibelle]

It will be magical . Everything you do is amazing.

[@JR-kz2xn]

Looking lovely Colette. What an amazing, determined woman you are. A force to be reckoned with. 😉💚

[@priltheartist9007]

Gorgeous

[@barbarahudson1042]

Beautiful

[@JulieSkinner777]

Colette, you are so industrious, as always! My secret garden are all my many houseplants. My painful, disgusting piriformus back condition (inherited from my Irish/Greek mom makes heavy anything a big deal 😓

[@laurathompson2801]

have you looked on youtube for stretches that target the pain of piriformis? there are some good ones out there that may be of some relief.

[@user-mu7yu7th2u]

Love light you have great energy❤❤❤sweet soul

[@annaeriksson5065]

Thats going to be so beautiful🌻

[@carolwhite6979]

My garden is a tiny stretch compared to your three acres, and I struggle some days to get anything noticeable accomplished! I hope, if I keep plugging away, it will all get done.. i have come to think, what gets done, gets done. What doesn't, doesn't! have a good weekend.

[@FarmhouseWorthy]

I love the sayings, they are just lovely.

[@loriannehancock6364]

Be sure to take your shoes off, rubber soles block your connection to the beautiful piece of Earth you have decorated!

[@JoyceWood-xu2qj]

Colette are you ok love .? You don’t seem yourself , 🥺 have a wee rest for a few days ,the garden will still be there . You look like you need a good old cry , so go within and let it out x love light and blessings to you xxx❤

[@parry3231]

WOW, HAIR WAX❤ thanks for sharing this information with us. I certainly could use a bit of help in uplifting my hair and the beautiful shine is a great thing too! I absolutely love the facial expression that you displayed when you were fluffing your hair ❤Adorable ❤

[@melissaoleary8196]

Beautiful and amazing! 🍀

[@rodrigues1892]

🕊️🐾 x

[@sharonmorelli6056]

Always love your videos😘😘😘😘

[@user-ej4uo9ju9u]

Colette l can visualise your secret garden. I'm do the same just do not know when to stop, when the garden keeps calling me in. LOVE LOVE your future secret garden❤Kerry Australia

[@swansong5263]

I wish you health, longevity and the strength To carry on creating this slice of heaven Collette. One of my favourite stories is the secret garden. The gate hidden in the wall always fascinated me. Your colours in your cottage are beautiful and you have made Such a calming ambience , best wishes from a gloomy Somerset.

[@cindybarrett6868]

Working on building up my perennial garden. So far coming along I have a few herbs planted.

[@anngosda7333]

Love your new secret garden, I feel the same about my garden and how I love it but not sure I belong with other people I just don’t get along.

[@radicalcartoons2766]

It's 14% here in Bristol, and with the rain it seems chilly. I've put the heating on!

[@summerbreeze1955]

Well done Colletee, bravo for the girls' Yours is a spiritual haven a real sacred space I love it blessed be x

[@lyndaturner6686]

I totally get your passion , my garden isn’t anything like as big as yours but it’s rural and overlooks fields and woods and surrounded by trees, once I’m out there doing work either flowers cutting back or harvesting veg I never want to stop result is at 76 I end up knackered too, but what a joy to see the following day what you have achieved. So good on you Collette you are so inspiring ❤️

[@April-eg2rc]

😊beautiful😊

[@petrahartog5934]

I'm trying . But they want me to take the hedges down ... Many birds happily live there . And they give us a little privacy at an allotment too .

[@parry3231]

So incredibly sad. You are absolutely right about the importance of hedges and habitat ❤

[@karensanchez9061]

so lovely how do you keep this paradise watered

[@cindybarrett6868]

Looks great

[@elainerichards6406]

Hi Colette, Your secret garden is going to look great! Love the name! Blessings to you and dear Patsy❤❤

[@lisapieper3598]

You amaze!!

[@jean2927]

You make me laugh, Ginger nut biscuits, sweating, & hair gel, it’s such a woman’s conversation! Thank you, you sound like a nice friend to have..😂

[@JenniferKastelic]

I've seen fake nests put out and then wasps won't build there, they think the spot is already taken. I know that won't help for this year. Good luck!

[@nadinemasteller1089]

I've got a war against lawns on my property. I'm in Florida. The last thing that I want to do is spend good money spraying pesticides and water (good money) on a lawn. If it were me (and I know it's not) I would not put in a lawn. I hope that your rhubarb survives.

[@JenniferKastelic]

Excellent work! Did Patsy help with any digging? Hearing the storm was soothing while not in it. Best to you, all ways.

[@katherineb6102]

I thoroughly enjoyed your few moments of "bloody nonsense"