From the Mountains to the River by Deirdre Constant

I grew up on a farm in the Wicklow Mountains, about an hour's drive south of Dublin, Ireland. My father died the year I was born, so my mother ran the farm with some help from her children. It was from her that I developed my love of nature and gardening.

In my memory, childhood was filled with excitement and adventure. The three youngest children in my family - Seamus, Breda, and I - were a band of warriors, determined to explore every corner of our farm and the mountains beyond.

There was a lot of drudgery in farming, but it also brought the deep satisfaction of seeing plants and animals grow. We produced almost everything we ate, and our meals changed with the seasons. By March each year, I had had enough cabbage and Brussels sprouts and longed for the fresh vegetables of spring. But there was excitement too. We eagerly watched for the first green shoots to emerge from the seeds we had planted and took great pride when ‘our’ vegetables appeared on the dinner table.

My mother instilled in us a deep reverence for the land and the natural world. She patiently taught us about the plants and trees around us and what they needed to thrive. She forbade Seamus from scaring his sisters with earthworms, insisting instead that we learn the vital role the worms played in keeping the soil healthy.

I remember accompanying my mother to check for newborn lambs each spring and the pure delight of discovering hillsides carpeted with bluebells. Springtime in Wicklow was magnificent. Every ditch and hedgerow burst into bloom. Primroses were my favorite, but nothing could compare with the breathtaking sight of entire fields of bluebells.

Our appreciation of nature was reinforced in primary school. Our teacher, Mrs. Whittle, began each year by having every student create a "Nature Book." Each Friday we brought in a leaf, flower, or seed, and identified and researched it, and carefully preserved it in our books. At the end of the year, we were tested on the entire collection the class had assembled. We were all a bit afraid of Mrs. Whittle, so we paid careful attention.

My mother worked tirelessly on the farm, but her flower garden was where she had fun. She was a quiet lady but one who delighted in growing the biggest, boldest blooms. Neighbors envied her roses, peonies, and dahlias. She laughed and sang to her flowers...but she also understood the importance of good compost!

After graduate school, I came to New York intending to stay for one year. I am still here. I feel fortunate to have found Dobbs Ferry and a home with a garden of my own—my little farm. I recently stepped down from my position as Director of Advising for the School of Business at Lehman College. During my long career I cared for, and nurtured thousands of young people to help them succeed as professionals.

I am glad to have found the Friends of Waterfront Park at this time of my life. It has been a pleasure to meet people who share my respect for nature and possess such deep gardening knowledge. Their generosity in sharing what they know and their commitment to creating a park that is not only beautiful but also supports pollinators, inspires me. I learned to love growing plants as a child, and I hope to contribute in any way I can to the mission of the Friends of Waterfront Park.

Deirdre (R) with Friends volunteer Pia Young

Deirdre (R) with Friends advisor and volunteer Pia Young

Deirdre is a new board member of the Friends of the Dobbs Ferry Waterfront Park. You will often see her gardening at the park!