Cover image for Dublin Inquirer print edition #82

This cover illustration is inspired by my love for gardening.

During the lockdown, I decided to turn my back garden into a source of food. Together with my partner, we put together garden beds, fed the soil and created a plan, what to sow, when to sow, and working with the daylight hours and seasons. We were amazed by the results and how we were able to have meals made with our fruits and vegetables. And now I have the urge to tell people to turn every piece of space available, whether it is a balcony, an acre of land or a windowsill, to do the same.

Gardening and growing your own food will connect you with nature, you will start to appreciate Irish rain, you will curse the late frosts of May and you will worship every minute of sun. And you will be surprised to notice that Ireland has more sun than you may think!

My name is Nadia Cardoso and I’m a Portuguese living in Dublin for the past 11 years. I have been working in the animation industry but in my spare time I like to do illustration, ceramics and wooden toys. You can see more of my work at nadiacardoso.com.