News - Page 55
Protect ponds with netting before the autumn leaves start to fall, as these are the kiss of death for your pond's ecological balance. As leaves rot into the water they release nutrients and encourage algae, as well as creating nasty sludge.
Start by pulling dead and dying foliage from aquatic and marginal plants so the pond's surface is clear. While you're at it, rake out at least a third of your oxygenating plants as t...
Have you ever thought about growing your own garlic? Surely not! In Ireland? We're not completely mad, garlic actually grows quite well in Ireland. It can be grown inside in a polytunnel or outside in a sunny and well drained spot. It likes to go through a period of cold if possible so Autumn planting is better than Spring but both will work. ...
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Enjoy your autumn raspberries to the full as they'll be pumping out the berries by now. If you aren't enjoying these wonderful, easy-to-care-for fruits make a note to buy some this winter: bare-rooted canes come into our garden centre in midwinter in bundles for immediate planting. Choose from dozens of varieties including the ever-reliable 'Autumn Bliss', sweet, yellow-fruited 'Allgold' and high-yielding 'Polka'.
Even...
The World Flower Show 2014 is coming to Dublin next June and for four wonderful days the city will be filled with the scents and dazzling displays of thousands of floral arrangements. It's the first time this world-famous show has come to Ireland and it's a fantastic chance to see the work of 600 leading floral artists from 31 different countries.
If you garden, chances are you occasionally bring a few...
Lift and divide perennials this month to thin out overcrowded clumps and keep your plants youthful and healthy. It's a great time of year to do it, as the plants are starting to slow down for winter so you won't check their growth by splitting them, and there's still warmth and moisture in the soil.
Most clump-forming perennials, like crocosmia, daylilies, epimediums and bergenia, get a little crowded a...
Plan it, plant it this autumn – it's by far the best time to get new trees, shrubs and perennials into the ground. The warmth from the summer still lingers to encourage them to grow plenty of roots and settle in well before the cold weather comes; and good root systems mean better drought resistance and strong, healthy growth which shrugs off pests and diseases more easily.
Fruit trees and bushes plan...
What to do in the garden in September:
This is one of the most rewarding months of the year, with apples and pears fruiting abundantly, brilliantly colourful autumn flowers and the weather often better than what we optimistically call 'summer'! Make the most of it with our jobs this month:
General tasks:
Plant new trees and shrubs as there's still warmth in the ground and moisture in the air, so...
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September's plant of the month is the aster, also known as the Michaelmas daisy and a stalwart of the late-summer border with its cheery, daisy-like flowers in shades of mauve, pink and violet.
All asters flower for a satisfyingly long time, starting in late August and continuing often until the first frosts. They're much-loved by bees and butterflies, so perfect for the wildlife garden, and make wonderful cut flowers. What's more, they go wi...
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Give wisteria its summer prune to keep it within bounds, prevent winter damage and encourage lots of those sumptuous long perfumed flower racemes next spring.
Your plant will by now be sprouting a jungle of long, whippy shoots in all directions: this not only looks messy, but all that green growth is diverting the plant's energy into producing lots of extra shoots rather than ripening wood to make fat flower buds for next...
Read more...The shop is filling up with wonderful , exciting Spring bulbs. Daffodils, crocus and anemones all waiting to be planted out in the garden. Plant them through your Autumn/ Winter bedding. Plant them in pots and in between shrubs and perennials. Plant them inside in bowls. Plant them in pots to be brought into the glasshouse or conservatory for an early burst of colour when their sh...
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