tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258190512024-03-13T14:18:54.102+00:00GARDEN TALESPractical gardening advice coupled with interesting stories & observations about gardening from a Son of the SoilThomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-86657518990375752342011-11-05T15:18:00.007+00:002011-11-05T15:59:03.559+00:00Bulbs - Plant NowLots of Bulbs like hyacinths, tulips and small bulbs such as crocus can still be planted according to Dermot O Neill (<a href="feed://www.rte.ie/radio1/podcast/podcast_mooney.xml">RTE, Radio 1, Mooney</a>). Do the planting in dry conditions, not after heavy rain. Bulbs have all the nutrients they need to grow; no need for nutrients to be added to soil. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritillaria_imperialis">Fritillaria imperialis</a> is a big bulb with a hole on its top, when planting turn bulb on its side to prevent it filling with water. Use silver horticultural sand to mark area where bulbs are planted in soil. Dermot mentioned he bought terracotta pots (36ins to 40ins), made in <a href="http://www.kiltreapottery.com/">Kiltrea Bridge Pottery</a>, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. Dermot has two of these pots; in one pot he will plant the Red crown imperial & in the other pot he will plant Orange Crown imperial. <b>Note: </b>Plant<b> </b>only one of these large bulbs per pot or container. <b>Hint:</b> You can plant winter flowering primulas and pansies in the top layer of these pots. Obtaining knowledge of bulbs is easy - just buy a few bulbs, read up on them, plant them either in soil or containers, when you have visitors you will be able to answer some questions about the bulbs.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-4359603622107685942010-10-16T03:44:00.001+01:002010-10-16T03:55:42.973+01:00New Gardening Website<span style="font-size:130%;">Yesterday Friday 15th October '10 I came across a new gardening website which was being previewed on BBC Radio 2. The website which is called <a href="http://www.gardenersclick.com/">GardenersClick</a> offers plenty advise about various aspects of gardening. Check it out and see what you think. Afterall a gardening website is essential for all gardeners especially in this mobile internet age; gardening and horticultural information is now readilly available at the touch of a button. </span>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-77906100565943670912010-10-04T00:39:00.018+01:002010-10-16T03:58:08.068+01:00Dermot O Neil<span style="font-size:130%;">RTE Radio One, </span><a href="http://www.rte.ie/radio/mooneygoeswild/fp2007/gardening54.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Mooney Goes Wild</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">, Monday to Friday 3pm to 4.30pm. With the long winter months just around the corner gardener </span><a href="http://www.dermotoneill.net/index.html"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Dermot O' Neill</strong> </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">spoke about the importance of scented plants in the garden. These fantastic winter flowering shrubs which add both colour and scent should be arriving in garden centres over the coming weeks. Nowadays gardens are smaller and have become extended living spaces attached to our homes, hence scented plants can contribute significantly to the experience of your garden space be it a patio, terrace or decked area. Here are six plants which add both colour and scent to your garden during the winter months:<br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postil'</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Hamamelis mollis (Witch Hazel)</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Lonicera x purpurea (Winter Beauty)</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Winter flowering + scent:</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Sarcococca humillis (Christmas Box)</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Chimonanthas praecox (Winter Sweet)</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Jasminum polyanthum</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Some more plants which Dermot recommended as being good for both colour and scent. Obviously some of these plants are not winter flowering:</span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Matthiola bicornis (Night Scented Stock)</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Rosa 'Abraham Derby'</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Jasminum polyanthum</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Pelargoniums</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Dermot also suggested using a </span><a href="http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/herbicides.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">systemic herbicide </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">to treat that difficult weed called </span><a href="http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/problem-solving/weeds-bindweed-field/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Field Bindweed</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> (Convolvulus arvensis). Be careful when using any herbicide as the chemical must be applied only to the plant to be treated, in this case the bindweed. Remember your own safety when using these </span><a href="http://www.safegardening.co.uk/safe-pesticide-use.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">chemicals</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">; use a face mask, safety eyewear, gloves, wellington boots and an overalls. </span></p>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-69166534945870795582010-08-30T00:26:00.004+01:002010-08-30T00:38:24.836+01:00Gardeners' World Magazine<a href="http://www.gardenersworld.com/magazine/"><span style="font-size:130%;">Gardeners' World Magazine </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">is an invaluable source of information for the gardener. This month's issue (August 27th) is interesting as we move into the autumn season. There are lots of useful tips about how to take cuttings and build a vegetable garden. Alan Titchmarsh and Monty Don impart their gardening wisdom.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://video.about.com/landscaping/Garden-prep.htm"><span style="font-size:130%;">About.com </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">feature useful videos about various aspects of gardening and landscape design. Fact sheets are available on the website. Really useful if you have your laptop computer to hand in the garden you can look up this practical website. </span>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-41233306920534952312010-07-01T16:02:00.002+01:002010-07-01T16:20:12.677+01:00Plant Pictures for FreeWhile doing a Google search I found what is a really useful website: <a href="http://www.freenaturepictures.com/">www.freenaturepictures.com</a> offering plant pictures. The internet is undoubtedly a magnificent resource for all things horticultural. As a research tool it can enable you to increase your knowledge of gardening and plants.Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-44370184647018027392010-06-28T15:46:00.003+01:002010-06-28T16:08:18.374+01:00cordyline<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordyline_australis"><span style="font-size:130%;">Cordyline australis </span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">(Cabbage tree) along with other plants has suffered extremely during the harsh Irish winter of 2010. The snow and ice that lasted for almost four weeks in January caused many plants, even trees to become stressed. A gardening forum called <strong>The Helpful Gardener</strong> gives some pointers for the rejuvenation of Cordyline sp. Also useful for a broad range of information relating gardening queries.</span>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-17623023714362176002009-12-03T16:58:00.002+00:002009-12-03T17:06:25.154+00:00Epicure<span style="font-size:130%;">Today I enjoyed a delicious tin of Epicure organic <a href="http://www.epicure.co.uk/products/beans_and_pulses/">Mung Beans</a> which tasted delicious. Eventhough the beans are from a tin they are stored in unsalted water which must be good for the natural flavour of the beans. Of course when a gardener harvests their own vegetables they taste like nothing on this earth. However, a tin of organic mung beans is the closest any gardener will get to fresh, organic vegetables this time of year.<br /><br />Happy holiday gardening!</span>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-44857507633475287142009-12-02T16:20:00.002+00:002009-12-02T16:40:47.596+00:00The Organic Supermarket<p><span style="font-size:130%;">While listening to Country Mix radio station I heard an interesting interview with one of the people associated with </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.organicsupermarket.ie/">The Organic Supermarket</a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> in Blackrock, South Dublin. I think this new shop came into being recently, as in three to four months ago. Check out their website which offers online shopping (they also deliver your purchases). Its a great concept and I wish them success. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Could any one tell me if there are other organic supermarkets located around Ireland. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">And now click on the <a href="http://www.channel4.com/4homes/design-style/design-byspace/garden/10-garden-jobs-to-do-in-december-09-12-02_p_1.html">Channel4.com</a> link to find out the 10 garden jobs to do in December. A very good gardening website. Please forward links to other excellent gardening websites and blogs. </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Happy gardening to all!<br /></span></p>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-33320738227096374362009-10-05T00:44:00.005+01:002009-10-05T02:36:49.569+01:00Marigold<span style="font-size:130%;">The other evening I was asked by a work colleague about Marigold plants and what methods of cultivation are employed. Here are some interesting facts about the plant known as <span style="font-weight: bold;">Marigold.</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><b><br />Tagetes</b></i> is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genus" title="Genus">genus</a> of 52 species of annual and perennial herbaceous plants in the daisy family <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteraceae" title="Asteraceae">Asteraceae</a> or Compositae). They are native to the area stretching from the southwestern United States into Mexico and south throughout South America. The different species vary in size from 0.05-2.2 m tall. They have pinnate green leaves, and white, golden, orange, yellow, to an almost red floral heads typically (0.1-) to 4-6 cm diameter, generally with both ray florets and disc florets.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="mw-headline" id="Uses_and_Breeding"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Uses and Breeding</span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />The foliage has a musky, pungent scent, though some later varieties have been bred to be scentless. It is said to deter some common <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect" title="Insect">insect</a> pests (although it is recorded as a food plant for some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lepidoptera" title="Lepidoptera">Lepidoptera</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larva" title="Larva">larvae</a> including <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dot_Moth" title="Dot Moth">Dot Moth</a>), as well as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nematode" title="Nematode">nematodes</a>. <i>Tagetes</i> are hence often used in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companion_planting" title="Companion planting">companion planting</a> for tomato, eggplant, pepper, tobacco and potato. <i>T. minuta</i><i>Tagetes</i> are rich in the orange-yellow carotenoid <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutein" title="Lutein">lutein</a> and as such extracts of <i>T. erecta</i> are used as a food colour (INS-Number E161b).</span> <span style="font-size:130%;">(Khakibush or Huacatay), originally from South America, has been used as a source of essential oil for the perfume industry known as tagette, and as a flavourant in the food and tobacco industries in South Africa, where the species is also a useful pioneer plant in the reclamation of disturbed land. Some of the perennial species are deer-, rabbit-, rodent- and javalina-resistant. The petals of <i>Tagetes</i> are rich in the orange-yellow carotenoid <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutein" title="Lutein">lutein</a> and as such extracts of <i>T. erecta</i> are used as a food colour (INS-Number E161b).</span><p><span style="font-size:130%;">It can grow well in almost any sort of well drained soil but is best grown in partly sandy soil with good drainage. Although only hybrid varieties are used for cultivation, a good number of pure plantations are available. It is highly temperature resistant. Most varieties are seasonal and dry out after some good flowering phases.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagetes_minuta" title="Tagetes minuta">Tagetes minuta</a></i> or Mexican Marigold, a tall upright marigold plant with small flowers, is used as a culinary herb in Peru, Ecuador, and parts of Chile and Bolivia, where it is called by the Incan term <i>huacatay</i>. Huacatay paste is used to make the popular potato dish called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ocopa&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Ocopa (page does not exist)">ocopa</a>. Having both "green" and "yellow/orange" notes, the taste and odor of fresh <i>Tagetes minuta</i> is like a mixture of sweet basil, tarragon, mint and citrus.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tagetes]<br /></span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><b class="sh">Classification</b></span></p><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Kingdom: Plantae<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Division: Magnoliophyta</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Class: Magnoliopsida </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Order: Asrerales<br />Family: Calenduleae<br />Genus: Calendula<br />Scientific Name: Calendula officinalis<br />Found In: Valley of Flowers, Ranthambore National Park<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><b class="sh1">Other names : </b>Caltha, Ganda, Gols bloom, Garden Marigold, Gold bloom, Holligold, Marybud, Pot Marigold are the other names used for the Marigold.<br /><br /><b class="sh1">Description : </b>It flowers from July to September. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). It is hardy to zone 6 and is frost tender. The lower leaves are broad and spatula shaped. Upper leaves may be oblong, are smooth at the edges, and are arranged alternately along the stem. Seeds are crescent to horseshoe shaped with the rough exterior. Its branching stem grows to the height of 30- 60 cm.<br /><br /><b class="sh1">Other Species : </b>Calendula arvensis, Calendula bicolor, Calendula eckerleinii, Calendula lanzae, Calendula maderensis, Calendula maroccana, Calendula meuselii, Calendula stellata, Calendula suffruticosa, Calendula tripterocarpa, Calendula officinalis are some of the other species of Marigold.<br /><br /><b class="sh1">Location : </b>Marigold is cultivated throughout India. It is widely grown in the Valley of Flowers, <a href="http://www.ecoindia.com/parks/ranthambore-wildlife-sanctuary.html">Ranthambore National Park</a> in India.<br /><br /><b class="sh1">Cultivation : </b>Marigold plant is propagated by the seeds. They are shown during the early spring. Marigold does not need cultivation but the soil should be free from the weeds. The seeds should be shown 2cm apart. Seeds should be planted in the sunny locations. Fertilizers should be added from time to time. They require damp to wet soil for the growth. The seeds are germinated in two to three weeks. It needs full sunlight for its growth.<br /><br /><b class="sh1"> Medicinal uses : </b>Marigold is used for stomach upset, ulcers, menstrual period problems, eye infections, inflammations, and for wound healing. It is antiseptic. If the Marigold flower is rubbed on the affected part, it brings relief in pain and swelling caused by a wasp or bee. A lotion made from the flowers is most useful for sprains and wounds and a water distilled from them is good the sore eyes. The infusion of the freshly gathered flowers is beneficial in fever. Marigold flowers are mostly in demand foe children ailment. Externally it is used in the treatment of alopecia. Internally it is used to treat bladder and kidney problems, blood in the urine, uterine bleeding and many more.<br /><br /><b class="sh1"> Other uses : </b>Bright yellow and orange Marigold flowers are used to make garlands. They are even used to decorate the religious places. The leaves of its flowers are used as salads. Yellow dye has also been extracted from the flower, by boiling. The burning herb repels insects and flies. Pigments in the Marigold are sometimes extracted and used as the food colouring for humans and livestock.<br /><br /><b class="sh1"> Cultural Importance : </b>It is offered to the god and Goddess on the Durga Puja.<br />[http://www.ecoindia.com/flora/flowers/marigold-plant.html]<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Further information about Marigold plants:</span><h3 style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left;">Explore what Graham Rice has to say about marigold plant Trials at <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/WhatsOn/Gardens//wisley/index.asp">RHS Wisley</a> garden in Surrey, England. </h3><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://culturesheet.org/categories:border_plants">Culture Sheet dot Org</a> has practical information about numerous plants including <span style="font-weight: bold;">marigold</span>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.garden.ie/plantdirectory.aspx">Caltha palustris</a> (Marsh marigold)<br />palustris - perennial flower - yellow flowers - rounded leaves<br /><br /><a href="http://www.garden.ie/plantdirectory.aspx">Calendula officinalis </a>(Pot marigold)<br />officinalis - annual flower - orange flowers - bushy appearance </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Pictures of marigold flowers:<br />http://www.flowers.vg/flowers/marigold01.htm</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-32304797590661989812009-05-08T16:51:00.004+01:002009-05-08T17:11:45.195+01:00India Flora and Fauna<span style="font-size:130%;">For any body interested in the flora and fauna of <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India#Flora_and_fauna">India</a> then explore the Wikipedia online encyclopedia. Only yesterday I read an article in the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.irishtimes.com/">Irish Times</a> newspaper about how the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=indian-ocean-buoys-help-s">Indian Ocean</a> influences the climate of the entire Asian subcontinent, even as far away as Australia. Farmers in Australia are now making use of weather data gathered from RAMA. The following article from Scientific American demonstrates how the Indian Ocean weather data is being utilized:<br /></span><p><span style="font-size:130%;">"Data from the network, called the research moored array for African-Asian-Australian monsoon analysis and prediction (<a href="http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tao/data_deliv/deliv-nojava-rama.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">RAMA</span></a>), would also help scientists better predict the impacts of phenomena such as the Indian Ocean Dipole, a fluctuation in ocean surface temperatures.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">When it is in a negative phase, it creates cool water west of Australia and warm Timor Sea water to the north. In a positive phase, the pattern of Indian Ocean temperatures is reversed, weakening the winds and reducing the amount of moisture picked up and transported across Australia.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Australian farmers were already using forecasting data about the dipole to plan their cropping."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Scientific American, (Editing by David Fox), May 6, 2009</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Amazing how such a body of warm water can have a such a far reaching impact. </span><br /></p>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-81969855654557813972009-05-06T16:07:00.006+01:002009-05-06T16:21:55.805+01:00Gardener's Question Time<span style="font-size:130%;">Wednesday 6.5.09<br /></span><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Here is the update to Gardener's Question Time from last Sunday's programme. <br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;">Two standard Bay trees which are growing in containers the leaves of which are turning brown. Possible causes could be cold easterly winds and water logging of the containers. For container grown bay trees the compost should be kept reasonably dry. It’s advisable to check the container drainage holes which might be blocked with debris. It’s best to pull the tree out of the container to ascertain this fact. <br /><br />Also why do bay tree leaves which have turned brown tend not to fall off the branches? This fact is also noticeable with beech tree leaves which cling on for dear life even though they have turned brown during autumn. The reason for this is that the branches and stems are still alive which tend to cling onto the dead leaves. <br /><br />Rosemary can be used to replace a lavender hedge or border over the years has become woody. Lavender becomes very woody in its stems and branches after a period of five to ten years. <br /><br />A Smoke tree – Cotinus coggyria about nine feet high which is a good height for this tree, has split at the bottom of the trunk. At the end of March next year prune the tree back hard. Remember the Smoke tree is short lived and might not survive hard pruning, but it is worth a try. (Bob Flowerdew).<br /><br />Club root disease can survive in the soil for up to twenty years. The pathogen ( ) will cling to any plant debris of soil organisms in an attempt to survive. Club root dislikes good drainage so grow brassicas on ridges of soil or raised beds. Increase pH by making the soil more acidic. Sow green manure such as mustard and when up plough the crop into the soil. This method will weaken the club root pathogen. However, this process takes from five to seven years to seven years to be effective. (B.F).<br /><br />A lady lives in a flat and has a small garden. What plants can she grow which will encourage beneficial insects and wildlife to come and live in her garden? <br />Plant red currants, cherries, strawberries, coriander and Limnanthes (Poached egg plant) which will attract both beneficial and pollinating insects into the garden. Also place a little pile of sticks or logs in the corner of the garden which will encourage insects and birds to forage. <br /><br /></span><p><span style="font-size:130%;">What is the best way to cultivate Clematis armandii? Before cultivating dig in plenty of well rotted compost of farm yard manure (FYM). Place old tiles loosely around the base of the plant which will keep the roots cool and moist. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Now some information about Beetroot </span><span style="font-size:130%;">{ Beta vulgaris }</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> <br /><br />Beetroot probably originated in West Asia and the Mediterraneanand has been used as a vegetable since early Classical times. Originally beetroot appears to have been prized for its leaves, the roots being 'discovered' much later towards the end of the Middle Ages. As with many vegetables, in early times beetroot's ‘medicinal’ properties were more important than its eating qualities. http://www.lovebeetroot.co.uk/</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">How to cultivate Beetroot:<br />Prepare soil for sowing by digging. Remove weeds, large stones and rake to leave a fine finish.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Seed can be sown directly into the soil from April to July.<br />Make a 2cm (0.75in) deep trench with a cane and drop in two seeds every 10cm (4in). Cover, water and label.<br />Thin out seedlings when 2cm (0.75in) tall, leaving one every 10cm (4in).<br />Keep well watered and remove weeds from bed.<br />Depending on variety, harvest roots 90 days after sowing, when they're between the size of a golf ball and a tennis ball.<br />If you have a tiny garden, beetroot are easy to grow in pots.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Information about beetroot http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-49601613863449908492009-05-04T15:41:00.000+01:002009-05-04T16:05:35.427+01:00Gardeners' Question Time<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last Sunday Gardener's Question Time was broadcast from Kent. The following horticultural topics were discussed:</span><div><ul><li>Standard Bay trees growing in containers - leaves are turning brown</li><li>Rosemary can be used to replace lavender</li><li>Smoke Tree</li><li>Club root disease affecting brassicas</li><li>Harlow-Carr horticultural college in North Yorkshire</li><li>What plants to cultivate in small garden to encourage wildlife?</li><li>Clematis Armandii</li><li>Brussel sprouts</li><li>Chicken manure</li><li>Geoff Hamilton</li><li>Monty Don</li><li>Kent garden clubs / Allotment sites</li><li>Tribute to Geoffrey Smith who died February 27th 2009 aged 80 years</li><li><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/4903981/Geoffrey-Smith.html">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/4903981/Geoffrey-Smith.html</a><br /></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Note: Due to time pressure today I cannot expand on the above topics. Future posts will endeavour to achieve this goal. Happy gardening to every body!</span></div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-34888028418752084762009-04-27T00:13:00.011+01:002009-04-27T01:12:53.059+01:00Gardeners Question Time<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5COwner%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:612.0pt 792.0pt; margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt; mso-header-margin:36.0pt; mso-footer-margin:36.0pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:1717508755; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:1012973682 67698697 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:36.0pt; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-18.0pt; font-family:Wingdings;} ol {margin-bottom:0cm;} ul {margin-bottom:0cm;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB">Sunday 26.4.09</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">BBC Radio 4, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f">GQT</a>:</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"> Programme broadcast from 'The Potting Shed.'</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB">Today the panel of expert gardeners were in the potting shed answering questions about the following plant related questions.
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<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB">Ailing box hedge, the top of the plants leaves are going brown. <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0801/box_blight.asp">Box blight</a> was ruled out due to the following possible causes of plant damage. There is a path of concrete slabs beside the plants; water leaching from materials in the slabs could damage plant roots. Also path weed killer which is harsh and long lasting might have been used on the broadleaved weeds in the lawn and on the path itself; the residue from this persistent herbicide would cause damage to the plant roots, hence the uppermost plant leaves turning brown. Another reason could be soil compaction near the paving slabs which would constrict plant roots resulting in poor root development out into the soil and reduced ability of roots to absorb water and minerals from the soil.
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<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB">What type of plants could be grown near the base of a domestic house furnace vent? Realize that this vent will be emitting heat and gas vapours which could damage plant foliage so care should be exercised when choosing and planting suitable plants. Phlomis fructicosa, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cytisus">Cytisus</a> and Lavender are all Mediterranean plants that like sun and heat which could be grown in this situation. These plants are low-growing, but should be trimmed occasionally to prevent them blocking the furnace vent.
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<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB">’More is less’ is an old gardening maxim that still applies today when planting a mixture of plants.
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB">Alan Titchmarsh has a new soft back book about garden design (2009) which is available at <a href="http://www.eason.ie/">Eason</a> Bookstores nation wide. It can also be purchased online at <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/ref=gno_logo_b">www.amazon.co.uk</a> and <a href="http://www.booksunlimited.ie/">www.booksunlimited.ie</a>
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucca">Yucca</a> which has over the years grown to be a large tree reaching up to the height of upper window of a two storey house. What should be done to remove the tree which is blocking light entering the windows? The panel were of the opinion that this overgrown tree was in fact a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordyline_australis">Cordyline</a> as it would be rare for a yucca to reach such a height. Note that the flowers of cordyline are very attractive to pollinating insects which is a good thing. Yucca produces knobbly roots which can be cut off and potted up. After about two years these roots will produce new plants. In the case of Cordyline, the tree can be cut right back to ground level which will ensure that it re-grows. Obviously it will take several years before it reaches the height of a two storey house. If the tree must be totally removed then it is best to employ the services of a qualified tree surgeon who will safely remove the tree and its roots.
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB">Can <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asparagus">asparagus</a> be grown in containers? Container grown asparagus will not produce much of a crop due to the small amount of root space. A better planting option would be raised beds which will retain a certain amount of moisture and the plant roots can spread out into the soil. In a field in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">England</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span lang="EN-GB"> asparagus roots have been found growing up to thirty feet in either direction of the main plant. The reason for this is that asparagus plants need room for their roots to spread allowing absorption of water and nutrients which are required to generate energy to produce numerous asparagus tips. Bob Flowerdew recommended ‘<b style="">Gjnail</b>’ which is a good Dutch variety of Asparagus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB">The following plant topics were also discussed: <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <ul><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style=""><span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Pampas</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> Grass which has stopped producing its fluffy white flowers<o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style=""><span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Pyracantha scab – what treatment is necessary?<o:p></o:p></span></span><!--[endif]--></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style=""><span style=";font-family:";" ></span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Supermarket herbs are forced and will not re-grow<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style=""><span style=";font-family:";" ></span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Sow vegetables from seed now! Full moon means that growth of seed will be extra good – Bob Flowerdew</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB">http://www.wateronceaweek.blogspot.com/ an interesting Canadian gardening blog</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB">A very helpful site all about growing vegetables for the your family:
<br /></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB">http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/planting-asparagus.html</span></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:14;"><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:14;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I will expand these points in the next blog post. Until then enjoy your garden even if it’s a humble window box or just two or three plant containers. Remember the old gardening maxim “More is less”. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-1423404621679397292009-04-24T22:11:00.003+01:002009-04-24T22:40:59.846+01:00Dig In<p><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=5&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fdigin%2F&ei=sCvySf_APJa1-QaXqMHHDw&usg=AFQjCNG3Epg8GF46pVK7qD2YRxHYWlCwTw&sig2=Dh2nq5FaJZCC2NMiBFmgEA"><strong>Dig In</strong></a> is the new gardening website on BBC Radio 4, which promises to supply the knowledge or know-how you need to sow, grow and harvest your own food plants. On Friday I listened to the <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=3&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbc.co.uk%2F2%2Fhi%2Fuk_news%2Fengland%2F8014873.stm&ei=sS3ySZ1jxcz4BqO_lMgP&usg=AFQjCNHLoLcLCvZAwWGBPvNttv9ESUH3Ug&sig2=aphUfdTSGt00TmTHKEJzAg">programme</a> to discover that The National Trust says 60% of natural fruit orchards have disappeared since the 1950s, putting local varieties of apples, cherries, pears, plums and damsons under threat.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Conservationists have warned that </span><span style="font-size:130%;">traditional fruit orchards are vanishing from England's landscape - with serious consequences for wildlife. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">In 1999 <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=6&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fmore-than-half-of-british-orchards-gone-in-30-years-1076168.html&ei=sS3ySZ1jxcz4BqO_lMgP&usg=AFQjCNE_jYo6YvIOKKhYtAW_IVOZEoy91Q&sig2=H39He8dNM3HaSAh5izfFGQ"><strong>The Independent</strong></a> reported that 'INTENSIVE FARMING and the unwillingness of supermarkets to stock home-grown fruit have destroyed more than half of Britain's apple and pear orchards.' Read the full online article to learn more about the decline of England's fruit orchards. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">A useful website is <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishseedsavers.ie%2Farticle.php%3Fartid%3D289&ei=ADHySfCzGcWw-QayspGvDw&usg=AFQjCNFn54vMjT3pB2HUmIezchPkepX_4w&sig2=vjj0Ucen-jtaPU3yNy0_mQ"><strong>The Irish Seed Savers Association (ISSA)</strong></a> which is the only outlet for the purchasing of Native Irish Apple trees. The main objective of ISSA is to halt the depletion of our native agricultural biodiversity, and to support our plant resource by recreating orchards containing traditional varieties of native Irish fruit trees we want to encourage farmers to create and maintain apple orchards with specific varieties traditional to Ireland to ensure the survival of this unique resource. This will increase biodiversity of the local landscape and provide a habitat for wildlife on the farm.</span></p>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-76142185608828071262009-01-27T19:49:00.003+00:002009-01-27T20:56:09.890+00:00Tidal Turbine Strangford Lough<span style="font-size:130%;">The following post is information which could be seen as closely related to gardening; since <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.nef.org.uk/greenschool/documents/Biomass.pdf">plants</a> produce their own food in a totally 'green way' by using the energy obtained from sunlight and minerals from water and organic matter.<br /><br />What do you think of the world's largest <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/06/12_megawatts_wo.php">tidal turbine</a> which is located in Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland? This device which is called a SeaGen turbine is a 1.2 megawatt turbine which will generate clean electricity for approximately 1ooo homes. According to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Marine Current Turbines</span> this is a prototype turbine which it hoped will be replicated on a large scale over the coming years.<br /><br />Explore <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.marineturbines.com/18/projects/19/seagen/">Marine Current Turbines</a> website for information and pictures about the SeaGen turbine. On the 18th December 2008 </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.marineturbines.com/3/news/article/17/seagen_tidal_energy_system_reaches_full_power___1_2mw/">SeaGen</a> Tidal Energy System Reaches full power. Check out this animation of <a href="http://www.marineturbines.com/21/technology/32/seagen_video/">SeaGen</a> which shows how the turbine actually works underwater.<br /><br />Advantages of the SeaGen tidal turbine:</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">The world’s first commercial scale tidal turbine, SeaGen is more efficient, safer, easier to maintain and best suited to the challenging marine environment.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">SeaGen is based on MCT’s experience with its predecessor, the 300kW Seaflow system installed off Lynmouth Devon in May 2003 and still thriving in open sea conditions. Experience with large scale technology in offshore operational conditions lies behind the design process that led to the development of SeaGen.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">SeaGen is more efficient both in the amount of energy it can extract from the current and in cost. This is because it uses a pair of pitch-controlled axial flow rotors, which for good reason are the technology of choice in the closely analogous low-head hydro and wind generator industries.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">What applied in the fields of hydro and wind power seems unlikely to be significantly different in the field of water current kinetic energy conversion because similar laws of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics"><span style="font-weight: bold;">physics</span></a> apply.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">The rotor design also provides the capability for controlling a large power system as the rotor blades may be pitched into a neutral position to stop the turbine gently even at full flow – an essential requirement for any power generation system; by comparison fixed pitch turbines require a powerful brake to stop them and if the brake fails they cannot be stopped.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;"> SeaGen’s rotor blades can be pitched to limit the power to a pre-chosen “rated power” at times when high velocities are experienced; this greatly reduces the loads on the turbine structure, the rotor blades and the power take-off – and reduced and controlled loads translate into reduced costs and safer and more reliable operation.</span> </li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">The most difficult engineering problems are the high structural loads to be dealt with and in effect solving the question of “how do you nail it to the floor?” The weakest material to which the turbine is attached is the seabed itself, even if it is rock, so the foundations need to be sized so as not to overstress the seabed and cause the turbine to move or break loose. In order to attach the turbine piles were drilled deep into the bedrock of the seabed.</span></li></ul>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-19811629133185181962008-09-10T12:26:00.004+01:002008-09-10T13:18:06.919+01:00Eucalyptus<span style="font-size:130%;">Do you like Eucalyptus trees? I like these beautiful plants because of their unique leaves which are lance shaped (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanceolate">lanceolate</a> - long, wider in the middle) and the magnificent bark which has the following characteristics:<br /></span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>Stringybark</b> - consists of long-fibres and can be pulled off in long pieces. It is usually thick with a spongy texture</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>Ironbark</b> - is hard, rough and deeply furrowed. It is impregnated with dried kino (a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sap_%28plant%29" title="Sap (plant)" class="mw-redirect">sap</a> exuded by the tree) which gives a dark red or even black colour</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>Tessellated</b> - bark is broken up into many distinct flakes. They are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cork_%28material%29" title="Cork (material)">corkish</a> and can flake off</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>Box</b> - has short fibres. Some also show tessellation</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><b>Ribbon</b> - this has the bark coming off in long thin pieces but still loosely attached in some places. They can be long ribbons, firmer strips or twisted curls</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:130%;"> <span style="font-size:100%;"> cf: Wikipedia</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Some vital stats about - EUCALYPTUS:<br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Eucalyptus are a diverse genus of trees dominate the tree flora of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia" title="Australia">Australia</a><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">More than seven hundred species of <i>Eucalyptus</i>, mostly native to Australia<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">A very small number found in parts of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Guinea" title="New Guinea">New Guinea</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia" title="Indonesia">Indonesia</a> and one as far north as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippines" title="Philippines">Philippines islands</a><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Eucalyptus' are cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics including the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americas" title="Americas">Americas</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England" title="England">England</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa" title="Africa">Africa</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediterranean_Basin" title="Mediterranean Basin">Mediterranean Basin</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East" title="Middle East">Middle East</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China" title="China">China</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Subcontinent" title="Indian Subcontinent" class="mw-redirect">Indian Subcontinent</a></span></li></ul><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />A gardener I know who visits Australia every couple of years told me he noticed that vast areas of eucalyptus forests were severely damaged by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_fire">bush fires</a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"> annually</span>. <span style="font-size:130%;">The following Wikipedia extract explains the phenomenon in detail:<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">'On warm days vapourised eucalyptus oil rises above the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bush" title="The Bush">bush</a> to create the characteristic distant blue haze of the Australian landscape. Eucalyptus oil is highly flammable (trees have been known to explode<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus#cite_note-4" title="">[5]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus#cite_note-5" title="">[6]</a></sup>) and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_fire" title="Bush fire" class="mw-redirect">bush fires</a> can travel easily through the oil-rich air of the tree crowns. The dead bark and fallen branches are also flammable. Eucalypts are well adapted for periodic fires via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignotuber" title="Lignotuber">lignotubers</a> and epicormic buds under the bark.<br /></span> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Eucalypts regenerate quickly after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire" title="Fire">fire</a>. After the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canberra_bushfires_of_2003" title="Canberra bushfires of 2003" class="mw-redirect">Canberra bushfires of 2003</a>, hectares of imported species were killed, but in a matter of weeks the gum trees were putting out suckers and looking generally healthy.<sup class="noprint Template-Fact"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources since June 2007" style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a></i>]</span></sup><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The two valuable timber trees, Alpine Ash <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus_delegatensis" title="Eucalyptus delegatensis">E. delegatensis</a></i> and Mountain Ash <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus_regnans" title="Eucalyptus regnans">E. regnans</a></i>, are killed by fire and only regenerate from seed. The same 2003 bushfire that had little impact on forests around <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canberra" title="Canberra">Canberra</a> resulted in thousands of hectares of dead ash forests. However, a small amount of ash survived and put out new suckers as well. There has been some debate as to whether to leave the stands, or attempt to harvest the mostly undamaged timber, which is increasingly recognised as a damaging practice.' <span style="font-size:100%;">cf: Wikipedia</span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Apparently eucalyptus will regrow quite quickly </span><span style="font-size:130%;">after fire damage </span><span style="font-size:130%;">as their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignotuber">plant cells</a> have adapted to overcome such events. Feast your eyes on these amazingly clear <a href="http://www.fotosearch.com/photos-images/eucalyptus.html">photos of eucalyptus trees</a> growing in their sunny Australian habitat. Just look at those clear blue skies! If only we had that beautiful weather here in Ireland.<br /></span></p></div>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-89873539960735738672008-09-01T00:13:00.006+01:002008-09-01T01:42:42.025+01:00Tea, tea, tea<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Do you like to drink tea? If like me you drink gallons of the stuff then read on. Personally I find tea preferable to coffee. Although there are people who hold the opposite opinion. Here are some interesting facts about the age old drink known as '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea">tea</a>'. </span></span><p style="font-weight: bold;"><span style=";font-family:verdana,geneva,helvetica;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family: times new roman;">There are three basic types of tea: </span> </span></p><ul><span style=";font-family:verdana,geneva,helvetica;font-size:130%;" ><li><b>Black</b> tea is fully oxidized as part of its processing. Most Irish teas are of this type and yield an amber-colored beverage with a hearty flavor. There's good reason for that. It's often said that a good Irish cup of tea is "strong enough for a mouse to trot on." </li><li><b>Green</b> tea isn't oxidized, has a more delicate flavor and is lighter in color. </li><li><b>Oolong</b> tea is partly oxidized and has a distinctive taste that is different than either black or green tea. </li></span></ul> <p> <span style=";font-family:verdana,geneva,helvetica;font-size:130%;" ><a href="http://allaboutirish.com/library/foodbev/affairtea.shtm">Irish teas</a> in recent decades have tended to use teas from East Africa and Sri Lanka, so much so that the high quality East African teas now dominate the Irish blends. It is possible to blend your own tea, on your way to making the "<a href="http://allaboutirish.com/library/recipes/rec-tea.shtm">Perfect Cup of Tea</a>." What "equipment" will you need? A porcelain or pottery teapot is best. A kettle is essential and an infuser is useful if you'll be using loose tea leaves. </span></p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Research shows that drinking tea can help maintain your health as part of a healthy lifestyle. The antioxidants, hydrating properties, caffeine and fluoride found in tea provide health benefits for you body.<br />Please note that the following information would also apply to tea drinkers in Ireland.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><br />Health Facts and Nutrition Data (based on UK research)</span><br /></span><ul style="font-family:arial;"><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Approximately 40% of the UK's fluid intake today will be tea </span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Tea without milk has no calories. Using semi-skimmed milk adds around 13 calories per cup, but you also benefit from valuable minerals and calcium </span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Tea with milk provides 21% of daily calcium requirement in 4 cups </span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Tea contains some zinc and folic acid </span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Tea with milk contains Vitamin B6, Riboflavin B2 and Thiamin B1 </span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Tea is a source of the minerals manganese, essential for bone growth and body development, and potassium, vital for maintaining body fluid levels </span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">The average cup of tea contains less than half the level of caffeine than coffee. One cup contains only 50mg per 190ml cup </span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Tea is a natural source of fluoride and drinking four cups makes a significant contribution to your daily intake </span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Only 11% of UK water supply has fluoride added </span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Green and black teas are from the same plant, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camellia_sinensis">Camellia sinensis</a>, and contain similar amounts of antioxidants and caffeine </span></li></ul><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.tea.co.uk/index.php?pgId=2">Tea 4 You </a>- the UK Tea Council website enables you to discover the fascinating history of tea</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> going back nearly five thousand years, and the important role tea has played in the economic and social development of the </span><span style="font-family:arial;">UK</span>.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;"><a name="1"></a></span><span style=";font-family:Times;font-size:100%;" ><span style=";font-family:Times;font-size:16;" > <div style="position: absolute; top: 229px; left: 868px;"><nobr></nobr></div></span></span>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-8108706970289466962008-06-29T16:53:00.002+01:002008-06-29T16:56:50.991+01:00Chris Beardshaw's Inspiration<span style="font-size:130%;">Take a look at the RHS website and read the interesting interview given by <a href="http://www.rhs.org.uk/tatton/2008/news-chris-beardshaw.asp">Chris Beardshaw</a>. </span>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-35125821404558285732008-05-17T01:39:00.004+01:002008-05-17T02:04:59.888+01:00Gardening advice GQT<span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">In last Wednesday's Gardeners Question Time the following advice was given to gardeners.</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Plants suitable for planting into a slope or a bank:</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><ul><li><a href="http://www.nothyme.com/herbs/mints.cfm"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Mint</span></span></strong></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> - will spread rapidly & is late flowering (little pink flowers in middle of summer). More about the </span></span><a href="http://www.gardenguides.com/plants/info/herbs/mint.asp"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">mint</span></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> plant</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotoneaster"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Cotoneaster</span></span></strong></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> - excellent ground cover + roots stabilise the soil</span></span></li></ul><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Autumn & spring are the two periods when </span></span><a href="http://http//www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0600/vineweevil.asp"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">vine weevil</span></span></strong></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> grubs are most active. It is the grubs which do the most damage by eating the plant roots. If growing seedlings in trays or pots ontop of a metal or wooden bench you could put the bench legs into containers of water so that the </span></span><a href="http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/vineweevil.htm"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">adult vine weevils</span></span></strong></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> will not be able to climb up onto the plants. The adult weevils cannot swim. </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Please note that there are many different type of weevil which attack various plants in the garden. Vigilance is the key to controlling this pest. The presence of the adult weevils is shown by semi-circular notches eaten into the edges of leaves, most notably on evergreen shrubs like Rhododendron, Euonymus, Azalea and Camellia. This damage by the adults is not fatal, just unsightly (although is a good indicator that there will be eggs, and larvae hatching in the autumn).</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The real damage is done by the larvae which feed on the roots, often killing the plant, especially potted and young plants. The first sign of the presence of the larvae is usually yellowing leaves, poor growth and a wilting plant which does not respond to watering. Unfortunately it is often too late to save the plant. Rescue is possible if the damage is not too extensive, wash off all the compost to remove the grubs and remaining eggs, then replant in fresh growing medium. Some plants are more at risk from attack than others, eg. Sedums, Primulas, Fuchsias and Impatiens, but most plants in pots are at risk. So be a vigilant gardener!</span></span><br /></span></span>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-77771577002953434222008-05-08T02:28:00.003+01:002008-05-08T02:45:24.117+01:00Republic of Loose<span style="font-size:130%;"><span>Has anyone not heard of the <a href="http://www.republicofloose.com/index.php"><strong>Republic of Loose</strong></a> - Irish rock band based in Dublin. In my humble opinion they are very, very good. One of their better known songs - Comeback Girl can be listened to on their website and also on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42zf4U_wSYU"><strong>YouTube</strong></a>.</span> <span>In September 2006 I first heard them play live at <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/sk/roseoftralee/Traleemap.html"><strong>The Festival of Kerry</strong></a> in Tralee. Suffice to say they are a fine live band; they relly give a great show. <br /><br />Anyway I was wondering if they have any interest in gardening or maybe even the odd plant or two.Obviously during the course of their touring they get to stay in some nice hotels which are usually adorned with exotic looking plants. As they become more famous they will no doubt acquire large houses with equally large gardens - then they will need a garden designer plus a lot of plants!<br /><br />So who knows I might yet be showing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Loose"><strong>Mick Pyro</strong></a> the best plants to grow in his new garden. So it's on that wishful note I say good morning to you my faithful readers in the blogosphere.</span></span><span><br /></span>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-53142325641179872802008-05-02T00:13:00.003+01:002008-05-02T00:46:09.506+01:00Bespoke Garden Dublin, podcasting<span style="font-size:130%;">Yesterday I saw this landscape design company <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://bgl.ie/">Bespoke Garden Limited</a> advertised on a van. So I googled them and their website is fairly well designed - plenty of links to explore. Bespoke Garden Ltd are a Dublin based landscape company at least I think they are. If anyone knows different please don't hesitate to correct me.<br /><br />Now that we are beginning the month of May the weather is improving and hopefully everyone working in gardening and horticulture will enjoy a long, fine summer. Three cheers to that aspiration !!!<br /><br />Also log onto BBC Radio 4 and last Sunday's <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/gqt/">Gardeners' Question Time</a> - they discussed the current state of gardening and horticulture among other topics. Peter Seabrook had some interesting comments to make about his perception of the gardening industry. All in all he is positive about the future of horticulture and gardening. Listen to the programme to find out more and if you like you can download a <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast">podcast</a> of the broadcast directly to your computer. Handy if you want to create a home gardening library on your computer hard drive. Of course you can also share your favourite podcasts online.<br /><br />On an entirely different subject have a look at this Dublin based group of people who have recently set up a website: <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.balconytv.com/">Balcony TV</a> which features live music sessions , short films and other events. Don't know if they have any interest in gardening but it's novel and entertaining; best of luck to them.<br /><br /></span>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-76884766513981110452008-04-23T01:04:00.003+01:002008-04-23T01:24:40.189+01:00Gardeners Question Time<span style="font-size:130%;">Last Sunday I missed <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/gqt/?focuswin">Gardeners' Question Time</a> on BBC Radio 4. But fear not the programme is available to listen again on the BBC Radio 4 website. For best results listen on the stand alone <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.realplayer.com/">Real Player</a> - the BBC iPlayer does not seem to work. If anyone knows a way around this problem please let me know. Ah, problem solved as I just got the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">BBC</span> </a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/">iPlayer</a> to work - human error after all!<br /><br />For anyone with an interest in plants or gardening in general I can only recommend that you begin to religiously listen to GQT which is broadcast live every Sunday afternoon at 2pm and the programme is repeated on Wednesday afternoon at 3pm. Of course you can always listen to the programme via the <span style="font-weight: bold;">'listen again'</span> button on the GQT homepage.</span>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-49129200602978459362008-04-14T23:47:00.009+01:002008-05-02T00:53:16.168+01:00Irish gardeners<span style="font-size:130%;"><span><span>I would like to recommend the following excellent website by a County Galway<br />based horticulturalist and garden writer, <span style="font-weight: bold;">James Kilkelly</span> who also contributes<br />a </span><span>weekly garden column to over 20 Irish regional newspapers.<br /><br /></span><span>He has also been working on an Irish horticultural resource; this new project<br />is an online forum and article site dedicated to gardening in Ireland:<br /></span><a href="http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/"><strong><span>www.irishgardeners.com</span></strong></a><span><br /><br />At last this is a very welcome Irish gardening website. It contains very<br />useful gardening and horticultural information. On behalf of all gardeners<br />in Ireland I wish the website and its contributors many years of happy<br />and healthy gardening. </span></span></span><span><br /></span>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-55928149901105745922008-01-16T23:19:00.000+00:002008-01-17T00:14:17.538+00:00Landscape Designers Ireland<span style="font-size:130%;">This morning as I was stopped in traffic approaching Dundrum village in South Dublin I noticed a Landrover Discovery, silver in colour just in front of me. It belonged to a garden design company called <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://landscapedevelopments.ie/index.html">Landscape Developments</a>. Their website is very professional, you can access a good deal of their portfolio of projects. I'm fairly sure they did the landscaping for the apartments at South Meade on the Dundrum Ballinteer road. Anyway Landscape Developments who are operated by Brian Considine and Alan Murphy have twenty years experience of working in garden design; hence the impressive designs which they complete are to be applauded.<br /><br />Several posts previous I was discussing <a href="http://gardentales.blogspot.com/2007/12/gardening-blogs.html#links">Irish garden</a> and landscape design blogs, well here is a very useful and practical online service called <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.irish-landscaping-services.ie/">Irish Landscaping Services</a>. This website is your one-stop shop for finding quality garden designers and landscape contractors.<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://landscaping.savvy-cafe.com/">Savvy Landscaping</a>, while this is not an Irish blog, the writer is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the USA, nonetheless </span><span style="font-size:130%;">it</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> contains subject matter of interest to garden designers and anyone who likes well shot garden and landscape photographs.<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.dillongarden.com/index.html">Helen Dillon's</a> famous garden is located only a stone's throw from where I write this blog. She is the well known gardener and plants woman who writes in the popular <a href="http://www.gardenheaven.ie/magazine/letter-from-ed.php">Garden Heaven</a> magazine. She is also a prolific author having penned many books on the subjects of gardening and plant collecting. Her garden at 45 Sandford Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6, Ireland is well worth a visit.<br /><br />While <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.gardendesigner.com/index.htm">GardenDesigner</a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.gardendesigner.com/index.htm">.com</a> is not an Irish website it is however a very intuitive online garden design resource. I always believe that interesting design ideas emanate from the USA. Yes I could be wrong in this, but it must be said that the Americans produce some of the most outstanding landscape designs found any where on the planet.<br /><br />In the next post I am hoping to have found a few more Irish based gardening/design blogs and websites. Also I will be researching garden and landscape design blogs - websites written by Irish people living abroad. So watch this space!<br /><br /><br /></span>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25819051.post-32684927878275952842008-01-13T22:21:00.000+00:002008-01-13T23:45:01.248+00:00Forest of Dean BBC Radio 4 Open Country<span style="font-size:130%;">The Royal Forest of Dean is a twenty thousand acre woodland located on the Gloucester - South Welsh border in the UK. The Thames Estuary and the Wye Valley border the forest. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">People born in <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/opencountry.shtml">The Royal Forest of Dean</a> are known as 'Forresters'. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">Apart from the size of this forest what really makes the place famous is The Sculpture Trail which runs for three miles through the forest. <a href="http://www.guide-information.org.uk/guidelist.aspx?recid=H1161">Beechenhurst</a> is the name of the starting point for the Sculpture Trail. Carolyn Black is the project director for The Sculpture Trail. In 1987 <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.forestofdean-sculpture.org.uk/events/original-vision-stand-stare-10th-march-1983/">Martin Orrom</a> instigated The Sculpture Trail by encouraging artists to set works of art within the forest. Now in 2008 The Sculpture Trail is celebrating 21 years in existence.<br /><br />Local materials and local mines in the area were key to the art pieces some of which are sculptures. In 2001 an entire oak tree was cut down and transformed into a wooden oak cube. About six to eight oak saplings were planted to compensate for the removal of this mature oak. A comment by one of the interviewees is food for thought: "The process of a forest involves the planting and cutting down of trees for the purpose of manufacture and production."<br /><br />There used to be a lot of small coal mines in the area which amounted to a whole network of mines running underneath the forest; hence the terrain of the forest is very undulating. You could walk four and a half miles to visit all of pieces in <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.forestofdean-sculpture.org.uk/sculptures/">The Sculpture Trail</a>. Well worth the walk if you ask me! Just think of of the beauty of all those magnificent trees, the sculptures and the clear filtered air which when combined will bring you a beautiful and unique experience.<br /><br />A magnificent stain glass window hangs in part of the Sculpture Trail. A comment by one of the interviewees made me realise just how important and interlinked art and nature are: "Art is not about numbers, it's about experience and interaction."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.fdean.gov.uk/content.asp?Parent_directory_ID=242&nav=327&ID=9716">Rob Guest</a> from Forest Enterprise is the deputy surveyor for the Forest of Dean. His job entails keeping an accurate and up to date record of all the trees in the forest; which means he is also responsible for tree conservation within the forest. Next spring and summer I will definitely be visiting <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.goape.co.uk/ContentArticle.aspx?Id=85&ate=176">The Forest of Dean</a> where I hope to enjoy the natural unspoilt beauty of the locality. This should make for an extremely interesting trip - plenty of blog material plus lovely photographs! So without further a do here's to the year ahead.<br /><br /><br /></span>Thomashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11697613963620237496noreply@blogger.com0