Month: June 2017

Weber Spirit E-210 is designed for ease of use and efficient barbecuing. It has a 10-year limited warranty and a number of features to introduce you to barbecuing, such as built-in thermometer, six tool holders and Weber’s Flavorizer Bars. Available from Weber World Store at Orchard, Celbridge.

The Shackleton Gardens at Beech Park, Clonsilla, Dublin, have been transferred into public ownership and Fingal County Council intends restoring the gardens and opening them to the public as an important visitor attraction and tourism asset in Dublin 15. A €415,000 development plan has already been approved and will commence shortly. The Gardens are widely regarded as being internationally significant.

Powerscourt Estate had record visitors as 467,000 guests visited Powerscourt Gardens and Waterfall over the past 12 months, a 14% increase. 271,000 people visited Powerscourt Gardens, up +9% over the previous year. Powerscourt Estate is the 9th most popular tourism destination in Ireland, according to Failte Ireland. Visitors from Ireland to Powerscourt Gardens were up by 34% while visitors from China grew by 47%, the third-most important group.

The 25th Anniversary of the opening of Ardgillan Castle and walled garden to the public was marked by a visit from President Michael D. Higgins who planted a Killarney strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo. The 2.75 acre walled garden has matured with potagers of herbs and vegetables and labelled ornamental gardens. Beyond the walls, the rose garden, herbaceous border and National Potentilla Collection with over 250 varieties offer two hectares of ornamental gardens. Admission-free.

Kilsaran International collaborated with Peter McVerry Trust for the Kilsaran 2016/2017 Student Design competition with head judge, Diarmuid Gavin naming Manon Bordet Chavenes as overall winner of the competition. The approach she took was to put herself into the mind-set of someone who had been homeless – but who had just received a house. A student of the landscape Design Academy in Dublin, the win will see her proposed garden brought to life for the Peter McVerry Trust and receives a cheque for €3,000.

Renew is a 100% organic soil conditioner in pellet form that is easily applied to the surface of the soil, indoors and outdoors throughout the year. Soil Renew improves fertility, corrects pH and improves humus in soil. “Soil Renew is made from composted plants, bacteria and micro-organisms, and when used once a year – not using any other fertilisers, results can be seen in just three weeks.”

Currently there are seventeen trails in Co. Wexford as diverse as they are suitable to a range of walking abilities and interests. Collaboration with a range of agencies and in particular the support of Wexford County Council and Wexford Local Development has been crucial to the development of the walking trail network. Full information at: www.wexfordwalkingtrail.ie

Carlow Garden Festival 2017

Gardening icon Monty Don returns to open the Carlow Garden Festival on Friday, 21 July, at Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven, Carlow. He is joined at the festival, which runs over 10 days, by a range of garden experts, including Roy Lancaster, Paul Smyth and Joe Swift; John Anderson, Oliver Schurmann, June-Fearnley Whittingsstall, Mary Reynolds, Terence Reeves Smyth, James Wong, Dermot O’Neill, Neil Porteous, Fionnuala Fallon, Jimi Blake and Mary Keenan.

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Goldcrop Basfoliar Aktiv

Basfoliar Aktiv is a new biostimulant that triggers the plant’s own natural defence system against commonly occurring stress factors, such as pest and disease attack, drought, and less than ideal soil conditions. It is offered by Cork-based Goldcrop. Basfoliar Aktiv contains fresh liquid kelp extract with plant hormone content. It is applied two or three times in the growing season. Information: goldcrop.ie

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Blarney in Bloom

Blarney in Bloom in partnership with Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind returns to Blarney Castle on Sunday, 9 July, from 10am to 5pm. Featuring a large range of specialist plant nurseries, specialist speakers, farmers market, arts and crafts, as well as a fun dog show, this is a family day out to suit everyone. Entry to the fair also gives access Blarney’s gardens, an opportunity not to be missed.

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Dingle Peninsula Open Gardens

Now celebrating its eighth year, the Dingle Peninsula Open Gardens will take place on Sunday, 9 July, when eight gardens located in mid-Kerry will be open to the public. Tickets can be purchased on the day from Castlemaine Community Centre on the Tralee road in Castlemaine from 12.45pm onwards until 5.30pm.

Steel Trellis designs

Classic Garden Elements has a range of steel trellis in various designs and sizes for walls and require no annual treatments to provide robust and elegant support. All products are made in company’s own workshops of galvanized steel and powder-coated black and have a free 10-year, no-rust warranty. Visit www.classicgardenelements.ie or call 087-2306 128.

Altamont Gardens masterclass!

Carlow Garden Festival & Altamont Plant Sales presents a Gardening Masterclass on Friday, 28 July, at 11.00am with Roy Lancaster; 12.15pm, Paul Smyth and 3.00pm, Joe Swift. Tickets from Carlow Tourism or Altamont Plants. Roy Lancaster (photo) talks on 50 years of gardening. Paul Smyth’s talk is planting hunting from Carlow to the mountains of North Vietnam, and Joe Swift will talk on designing with plants.

Neptune’s three amigos

Neptune’s three summer amigos are table, chairs and parasol. Neptune’s solid teak Bordeaux dining table seats six and its round shape softens any outdoor scheme. The materials Neptune uses in its garden furniture are all happy outdoors. Asthall two-seater dining set, price €990. Chatto armchair is designed for al fresco living, price €936. Monaco dining table, price €990. See www.neptune.com for Irish stockists.

Ardgillan Castle and walled garden

The 25th Anniversary of the opening of Ardgillan Castle and walled garden to the public was marked by a visit from President Michael D. Higgins who planted a Killarney strawberry tree, Arbutus unedo. The 2.75 acre walled garden has matured with potagers of herbs and vegetables and labelled ornamental gardens. Beyond the walls, the rose garden, herbaceous border and National Potentilla Collection with over 250 varieties offer two hectares of ornamental gardens. Admission-free.

Gortnalee Garden Open

Gortnalee Garden, Donaghmore, Laois, Open Day in support of Laois Hospice is on Sunday, 9 July, from 2 to 6pm. Located near Junction 21 on the M7 and Junction 3 on the M8. This garden has woodland, cottage, tropical areas and sedum beds. Selection of plants for sale. All proceeds to the Hospice.

Tiptoe through the wildflowers!
A Wildflower-Growing Master Class to learn about growing wildflowers and to protect biodiversity, pollinators and birds is offered by Design by Nature, Carlow, with a farm walk, talk and open day on 15 July. Full details at www.wildflowers.ie.

Garden clubs

Dublin Five Horticultural Society: on Sunday, 9 July, at 2pm, Dublin Five holds its Heaven Scent Show in Chanel College, Coolock Village, Dublin5. Roses, sweet pea, pansies and lilies. Tea and cakes. Admission €2. Call 087-2423020 for more details.

County Wexford Garden & Flower Club celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a Celebratory Show of Horticulture and Floral Art in the EPA Centre in Johnstown Castle County Wexford on Saturday 1 and Sunday, 2nd July. Throughout the Castle Grounds there will be Art on the Land titled ‘Romance’. On Saturday at 3 o’clock there will be a lecture ‘The Company of Trees by Thomas Pakenham. Tickets €10. On Sunday Liam Gaul will give a lecture on the History of Johnstown which will be free. www.wexfordgardenflower.ie

The Balbriggan and District Horticultural Society is holding its annual Rose & Sweet pea Show in Ardgillan Castle on Sunday, 3 July, open to the public from 2pm to 5 pm. Exhibits must be staged / entered before 12 noon. Admission Free. Tel 087-7520506