Month: September 2018

The huge new rock is over beside and behind the buddha in the back ground. I’ll try to photograph it tomorrow. 

This afternoon, considering that we had a sharp frost last night, I decided to pick the outdoor tomatoes. I had them in 13 large pots. The tomatoes were picked and put into a large bucket, one which once contained bird seed or nuts. That explains why the container cannot be seen. Some were ripe others still green. Stalks and compost were taken to the compost heap so more space in the ground with the pots stacked. Most of these were the Red Cherry. It was the first time I remember growing them and with God’s help, they will be sown again. There were also some Alicante among same. It was a great year for the outdoor tomatoes and while the Red Cherry were not sown until late February, while the Alicante were sown in January, they were quite early in general for picking. It was warm in the direct sun but getting a bit chilly when I finished at about 5.15p.m. I did a little more work on the ground which had been cleared by the men who came on Wednesday (the real heavy work) and by me, the light work, on the last three days.

Yesterday, I did a further bit of work on the back garden, talamh Nua after the great work done by my nephew the day before. More plants are becoming visible and according to Met Eireann, the weather should remain fine for some time. Last night I took in the Musa plants as frost was forecast.They are out again. I was at the Country Market this morning and sold two Hydrangeas €3 each. They were slipped in June.I am on my way to the doctor to get the annual checkup and ‘flu vaccine.

You may remember Hurricane Ophelia last October. Many trees came down in gardens. In my garden, there seemed to be no damage done at the time but then Storm Brian came. While it was not as severe as Ophelia, quite a number of trees and bushes were brought down and then a bit later, another storm came and the area was unsightly. I had in that area put up trellis and planted quite a number of shrubs there but alas it was impossible to remove anything. A nephew of mine John Keaney, living in Dublin offered to tackle the problem. He and his friend arrived to day with chainsaws and other pieces of equipment. Arrival was 11 a.m. and they were gone about 3p.m. and you should see the change. I don’t know how they did it but the place was transformed. I must say to the men in question many thanks. Now I can tackle the area. They even went further trimming shrubs along the drive about 60 metres long. The area that was covered for about a year, I was inclined to call it Terra Nova but Jacinta suggested that it was hardly anything like the Begleys in Dromin. She suggested Talamh Nua. That is what it is now.

To day was lovely, temperature not very high about 15 -17 degrees but as there was little or no wind due to an anticyclone and plenty of sunshine, I felt that my plants would be safe. Actually we had a listle frost in the early hours of the morning. After the 9 o’clock news I realised when the weather was forecast, it would be even colder to night so close on 10 o’clock I had to put in the 2 Musa plants. Now the plants were at the front facing not or north west and the greenhouse is at the back. I thought what I might do I had some black plastic, usually used for refuse but the first bag I made, much too small so as they were near the front door, they were taken in one by one, not too much for an 83 year old. Now they are safely inside. I believe that the temperature will be up for the next few days and I can put them out in the morning. I switched on the heat in the greenhouse to day and the plants inside including the tomatoes should be safe.

Pretty sedum from Jacinta

Robinia Survivor

Ice Plant

Flashlight and Anemone

The poplar and then I saw three keringoshema which I had been looking for for ages. Very happy.

The next buy was in Glanbia where I invested in a lot of sedges and three a Stella.  I had the notion of putting them around four small conifers standing on my HA HA!  Bet that shook you. We’ll it’s a sudden drop in the scrub so I’m calling it a ha ha! I’ve put them in and it works even if the sedges look a bit hedgehoggy !

View of the new little Buddha.

Anna and I went to view Fruitlawn Gardens. There was an open day.  The garden had moved into autumnal mode but lots left to see. It’s not huge but has lovely plantings, a hornbeam tunnel and lovely home made cakes. We had tea twice! We had the first and as we were leaving Hazel arrived so we went in again.great chat. Cakes delicious!

Ihad bought three achillea 3 eremurus and Anna admI red a poplar deltoides.

Still plenty to do in the Apiary during September . Wasps are still active and will raid or even wipe out a weak bee colony if not controlled . Even today I saw landing board battles as wasps attempted to gain access past the guard bees. I’ve been busy preparing my show honey too. This years Tipperary honey show is our 40th anniversary one and we were afforded a Mayoral reception last Tuesday marking the occasion . The show takes place next w/e. Here’s hoping . Today I have the Bees a top up feed just in case stores are low heading into winter . Most hives feel heavy which is a good sign . I’ve finished treating all hives for the Varoa mite so hopefully this will add to the bees comfort during winter and prevent any spread of viruses . The Queen bee will have slowed down her laying now and any bees born in september are winter bees which will survive the winter and start the process again next Spring . Hives need to be well tied down now and also protected from any opportunist mice who at times can attempt to overwinter in a bee hive . Nice n cosy with food to hand indeed . I managed some Heather ( ling) honey from the mountain in August which was interesting . Heather honey has medicinal properties as good as the famed New Zealand Manuka honey .

The bees are currently feeding on Ivy flowers which we hardly notice but are vital autumn forage for them .

Hopefully I won’t be opening the hives now until next March or April !

Botanic Garden

It was a lovely warm sunny day last Sunday . The Dahlias were breathtaking.

If you have an automatic vent raising device, keep it closed, and preferably tie the vent down, during the Winter. And keep the greenhouse door closed, especially when storms are expected. This will prevent the wind blowing the vent right off the roof, as happened to me during storm Desmond, a couple of years ago.

All the older members will know this plant, which flowers reliably in May. It has now got too big for me to handle. Part of it fell down in the storm yesterday, so I had to get a contractor to cut it drastically back, before the rest of it falls in the next storm.

Normally we put it the other way. I was up at 7.30 to day, Tuesday. It didn’t seem bad and no structural damage done. The greenhouse was ok. I had moved the two Musa plants back knowing that the storm was coming.The day turned out good at the end especially at the back.

Hi Craig…….you were last online here on the 31st July saying that there was light at the end of the tunnel……well Im sorry to say I cant even begin to see it!

We have been asking how long do we need to wait for emails to be restored and nothing! No mention, no update, no one comes online anymore to give us any feedback. I understand there are ways to set up a website and I appreciate that it takes time, but seriously how long is a piece of string. I think we must be using this site now for almost a year? or not too far off and we have been asking for updates, feedback, when are the photos going to be sorted, the emails, the journals going missing, how to edit when you write on someone journal…..you know those small queries and we get nothing back. Does anyone even monitor the site at all now. Even on a bi-weekly basis would be nice…..because Im not sure if you have noticed but you are losing people left, right and centre. Im here now just because I was curious to see if there was any update and I noticed a journal dated 2014 from you that Dick has commented on.

I think at this stage Im going to just go over to Facebook and not bother coming back here. If no-one is even bothered to check out whats been written what is the point. One person made a point of asking lots of questions as to what is happening with the site and where some features are gone, which some of us answered, but where are the owners of the site, why cant you answer the questions. Is this the way its gone now? should we just shut up shop? Im just so annoyed to think we have been here for so long, keeping this going and we get nothing back……..

I doubt you will even see this journal, but if you do, maybe you might answer some of the questions I have asked. I wouldn’t have thought that a simple email when someone replies to your journal is a big issue…..You know the old site, did what it said on the tin and the only issue WE had was the photos. That is still the issue with this new site, its not user friendly, and I know my way around a laptop and can figure out websites etc, so its not that Im not technically minded…..thats whats so annoying for most people, so maybe you should have just kept the old site!!

I spent a lovely Sunday in Fruitlawn Garden near Abbeyleix. Thank you Scrubber for letting me know it was on! It was great to catch up with you and Anna!  I also met up with Mary Keegan and Angela Jupe – so I was in very exclusive company! I have long wanted to visit these gardens which are very close to me but their OpenDays usually coincided with my own Open Days so I jumped at the chance of seeing them. Arthur Shackleton is a member of a very well respected family in the gardening community and meeting him and having a chat was a delight! The gardens are a traditional  Walled Garden and they are divided into several areas – I particularly liked the Hornbeam Avenue but most of all teh exuberant borders were a delight to see! I spotted many old friends but also some varietions on plants I knew – so when Arthur explained that his family in Clonsilla held collections of plants from the whole of the British Isles I wasn’t really surprised! As usual I was so engrossed in admiring the garden that I alsmost forgot to take photos – dashed back and took some photos that I hope will capture the garden for you all!

Great use of pots to fill a courtyard

I think this is a Clematis with those lovely bells

Bought this lovely ground cover plant

these diasies were very pretty

Perfect setting for a sculpture

Anemone – lovely deep colour

Paths! i love them1

Inviting me to follow

Cosmos growing up through a geranium

better picture of the shaggy daisies

Succumbed to this Campanula

I don’t normally grow veg but this year tried cherry tomatoes in pots in the greenhouse, grown from seed.  Given our warm sunny summer, this should have been a good year for them.  They were well tended, watered and fed as per instructions.  I got a decent crop and the little tomatoes are sweet enough but the skins are tough.  Did I do something wrong or is this down to the variety grown (Sweet Millions, I looked for Tumbler but couldn’t find seed locally)?  Would appreciate any advice from you more experienced growers, or I doubt if I’ll bother next year!

I’ve done this journal two times already and hit the wrong button trying to put up pictures.NOT the fault of the Web page. So very briefly. Anna and I visited Japanese Garden in Tramore. FA-BUL-OUS. Go if you are ever near it. I wrote in book   ‘beyond all expectation’

Unfortunately I knocked over and smashed one of my pair of terra cotta urns yesterday. But the I could have easily broken my leg and didn’t.  I trimmed Base and put a blue sphere on top. Not wonderful but something salvaged from the disaster. Can’t put up pics as phone is awry.

Hello,

I’ve been on this new website a few times now but I still don’t understand why it had to change so much.  I am typing this on my phone and I have a few (not too few to mention 🎶) issues with it.

Firstly how can I add friends?  I can’t find an option like on the old site.

Why is there no clear index of all options available?

Even though I click ‘remember me’ I have to re enter my password every time I log on.

I still can’t find how to add photos..

Was there ever a F.A.Q. for members?

Maybe its my phone? Samsung s7??

Would love to hear what ye all think.

I forgot to mention this garden is open next Sunday. FRUITLAWN GARDEN. Its not  a Huge garden but it is very beautiful and there are plant sales  and scones  and tea. 10am-5pm. 0578730146. It’s outside Abbey leix in the balla colla direction -I think! I’ll try to be there.