March 2017

Fernhill Gardens saved!

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) has recently acquired Fernhill Park and Gardens and intends to develop the property as a Regional public park. Fernhill is a former substantial family residence with ancillary buildings on 34 hectares of land: gardens, parkland, woodland and agricultural land, just south of the Enniskerry Road at Stepaside, County Dublin.

FIRE’NESS launch

The first FIRE’NESS was made in 2016 and the design has been trialled and perfected over recent months. Each FIRE’NESS is handmade from Marine Grade 2mm Stainless Steel and measures 100cm in height x 50cm in width at base. Its shape is decorative and it is functional. Contact : Grant MacEwan, 086-2431811.

Dee Brophy new shop

Dee Brophy Decorative Antiques has a new showroom selling a large selection of gardenalia from old garden gates to plant stands. Pictured here are some lovely hand-thrown terracotta pots that have just been rescued from a house clearance. Open Wed – Saturday. www.deebrophy.com 087-6812761.

Tyrrelstown House Garden holds a special Daffodil Day on Friday, 24 March, 3pm to 6pm with proceeds to Irish Cancer Society. Contact: 01-8213206.

Nemasys expands

Nemasys products now include a control for slugs, leatherjackets, ants, vine weevils and chafer grubs, as well as a combined product containing number of different nematode species which will protect a fruit and vegetable garden from a wide range of pests. The nematodes seek out their particular prey and kill them. The packs are kept in a refrigerator until they are used and can be safely stored alongside food and drinks without the remotest possibility of contamination.

Tree Week 2017

Tree Week, organised by the Tree Council of Ireland since 1985, is a week-long programme of events to celebrate trees, held in association with Applegreen and Coillte. Tree Week 2017 runs from Sunday 5 March 5 until 12 March. Register an event for Tree Week 2017, or check out the programme of events by county. The Tree Council has been directly engaged in getting 15,000 to 18,000 native trees planted per year, all donated by Coillte, distributed through their members, schools throughout the country, Tidy Towns, and other events.

Botanic Network Ireland

Taking place on 21 April, 7.30pm in the Blarney Castle Hotel, Blarney, Cork, is the official launch night of Botanic Network Ireland. A little introduction to what BNI is all about, followed by Bleddyn Wynn-Jones from Crug Farm, giving a talk on his collections of hardy plants from Northern Vietnam. There is a raffle of some very special plants after the talk, drinks and snacks on arrival. Contact: botanicnetworkireland@gmail.com.

Jimi Blake garden tour

Jimi Blake is running a garden tour on the 31 March to 2 April, 2017 to Great Dixter for the Spring Plant fair – an ideal opportunity to purchase great plants and to hear some of Europe’s prominent nursery people give informative talks. The tour will also visit the gardens of Sissinghurst and RHS Wisley. Contact: jimi@huntingbrook.com

Fota opens early

Fota House has announce the house will be re-opening a little earlier this year, on Saturday 25th March at 10am. The Café will be open, serving hot drinks and tasty treats, so why not pop down and say hello! Our Fota House shop will showcase a fresh range of gardening, home wares and quality craft products for 2017, perfect for those little gifts for someone special.

Mount Venus hellebores

Hellebore Days at Mount Venus Nursery, Dublin, are on 25 and 26 February from 10am to 4pm. Hellebores are long-lived, easy to grow, flower reliably from as early as December till mid-April. There seems to be no end to variation in colours and shapes from yellows to nearly black, cup-shaped singles to daisy-like doubles. There will be a wide range of selections and new cultivars on display and for sale. www.mountvenusnursery.com

Kells Bay House & Gardens

Kells Bay House & Gardens hosts a lecture by Sir Tim Smit, KBE, on Saturday, 8 April, in The Dining Room at Kells Bay House, commencing at 10.30am. Titled ‘Kells, Eden and the art of making magic’ , the lecture will highlight various aspects of his career, including the discovery of the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the launch of The Eden Project. Sir Tim will officially open Ireland’s longest rope-bridge in the gardens on Friday, 7 April, and he will be available to guests from 10.30am. Places are limited. For more information: www.kellsgardens.ie

Courses at Altamont

Growing Organic Vegetables with Paula Pender offers a hands-on practical guide to vegetable gardening through the season, from preparing your raised bed, sowing seeds, raising seedlings, planning your crop, right through to harvesting. Develop growing skills in both polytunnel and outdoor small scale vegetable production.

Course commences in March and continues through until July 2017.

How to grow your own cut-flowers with Fionnuala Fallon is a one-day course on growing cut-flowers for the home or as a supplement to a floristry business – the best, most long-flowering and floriferous varieties to grow, seed suppliers, propagation, growing under cover, and how to beat weeds, pests and diseases. Course date: 25 March. Contact: sales@altamontplants.com

Consumer goods fairs

The three international consumer goods fairs Christmasworld, Paperworld and Creativeworld, as well as the new Floradecora trade fair reported 2,938 exhibitors from 63 countries with countless new contacts and well-filled order books. More than 85,400 trade buyers from 154 countries attended the 5-day Frankfurt fair to order goods for next season and establish important trading relationships. The products range from Christmas ornaments and seasonal decoration in conjunction with fresh flowers and plants, to hobby, craft and art supplies, and extends to gift items.

Woodville Walled Garden

Woodville Walled Garden, Kilchreest, Loughrea Co. Galway is open at week-ends for the month of March 11am to 5 pm with guided tour each day by head gardener Marie. Stunning display of spring blooms with the highlight of our Spring Festival on Saturday the 11th of March. Guest speaker is Hestor Forde, followed by heritage daffodil identification by Bartley Boyle. www.woodvillewalledgarden.com

Clare Garden Festival 2017

On 30 April, at Ennis Showgrounds, Ennis, Co. Clare, Clare Garden Festival is a treat for gardeners and a great day out for all the family. Quality garden and food stalls from all over Ireland join the popular festival every year, and the festival offers a series of talks from an accessible stage, and show gardens. Information: www.claregardenfestival.com

Sports and lawn surfaces

Irish Institute of Sports Surfaces reports many unfortunate scenarios where poor advice has led to the making of poorly thought-out decisions for improving the performance of playing surfaces, parks and lawns alike. Failure to follow best practice creates maintenance issues, such as poorly drained surfaces in winter to becoming rock
hard in summer. Contact: www.irishsportsurf.ie

Irish Seed Savers

Irish Seed Savers has expressed concern about vegetable shortages in Europe and imports from further afield. The main objective at Irish Seed Savers is to protect Ireland’s rich food crop heritage by preserving rare varieties of vegetables, grains, potatoes and heritage apple trees. To help the work of Irish Seed Savers, join www.irishseedsavers.ie.