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landscape and garden design

"People ignore design that ignores people" ~ Frank Chimero. Good design begins not with us, but with you the client. The space must work for you..

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landscape construction ~ before and after gallery

From neglected to cultivated. From abandoned, to cherished. We all at times, can let our gardens slip into a state of disrepair. The long winter..

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Growing plants, shrubs and flowers

Tips on what you can set from seed at this time of year.


When setting anything, make sure that the ground is well prepared. This will make all the difference.
So dig up the soil and aerate / cultivate it. Get it nice and loose, and get some air running through it. Also ensure that there are no weeds in the soil.

Runner Beans:

These are fantastic. Plant then a few inches deep and space them. There is a lovely variety called 'Red Rum'. Keep them well watered and watch out for slugs! You will start to see the fruits of your labour within a month. They are pretty fast, and pretty tasty!

If space is an issue, and you don't want the beans growing along the ground - it’s often a good idea to make a tripod (with the likes of Bamboo sticks etc) and encourage the runner beans to grow upwards along the poles.

Beetroot

This is a great time to sow this vegetable. Beetroot, in recent times, has been recognised for its 'super food' properties. It adds fantastic colours to a summer salad, and an even better taste to a lunchtime sandwich! They grow well at many times of year - So you can set them now and have them ready for September.

Note: they also thrive in the cool temperatures of spring, and will do equally well if set then. Either way, once set, they are usually ready to harvest in less than two months after planting.

Varieties of Beetroot: There is specific one called 'bolt hardy beetroot', which is a personal favourite of mine. They are full of favour, have a beautiful deep colour, and are quick to grow. As the name suggests, they don't run or go to seed too fast.

Top tip: Not alone can you use the 'beet', but you can also use the foliage of the beetroot. It will make a tangy addition to a salad, and go very well with nuts and feta cheese. They are also packed full of nutrition, so it’s a win win!

Carrots

Like beetroot, carrots can be set at various times of year. There is a really nice variety called 'Amsterdam forcing'. You can put them in the ground, and if you time it correctly, you can get a really good ‘short’ sweet carrot. If you leave them for longer, they will grow that bit bigger, but they are at their best when they’re that bit shorter (in my humble opinion!)

Setting Bamboo | Treating and dealing with Ivy in your garden

 

Q: Liam in Stillorgan

"I want to grow bamboo in a container - what should I go for?"

Be careful. Make sure you get the correct Bamboo, as some will grow through the container and can take off. There are 'clump forming' bamboos which are very beautiful and that have lovely stems. So do your research. Note: You must have good drainage for bamboo.


Follow on Q from Liam. "How do I grow moso or giant bamboo?"


Giant bamboo is probably the one that can cause the most damage. So be careful! It grows to be very powerful and strong. The main thing to consider is the exact spot as to where  plant it - so if it does run away on you, you can grow it / cut it out. So placement is NB. Keep in mind, this type of bamboo can grow to be 20 feet high (also bamboo requires lots of water, so keep this in mind aswell).

 

Ivy Ivy everywhere!

Q. Aoife in Woodbine Park


"Any tips on how to kill ivy which is starting to strangle my peach tree?"
The best way is by hand. DON'T use any chemicals near your peach tree. It may be difficult, but its the best way.


Q. Sean in Kildare.


"I have a lot of ivy growing around my trees. What is the best way to deal with this?"

If ivy is growing in or around a tree or shrub which you want to protect, it is best to cut the ivy or pull it out. Using chemicals to kill the ivy can (and often will if not applied correctly) also kill your tree or shrub. Keep this in mind.

Top tip: On old walls etc (especially the 'older' ones that were constructed using a lime mix as its mortar) you often find lots of Ivy.

Sometimes the stems of this Ivy can be particularly thick. It is best practise NOT to rip this Ivy off the wall straight away. Why? Often because of the hold the Ivy can have on its host, you risk pulling the wall etc down with you when the Ivy is fresh. It is better to cut the stem of the Ivy near its base (make sure you cut out at least two inches, as it has been know for the cut stem to reattach and re grow), then wait until it starts to die off naturally. And then rip it out.

 

Gardening tips and advice

Gardening tips and Advice for Irish gardens - Month by month

We have recently started this fantastic frequently asked questions just for you! The aim is to build it into a comprehensive month by month gardening guide, one you can dip in and out of as the seasons change.

 

Setting Magnolia | Cutting back Apple trees | Wild flower meadows

 

Poly tunnels | Tree care | Briars and Garden Clearance

 

Privet hedge | Buttercups | Setting Red Robin

 

 Scented plants | Philadelphus (Mock orange) - 'Richard Grey' lavender - 'Night scented stock'. Low maintenance hedges.

 

  'A better alternative to Leylandii ~ Thuja' Q.4. Dealing with Hedges.  Leylandii vs Thuja | Getting rid of dandelions | Growing clematis.

 

 Lavender Hidcote - Ivy Gold Heart - Roses Rhapsody in blue.

 

 Growing plants in pots | Making compost | Fragrant climbing roses | Growing Oak Trees

 

 Horsetail or Marestail Weed killer | Getting rid of Ground Elder | Promoting Apple Growth on your Apple Tree | Dealing with Vine Weevil

 

 

 How to grow Runner Beans | Bolt hardy Beetroot | Amsterdam forcing Carrots | and more in your Garden

 

Popular tips and advice:

 

Dealing with, and getting rid of Moss!

 

Drainage. Building a French drain within your garden for better drainage.

 

Getting rid of garden pests (Greenfly | Slugs and Snails | Even cats!!)

 

Setting Bamboo - Dealing with Ivy.

 

 

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Gardening tips & advice

 

 

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