Fireblight

Two of the photographs above are of a collection of Sorbus trees that I had in my garden. They are now nothing but a pile of ashes. The sorbus you see are members of the rosaceae or rose family – the most of which are susceptible to a disease known as fireblight.

The first thing I noticed was that the leaves were shrivelled, dead and still clinging to the plant. [These photographs were taken the last week in January btw]. The buds were also dead but still held to the plant. When I checked inside they too were gone. Necrosis had set in and the stems were dying from the top down.

The cause of this is the bacteria Erwinia amylovora spread generally by the wind blowing, insects and rain splash. It is that simple.

The recommended method of control used to be to burn the plant and that was the route I chose. I guess old habits die hard But some books recommend the pruning of the plant well below where the fireblight can be found. I simply prefer the better safe than sorry route and the chances of it affecting some of the many other Sorbus sp. that are planted in my garden.

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The Garden Group Visit The War Memorial Gardens

I had reviewed The War Memorial Gardens last May. But today wasn’t about my view of the park.

It was about a group of people, a great group of people I should add, who took some time out of their Sunday, to enjoy a little of the great outdoors. On a slight side note it was also about making garden group[s] a little funky

A note of very special thanks should go to the OPW and in particular Craig, from The War Memorial Gardens who gave a very enthusiastic guide to how the park works, its history, the design… put simply he proved just why The Irish Times ranked it number 5 in Irelands top ten hidden gems.

The weather was a little nippy. But on a positive, it didn’t rain Considering I work outdoors all week and I used to work in this park [some 16 years ago now albeit....] for me it was a really enjoyable afternoon, made partcularly amazing by people I spent it with. Thank you all. Sincerely.

Funny thing, I never ever thought the laughing point of Anthony and Nialls afternoon would involve a joke about pruning roses That really made me smile!

So the garden group got off the ground and it’s onwards and upwards… Next garden group outing will be announced the first week in March. Looking forward to it now.

More Pictures of the garden group gig over at Pix.ie

UPDATE:

Love Anthony’s [post] take on the war memorial gardens

Niamh has some pictures of the park over on pix.ie  – amazing what a different eye picks up.

Jenny took these photographs of the garden group day out that are simply breath taking. If I was The War Memorial Gardens – i’d buy them all.

Bohoe snapped these pics of the war memorial park visit on his iPhone [for the record ]

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The Garden Group Guide

Some months ago I popped out a wee blog post to get an idea of who may be interested in [lets call it...] the great outdoors. You see, I was a bit peeved off with [the perception] of some groups.

From what I’m told/ can gather some feel that once one is degree in horticulture-less or without manicured parallel lines of Buxus semprevirens one may be frowned upon. Note: [and please do] This is not to be insulting, in any way. It’s simply what has been portrayed to me and to an extent what I have received myself. But then that is in every walk of life irrespective of gardening? It doesn’t however make it correct. It certainly doesn’t encourage new virility nor an energetic youthfulness [of the mind].

For example, this is how the Photograph Bloggers do it….

You don’t need a big, expensive camera. You can even use your phone and if you check out the photoblogs, you’ll see plenty of superb shots taken in this way. Don’t be intimidated by those with gear you could swap for a car. Remember, a good shot is in the eye, not the camera!

Horticulture was described to me some time ago as a bit like teaching the Irish language or ye olde english poetry in that with the wrong teacher [?] one could be very quickly turned off and potentially for life. I would agree with that. And whilst I have more letters after my name than most some…. No intelligence should allow one to show ignorance nor assume hierarchy.

The funny thing about this group [for this first trip] is some don’t even have gardens. Fact. I’d guess 99% have never had a garden tour. And the maybe more/ a majority have never studied or done a garden related course. And what does that matter?

You see two things will happen here – approximately 20 people will get an insight into one of Ireland’s lesser known parks, from it’s horticulture to it’s history – that they have never been to before.

The second thing that will happen is The War Memorial Park in Island Bridge will have more information available on the web than could ever have been perceived prior to. Which leads me back to paragraph one multiplied by the amount of readers. In which case, my hope is that some readers may go there themselves and maybe you might even hear…

00OOO00h so that’s what Darren was talking about… you see honey what Lutyens was thinking when he designed in those two water features was…. [*reefs out iphone & searches culch.ie] ….I mean what they symbolise is…

Now we’re all talking the great outdoors…? Anyhow… Back to it….. Here’s what I asked previous:

are you interested in the greeny garden outdoors kinda thing but don’t want to fall asleep within the first 7 minutes/ seconds ….?

what if we became the hippest bunch of jimmedy crickets ever to cross the green line ?

All of the great bits of green and horticulture – except in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt [if that's what you like to wear ]

The response has been amazing. The people wishing to go are simply really nice people. I never thought a green-ee gig, free or otherwise could sell out in less than 3-4 hours.

If you are thinking of coming along to an outing – here are the rules basic principles of logic courtesies that apply. They are of course very simple.

• If your name is not on the list [left via comment] – you are not going!
• If you need to drop out – that’s fine but do so as soon as is possible
• I don’t get paid nor receive any gratuities for this
• If you don’t make the first quota – put your name down on the waiting list
• The quota is most likely not decided by me
• You really do enjoy yourself

Got a suggestion… thoughts or comments below

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For The Garden Group-ee’s

First up. If your name is not on the list – I am limited in numbers that I can bring by the very kind people of the OPW. As polite as I can say it…. You cannot go. It’s out of my hands, not my fault, nothing I can do…. sorry

For those who are going.

• Date: Sunday 7th February 2010
• Time: 11.30 am
• Meeting Point: In the car park just at the start of the park
• Contact me: if you are really stuck I’m on [Vodafone Prefix]6594688 or twitter.com/DoneganGardens
• Other: if you reckon you even may have had a relation who fought in World War 1 – get some or any information. The names can still be printed off from the original records. You may also wish to bring a case/ folder of some format to keep your copy dry and in tact. Photography is encouraged!
• Dress Code: See above video
• Duration: I reckon we shuldn’t be anything more than about 3 hours
• Weather: the weather…. your guess is as good as mine and this is Ireland. But I will be keeping an eye on met eireann and saying a wee prayer. Bring an umberella. Wrap up warm. And wear some shoes that will keep your feet dry.
• Lunch: I had suggested bringing a picnic. That’s what I will be doing anyway. All things going good it’ll be a flask of coffee and some nice sambos!
• Anything else: leave a comment below or gimme a call.
• Directions:

How To Get To The War Memorial Park from Westmoreland Street:

1.	Head north on N11/Westmoreland St toward Fleet St	0.1 km
2.	Slight left to stay on N11/Westmoreland St	31 m
3.	Take the 1st left onto Aston Quay/N4 Continue to follow N4	2.1 km
4.	Slight left at N4/Victoria Quay (signs for N4/N7/M50) Continue to follow N4	1.9 km
5.	Slight left at Con Colbert Rd	0.5 km
6.	Slight left at Sarsfield Rd	0.2 km
7.	Take the 1st left onto Landen Rd	78 m
8.	At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit and stay on Landen Rd	0.2 km
9.	Turn right at Sarsfield Rd	0.2 km
10.	Continue onto Con Colbert Rd	0.3 km
11.	Turn right at Con Colbert Rd/N4	0.2 km

Irish National War Memorial Park Ireland

If you come with the Phoenix Park behind you; walk past the army barracks [on your left hand side]. A very short distance after you will see the St John Of God School on your right hand side – turn in here and follow the road down until you arrive at the car park.If you reach the traffic lights at the T junction you have  gone too far.

View Larger Map

Who else is going:

• Niamh Smith
• Ángel Luis González alias Bohoe
• Alison- I’ve no web link
• Darren Byrne
• Anthony Mc Guinness
• Ronan Mc Guinness
• Angela Carr
• Dena Walker
• Lauren Fisher
• Blaithín alias Bngr
• Johnathan Grimes
• Niall Harbison
• Jennifer Farley
• Amy Long
• Jason Robards
• Eamonn Ashe
• and Peter Donegan

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Garden Group Tour ***Closed***

Unknowns to me, the lovely people of the Final Indo printed a blog article – borrowed from the blog here and over the course of the weekend – half the population of North Dublin either rang or called to my house.

UNFORTUNATELY….I am limited to 18 people. And all places for this tour filled after 3 hours. It is closed. Dúnta. Shut.

Nobody apart from those who left a comment on the landscaping weblog are permitted to attend. If you do turn up. I apologise in advance – but as I said I am limited to 18 people at a maximum.This was agreed with the parks department and is out of my control.

All details of any further Garden Group Events will be announced over my landscaping Blog - and will be put in the category Garden Group

Beir Bua

peter

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How Do I Know So Much About Breast Feeding …?

I must have the most varied career I have ever known. Definitely in the context of the great outdoors…. Here’s some of what I did for the year 2009. Anyhow….

Last week I got a phone call asking if I would speak at a conference.

J: Hi Peter its Jenny can you talk…?

P: Yeah sure Jen how are you and the garden and all that…?

J: Yeah good. Listen I put your name forward to speak at a conference. It for the….

P: Excellent stuff, thanks Jenny, thats great, really appreciated. What is the the Leche League anyway…?

J: Well its a group thats been on the go since….. breast feeding….. and you know…. breasts and feeding and breast feeding…..

Fair enough that’s not what she said…. but it was all I could hear. I admit I am of the male sex. I was born pre 1980. You know. Boys out the girls need to talk sort of genre. I still walk on the outside of the road. I didn’t know my Father had a voicebox until I was 32. Back to it… it was explained to me. I shall proceed…

P: So you want me to speak to all the Mothers about…..

J: Eh Peter no…

P: I mean I could do a sort of

J: Peter…

P: Well the last time I did a talk I did a…

J: Peter! It’s more for the children …of the mothers like 30 – 40 children about 8-12 years of age…

P: Sure… yeah Jen that’d be great….

I had put it to one side. Not ignoring it. Far from it. More I guess I didn’t realise forgot that a small country [in amount] of women are so far better organised than the U.S. Army.  That is a compliment by the way On Saturday when I got this email in. I rang Jane after and signed my name down.

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Brendan Smith, GM Food, Michael Creed and Teagasc

I’m not one for politcians being really honest. I understand politics. I just don’t trust too many of them. But this is one that you may enjoy. Sort of. Because it’s not until you get to the link at bottom of the page and see just how long Brendan Smith Minister, Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food takes to answer with anything of relevance to GM food, the question we all know he is trying his utmost aboility to avoid.

Reminds me of a football team trying to play out the last 10 minutes of a game in the oppositions half, right down by the corner flag… just to get a draw.

It summised quite well in this Michael Creed quote:

That is what makes a mockery of the Parliament.

First this statement from Michael Creeds website:

WEDNESDAY 27 Jan 10

Govt attempt to gag Teagasc raised in Dáil

Fine Gael Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Spokesperson Michael Creed TD has accused the Govt of refusing to answer questions about a reported reprimand sent to Teagasc on the subject of Ireland’s GM-free policy. Speaking during Dáil Questions today (Wednesday), Deputy Creed has demanded that the Government publish any such letter sent to the State’s agri-food research body.

“The FF/Green Government likes to bang on ad nauseum about the ‘smart’ economy, but reports of this letter suggest it would rather its expert bodies were dumb.

“It appears a letter was sent from the Department of Agriculture criticising Teagasc researchers involved in a study on GM feed. This is a sinister development. What scientific research will the Agriculture Ministry seek to stifle next if it treads on Green toes? Which scientific body will be subjected to a Government gag next if its research happens to undermine the programme for government? The Minister has, in a most disingenuous fashion, refused to answer direct questions from me today when he should undertake to publish this letter in full.

“The study undertaken by Teagasc researchers concerned the impact of a GM feed ban on the Irish pig industry. The results suggest that replacing GM feed with non-GM feed would increase the production cost per pig by between €2.51 and €3.93 and cost the industry up to €13.8 million annually. The conclusion to be drawn is that the Irish pig industry would not survive in the GM-free environment envisaged in the programme for government and foisted upon us by the Greens’ presence at the cabinet table.

“Instead of spending his time writing to criticise the experts at his disposal the Minister would do better to heed the warnings in this study and embrace scientific evidence to avoid the destruction of the pig meat sector.”

And with thanks to the amazing people at Kildare Street it is possible to read the transcripts of what exactly ws said. Grab yourself a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and time it on your watch as to how long it actually takes Brendan Smith TD to answer the question…..click this link:  Brendan Smith Michael Creed debate

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Thank You Amy

A package arrived to my house on Friday. Remember why nobody got Christmas cards this year… Back to it… this was to say thank you

A little card was attached. It meant so much. To that I would like to thank you.

The back of the mug reads as such… How nice is that !

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How To Stake And Strap A Tree

Following the pictures above…..

• tree stake at the ready… place the stake [generally] 3 fingers width from the base of the tree and 2 fingers width from the top. Once you have your position correct… push it in slightly.
• A tree stake pounder [the yellow object in the photographs] is preferable although you can use a sledge hammer. I find the sledge more often splits the stake and its also not very nice for Mary if she is the one holding it and you miss
• Drive your stake in until it’s sturdy, whilst along the way making sure its straight as it goes down.
• There are many forms of straps and buckles available… but for my garden I generally but a roll of strap and cut to size. Always allow a little extra if you are unsure you can always cut a little bit off the end – you can’t however add a little bit on.
• Wrap your strap around the tree and add the buckle on. Then pull really tight against the tree…. wrap one side around the stake and then double over the first piece.
• With the tree now sturdy against the stake and the strap not moving…. get Mary [or someone else ] to lean agains the back of the stake and hammer a nail in. Always leave a little off the nail sticking out so it can be removed if you get it wrong or it needs to be adjusted in time as the tree grows. Be sure not to tie the tree too tight.
• If you are doing trees in straight lines and you wish for them all to look nice and neat…. take a cane as an optimum measure of height, mark the tree stake and saw off at an angle.
• A little tidy around the base and go and grab yourself a cuppa

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Trade Associations for Garden Related Firms

There is no particular reason for this poll as such. It is however a real way to find out an overall public perception in relation to ‘garden’ related trade associations and just how aware people are of them or not.

I would ask [very politely... ] those involved in the trade if you could refrain from voting on this so as one can get a real feel for the general public [not in the trade] thoughts on the matter. If however you have something you would like to add… one can leave a comment below.

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