tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58863496618828892772024-03-19T03:41:44.104+00:00Greenside Up Vegetable BlogTaking the Jargon Out of the GardenGreenside Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08783193096121064217noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-11173958133748785062012-04-04T20:21:00.000+01:002012-04-06T17:27:07.043+01:00Last blog post......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well not quite but from Blogger anyway!<br />
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<span lang="EN">Little did I think when I posted my Milestone Thank You blog it would almost be my last from the <a href="https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?service=blogger&passive=1209600&continue=http://www.blogger.com/home&followup=http://www.blogger.com/home&ltmpl=start#s01" target="_blank">Blogger</a> blogging platform! Having been here since I started writing in 2009, this week I made the plunge and </span><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">have moved my blog to <a href="http://wordpress.org/download/" target="_blank">Wordpress</a></span></b><span lang="EN">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">All of </span><u><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">my future blog posts </span></u><span lang="EN">will now be coming from <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://greensideup.ie/dees-vegetable-blog/">www.greensideup.ie</a></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="EN">so whichever way
you're currently following them, please change your settings (RSS should automatically change) to ensure you pick up all future posts from there.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN">If you're following this blog via your Google ID you will have to re-follow using the subscribe form on the right hand side of the new blog (there's a message there pointing you to it). </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">To give you a taster of things to come, <b><a href="http://greensideup.ie/the-greenside-up-veg-patch/">my first post from the new site is a video blog of my vegetable garden</a></b> taken on 31st March and I'll be posting more as the garden grows over the seasons.</span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN">As most of my fellow blogging friends will know, I've been a huge fan of
Blogger since I started using it so it's with a touch of sadness and trepidation that I'm leaving it behind. It's easy to navigate, has lots of great
templates to give interest to the page and for a non-techy person is a great place
to blog from. I've argued it's pluses at many a bloggers meeting and had even
agreed to talk about it at a network meeting this autumn. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN">So why the change of
heart? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN">My blog is now incorporated into my website which means th</span></span><span lang="EN" style="text-indent: -18pt;">ere's just one URL (<a href="file:///C:/Users/Dee/Documents/Dee's%20Files%20&amp;%20Folders/Dee%20&amp;%20Ian's%20Gardening%20Business/Blog/www.greensideup.ie"><span style="color: blue;">www.greensideup.ie</span></a>) rather than two (website and blog) so no more confusion for readers or customers.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN">I have complete control over my website, how it looks and how it's updated (once I've learnt how to do it, in the meantime thank you Ken from <a href="http://eventmedia.ie/">Event Media</a> for being so patient!). I should be able to do all my own updates without pestering anyone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="EN">Because my website is now hosted under the Wordpress.org site, it means that should I ever want to expand my business and add to it at a later stage, it's all set up to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">So I do hope you'll go take a look, say hello and let me know what you think. We're still working on a few small changes, checking links etc. but almost there now. If you missed the link at the beginning, here it is again <a href="http://greensideup.ie/dees-vegetable-blog/">www.greensideup.ie</a>.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><b><i><span lang="EN">So all that leaves me to say is its goodbye from me here and hello from me over there!</span></i></b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.greensideup.ie</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-5420645658787756292012-03-31T17:17:00.001+01:002012-03-31T21:05:11.697+01:00Polytunnels & Greenhouses - Is cheap better than nothing at all?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0hyphenhyphenjQ6SRh9T15_OJ9DBXzwBSHs48uoIKdOWzLV9j3koNZtUmRmuUNIgzAisYaoaoo8rF_OSLVbnnaijv6UJVXA7YxoCjeyU8GE-TrseDDGnoiAdpgJhtB6h6h1G41x0qx7iBhtMt38AN/s1600/Ballyfoyle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0hyphenhyphenjQ6SRh9T15_OJ9DBXzwBSHs48uoIKdOWzLV9j3koNZtUmRmuUNIgzAisYaoaoo8rF_OSLVbnnaijv6UJVXA7YxoCjeyU8GE-TrseDDGnoiAdpgJhtB6h6h1G41x0qx7iBhtMt38AN/s400/Ballyfoyle2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tunnel was donated to a group - it had been previously abandoned</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That was the question I posed to the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/351683754850215/" target="_blank">Community Garden Network Group</a> this week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm often asked by the groups I work with for advice on buying a polytunnel or greenhouse and have always replied <i>"the best that you can afford - you want it to last"</i> but as funding for the gardens is getting harder to find, and communities are having to fundraise for everything from tools and seeds, equipment and education, a tunnel can be a huge initial expense.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_lUw6uYmE4CIXTj7nDEmJ9UFzEpYcKvy4F14LNbf89nMXmjSR8GQXb8USXjroddsUHtjtFUF6Cy5VbBjLIxSkXO1nxX3gO4sc2pRBtOlW0ksWN-EIUVKNJB4_O7l0XWLJYL3ocBBDk8q/s1600/windowgreenhouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_lUw6uYmE4CIXTj7nDEmJ9UFzEpYcKvy4F14LNbf89nMXmjSR8GQXb8USXjroddsUHtjtFUF6Cy5VbBjLIxSkXO1nxX3gO4sc2pRBtOlW0ksWN-EIUVKNJB4_O7l0XWLJYL3ocBBDk8q/s320/windowgreenhouse.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image via www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My question has received some great responses which I'd like to share with you in case you're not on Facebook where the Group currently reside and you're considering buying a polytunnel.</span><br />
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<a class="actorName" data-ft="{"type":35}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=629381013" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=629381013" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Andrew Jordan</a><span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"> </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">an alternative to buying a polytunnel is to build one with plastic water pipe and scaffolding bars.. another way is to build a geodesic dome with coppiced hazel/ash and water pipe for hubs.. i can describe the technique if ur interested</span>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><a class="actorName" data-ft="{"type":35}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100003251761177" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003251761177" id="js_8" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Larry Masterson</a> <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Dee experience over the years with Community Gardens in the North West informs me that the real value of a polytunnel nevertheless isn’t directly to do with plants! Literature enlightens this topic more . . . any community-managed project relies heavily (and sometimes wholly) on volunteer labour, and how reliable this labour is determines how well the garden project will work – or whether it will work at all . . . for the marginally-motivated volunteer waking up on a cold or wet morning, the possibility of a cup of tea and a chat out of the rain can make the difference between being a fair-weather weeder and being a hard-working core member. . . the key factor here is human energy, a variable which is often overlooked when community projects are planned and set up .It encompasses motivation and burn-out, but there are things that you can do to tip things in the project’s favour. . . a short while spent looking around, or just chatting in the tunnel at the start of a ‘shift’ isn’t a sign of a lazy participant, but one who is reconnecting with the community effort and their place within it . . . definite break times when people are encouraged to meet for a coffee in the tunnel can also help foster this community spirit . . . moreover, work studies have repeatedly shown that people are most productive when they take regular breaks . . . meals aside, a fifteen to thirty minute break after every two hours worked seems to be a successful strategy . . . a selection of old boots, tools and waterproofs in the tunnel will save a lot of time when volunteers forget their own, and helps to build a sense of shared ownership . . . the tunnel crop bars are a good place to hang a few clipboards containing things like this year’s plot plan (with future crops marked), a duty rota, and a list of ‘free jobs’ – tasks for anyone with the time to do them . . . this helps people see how their own efforts fit into the larger scheme of things – vital for keeping them enthused . . . during wet periods of the year, most of the gardening tasks in the tunnel itself are suitable for the ‘free jobs’ list . . . when it rains, people will fight over them! As Hans in the Organic Centre would say “Do not buy a flimsy, itsi wizzy polytunnel, buy as big and good quality as you can get with the best ventilation possible”</span>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><a class="actorName" data-ft="{"type":35}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1434469709" href="http://www.facebook.com/lily.desylva" id="js_12" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Lily de Sylva</a> <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Hi Dee, I'd agree with <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=629381013" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=629381013" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Andrew Jordan</a> about building your own, a wooden frame with plastic works well too. However, for the real macoy I do find Polydome very good, and it is woth checking out this guy too (in Clonmel <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gardenpolytunnels.ie%2Fpage_7.html&h=3AQENxalPAQGcpgNcRtsopwJJzumRE2BHlpMzzm7wKqB0DA" target="_blank">www.gardenpolytunnels.ie</a>)</span></span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><a class="actorName" data-ft="{"type":35}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=749298722" href="http://www.facebook.com/scutterboy" id="js_14" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Matthew Wilson</a> <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=629381013" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=629381013" id="js_15" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer;">Andrew Jordan</a> That deserves its own post.<br />I might nick it and post it in Natural Building Ireland.</span>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><a class="actorName" data-ft="{"type":35}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100001104127271" href="http://www.facebook.com/thesoundfarmer" id="js_17" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Fearghus Thesoundfarmer O'Murchu</a> <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">lots of ways to build a tunnel frame.i have made a few with salvaged/upcycled material.i suggest not skimping on the actual plastic,buy the best cover you can afford then look for heavy duty plastic pipe or andrews idea of coppiced poles</span>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><a class="actorName" data-ft="{"type":35}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100001895419754" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001895419754" id="js_2" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Gillespie Polytunnels</a> <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Trying not to have a biased opinion as we actually make polytunnels, but it's worthwhile for a community group to look at getting a tunnel to suit their needs, we made one last year for a community group in Derry where there are a large nu<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">mber using it, we made it considerably higher than normal and a few of the guys made shelving and used the crop bars to hang shelves, they were able to put potting benches in the centre too, so everyone had plenty of space for their seed trays eyc. there is pictures on John mc menamins Facebook page of the actual tunnel itself( he is on our friend list)<br />We have a few tunnels going up for community groups at the moment, some of which are customised to their requirements.<br />One thing we always hear from customers coming back is that they should have went for a larger tunnel, be weary of the very cheap polytunnels- first storm and a lot of them are gone, nothing cheap about them when you have to replace them!<br />Better to wait until your budget can afford for a good quality decent sized tunnel even if it means waiting another season !!</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">Additionally the post was shared and the replies included:</span></span><br />
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<a class="actorName" data-ft="{"type":35}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100001387893139" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001387893139" id="js_19" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 14px; text-decoration: none;">Paul Martin</a><span style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"> </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Polydome in birr might do a deal if its for community garden</span>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><a class="actorName" data-ft="{"type":35}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=685153572" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=685153572" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Patrick Kelly</a> <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">There is a Dublin in ballycallan Laois,not far from strabaly,they are made from red tubing,used in the building trade for electricity</span>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><a class="actorName" data-ft="{"type":35}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1536360239" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1536360239" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Hans Wieland</a> <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Hi Dee, cheaper is not always better, I can only repeat, what I recommend at my polytunnel courses: 1. Do not buy a flimsy, itsi wizzy polytunnel. 2. Buy as big and good quality as you can get (typically 12-15 m long), 3. get the best ventilation possible going, by having the widest doors ever possible, 4. Do not buy a flimsy, itsi wizzy polytunnel.5. TALK TO HANS at hans@theorganiccentre.ie</span>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><a class="actorName" data-ft="{"type":35}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1536360239" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1536360239" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Hans Wieland</a> <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">we have worked with community gardens etc for over 8 years and saving money on a polytunnel is not a good option, my advice get a few quotes from suppliers (the market is very competitive) and ask for the best deal</span>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><a class="actorName" data-ft="{"type":35}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=685153572" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=685153572" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Patrick Kelly</a> <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">There is a lot of used windows out there,I know guys who repar double glaze windows and are left with the old window. You could make an glass house of sorts</span>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><a class="actorName" data-ft="{"type":35}" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100000645474433" href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000645474433" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Josephine Mcgee</a> <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">We managed to get a 18 f 28 f 8foot high second hand but be prepared to put the work in to go and pick it up and take it apart yourself then put it together yourself on site and with everyone helping many hands makes it easier and cheaper. You could have raised beds until you have the money together.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgYU78Fk-JA7_aIo9zc5pM5HvKSCJpa0Selb7cN_ROh-XELcGUL3BAhil2LpKlt2lz17xBwAgUFSbGrPohJ2Cs3ilGNcgun7tPeKrGFPZqCAqedop-h622DcY6lyQr9PoMeJr0LW9czWq/s1600/Dondeal+polytunnel.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgYU78Fk-JA7_aIo9zc5pM5HvKSCJpa0Selb7cN_ROh-XELcGUL3BAhil2LpKlt2lz17xBwAgUFSbGrPohJ2Cs3ilGNcgun7tPeKrGFPZqCAqedop-h622DcY6lyQr9PoMeJr0LW9czWq/s320/Dondeal+polytunnel.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<donedeal <a="" advertise="" also="" href="http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/otherfarming/2772493" one="" polytunnels.="" similar="" target="_blank" to="">Done Deal advertise polytunnels too. One resembling <a href="http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/otherfarming/2772493" target="_blank">this</a> was used by a group Garath Austin worked with in Northern Ireland. He commented that "it worked well year 1, very successful" though has recently been dismantled. He also recommended <a href="http://www.morrispolytunnels.co.uk/3mwide.php" target="_blank">Morris Polytunnels </a> in Omagh where you could pick one up for a similar price but for quality highly recommends <a href="http://gillespiepolytunnels.com/" target="_blank">Gillespie Polytunnels</a><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;">I always recommend <a href="http://www.highbank.ie/" target="_blank">Highbank</a> as they're local, extremely well made, helpful and friendly. Building your own is an option and if you have the manpower and little funds go for it. The tunnel in the top picture was a donation from a farmer who had the frame sitting unused and unloved in a field - the group just needed to buy the polythene.</span></donedeal><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigz-2kWxo9hSfmi3C8XoD5BQGCSFmdXDo-wfdEzF4rjrtQvmG6kDVFFVSz4u_w0yZTsJAPCnL3BrpdnhbmZ4dVjeG8B45ZmHSgycz1oGUPFTC3mh9tImaaLSow6eKv3UvyD1ucHyOzDpol/s1600/2011-09-07+14.30.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigz-2kWxo9hSfmi3C8XoD5BQGCSFmdXDo-wfdEzF4rjrtQvmG6kDVFFVSz4u_w0yZTsJAPCnL3BrpdnhbmZ4dVjeG8B45ZmHSgycz1oGUPFTC3mh9tImaaLSow6eKv3UvyD1ucHyOzDpol/s320/2011-09-07+14.30.38.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenhouse made entirely from recycled windows & plastic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333;">The example </span><a href="http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about395-15.html" target="_blank">below</a><span style="color: #333333;"> was made by a gardener on the </span><a href="http://irishgardeners.com/">Irishgardeners.com</a><span style="color: #333333;"> forum site and a neighbour of mine has successfully built a similar one - here the metal frame was previously an old trampoline base cut in half. Being made from galvanised steel, it's the frame that usually costs the bulk of the money spent on a new polytunnel - that expense has immediately been spared, and why dump an old trampoline when you can upcycle it!</span><br />
<donedeal <a="" advertise="" also="" href="http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/otherfarming/2772493" one="" polytunnels.="" similar="" target="_blank" to="">
<span style="color: #333333;"></span></donedeal><br />
<donedeal <a="" advertise="" also="" href="http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/otherfarming/2772493" one="" polytunnels.="" similar="" target="_blank" to="">
</donedeal><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ofmKvB4Le6sG-hgHdH6FqHfoGaQCXWAMYNiDHQtDU4SoQHN9yXxtzhzdUac6p2BkjwOPwdt77CxbluD3d3X9okBkd3QSWCdTxfhH5e9IJI5vaxwDJnG-enUC-o5d0oEiEnaGj2JcfiY9/s320/trampoline+polytunnel.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture from irishgardeners.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #333333;">Our local school is building a small greenhouse built from plastic drink bottles, but that perhaps is more suitable for schools and smaller gardens than those where 10 to 20 people might be congregating.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;">If you'd like to see some ideas how others have made their own greenhouses, I have a <a href="http://pinterest.com/greensideup/recycled-greenhouses/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> board you can find <a href="http://pinterest.com/greensideup/recycled-greenhouses/" target="_blank">here</a> with examples.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;">So there you have it - lots of choices to help you with your decision making. I hope that's given you a few ideas to be getting on with.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;">The more I've looked at the lovely recycled images in Pinterest, the more I'm inclined to think that if you can build a greenhouse or polytunnel for next to nothing then why not do so and in the meantime start saving all your cash so that you can invest in something better for a longer term solution.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;">I'd love to hear how you get on or if you have any other ideas for saving money on a polytunnel or greenhouse in your garden.</span></div>
Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-65921894227511847992012-03-24T09:41:00.000+00:002012-03-24T09:41:09.895+00:00Reaching a Milestone...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I first started blogging back in June 2009 I was busy posting away to what I thought were just two followers. I didn't mind, I was new to it, tentatively learning about this new blogging world and enjoying being able to write about my own gardening experiences.<br />
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Initially the idea was to share with my customers my own gardening experiences to help to give my fledgling business some credibility. As time went by I started to include tips and advice, recipes and anything else that popped into my head.<br />
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It was a few months before I found my stats page and delightedly discovered that more than two people were actually reading my posts. Whoopee - what a lovely surprise!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhduFmJhMsHdZFR0-RFskU1kZqVrOaobywivS5OtijFdyVc4BSBE6AUyQ4V_52eQ_yMK0fISuT4hWip8KI6vuBzIo32fPonpaoEUc2x4jWXhaiLB1I4tJjWNEZnWqE0jIrsacB8g6JcsWtA/s1600/klck+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhduFmJhMsHdZFR0-RFskU1kZqVrOaobywivS5OtijFdyVc4BSBE6AUyQ4V_52eQ_yMK0fISuT4hWip8KI6vuBzIo32fPonpaoEUc2x4jWXhaiLB1I4tJjWNEZnWqE0jIrsacB8g6JcsWtA/s200/klck+logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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In 2010 I joined the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/klckbloggersnetwork?ref=ts" target="_blank">KLCK Bloggers Network Group</a> and my approach to social media took a new turn. The speakers at the group shared their vast experience and knowledge with us all, made us think differently about our content, encouraged us to plan our posts and have goals. Goals? Strategy? Yikes! All I wanted to do was write. Something must have been sinking in though as my page views steadily grew. As I realised that people were actually looking at my blog, my confidence in writing it began to grow too.<br />
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Over the past couple of weeks I've watched the page views get closer to that magic milestone number of 50,000, helped along considerably by the unashamed pimping for the latest competition (thanks to everyone who's helped there too). I found myself asking why I blog and where is it heading, what would you like to see, do stats matter, are they important? I was happy to write when I thought there was nobody looking, is it any different now that I've had 50,000 + page views? The answer is yes and no. No in that I still write because I enjoy it but the fact that you are reading the blog makes me think a lot more about what I'd like to include in it. The stats help me to see what interests you, where my writing came be of more help.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwM8u2V7U6moFpOH2-SL_KhyphenhyphenOgP_Gqe8Dzm6kYsWLExJA9436ogRz5PqObPVrpy6KYb0cynkbGaEIGkU0lX2DzB76X4AJLknEuGw75cwlOBF2EKLVMs3xIuJYZoqgV9cIkUd9QxqhSMoYw/s1600/courgette+cake+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwM8u2V7U6moFpOH2-SL_KhyphenhyphenOgP_Gqe8Dzm6kYsWLExJA9436ogRz5PqObPVrpy6KYb0cynkbGaEIGkU0lX2DzB76X4AJLknEuGw75cwlOBF2EKLVMs3xIuJYZoqgV9cIkUd9QxqhSMoYw/s320/courgette+cake+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
So for any newbie bloggers who are reading this now, or for anyone else who's interested, as I pass my magic milestone I'm sharing the top five reasons why I blog...<br />
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1. Top of the list is because I enjoy writing. I find it therapeutic and like to lose myself here (for too long my husband might say...)<br />
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2. It's a source of information for 'my' gardeners as well as for anyone else who likes to grow or eat vegetables or cares about the environment. It enhances my aftercare service as customers aren't just left alone once the workshops or advice has finished.<br />
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3. I can share recipe ideas that we've tried and tested at home. Lots of people new to growing their own haven't eaten or cooked many of the vegetables they're growing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ew-mZ6r02cLysnSsw96oHdAxXaDllFEYL9RDfgwgIjR8fbkn25JJxoPcpVNlV98bbUx8D50I1y2oCXuE2idOAdGIAKTb-4z7gPD7UFHg7XONoytr56RIymE1g2FNktOqm_PWevTAHdlS/s1600/P7241632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ew-mZ6r02cLysnSsw96oHdAxXaDllFEYL9RDfgwgIjR8fbkn25JJxoPcpVNlV98bbUx8D50I1y2oCXuE2idOAdGIAKTb-4z7gPD7UFHg7XONoytr56RIymE1g2FNktOqm_PWevTAHdlS/s320/P7241632.JPG" width="320" /></a>4. Blogging helps to keep me focussed and continue with my own education. Some of the articles I've written I've had to seriously research, for instance the <a href="http://greensideupveg.blogspot.com/2011/11/gm-ticking-time-bomb.html" target="_blank">GM post.</a> If I wasn't blogging I'm not sure I'd be keeping quite so up-to-date about current and topical issues.<br />
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5. Because my blog's a mixture of personal and business, it shows there's a real person behind the business name who has as many successes, failures, angst and elation as the rest of you.<br />
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And to share the top five most popular blog posts since I began writing it....<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">1</span> <a href="http://greensideupveg.blogspot.com/2010/06/yummy-courgette-cake-recipe.html" target="_blank">Yummy Courgette Cake</a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2</span> <a href="http://greensideupveg.blogspot.com/2011/05/world-naked-gardening-day-liberating.html" target="_blank">World Naked Gardening Day</a><br />
3 <a href="http://greensideupveg.blogspot.com/2010/08/mealy-cabbage-aphids-on-my-brussels.html" target="_blank">Mealy Cabbage Aphids on my Brussels Sprouts</a><br />
4 <a href="http://greensideupveg.blogspot.com/2010/06/organic-pesticides-and-fungicides.html" target="_blank">Pesticides & Fungicides Using Kitchen Ingredients</a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">5</span> <a href="http://greensideupveg.blogspot.com/2010/02/potatoes-all-you-need-to-know-to-help.html" target="_blank">Potatoes - all you need to know</a><br />
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So a massive thanks to everyone who's dropped by - I hope you'll be visiting again. There's still lots of posts bubbling around in my head that I hope to spill out over the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, if there's any topic you'd like me to write about, please leave a comment here or on any of the other social media sites I frequent <i>(and for anyone who knows me, that's most of them by now)</i> and I'll try and include them.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Bradley Hand ITC'; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">Dee x<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br />Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-73978659897445883362012-03-17T09:30:00.000+00:002012-03-24T18:19:28.798+00:00It's a celebration weekend! So it's competition time for a gardeners goodie bag...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As we're having a double celebration here in Ireland with <span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><b>St Patrick's Day</b></span> today and <span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>Mothering Sunday</b></span> tomorrow, what better time to share the happy mood than to have a <span style="font-size: large;">prize giveaway</span>!<br />
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The lovely Eoin Flaherty of <a href="http://soweasygrow.ie/about-soweasygrow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Sow Easy Grow</span></a> has kindly donated the fabulous prize for one lucky reader of the Greenside Up blog. This is one of four kits available to buy on their website or at garden centres and would make a great starter kit for anyone interested in growing vegetables (or for someone like me who's tools are wearing out!).<br />
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With our environment in mind, this Gardeners Delight Kit contains the newly launched <a href="http://soweasygrow.ie/growgrid" target="_blank">GrowGrid</a>, Seaweed Fertiliser, <a href="http://greensideupveg.blogspot.com/2012/02/product-review-becausewecaretm.html" target="_blank">Biodegradable 3" pots</a>, organic seeds and aloe vera gloves, all contained within a handy jute bag.<br />
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Eoin has a passion for fresh, seasonal vegetables that have been grown without using chemicals and like many of us, knows from personal experience how labour intensive weeding can be. As a result he came up with the idea of the GrowGrid, a product manufactured in Ireland.<br />
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The GrowGrid is a weed membrane that lies directly onto a prepared seed bed and is pegged down with the biodegradable pegs. Vegetables are sown or transplanted into the ready made holes that are punched at intervals to suite a wide variety of vegetable crops. There are four different mats available for different vegetable requirements and you can choose from 4m or 8m lengths by 1.5m wide.<br />
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So whether you're into gardening or you have a friend or relative who might enjoy this fabulous prize, it's very easy to enter. All you have to do is leave a comment in the box below that contains the words <b>Sow Easy Grow</b> or sign up for the monthly newsletter (scroll down the column on the right until you arrive at the Newsletter box - which will ensure you're in the draw if Blogger's playing up and you're unable to leave a comment.)<br />
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Apologies to all my further afield readers, but on this occasion the prize giveaway <u>can only be mailed to addresses in Ireland and the UK</u> <i>(though if you have a relative or friend living there who might like to receive this lovely gift.....)</i><br />
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So why not give it a go ... and as it's a weekend of celebration and giving, please help to spread the word to everyone you know. The lucky winner will be chosen by a random generator next <b>Saturday 24th March at 6.00pm.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQObEjPVSsyAVWP2nQ4WWlzNhow1eh4UN1iTagyLyJosjNb3q45IbT0BvoJDTn9JEYWkNzjHU3nTUBvsiYSiASnJmT8LqVmowm6VMuXowTdFBxLHrmXaThOTImnAihB97Jwu9HaRHnFVnz/s1600/saint-patrick-day-icon-md.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQObEjPVSsyAVWP2nQ4WWlzNhow1eh4UN1iTagyLyJosjNb3q45IbT0BvoJDTn9JEYWkNzjHU3nTUBvsiYSiASnJmT8LqVmowm6VMuXowTdFBxLHrmXaThOTImnAihB97Jwu9HaRHnFVnz/s200/saint-patrick-day-icon-md.png" width="200" /></a><br />
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Good Luck<br />
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Dee x<br />
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AND THE WINNER IS......................... JENNY DOYLE! Congratulations Jenny. Hope this starts you on a new journey to grow your own! I'll be in touch regarding delivery.<br />
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<br />Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com64tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-30323157778874462802012-03-13T16:37:00.001+00:002012-03-13T16:38:49.594+00:00Tell me and I forget...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">M</span>arch - a month where gardeners everywhere start to get excited about the growing season ahead. For me that means I'm back doing what I love - helping communities set up gardens and teaching people how to grow vegetables.<br />
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Amongst other commitments I'm helping three gardens a week in different towns and villages in Carlow and Kilkenny, with another due to start up in a few weeks time. I've written a few posts on how and why community gardens are so great (see the tab at the top of the page for links) but today's post isn't about that. Today's post is about why I enjoy working with them...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusbpaXukTbShYmKIFFdvxljXQw4gJAyMsx6zH9zl1_T7r0p_7rAkqu7ATiXq4XVyl2vQHyZKYWCZCbr6BrsX3DCAGXeT60rfILroUqWqQ8RNcU_ELa46MHKGIQu78aGdALS78fEDSkdDE/s1600/Tell+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusbpaXukTbShYmKIFFdvxljXQw4gJAyMsx6zH9zl1_T7r0p_7rAkqu7ATiXq4XVyl2vQHyZKYWCZCbr6BrsX3DCAGXeT60rfILroUqWqQ8RNcU_ELa46MHKGIQu78aGdALS78fEDSkdDE/s400/Tell+me.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Benjamin Franklin's quote sums up precisely why community gardens can be so good - practical, hands on, community involvement where people can learn.<br />
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I heard another quote today which also captures the essence of community gardening. As I can't find the original author, I'll credit it to <a href="http://doneganlandscaping.com/" target="_blank">Peter Donegan</a> who mentioned it:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"gardens are for people and not just the plants"</span></div>
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If you're involved in community gardening a group of us are in the process of establishing <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/351683754850215/" target="_blank">The Community Garden Network</a> (supporting community gardening in Ireland and Northern Ireland). We have an active facebook group and a dedicated website is on it's way giving us a permanent home to connect.<br />
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If you want to learn more about gardening and growing vegetables, perhaps there's a community garden somewhere near you...Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-56126499365552327722012-03-10T17:13:00.004+00:002012-03-10T17:13:55.043+00:00How to get rid of pernicious weeds without chemicals<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZy8xiq4MeoOGNN4mAN1ocPymNVcaxspiGtidXqFEE6BsoUaVDQ1uLqdiFIZH0Oz5GHHOAIq__0L679JYOrATrD8IX_i8GVN17kg0zAWZBbVzE2l6AwFZhMinQ4gZGwRGdBiZivdr-dlP/s1600/2012-03-09+15.32.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZy8xiq4MeoOGNN4mAN1ocPymNVcaxspiGtidXqFEE6BsoUaVDQ1uLqdiFIZH0Oz5GHHOAIq__0L679JYOrATrD8IX_i8GVN17kg0zAWZBbVzE2l6AwFZhMinQ4gZGwRGdBiZivdr-dlP/s400/2012-03-09+15.32.13.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhubarb, strawberries (honestly), creeping buttercup & scutch grass</td></tr>
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A few people have asked me recently what they should be doing in the veg garden right now.<br />
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It's still too early to sow most vegetables outside but we've had a few mild days over the past week, making ideal conditions to get out and prepare the beds for the growing season to come. Part of soil preparation is weeding and knowing how to weed effectively is essential if you want to keep on top of them.<br />
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It seems obvious now I'm used to getting down and dirty in my garden, but it's not that many years ago that I looked out at the wilderness and asked myself how on earth I was going to tackle all of those weeds.<br />
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When you're gardening without chemicals, and in particular trying to rid the garden of the weeds, there's no getting away from the fact that it takes a bit more effort and hard work. Long term however it's well worth the effort. Sandro Cafolla of <a href="http://wildflowers.ie/">Wildflowers.ie</a> explains it very well <a href="http://youtu.be/t-nq6iYD_5U" target="_blank">here</a> why Roundup isn't the long term solution to weeds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifR-UiA0XID5uSUPmvtFSVak29jpoTX7Qd2zQbaVLWzjB4YyLo8w2yPu7ejWnUA19gYAu3aD4u4KmTXmJZNmhPIcN3gLSXSbxa4WANHsML4TIwK72DQ3XIR6eu1OLwLkYlbO2x9Wf4ALOn/s1600/2012-03-10+14.32.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifR-UiA0XID5uSUPmvtFSVak29jpoTX7Qd2zQbaVLWzjB4YyLo8w2yPu7ejWnUA19gYAu3aD4u4KmTXmJZNmhPIcN3gLSXSbxa4WANHsML4TIwK72DQ3XIR6eu1OLwLkYlbO2x9Wf4ALOn/s200/2012-03-10+14.32.40.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dandelion</td></tr>
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So without reaching for the chemicals what are the options to us smaller scale gardeners? Some people like to pour distilled vinegar onto their weeds, or burning them off with a garden flame gun. If you have animals that graze they're great for clearing weeds in orchards or relatively new to the market here is <a href="http://owk.ie/" target="_blank">Irish Organic Weed killer</a>, but in the vegetable patch where we're growing food to eat, my preferred method is settling down with my favourite tool and hand weeding.<br />
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I find the hardest part of weeding is getting over the psychological block of actually starting the job - once started it can be very therapeutic. Listening to the birds, being outside in the fresh air, stopping for a cup of tea now and again, relaxing and admiring the handiwork can be a peaceful and immensely rewarding time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTh9wZvYOaYMBBcG2QLc21EhUm71In6QvCvloG1HVnk1Zk3GLn1jG1rj_Lnk1TUXsHAuIKBccpULMY4CUvGf6Dv3zoOf1N5Ed_QsrY4xpAOkPE1SlB0ooDynXuDu1mUx0c-SehRRJBuKd/s1600/2012-03-10+13.35.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTh9wZvYOaYMBBcG2QLc21EhUm71In6QvCvloG1HVnk1Zk3GLn1jG1rj_Lnk1TUXsHAuIKBccpULMY4CUvGf6Dv3zoOf1N5Ed_QsrY4xpAOkPE1SlB0ooDynXuDu1mUx0c-SehRRJBuKd/s400/2012-03-10+13.35.43.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now an essential part of my gardening kit - a pink kneeling mat!</td></tr>
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This particular bed had been overrun with creeping buttercup as can be seen above, and as pretty as buttercups are when in flower, they've been competing with space and nutrients in my strawberry patch so their days were numbered.<br />
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A good hand tool is essential for this kind of weeding and having survived for a few years with my cheap double headed hoe, I've managed to break two in the last couple of weeks so will shortly be investing in a new one like this <a href="http://www.chillingtontoolsonline.co.uk/double-headed-hoe-p41" target="_blank">Chillington Double Headed Hoe</a> I spotted recently.<br />
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I've also been using old compost bags to keep the knees from getting cold but this year treated myself to a <a href="http://www.webbsdirect.co.uk/burgon_and_ball-burgon-and-ball-kneelo-kneeling-pad-6-colours-prodbbkneelo/" target="_blank">Burgon & Ball Kneelo Kneeling Pad</a> that I adore - it's warm, comfy and moulds to the knees (showing my age). So with those couple of items and a pair of leather gloves (nettles, blackthorn suckers and creeping thistle also hang out in this bed so are essential), that's all the equipment needed, well that and a bucket or a wheelbarrow to collect the weeds in.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxsaP79OkGtSbeAD8MddKXxKZvf_84DEg566s7uxvwUEzG-bqECPhTmcR8aKQpj_ymZ0I3Pz3euB9bFK2c26s-ymTMTMbMwENaKQS85yZzZU2vBu1fZu1sDos2A82Ui84onrjR6gtWuZK/s1600/2012-03-10+14.31.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxsaP79OkGtSbeAD8MddKXxKZvf_84DEg566s7uxvwUEzG-bqECPhTmcR8aKQpj_ymZ0I3Pz3euB9bFK2c26s-ymTMTMbMwENaKQS85yZzZU2vBu1fZu1sDos2A82Ui84onrjR6gtWuZK/s200/2012-03-10+14.31.22.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Docks</td></tr>
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Most of the weeds I've mentioned are known as *pernicious perennials - meaning plants that are destructive to other plants. They should be eliminated completely if possible and the only way to do that without chemicals is to dig out all the roots, or cover the area with black plastic for a year or more, or if you have a large area (like the four hectares mentioned in Sandro's clip) bring them up, harrow them off, dry them out and repeat if necessary. It's essential to keep on top of the weeds though and not allow them to flower and produce seeds.<br />
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Pernicious weeds shouldn't be added to the compost heap either as unless you have a very hot heap the weeds wont die off. They can however, be placed into a black plastic sack, tied up and left for a year to die, then added to the heap (yet to try this).<br />
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The double headed hand hoe works for most smaller weeds (pernicious or not), a garden fork may be needed for deeper rooted weeds such as dock or dandelion and a garden hoe is handy for tipping off the not nearly so bad annual weeds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5qzxaKTv3cASg4N2eCUQ7tTfw33F4E7aNs2R4i8-gPSeLrL8-IoMnqmn8wv34Rmg9HpW3XVWUfHgf86bpxoY2_jw6a7HxdES573G77c2wn_xNvctvLWXH7sbfyeB5p_kGURxUXvgkfcc/s1600/2012-03-10+14.28.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG5qzxaKTv3cASg4N2eCUQ7tTfw33F4E7aNs2R4i8-gPSeLrL8-IoMnqmn8wv34Rmg9HpW3XVWUfHgf86bpxoY2_jw6a7HxdES573G77c2wn_xNvctvLWXH7sbfyeB5p_kGURxUXvgkfcc/s320/2012-03-10+14.28.53.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden Hoe</td></tr>
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<i><span style="color: #274e13;">So best of luck. Try and think of your weeding as a pleasure rather than a chore, and if you have any other tips for ridding gardens of weeds without using artificial chemicals please share!</span></i><br />
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*Some common pernicious weeds include dock, creeping thistle, nettles, creeping buttercup, horsetail, bindweed, ground elder, plantain, comfrey and daisies<br />
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<br />Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-82582256209393444252012-03-04T10:00:00.000+00:002012-03-04T10:00:00.066+00:00Guest Post: Organic Mulching ~ What's that all about?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPojqxIVVPIBOsNO-OKhgdQvQmTlxQmBeB4ZqrhIcVEQQlZIZQpeFLTwroIcAUQ5SupNtmr9sPBIG_HpJ0SEpQnF7bpRPbw8nDv4ignTbBPfqZ88lw934EbnVfrSw9PO6ZR9HJLrFwZ6ME/s1600/mulching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPojqxIVVPIBOsNO-OKhgdQvQmTlxQmBeB4ZqrhIcVEQQlZIZQpeFLTwroIcAUQ5SupNtmr9sPBIG_HpJ0SEpQnF7bpRPbw8nDv4ignTbBPfqZ88lw934EbnVfrSw9PO6ZR9HJLrFwZ6ME/s320/mulching.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #274e13;">When I first started gardening I often heard the terms mulching, soil conditioning, manuring, composting to name but a few and hadn't got a clue what people were talking about. Were they different or all the same? Did they come in bags or did you make them? </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #274e13;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">My questions were endless and so I was delighted when </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Jerry Day offered to clarify mulching for everyone with a guest blog. Jerry </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">has loved gardening and landscaping since he was very young. He loves to write about gardening topics and currently works for <a href="http://www.1800mulchpro.com/" target="_blank">1-800-Mulch-Pro</a> in the U.S. helping others improve the exterior of their homes.</span></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Types Of Organic
Mulch That Can Be Used In Vegetable Gardens</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Organic
gardening is the process of growing flowers, ornamental plants, herbs, fruit,
and vegetables without toxic chemicals or harmful pesticides. Some primary
concerns for organic gardeners include pest control, soil preparation, weed
control, and the preservation of garden plants. Applying an organic mulch as a layer that sits on the top of the soil is
the best way to ensure a bountiful harvest throughout the season. A layer of
organic mulch will adjust the temperature of garden soil as needed, eliminate
fruit rot, and provide overall soil improvement. Organic mulch properly
insulates the ground against cold or heat, and the spread of plant disease will
be reduced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7ms7ogzLEnns1YUVNYYtAUYLjbIWR9joZDQAkQdc5NltX_pneCkZ1ge9JUv5fforghw1fwymKr963-vPUa8vtHSEWOc5BHSrTDbhSbXESCJIl97C4KFC8jRpx16Wz-d7fISe4l2gbgov/s1600/Straw+mulch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7ms7ogzLEnns1YUVNYYtAUYLjbIWR9joZDQAkQdc5NltX_pneCkZ1ge9JUv5fforghw1fwymKr963-vPUa8vtHSEWOc5BHSrTDbhSbXESCJIl97C4KFC8jRpx16Wz-d7fISe4l2gbgov/s320/Straw+mulch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straw Mulch</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are
several different types of organic mulch that can be used in vegetable gardens.
Organic mulch is made from previously living material produced by nature.
Straw, wood chips, dried leaves, and pine needles are some examples of organic
mulch. The amount of mulch used in the garden will depend on the type of
organic material used. If you are using stringy or coarse material like pine
needles, applying several inches of mulch will bring the best results. When the
growing season has come to an end, simply mix the mulch into the garden soil.
This process increases the soil's organic matter in preparation for the next
season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Gardeners can
use different types of natural material for organic mulch. Dried grass clippings are
ideal for many root vegetables such as radishes, carrots, and beets. </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.1800mulchpro.com/"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mulch made from bark</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> or
wood chips are often used in shrubs, ornamental gardens, and garden borders.
This type of mulch is not recommended for vegetable gardens. Materials like
shredded leaves, hay, and straw are other types of organic mulch that can be
used in vegetable gardens. For best results, only use dry materials for organic
mulch. Organic mulch can be made from sawdust or shredded newspaper, these
materials should also be dry before adding to garden soil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0mzM1qreekgB2HraYPwIJVhvtLZqFzfoGdhkAOxdS3ufzL4S0ueChBEBRyRmkhIjJxMvZ5NYmapZh0Jw5MogK9aRxn6lELk3pZNIm9cmrEH6-ipYTDvMFQ8Uj9G8FWD6JNc2aF1mFQwr/s1600/compost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0mzM1qreekgB2HraYPwIJVhvtLZqFzfoGdhkAOxdS3ufzL4S0ueChBEBRyRmkhIjJxMvZ5NYmapZh0Jw5MogK9aRxn6lELk3pZNIm9cmrEH6-ipYTDvMFQ8Uj9G8FWD6JNc2aF1mFQwr/s320/compost.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home made compost</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">One of the most
well known types of mulch is home made compost made from organic material. Organic
compost is made from natural material and discarded food items. Gardeners can
use potato peels, lobster shells, vegetable leaves, citrus peels, and egg
shells for organic compost. Natural products such as pea pods, feathers, seed
hulls, and peanut shells are also used. If you will be using compost as mulch,
it must stay moist to encourage root growth. Cover the soil with a thin layer
of compost and top it with mulch made from dried grass or shredded leaves. An
extra layer of </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulch"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">mulch</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> will allow the
compost to stay moist, and plant roots will thrive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Just about any
kind of organic mulch can be used in a vegetable garden. After two or three
planting seasons, you will know which type of organic mulch you prefer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Do you use mulch in your garden? I liked the tip about covering the soil with home made compost then a layer of dried grass. What do you use?</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-12273092569219744612012-03-02T13:30:00.000+00:002012-03-02T19:55:55.607+00:00Taking some 'me' time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0Wd0fQ6G8ihQgrGtDPtRp1RNlHT_ETmbAzR8V4ZRhaKezQ8_xEZppyzM3Qt2xOIIbM00mvjfJn6ybuyfdAZYF4D-ZXRg00o1560KuFEErYapxjRmapdwvVRsphoj03IbpQKcnR8LN_QT/s1600/Blossom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0Wd0fQ6G8ihQgrGtDPtRp1RNlHT_ETmbAzR8V4ZRhaKezQ8_xEZppyzM3Qt2xOIIbM00mvjfJn6ybuyfdAZYF4D-ZXRg00o1560KuFEErYapxjRmapdwvVRsphoj03IbpQKcnR8LN_QT/s400/Blossom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Sometimes we just have to stop.<br />
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Sometimes life gets too busy, too stressed and can overwhelm. Our goals and dreams become tangled in the matted knot of thoughts and pressures that bombard us daily.<br />
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When that starts to happen we lose sight of who and what we are. We focus on the silly, inconsequential things, ignoring what's important and then a rising panic starts to well that we're not achieving what we desire, that we're failing and that life's starting to unravel.<br />
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Well I don't know about you but that's what happens to me on occasion and has been building over the past two or three weeks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GPrjCUAHOKCcNhSVwdOmY9uJiV3vq1Y1VIBBkxZ-Ir_p9QV_Se2t-q6v0jHYrp4pXYm89RNOuI_IKvSOo-QeyZwCd9OiESBcrt2QRF5z4qTwask0INmsD9I-gXi2Ak63_fUuaGzQUaLP/s1600/The+weir+on+the+River+Barrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GPrjCUAHOKCcNhSVwdOmY9uJiV3vq1Y1VIBBkxZ-Ir_p9QV_Se2t-q6v0jHYrp4pXYm89RNOuI_IKvSOo-QeyZwCd9OiESBcrt2QRF5z4qTwask0INmsD9I-gXi2Ak63_fUuaGzQUaLP/s400/The+weir+on+the+River+Barrow.jpg" width="400" /></a>This week I was fortunate to be able to listen to Grainne O'Reilly talk about balancing our lives at Carlow's Networking of Enterprising Women lunch and have been practicing the breathing techniques she showed us that help to calm us when we feel under pressure or stressed (breath in for a count of five, hold for a count of five, breath out for a count of five).<br />
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It works, I can categorically say that as I've been practising it a lot since and as soon as I was able to calm myself I was able to to recognise that I was so busy looking and worrying about everyone else, I'd lost sight of me and who I am.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKooYyduinQ7OEKJJuBmQNpxBUIxPIQjChFMsqJce61liWzuVcrQwPTuOmKe7iCWfUEG38n8xRB3YgCtj9YwBKWbS4hVldvlwZ98y4lfBDPDvpuaaHw-MxwA-o1Qy6lfufkU9a4Q7qlACs/s1600/The+River+Barrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKooYyduinQ7OEKJJuBmQNpxBUIxPIQjChFMsqJce61liWzuVcrQwPTuOmKe7iCWfUEG38n8xRB3YgCtj9YwBKWbS4hVldvlwZ98y4lfBDPDvpuaaHw-MxwA-o1Qy6lfufkU9a4Q7qlACs/s400/The+River+Barrow.jpg" width="400" /></a>So this morning and completely unplanned I took some time out. I dropped my eldest to school, parked up the car and sat by the beautiful River Barrow for 45 minutes. I stopped thinking about the dinner, the housework, teaching the class that I was due to see a short while later, social media, my own garden, the bank balance, the replacement car I still haven't bought since crashing my own and the zillion other thoughts that whiz around my brain every minute of the day. I sat down on a faded and flaky painted bench and allowed myself to soak in what was surrounding me at that moment in time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzE3FSWhXQk71Sc3ufyPKn9inM7AhCU7beI8pwjN1GxM_nX1Mkc6L9vCxw5cJezTsuCW2aoVQeW0Ir6Ctw2c-MGB9R5cyL-cgPnhyPV6lzyochjAIDA14cjk4R5t3t36lXJ7oWkljBmegS/s1600/Ducks+by+the+river+Barrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzE3FSWhXQk71Sc3ufyPKn9inM7AhCU7beI8pwjN1GxM_nX1Mkc6L9vCxw5cJezTsuCW2aoVQeW0Ir6Ctw2c-MGB9R5cyL-cgPnhyPV6lzyochjAIDA14cjk4R5t3t36lXJ7oWkljBmegS/s400/Ducks+by+the+river+Barrow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The roar of the weir drowned out most of my own noise as the water cascaded down the mossy concrete bank, taking it's long journey to the sea. I was still able to hear the birds singing around me as they hopped around the pink blossomed branches of nearby trees and listen to the ducks quack as they jumped out of the river and settled down for a snooze.<br />
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I noticed the shadows cast from trees mirrored on the flowing river, the cold breeze on my skin and the clouds as they moved across the sky, darkening the light around me at times and then shining so brightly you could almost hear the daffodils sing as they soaked up the sun's rays.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6g4B6YiMNhDSggYHCUhrMZyokeUOpLMAmmKsde8LUX1LyZhtdv8nWNwFMMOurXm8BD7hv6L_vkUxlPpIhUHoSRJ5lNUSxyHomyBl4v_21yEWeFawlr0rnlZnK9TqsMh8xI_4o9Y7Gzw_/s1600/spring+daffodils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6g4B6YiMNhDSggYHCUhrMZyokeUOpLMAmmKsde8LUX1LyZhtdv8nWNwFMMOurXm8BD7hv6L_vkUxlPpIhUHoSRJ5lNUSxyHomyBl4v_21yEWeFawlr0rnlZnK9TqsMh8xI_4o9Y7Gzw_/s400/spring+daffodils.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I stopped doing everything and lived for that moment in time, thinking how lucky I was that I was able to do just that. How grateful I am that I live the life I do and am surrounded by the people I know in both real life and my virtual social media world. It was a special moment in time and one I want to keep hold of because all those worries I mentioned wont be going away, they're still there but they needed to be put back into perspective.<br />
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I left that tranquil place and drove to my gardening class with a smile. Because I'd stopped for just a brief while I was able to talk about, teach and share my passion for what I do. I was able to function again.<br />
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Today is a new day. I'm back. Are you......?<br />
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<br />Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-91505908074801681282012-02-28T14:31:00.001+00:002012-02-28T14:35:25.696+00:00What does it mean to be organic? (more than you may think...)<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7joEgGkZ9STlJqResolukKlM1m9b6f0Fh2-VHAejUP38KBPHNqL-oB7seLMb8YvScNyeiT7n2hWPstPArVpMN0qGNNIL2roSnhitXV5H8MdS330rD2XjqZfKq9vfQI6wRq4syRjHN1Wu6/s1600/iofga+symbol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7joEgGkZ9STlJqResolukKlM1m9b6f0Fh2-VHAejUP38KBPHNqL-oB7seLMb8YvScNyeiT7n2hWPstPArVpMN0qGNNIL2roSnhitXV5H8MdS330rD2XjqZfKq9vfQI6wRq4syRjHN1Wu6/s200/iofga+symbol.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I recently asked this question to a random selection of people at the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/klckbloggersnetwork" target="_blank">KLCK</a> bloggers network meeting and bar one, the answers were varied and general. </div>
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Then I overheard a radio interview where the respondent was telling all the listeners about their "fabulous organic garden" and I knew fully well that it wasn't organic. Chemical free YES, organic NO. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVblfUyneAE5AbrbmfjAR2C3NYN-r-IRGz87PxwUbK9HGsPsNNB_UHsGwImvuqdje4tpRerbZ643fee3eQqihkdGYfJOPHUM-1qisfCapOKGrtd0c-uMo3xitbVyfVqokzs5k0OJ84qBWM/s1600/organic+trust+symbol.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVblfUyneAE5AbrbmfjAR2C3NYN-r-IRGz87PxwUbK9HGsPsNNB_UHsGwImvuqdje4tpRerbZ643fee3eQqihkdGYfJOPHUM-1qisfCapOKGrtd0c-uMo3xitbVyfVqokzs5k0OJ84qBWM/s1600/organic+trust+symbol.gif" /></a></div>
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Why should that bother me so and is there a difference you may wonder? Well yes there is a difference and quite a big one. When you're an organic farmer who's struggling to sell your produce at a higher cost than non-organic, having likely gone through two full years of vigorous testing to achieve your well deserved certification, getting it wrong must be so frustrating! Organic vegetable gardening and certification involves a <a href="http://www.dardni.gov.uk/ruralni/index/bussys/organic_production/organic_horticulture/organic_horticulture_vegetables.htm" target="_blank">combination of many things</a> but many feel worth the time, expense and effort to achieve that status.</div>
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At Greenside Up we teach and garden chemically free, we strive to be as organic as we possibly can and follow as many of the principles listed below as possible. However my seeds aren't all organically sourced, my manure is from a non-organic neighbouring farmer and my hens aren't feed organic feeds (though they are GM free). It would be incorrect of me to say that I garden 'organically' as that would be an injustice to those who actually do.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #38761d;">So what does the term ORGANIC actually mean?</span></b></div>
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It means avoiding the use of
pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilisers by finding ways of dealing with pesky little bugs without reaching for a spray. It means weed management rather than automatically spraying them. It means sourcing organically farmed animal manures and making composts & leaf moulds.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1i1cfyAtJQoiRh15iLMIEpGlquNRyzB8dNJl8s67I-T98vhlRDuueuNQTNf3MdkELT7LZQ8piuyTUTcBhyphenhyphenOfp_qR3BFUBvDXSuVj30qw9SSv4e1ff-kcJOF6tPLuOkCXEI6ZMPFLm8pQm/s1600/lettuce+with+slug+damage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1i1cfyAtJQoiRh15iLMIEpGlquNRyzB8dNJl8s67I-T98vhlRDuueuNQTNf3MdkELT7LZQ8piuyTUTcBhyphenhyphenOfp_qR3BFUBvDXSuVj30qw9SSv4e1ff-kcJOF6tPLuOkCXEI6ZMPFLm8pQm/s200/lettuce+with+slug+damage.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slug damage</td></tr>
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It protects biodiversity by encouraging and maintaining
habitats for plants, wildlife and animals - planting native hedges, wildflower areas and encouraging beneficial animals such as hedgehogs and toads into the garden.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It encourages people to shop and buy locally produced food rather than automatically driving to the big out-of-town supermarket.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>It’s all about the soil</u> – maintaining a healthy soil by
rotating crops, adding natural fertilisers such as green or farmyard manures and keeping the soil covered when not in use.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipa54K2QPhosj70HcxgDToiEu1zBfOd6krgfJ8WJSkou5Oqy3f5NOyVoOsvVTThNJ_EH0dzS3NI8oWRxHyQdgcQ8C20MAsPZEuucjDbe2o6H4mRcGB3LrvtNY0N5Eks7pge4VoYX3tiTc/s1600/ladybird+-+collette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipa54K2QPhosj70HcxgDToiEu1zBfOd6krgfJ8WJSkou5Oqy3f5NOyVoOsvVTThNJ_EH0dzS3NI8oWRxHyQdgcQ8C20MAsPZEuucjDbe2o6H4mRcGB3LrvtNY0N5Eks7pge4VoYX3tiTc/s320/ladybird+-+collette.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Encouraging beneficial insects</td></tr>
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It prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms (eg
seeds).<o:p></o:p></div>
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It ensures that animals are reared to the highest standards,
fed on chemically free grassland and are free range.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It encourages the preservation of water and ensures that
pollutants aren’t released into the waterways.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;">How do you know if something you buy is certified organic?</span></b></div>
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In Ireland it will carry one of two symbols as shown above to tell us so, either from <a href="http://iofga.org/" target="_blank">IOFGA</a> or from the <a href="http://www.organic-trust.org/" target="_blank">Organic Trust</a>. Different countries have different certifying bodies such as <a href="http://www.soilassociation.org/" target="_blank">The Soil Association</a> in the UK and others around the world, all offering advice, support and guidelines to anybody who wants it. If the produce you're being sold as 'organic' doesn't carry a symbol from a certifiable body, then chances are it's not organic.</div>
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If you care about what you eat but find it <strike>expensive</strike> difficult to buy organic food, here's a list of the top 12 fruit and vegetables that were analysed for pesticide residues by the US Dept
of Agriculture & Food & Drug Administration in 2011. With number the top one holding the greatest concentration...</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpjkFig5jmMm6WrHLPejNCJ2GH8j2LSYU-Ff3wdNFMWLF5CIbvnRJAb1iCb5fZIdmBAV5DmajzOwnO_kWJ_LdkbMaCqKxbBDztemAUBrh6nLe0BrSH9rdJoTSWv7w5GFo_LGnwiwgIIDd/s1600/Kale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpjkFig5jmMm6WrHLPejNCJ2GH8j2LSYU-Ff3wdNFMWLF5CIbvnRJAb1iCb5fZIdmBAV5DmajzOwnO_kWJ_LdkbMaCqKxbBDztemAUBrh6nLe0BrSH9rdJoTSWv7w5GFo_LGnwiwgIIDd/s400/Kale.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green and Scarlet Curly Kale - grown chemically free in my garden</td></tr>
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Apples</div>
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Celery</div>
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Strawberries</div>
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Peaches</div>
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Spinach</div>
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Nectarines</div>
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Grapes</div>
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Sweet peppers</div>
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Potatoes</div>
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Blueberries</div>
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Lettuce</div>
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Kale</div>
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So if you're not yet growing all your own fruit and veg and can only afford to put one organic item in your shopping basket every week, this may help you to decide which one.</div>
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<i><span style="color: #274e13;">Has that surprised you at all? I was shocked to see that apples were the greatest culprit, especially knowing how many un-sprayed apples drop to the ground and are wasted in gardens across the country every autumn!</span></i></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-68027167865473261852012-02-25T19:28:00.001+00:002012-02-26T11:30:20.929+00:00Product Review: "BecauseWeCare"TM Compostable Seedling Pots<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJgW5xd0c78UmcoIfdz0tnasIbt2yrITDBWXut3y3d8fRbUT3VGK0kFYOlO-5YUBOyw8uY6PD04bvbc0PSWm1iwdKJAMMf4ZJmRYGJdEqW1-6_2DWJvmjcAzA6YD2ntufX2vkxSAvUfVr/s1600/Becausewecare+Empty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJgW5xd0c78UmcoIfdz0tnasIbt2yrITDBWXut3y3d8fRbUT3VGK0kFYOlO-5YUBOyw8uY6PD04bvbc0PSWm1iwdKJAMMf4ZJmRYGJdEqW1-6_2DWJvmjcAzA6YD2ntufX2vkxSAvUfVr/s320/Becausewecare+Empty.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"becausewecare<span style="font-size: xx-small;">TM</span>" seed pots</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was intrigued when I saw this new range of environmentally friendly, fully compostable seed pots 'becausewecare <span style="font-size: xx-small;">TM</span>' available in Ireland. I was therefore delighted to receive a package in the post from the distributor containing a selection of pots to try out.<br />
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Our choices are limited in the gardening world when we try to be 'green'. Recycled plastic pots do exist (I love the colourful range by Elho, see below) but when it comes to seed pots we usually have a choice of:<br />
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a) regular plastic pots<br />
b) peat based pots<br />
c) home made paper or cardboard pots<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvuGa5Q0PfUK11HX-TeBxW3417zcEgf5g_5aNtamJ2bDtMy9CNzyMD1YyIyWZOA2AvPqG2aiYTYfLP-3vJ_cwZilR-PShGH36N2mryauY26qSciUzvJmWpGyh2j9wEiuy62Zj00fOWtXE/s1600/2012-02-10+09.36.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvuGa5Q0PfUK11HX-TeBxW3417zcEgf5g_5aNtamJ2bDtMy9CNzyMD1YyIyWZOA2AvPqG2aiYTYfLP-3vJ_cwZilR-PShGH36N2mryauY26qSciUzvJmWpGyh2j9wEiuy62Zj00fOWtXE/s320/2012-02-10+09.36.38.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">elho 100% recycled plastic range</td></tr>
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So, given our limited choices any initiatives to address this dilemma are worth considering.<br />
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The strange looking pots are made from a combination of cornstarch and biodegradable constituents that depending upon conditions, will start to break down, taking two to six months to decompose in domestic circumstances, sooner in industrial compost.<br />
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The legume family of vegetables (peas and beans) don't generally like their roots to be disturbed so these 'becausewecare<span style="font-size: xx-small;">TM</span>' pots seem the ideal vessel to sow pea seeds into. The seeds can be planted into compost and then the whole pot buried into the garden soil once they've germinated and grown on for a while.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97RUIgV62CIexSmTIGzQWRGGw2cKobQtcxU2rgEJmLSnMJfoNVicqk_nm-YWvOYkxuqd0GI-AQJ9SZo3mY5zgEUqIszvCYmsVgzjS9bxEvbA-sk5cZ4GcgMhpxjSkw0joFbdishSLEbN4/s1600/Pea+in+Paper+Pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97RUIgV62CIexSmTIGzQWRGGw2cKobQtcxU2rgEJmLSnMJfoNVicqk_nm-YWvOYkxuqd0GI-AQJ9SZo3mY5zgEUqIszvCYmsVgzjS9bxEvbA-sk5cZ4GcgMhpxjSkw0joFbdishSLEbN4/s400/Pea+in+Paper+Pot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Although pea seeds can be sown directly into soil we have to patiently wait for soil temperatures to warm up (10 - 12 degrees). Sowing them into compostable seed pots is therefore a way of starting them earlier, giving them a head start as the seedlings will already be established by the time the weather's warmer (usually from March onwards).<br />
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Seedlings will also have a better chance of surviving a slug attack if they're planted out with several leaves on as opposed to germinating directly in the garden soil and having their leaves nibbled off as soon as they appear.<br />
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I started a tray of peas off in newspaper pots three weeks ago but to give me a succession of peas to harvest, was keen to sow some more today.<br />
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When you first pick up the pots they're very flexible but as soon as they have compost in (I used a Westland Peat Free compost) they firm up nicely. The flexibility of the pots makes them very versatile as instead of sitting rigidly in a tray leaving gaps, I was able to fit more seed pots in than usual, using up all the space in my washed food tray. (The tray makes the pots easier to handle and means you can water the tray rather than the seed pots).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXEXAZ42erbtjoUN01kcD6vTTEqV0TQRZS8w7srqbnl272ZfI51XKEfS3rQJzFQ028ii6NsGe8JG2bi2TnKLhgo434yrcpgN555YgJXw_MLTIjqUnmevbxQxoamS2ZdW82ogpTwSrr-Gm/s1600/Becausewecare+Peas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXEXAZ42erbtjoUN01kcD6vTTEqV0TQRZS8w7srqbnl272ZfI51XKEfS3rQJzFQ028ii6NsGe8JG2bi2TnKLhgo434yrcpgN555YgJXw_MLTIjqUnmevbxQxoamS2ZdW82ogpTwSrr-Gm/s400/Becausewecare+Peas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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If I wasn't using my usual cardboard or paper pots, I would definitely consider using these as an alternative. I've yet to see how well they compost once they're buried in the soil but will be keeping a close eye on them over the coming months.<br />
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<a href="http://www.becausewecare.ie/environmental-testing-int/eco-toxicity-test.aspx" target="_blank">Eco-toxicity</a> tests have been undertaken on these pots and have been shown to have 'absolutely no harmful effects on soil as part of the degradation process'.<br />
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If you don't want to bury your pots with seedlings in, you can of course sow seeds into them, remove the seedling and transplant as traditionally done with plastic pots, rinsing the pots off and re-using them. These compostable pots are said to have a shelf life of two years and once they start to disintegrate, can be added to the compost heap along with kitchen scraps.<br />
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The <a href="http://www.becausewecare.ie/home-int.aspx" target="_blank">"becausewecare<span style="font-size: xx-small;">TM</span>"</a> compostable pots are available from a limited number of garden centres around Ireland (see the website for local stockists), or online from Irish Green Award finalist <a href="http://www.thesecretgardener.com/home/3683/general/becausewecare-compostable-biodegradable-seedling-pots/" target="_blank">The Secret Garden Centre</a> at €4.95 for 25 three inch pots.Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-23787402664559911582012-02-10T13:50:00.000+00:002012-02-10T16:31:42.998+00:00Recycled boots (and other things)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg758AasRGjJWwb7clx_nTIVHJs6_ie5fg-P6pf0e3rAgIWnH5cwEiQqX93x-hYL1vDeWAy9oPW2wtt3sMzIi-7OKGuUrU3-nqVaNYoLgQYMI6veDRXm1kjaPwkEDZ-DV0RY8STdZDRrxe9/s1600/Recycled+Boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg758AasRGjJWwb7clx_nTIVHJs6_ie5fg-P6pf0e3rAgIWnH5cwEiQqX93x-hYL1vDeWAy9oPW2wtt3sMzIi-7OKGuUrU3-nqVaNYoLgQYMI6veDRXm1kjaPwkEDZ-DV0RY8STdZDRrxe9/s400/Recycled+Boots.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wellie Boot Rack</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Reuse, recycle - do you?</span></div>
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Recycled doesn't have to mean packing everything into a bin or bag and sending it off to the local centre.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvLcfmOmwugCsJy1XsitFEXYRQCE-K4ZYM38fT7gE2MyurEuk0ZodUvFBVisWSC9if-swgZ7F09Y9HA5R2gF2My8aEMM00n8k_JGSqbEd5bxKWozfptrr3aUDXq64igR1UtBX-dV6WkhM/s1600/Pallet+Gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWvLcfmOmwugCsJy1XsitFEXYRQCE-K4ZYM38fT7gE2MyurEuk0ZodUvFBVisWSC9if-swgZ7F09Y9HA5R2gF2My8aEMM00n8k_JGSqbEd5bxKWozfptrr3aUDXq64igR1UtBX-dV6WkhM/s400/Pallet+Gate.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pallet gate</td></tr>
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Recycling, or up cycling, is about thinking differently. </div>
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It's about coming up with ideas for reusing items that they weren't originally intended for.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7WxGUTIKuF_Z8V8T9MIU0I2yLJ3NPEXvJ0Bq69JEe_qPuKtEEMsYJEkuLu_GKotfQRkttdcUiR0qudmDJj6rgP1u2ImCDvjL9Cqr86A61cA3eR_Wm4M9l7Hh5HXvnP4SEkaLicfJVmBO/s1600/Salad+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7WxGUTIKuF_Z8V8T9MIU0I2yLJ3NPEXvJ0Bq69JEe_qPuKtEEMsYJEkuLu_GKotfQRkttdcUiR0qudmDJj6rgP1u2ImCDvjL9Cqr86A61cA3eR_Wm4M9l7Hh5HXvnP4SEkaLicfJVmBO/s400/Salad+bag.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Container vegetables - winter lettuce & edible violas</td></tr>
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Pallets are a big favourite of ours - from shelves to compost bins, gates to welly boot racks.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4i8sKchH7oMbpHDEoFc4y-2hnIsZITAjH97TO38bJmqm7UsEqIYHwQ9FzxXw6GcVg3hrvUlEDcDvm4mwKUYQgwGJRqr8sOBHva29NuMAMm9shxYribseh20TMY5Cs52l5WsvJVh-bUuI/s1600/Pallet+Shelving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4i8sKchH7oMbpHDEoFc4y-2hnIsZITAjH97TO38bJmqm7UsEqIYHwQ9FzxXw6GcVg3hrvUlEDcDvm4mwKUYQgwGJRqr8sOBHva29NuMAMm9shxYribseh20TMY5Cs52l5WsvJVh-bUuI/s320/Pallet+Shelving.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pallet shelving</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWjc8juPwN88lHfJmR_0ZG2SObhkOF-baIK9rL818oNMS7xSB5ahpdgJeka5bQptNz5bWGe4bzIlQNXzpBKiC4NaEFQHGthOSq4XF-vnc-OAe-_0M7DN3AWx_Q-Gq01QRpioZ0UuJ_LQX/s1600/P4081247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWjc8juPwN88lHfJmR_0ZG2SObhkOF-baIK9rL818oNMS7xSB5ahpdgJeka5bQptNz5bWGe4bzIlQNXzpBKiC4NaEFQHGthOSq4XF-vnc-OAe-_0M7DN3AWx_Q-Gq01QRpioZ0UuJ_LQX/s320/P4081247.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seed containers</td></tr>
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We also use carrier bags, boots, old milk churns and anything else we can think of for garden containers. </div>
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Old cd's and computer disks are kept and strung around the veggie patch in spring to act as bird scarers. </div>
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Toilet roll inserts and food containers are saved ready for seed planting.</div>
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<i>(My favourite dark bottomed sausage container & clear chicken container that fitted together perfectly, making a sweet little propagator were accidentally recycled 'for real'... oops) </i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYr5Dz0nTVm8Mq4gElSgOGwV8ivf4lKuEfEaqcsdMV7yTpdh4IYPDbpUmQdWIdQ037pG8lgtNVa1sAbRMv5XsVHLgel3XryZiQRrIQLQd1XbyjwwCvfXGJVs2b8QYzNkE4ZTlpeaXag81/s1600/Box+of+Crocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYr5Dz0nTVm8Mq4gElSgOGwV8ivf4lKuEfEaqcsdMV7yTpdh4IYPDbpUmQdWIdQ037pG8lgtNVa1sAbRMv5XsVHLgel3XryZiQRrIQLQd1XbyjwwCvfXGJVs2b8QYzNkE4ZTlpeaXag81/s400/Box+of+Crocks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All cups & crockery are saved for using as 'crocks' in container planting<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Surprisingly, once plants are growing in it, or latches are fixed to it, our junk no longer resembles rubbish at all.</span>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Do you have any favourite ways of re-using your 'rubbish'?</span></div>
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</div>Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-37581652115859456882012-01-30T22:11:00.000+00:002012-01-30T22:11:34.108+00:00Growing vegetables at altitude/colder climates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQFYYrxMAPI1bIZf2sfYVjOOw15GNv10C4iwTB8CSUoEf79y0i73wlWMquY1bXqLxZDHWLM5dKCQ5PdxbGKcrS5XiCeMnqQeEnyrDq6k4VnDkt4I2fDpSL8WiSK2AiIr5NB5ix3WuCsBt/s1600/2011-10-02+12.48.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQFYYrxMAPI1bIZf2sfYVjOOw15GNv10C4iwTB8CSUoEf79y0i73wlWMquY1bXqLxZDHWLM5dKCQ5PdxbGKcrS5XiCeMnqQeEnyrDq6k4VnDkt4I2fDpSL8WiSK2AiIr5NB5ix3WuCsBt/s400/2011-10-02+12.48.26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I've often commented that growing vegetables 1,000 feet above sea level can be quite challenging at times.<br />
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Apart from having to put on an extra layer when we head outside, we're on average three weeks behind the growing conditions of friends five miles below at the bottom of the hill.<br />
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In the summer time we can be as much as 6 or 7 degrees cooler (much to our children's horror when they're at school dreaming of the paddling pool on their return home, only to find it's freezing!)<br />
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However, don't despair if you do live in colder climes as there are several things you can do which will still make growing vegetables year round possible.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_KQT_ivbcacemHXGTtIR1T4Ir4R0Cv7Qtg5gxCjVfPlxS5adGmFvZXhkCh9enexe4j963g4DW956UbyBtcp5BTGqdTA5obaZbmfrhw667wnbXgiXLka9dCrDa5lykva_iWbk1ORYTpGB/s1600/wind-break-fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_KQT_ivbcacemHXGTtIR1T4Ir4R0Cv7Qtg5gxCjVfPlxS5adGmFvZXhkCh9enexe4j963g4DW956UbyBtcp5BTGqdTA5obaZbmfrhw667wnbXgiXLka9dCrDa5lykva_iWbk1ORYTpGB/s1600/wind-break-fabric.jpg" /></a></div>
1. If strong winds are a problem consider using wind break fabric or planting a native hedge to lessen the impact. (If you decide upon a hedge, bear in mind shading and space - what starts as a little spindly stick may be taking up two metres or more of precious space within a few years and you will have to prune it).<br />
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2. When reading up on sowing times and you're told you can sow between February to April - always choose April! The earlier month is aimed at people who live in warmer areas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcq0QMljC9bm21FaXt9jqFPy0adyCc8ZQbsRkSIIduhRK8xenIXDwNnMEhl4PkfcsIrtaINDiPGiTP-oXppjdpCaVdl6VwulOBfIxBzM4W1cs3DtPVZDD68pGvaDyWTbNJKBcqvjfeZUM/s1600/hrticultural+fleece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcq0QMljC9bm21FaXt9jqFPy0adyCc8ZQbsRkSIIduhRK8xenIXDwNnMEhl4PkfcsIrtaINDiPGiTP-oXppjdpCaVdl6VwulOBfIxBzM4W1cs3DtPVZDD68pGvaDyWTbNJKBcqvjfeZUM/s200/hrticultural+fleece.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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3. Stock up on horticultural fleece to quickly throw over beds if there's a frost - this could be in springtime or autumn.<br />
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4. Choose varieties of vegetables that mature quickly, rather than the much longer to grow maincrops (especially carrots!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVA3PNPzHRI4I7WYlgUm10_NYErYXHSwXcKh8kuoTWfw_qnV0Zula0e5G0Y53o81FWU-6tLr_V0IIblLkh85dcItfDt4-3JMqHYuD_qT0sOE-Hnb1hTr9egl-TFJJQWpQL3GB1S9m2pLVW/s1600/polytunnel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVA3PNPzHRI4I7WYlgUm10_NYErYXHSwXcKh8kuoTWfw_qnV0Zula0e5G0Y53o81FWU-6tLr_V0IIblLkh85dcItfDt4-3JMqHYuD_qT0sOE-Hnb1hTr9egl-TFJJQWpQL3GB1S9m2pLVW/s1600/polytunnel.jpg" /></a></div>
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5. Save up and buy a greenhouse or polytunnel. This really is worth considering. Ours transformed the amount and variety of veg we are able to grow. If you haven't got the space or cash, consider using cloches.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUBaj6Na3XLPFz4QNICmb7gxlcEvrlDHOITx37et3CDS2ml5cxVS2QuXyZc7QZHoCUuftW-7D_Kqr3gdFGjGjEO7RzArBXaHiDHsgtUkx5YHkLKfslLgHHLAKqYBC8VELQAjtuAUmksf3/s1600/P3111224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUBaj6Na3XLPFz4QNICmb7gxlcEvrlDHOITx37et3CDS2ml5cxVS2QuXyZc7QZHoCUuftW-7D_Kqr3gdFGjGjEO7RzArBXaHiDHsgtUkx5YHkLKfslLgHHLAKqYBC8VELQAjtuAUmksf3/s200/P3111224.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
6. Start seedlings off indoors, giving them a head start so you can plant them outside as soon as it's warm enough.<br />
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7. Make sure you're lashings are tight on any supports as the wind is quite likely to test them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHPJ__9HUWL3BbTB8NSidn3R6bWeuxU5EN8HVO9Y_IhoafH8tMEYCLUb3xG8ZQRMWbK-ZWRKmZR5G6kQtS-YnvndC3kNfZY2qSrIwhcruyo8RIH4C5Vm3LWkDM6oOK43I0AyMBceyMHs8/s1600/2011-10-02+12.48.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHPJ__9HUWL3BbTB8NSidn3R6bWeuxU5EN8HVO9Y_IhoafH8tMEYCLUb3xG8ZQRMWbK-ZWRKmZR5G6kQtS-YnvndC3kNfZY2qSrIwhcruyo8RIH4C5Vm3LWkDM6oOK43I0AyMBceyMHs8/s320/2011-10-02+12.48.01.jpg" width="320" /></a>8. If you're more experienced (and really keen), you can cover beds with clear polythene to warm up the soil, remove it, sow your veg then cover with cloches to protect them (not advised for beginners) though does work.<br />
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Do you have any more tips? If so I'd love to hear them...Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-81879529697578754002012-01-29T11:37:00.000+00:002012-01-29T11:37:17.121+00:00Quality Time & Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqKsf34_6uAYDazZO_eFE0RoBCubt6I9LhVYj4duFSnIhALZimcqz0qxxFv9xRPg6Sc6A1nlwGkq17aEV9rhjCKksYrYA1NZWqhX1r9DCyMPNjp3AVtWaty0U04uJuvBw1V7n4d_LxL-J/s1600/2012-01-29+09.23.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqKsf34_6uAYDazZO_eFE0RoBCubt6I9LhVYj4duFSnIhALZimcqz0qxxFv9xRPg6Sc6A1nlwGkq17aEV9rhjCKksYrYA1NZWqhX1r9DCyMPNjp3AVtWaty0U04uJuvBw1V7n4d_LxL-J/s320/2012-01-29+09.23.38.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As a business owning mum, one of my constant struggles is the emotional guilt of not spending enough quality time with my children.<br />
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When they were tiny we made the decision that we would forgo holidays, new cars and lovely treats so that I could stay at home and look after our children rather than paying someone else to do it for us. I did that for ten years but when the youngest of our three finally started school aged five, I loosened the apron strings and signed up for the full time horticultural course that set me on the road I'm currently on.<br />
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With fantastic support from Mr G I studied and experimented, dreamt and talked plants and just a month after finishing the course threw myself into starting <a href="http://www.greensideup.ie/" target="_blank">Greenside Up</a> so that I could share all the knowledge I'd learnt about soil, water, polytunnels, biodiversity and plants, thereby helping newbie gardeners to grow their own veg too.<br />
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However, as any self employed, business owner knows - this isn't a nine to five job. To make a success of it, and particularly when you're so passionate about what you're trying to achieve, it's a seven day a week, evenings, early mornings and even middle of the night kind of job. I can't deny either that I thoroughly enjoy being 'Dee' again and not just being "someones mum", but as a mum, that's where the emotional struggle begins. How can you have a successful business and be <span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*W</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ORLD'S NO 1 MUM*?</span> (<i>I wonder do men feel this pull, as Mr G certainly doesn't feel the same guilt I do at bathrooms not always being clean and shiny and floors unwashed...?</i>)<br />
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The answer, I feel, is that you can't be everything to everyone and that there's no such thing as the perfect mum. We all try and do our best. There were no school lessons teaching us how to do it, we weren't born knowing how to be parents, nobody ever warned us just how difficult it would be, that it doesn't necessarily come naturally to us all. All we have is our own upbringing to guide us and we either try and replicate it if it was a good upbringing, or hopefully improve upon it if it wasn't.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIvUiFqL_gkFs9Ofanv1QBugDRLIzqOwhldGoJtl-uPswprcafv8_UxEbYbrnpjOInb4fc3zIzEoz1Zb07lo11As6InSoPIhCt2C0iHg2fxqej5Hk_PAy5shWG_EO4kxsKY4V0uvSUs0x/s1600/2012-01-29+09.16.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIvUiFqL_gkFs9Ofanv1QBugDRLIzqOwhldGoJtl-uPswprcafv8_UxEbYbrnpjOInb4fc3zIzEoz1Zb07lo11As6InSoPIhCt2C0iHg2fxqej5Hk_PAy5shWG_EO4kxsKY4V0uvSUs0x/s320/2012-01-29+09.16.23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Before she retired to go on to become a full time foster mother, for many years my own mum was a business owner too and I now fully understand and appreciate all the sacrifices and guilt she must have felt. <i>(Mum's now in her mid 70's and along with my dad is currently looking after three under one year old babies...)</i> I was lucky - mum did her very best and I feel, a fantastic job, guiding and showing us in her actions how to be good human beings. My sister and I grew up to be independent spirits thanks to her amazing example.<br />
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So how do I do the best that I can for my own children? Well for a start I'd like, and need, to spend quality time with them. I'm having to accept that it's not going to be every day, or as often as they or I would like. At the beginning of this year I made a firm resolution that I would spend good, quality time with them - not homework or eating meals together time, but one on one <u>time</u>. Children remember things they do rather than things they own. My memories are of holidays, swimming lessons or weekly trips to the cash and carry where the four of us would stop off and buy huge piles of fish and chips and pickled gherkins.<br />
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For our children and me, our quality time tends to be spent in the kitchen baking. They love to cook, so guiding and teaching, weighing and tasting is how we're currently spending most of our quality time. Yesterday we baked tasty little Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars from a recipe our youngest had torn out of a magazine. To our surprise the easy recipe worked, the cookies are delicious and I'm sharing it here ....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc29Pzr1cocCg-gvaEg5VJ2UGxs9ri0eoF5F2asa6IhLsu0TMcN2W1szXLm4kF8_mfmDJqHUBerKm5MO5S0ClMi8Mw0UmeEewAVZPEDr2lq67aCUMmHfJFMovR-Dot2gQiVWDI7XEkzF3i/s1600/choc+chip+cookie+bars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc29Pzr1cocCg-gvaEg5VJ2UGxs9ri0eoF5F2asa6IhLsu0TMcN2W1szXLm4kF8_mfmDJqHUBerKm5MO5S0ClMi8Mw0UmeEewAVZPEDr2lq67aCUMmHfJFMovR-Dot2gQiVWDI7XEkzF3i/s320/choc+chip+cookie+bars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: #274e13;">Ingredients</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">1 cup butter or margarine</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">1/2 cup caster sugar</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">1/2 cup brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">2 large eggs (I used 3 as the mixture looked very dry)</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">1 tsp baking powder</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">1 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">1/2 tsp vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">2 cups plain flour</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">100gms 70% chocolate broken up (or a cup of chocolate chips)</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">1/2 cup chopped walnuts</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #274e13;">Method</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">Heat the oven to 180oC and grease and line a baking tray (23cm x 33cm). Place all the ingredients in a food processor and blitz until combined. If you don't have a food processor, cream the first seven ingredients together, then add the remaining.</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">Spread the mixture in the tin and place in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from the oven, cut the pieces to size and turn out onto a wire rack to cool.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;">Enjoy with a cup of tea, cream or custard!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Dh2kmKURY6MaxVYkGUHRkG7ZsuGGw7i5VJQ0aA0B4xO75wWPiie3nOIoc4WI3-yjr_h2Wy2eHnPxCZzmGpAPJ1hEeha5N_inf28ApjJ_-vDQF132l6tTQ7mRu3ykGFeY8JRBdj3027fp/s1600/love+you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Dh2kmKURY6MaxVYkGUHRkG7ZsuGGw7i5VJQ0aA0B4xO75wWPiie3nOIoc4WI3-yjr_h2Wy2eHnPxCZzmGpAPJ1hEeha5N_inf28ApjJ_-vDQF132l6tTQ7mRu3ykGFeY8JRBdj3027fp/s200/love+you.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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For now, when I'm sitting alone at night, when they're all tucked up in bed and I'm beating myself up from feelings of unbearable guilt that I missed the latest soccer match, haven't yet taught my eleven year old to knit or am sending them off to a neighbours once again to be looked after, I have to hang on to the fact that as long as my children keep slipping me notes like this one I can't be doing it that wrong.<br />
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If you have children, how do you spend your quality time with them? Do you suffer the same guilt? All tips greatly appreciated please!Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-53460359763067645782012-01-24T20:30:00.000+00:002012-01-24T20:30:01.081+00:00Gardening with Kids - Have Fun with Cress<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dv_MT4GD9FJS3b7Tdp77no7K2Uh195tmGLU2_9DLGiD9ixI_HE2qgGMJBPt0KIl-Pe-VatbhXEI-HDsHJwQAAm9yFWthtPwbKMJMfNGEmDeRJiCyQlrJPfIlziI7BtuELpVklduBSkC0/s1600/2012-01-21+15.23.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dv_MT4GD9FJS3b7Tdp77no7K2Uh195tmGLU2_9DLGiD9ixI_HE2qgGMJBPt0KIl-Pe-VatbhXEI-HDsHJwQAAm9yFWthtPwbKMJMfNGEmDeRJiCyQlrJPfIlziI7BtuELpVklduBSkC0/s320/2012-01-21+15.23.26.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Children love to watch seeds grow, and even better if the
seeds they are growing are scattered in the shape of their name or favourite shape (am thinking hearts for Valentine's Day here...).</div>
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Here’s a simple project that can be grown at any time of the
year – as long as you have a light windowsill to grow them on.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>What you will need:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Cress seeds<o:p></o:p></div>
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Watering can or spray bottle<o:p></o:p></div>
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A container – margarine tubs, mushroom container – anything
that will hold your seeds<o:p></o:p></div>
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Compost, kitchen roll or cotton wool<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrPDiBhKA-lNR7Y0DWQEQcX_yrffz2l8kc6TvvFRqyUvy2eZhgFer9vemmAPjAtbKNd6Bdw-U4AGOc_HSt_Ql1LL4bYFjL3HR6GMAI52s6SqFAIaTpxnxT4tA9XW5AOEEwJeEsNaOVhDr/s1600/2012-01-14+12.43.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrPDiBhKA-lNR7Y0DWQEQcX_yrffz2l8kc6TvvFRqyUvy2eZhgFer9vemmAPjAtbKNd6Bdw-U4AGOc_HSt_Ql1LL4bYFjL3HR6GMAI52s6SqFAIaTpxnxT4tA9XW5AOEEwJeEsNaOVhDr/s200/2012-01-14+12.43.00.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>What to do:</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Place your compost, cotton wool or kitchen roll on the
bottom of the container and soak with water.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Shake some seeds into your (or your child’s) hand and
carefully shape them into the desired initial or shape (beware as they are
easily scattered!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbrhgG8IFHovuWWyMoVOqTMJobf0B9KmtQtuYZjr79qAUPOYy0-D9xKSsoSuq4Cc8xx9trCZbeFkzcy05gdcmGU_w4neR5aA1hjqG5IeWA_DUHc_7suSGE35qRPbvp0L6i0cpt5XEPbvr/s1600/Cress+seeds+-+day+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbrhgG8IFHovuWWyMoVOqTMJobf0B9KmtQtuYZjr79qAUPOYy0-D9xKSsoSuq4Cc8xx9trCZbeFkzcy05gdcmGU_w4neR5aA1hjqG5IeWA_DUHc_7suSGE35qRPbvp0L6i0cpt5XEPbvr/s400/Cress+seeds+-+day+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Place the container on a windowsill, preferably where the
child can see them. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Make sure the
compost, cotton wool or kitchen roll is kept wet as the seeds won’t grow if
they’re allowed to dry out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In just a week’s time, when the cress has reached about 5cm,
it will be ready to eat! (Tastes delicious in a sandwich with egg or cheese.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Older children might like to try growing the seeds in more
than one container at the same time, with say compost in one and cotton wool in
another so that they can compare the results. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJlX3MUxqQwKtydL_2LdIXeAm8bHFWrRpPjrhz7InExCNY0J7_O_wBqQ8njlqA4WRBXji8u7sHq6qQXpCQQUX9-zq2bGTSspurMqpy6nXR-gdyOdphqLJeDSqVQ0gOU50o-gVsnViqXLx/s1600/2012-01-23+13.52.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJlX3MUxqQwKtydL_2LdIXeAm8bHFWrRpPjrhz7InExCNY0J7_O_wBqQ8njlqA4WRBXji8u7sHq6qQXpCQQUX9-zq2bGTSspurMqpy6nXR-gdyOdphqLJeDSqVQ0gOU50o-gVsnViqXLx/s640/2012-01-23+13.52.03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
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<i><b>Some of the things you
can talk about as you watch the seeds grow are:</b><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<ul>
<li>How the seeds all bend as they reach to the light. If you
turn the tray they will bend back. There's a special word for this which I love called <i>Phototropism. There are lots of '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropism" target="_blank">tropisms</a>'. Another one I like is </i><o:p></o:p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Thigmotropism where a plant moves or grows in response to being gently stroked or touched.</i></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<li>If the seeds are sown too thickly they might not grow as strong or healthy as they will all be fighting for space and light.</li>
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<li>If they forget to water them they might not grow as strong or healthy as they will all be fighting for space and light.</li>
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<li>If they forget to water them they will become limp (as we do). If they are overwatered they might not germinate as they will be starved of oxygen and drown!</li>
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<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">If two experiments are carried out, do the
seeds that were grown in the compost look healthier, greener or larger than those in the
kitchen paper or cotton wool? Did they grow more quickly?</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> (If so it's because there are nutrients in compost that will feed them, whereas there are no nutrients in compost or kitchen roll! </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><i>Seeds don't need nutrients to germinate as everything they require to do this is contained within their seed shell. However, once they've sprouted and grown their first leaves, they will be looking for those precious nutrients.</i></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Have you ever grown cress seeds in different ways? What's your favourite way of eating it?</span></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-5948230096664934182012-01-20T09:30:00.000+00:002012-01-20T09:30:00.596+00:00Guest Post: Fabulous! 5 Easy Winter Flower Bulbs by Susan Flowers<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Susan has kindly written the first of my new feature guests posts that I'll be including on the Greenside Up blog. She is the Manager of the <b>Blooming Brilliant Garden Centre </b>at <a href="http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&pc=FACEBK&mid=8100&where1=Dermot+Kehoe+Supply+%26+DIY+1+Woodbine+Industrial+Estate%2C+County+Wexford+New+Ross%2C+Ireland&FORM=FBKPL0&name=The+Blooming+Brilliant+Garden+Centre+at+Kehoe%27s+DIY&mkt=en-GB#JndoZXJlMT1XZXhmb3JkK05ldytSb3NzJTJjK0lyZWxhbmQmc3M9eXAuRGVybW90JTJiS2Vob2UlMmJTdXBwbHklMmIlMjUyNiUyYkRJWSUyYjElMmJXb29kYmluZSUyYkluZHVzdHJpYWwlMmJFc3RhdGUlMjUyYyUyYkNvdW50eSU3ZXNzdC4wJTdlcGcuMSZiYj01Mi4zNjcwNzYyNjg4ODIyJTdlLTYuMzcxODExODY2NzYwMjUlN2U1Mi4zMDc2MDUzMzI2NzE1JTdlLTYuNTQ2MDQ4MTY0MzY3Njc=" target="_blank">Dermot Kehoe Supply & DIY Centre</a> in New Ross, Co. Wexford. Susan has had the gardening bug for over 10 years, and has designed several gardens in that time, along with working as a horticulturalist and garden centre manager. </span></i><br />
<div style="background-color: white;">
<i><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<i><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This Spring her garden centre is getting a bit of a re-vamp, so she is quite excited about planning the new layout! You can follow the </span></i><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Blooming Brilliant Garden Centre</b></span></i><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">e on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/BloomingBrilliantGardenCentre" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You are probably longing for Spring right
about now, aren’t you? Craving a bit of colour and cheer in the garden as you
wait for the first</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> green shoots?
Well, did you know there are some fantastic flowers you can enjoy in
your garden in winter? There are, and they are easy peasy to grow! Here are my
top five:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Winter Irises</span><span style="font-family: Elephant, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Elephant, serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6vgaHQ7uBSbfMNX241peGYyBCmsHPCm3-TtJk8VD-VqPvwZlILLswJLBsBN0z5TIzWHgOcJycR1jm65owa0tFh5b_Ri3irMdNMB0Kf_NA-RHCYhz-gkJ35kJ5_6pLkLMWP8Da6yU0ycc/s1600/winter+iris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6vgaHQ7uBSbfMNX241peGYyBCmsHPCm3-TtJk8VD-VqPvwZlILLswJLBsBN0z5TIzWHgOcJycR1jm65owa0tFh5b_Ri3irMdNMB0Kf_NA-RHCYhz-gkJ35kJ5_6pLkLMWP8Da6yU0ycc/s400/winter+iris.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Winter Iris</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX2B_1YUiz132yUhwAwqr20yZ1AVopW_slaktwvwkgh3O_vmBlgR8iE1WtM-cTl8K0m1ojFZHVCPKK1uzyPYIEhvbojdCgkT2kehbm8xXhfku4L8geNEGTQcGHsMclM8xamRHGPfX6MTW/s1600/winter+flowers+iris+reticulata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX2B_1YUiz132yUhwAwqr20yZ1AVopW_slaktwvwkgh3O_vmBlgR8iE1WtM-cTl8K0m1ojFZHVCPKK1uzyPYIEhvbojdCgkT2kehbm8xXhfku4L8geNEGTQcGHsMclM8xamRHGPfX6MTW/s400/winter+flowers+iris+reticulata.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Winter Iris</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">These little jewels generally bloom in
January, and are mainly in shades of purple & blue. Iris </span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">reticulata</i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> is
their Latin name, and they look stunning planted in groups. I’ve several in
bloom in my garden at the minute, and they come back year after year as long
as your soil isn’t soggy. You can also have them indoors in a pot to enjoy the
scent up close, (put in a coolish spot in order for the flowers to last longer) and then you can plant outside when they are done flowering. There is a
cheery yellow winter iris, too - iris </span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">danfordiae</i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">- which also has a fab scent,
but is not quite as likely to return next year. Still, they are not expensive
as plants in pots or as dried bulbs & are worth the enjoyment!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Winter Aconite</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1qoSfNvMlnE0aLwSTiTQqkstEAiwekqS6kFgLaivTNXQWe5O51ZWhmhXhaXj_9eEQwsvlj_O0cjgjsi2PSPWcRIIGOzDTptNFFxqixuCquMf6nI3GyYMhtlbJej1opdoE72wFbKLPa7D/s1600/winter+flowers-+winter+aconite+in+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1qoSfNvMlnE0aLwSTiTQqkstEAiwekqS6kFgLaivTNXQWe5O51ZWhmhXhaXj_9eEQwsvlj_O0cjgjsi2PSPWcRIIGOzDTptNFFxqixuCquMf6nI3GyYMhtlbJej1opdoE72wFbKLPa7D/s200/winter+flowers-+winter+aconite+in+snow.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Winter Acconite</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzP4pFLw8KeH0VPuucfgmlXwBVEo78FcqCBxqU1B3WukCZ8_Z8P6TaB3SMMpAQo-MT_zQ4mgjniupiClbO0SldGA6OF0CzCVNxUXHlYp_kHt41vudGFL532_Ou61RN8aCGojQV9R-lV831/s1600/winter+flowers-+winter+aconite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzP4pFLw8KeH0VPuucfgmlXwBVEo78FcqCBxqU1B3WukCZ8_Z8P6TaB3SMMpAQo-MT_zQ4mgjniupiClbO0SldGA6OF0CzCVNxUXHlYp_kHt41vudGFL532_Ou61RN8aCGojQV9R-lV831/s400/winter+flowers-+winter+aconite.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Winter Acconite</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">These sunny little ‘Winter Buttercups’ (</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Eranthis <i>hyemalis</i>)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> are wildlife
friendly, tough as boots in the snow, and will often multiply and make a nice
carpet of sunshine! Planted underneath a deciduous tree - where other plants
will often not grow- they are a real lift! Winter Aconites are much better
bought as growing plants in pots versus dried bulbs in bags. The foliage dies
back around April/May, and it feeds the bulb so it will flower again next year,
so don’t chop it while it is still green- this goes for all bulbs, too.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Snowdrops</span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1nq1G22MHGQ7YAwPF4wbqiElxufpE5SSRg52nfRqh028IKm6XZiKVG2AfzkmSSytRJWjFt_a_Q_YoItrHoyktwiyADFoyWwWrTBoGnpEesBpE8fm9rzfwcnB-cd9jsxzzb86ufzhidCx/s1600/winter+flowers+fancy+snowdrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1nq1G22MHGQ7YAwPF4wbqiElxufpE5SSRg52nfRqh028IKm6XZiKVG2AfzkmSSytRJWjFt_a_Q_YoItrHoyktwiyADFoyWwWrTBoGnpEesBpE8fm9rzfwcnB-cd9jsxzzb86ufzhidCx/s200/winter+flowers+fancy+snowdrop.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Snowdrops</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIQPF3K9rWqUxbuRKgaB-Fo_1w_Bbx6CtVhMVmfBfBg4fjFnAZOUeb-k4WXGQWQvZZwCaBawq-xJ_5FrjWlEFa59EsCq0YA1VUj0Xr8mFxuG0gSa6q8pBAaBQqmPQaLOQBHEGd5Bs8w5v/s1600/winter+flowers+snowdrops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIQPF3K9rWqUxbuRKgaB-Fo_1w_Bbx6CtVhMVmfBfBg4fjFnAZOUeb-k4WXGQWQvZZwCaBawq-xJ_5FrjWlEFa59EsCq0YA1VUj0Xr8mFxuG0gSa6q8pBAaBQqmPQaLOQBHEGd5Bs8w5v/s320/winter+flowers+snowdrops.jpg" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Snowdrops</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">Another winter beauty best bought in a pot, Snowdrops
(Galanthus </span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">nivalis</i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">) also multiply over the years- but do plant them in groups
to start; a single plant or two on their tod look a bit lonely. As they clump up
more fully you can gently split and move them when they are finished for the
season. You can go mad and pay big money for special varieties (like on the top picture above), or buy the more common kinds for much less.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">January Gold
& February Gold Daffodils<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Elephant, serif; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkO-0ycwdNDbDwaiJu4SuLUQD8o14MX2VHJCT6PuTaTPAjYqdgaHFoZjiSL99JfhJIjiGChPorjhKfraRCzcU7gzDF35FQUQlPGEAb7YxZoiKA4a49-YUD5B4QFxoKJp2dluuUoRPv02bu/s1600/winter+flowers-+early+daffodil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkO-0ycwdNDbDwaiJu4SuLUQD8o14MX2VHJCT6PuTaTPAjYqdgaHFoZjiSL99JfhJIjiGChPorjhKfraRCzcU7gzDF35FQUQlPGEAb7YxZoiKA4a49-YUD5B4QFxoKJp2dluuUoRPv02bu/s1600/winter+flowers-+early+daffodil.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Early Daffodil </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDsZQi1AzL9fx9EpNEq1Aw-G__FolBzRMq7P2ntCzOUt9V74_NNceDolJmYjQ4IHV7n9V7t3k4tFP63MMsFULxFjjU8JqRlQmo2pao7SBbBieUDtkQhzzbxMD3tH_-I5ZDEMiHlhK6QUq/s1600/winter+flowers+daffodil+february+gold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDsZQi1AzL9fx9EpNEq1Aw-G__FolBzRMq7P2ntCzOUt9V74_NNceDolJmYjQ4IHV7n9V7t3k4tFP63MMsFULxFjjU8JqRlQmo2pao7SBbBieUDtkQhzzbxMD3tH_-I5ZDEMiHlhK6QUq/s320/winter+flowers+daffodil+february+gold.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Daffodil February Gold
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">These very early daffs do what they
say on the tin! In fact, it was so mild here in Ireland this December that my
January Golds have been in full flower since mid December- and they are still
looking great one month on! These bulbs have never let me down and always give
a wonderful, long, show. Most likely you will find them for sale as inexpensive
dry bulbs in in bags, and that is perfectly fine for them. Enjoy! But don’t tie
the foliage in knots after, or cut down until after it yellows- like with all bulbs, it feeds next years flowers.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Crocus</span><span style="font-family: Elephant, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Elephant, serif; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Elephant, serif; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4esWGStiAJThnMdOEdq-7Oaf5KPLK5XqNCP8AVwQG3SmSEt8Re_UW0t7P9LoMej1z0X118SCl4pMCISWNTGJssiBio7Se3Hi1FRKGs_Hcr83x5MZjWTEWg07tjVLU6lFG694X_GL6fBo_/s1600/winter+flowers+mixed+crocus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4esWGStiAJThnMdOEdq-7Oaf5KPLK5XqNCP8AVwQG3SmSEt8Re_UW0t7P9LoMej1z0X118SCl4pMCISWNTGJssiBio7Se3Hi1FRKGs_Hcr83x5MZjWTEWg07tjVLU6lFG694X_GL6fBo_/s1600/winter+flowers+mixed+crocus.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mixed crocus</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqr2y-IpiPb5KGsdHetHs4yRY9JgzjmAZ-CzoHz1kmmgem_QEaabckeJ-YeAlaiMjRrWX_eZ3jZjuY6LbjjgbMsOJzaUTASOW3q_XrADfWD5oA9pHvL173-J3KTWjaDfR0QBH5dCgv6PjT/s1600/winter+flowers+crocus+tomm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqr2y-IpiPb5KGsdHetHs4yRY9JgzjmAZ-CzoHz1kmmgem_QEaabckeJ-YeAlaiMjRrWX_eZ3jZjuY6LbjjgbMsOJzaUTASOW3q_XrADfWD5oA9pHvL173-J3KTWjaDfR0QBH5dCgv6PjT/s200/winter+flowers+crocus+tomm.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Crocus </span><i style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">tommasinianus</i></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Your teacher probably had you plant a few
crocus in a cup in school when you were a child- they are that easy to grow,
but no less valuable Winter cheer for it!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> There are lots of different colours and colour combos to choose from in the different varieties, but one of my
all time favourites is plain old crocus </span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">tommasinianus</i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, pictured below. </span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvyT1mPBeVqW1mVcfgoBl4LFmsH9utIcsb8-uolTcBbERYtJgImNa4reo3UgyPWhPzW4S2dUfKnsvoseFGDdGZxPgRUqYXaNkaNOtHXbBKOCDdLuM7kWCsSURz59VmObmrZbRJaVV86KX/s1600/winter+flowers+crocus+tommasinianus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvyT1mPBeVqW1mVcfgoBl4LFmsH9utIcsb8-uolTcBbERYtJgImNa4reo3UgyPWhPzW4S2dUfKnsvoseFGDdGZxPgRUqYXaNkaNOtHXbBKOCDdLuM7kWCsSURz59VmObmrZbRJaVV86KX/s1600/winter+flowers+crocus+tommasinianus.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Crocus <i>tommasinianus</i></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is so
graceful and spreads around nicely. They all are very good for any early
honeybees that venture out on mild </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Winter days, and the happy go lucky crocus
deserve a place in every garden. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">J</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
They also are fine purchased dry, or as growing plants in pots.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I hope you are inspired to grow a few of these
gorgeous, easy Winter flowers yourself! </span></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I hope you enjoyed ready about the fabulous bulbs available to brighten up our winter days as much as I did, and are now thinking of adding some colour to your own gardens?</i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Susan is currently selling all of the bulbs mentioned (and others) in pots at this time of year, with prices varying between 5 for €10 for some pots, 3 for €10 for others, which I think is great value...... Thanks Susan, I may be heading down way soon! </span></i><br />
<br />Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-41169642897770558042012-01-16T15:37:00.001+00:002012-01-16T16:45:57.217+00:00Sowing Seeds ? Paper Potter Product Review<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLL7f8T139LOWpfevsuhjTG3wG6Uw0Swl7S5glmFH1RNNeUXxN2ruBmYqyXhzF8i-wJnQ2ByBzZDPVTYffnJlAEompf1xzugN6Qq9ZZzu_rHZFP095aVUVPdKZWzpE3HckDfmxbRcM4F6/s1600/Nether+Wallop+Paper+Potter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLL7f8T139LOWpfevsuhjTG3wG6Uw0Swl7S5glmFH1RNNeUXxN2ruBmYqyXhzF8i-wJnQ2ByBzZDPVTYffnJlAEompf1xzugN6Qq9ZZzu_rHZFP095aVUVPdKZWzpE3HckDfmxbRcM4F6/s400/Nether+Wallop+Paper+Potter.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of Mary Gettings www.ecoevolution.ie <br />
(fellow Paper Potter fan!)</td></tr>
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Last year I tried making newspaper pots for my seeds using a small plastic drinks bottle as a guide but found it quite fiddly, and could never quite get the base to sit correctly.<br />
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When I saw the <a "="" href="http://www.thesecretgardener.com/home/3316/seeds/nether-wallop-paper-potter-2/" target="_blank">Nether Wallop Plant Potter</a> (great name!) online it was top of my Christmas wish list and I was therefore delighted to find that I had been a good girl after all when I was handed my presents from under the tree.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some seedlings sulk if their roots are disturbed so they should either be sown directly into the soil (like parsnips and carrots whose roots generally won't form) or into pots that will biodegrade (beetroot, beans, peas, squash and melons).</span><br />
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I've used cardboard tubes (from kitchen or toilet rolls) which work very well too but it's questionable as to whether the glue used to stick them together is 'safe'.<br />
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If you like to sow your own seedlings, making your own pots out of newspaper is a great money saver (even if you do have the initial small outlay of a wooden potter, better if it's a gift) and you'll be doing your bit to help the planet by recycling old newspapers too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIw2jzChcAEIEAYkoracKmtyylsG6hAW7KLcCN5Ukw5TGTSFmaZ6ncTdkUivsJVEiiWU7LqdLcSNGiubZ9L7SUqCeijeatEzIm73t4fEZikGwZ3c1lS9AexEF9llLsDbiZxHRppADtmcQ/s1600/papper+potter+with+compost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIw2jzChcAEIEAYkoracKmtyylsG6hAW7KLcCN5Ukw5TGTSFmaZ6ncTdkUivsJVEiiWU7LqdLcSNGiubZ9L7SUqCeijeatEzIm73t4fEZikGwZ3c1lS9AexEF9llLsDbiZxHRppADtmcQ/s400/papper+potter+with+compost.jpg" width="400" /></a>I really enjoy using my little potter. It's made from FSC oak and beautifully turned, fitting into the hand perfectly. My eight year old made several pots too and loved helping mum - she didn't want to stop! I was also impressed by the minimalistic packaging. Just a cardboard box with the instructions printed on it - no plastic and compostable - there's a lesson there for other companies who over package...<br />
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There's not much more I can say other than a great little tool that I'd recommend all gardeners have in their kit bag. These are available <a "="" href="http://www.thesecretgardener.com/home/shop-2/" target="_blank">online</a> for €11.75 plus postage... If you count up how much can be spent on seedling pots over the years, and the fact that once you have this tool you'll never run out of them, I think it's worth it.<br />
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If you're not sure, or are just interested in how to make them, here's a clip demonstrating how quick and easy paper pots are to make using the Nether Wallop Paper Potter.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DSmMPM973wY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Have you an essential piece of kit in your bag that you can't do without in the garden?Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-40943196324498742592012-01-15T09:30:00.000+00:002012-01-15T09:30:01.236+00:00Seeds : How do you know when it's safe to sow?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fDLYzI-4dJeIsonriyHkik8-4JR2wAKUWpj8pobbdf0SpAuAgAwYmeXJxtXu4ApW4AL2mNBYCD3QwVC_9oOn1AekMVzaw0_valbjvJZ7NFchJuXr9VreSPW6L_zfc_SIa1Ny5Hnf_K1s/s1600/larger+seedlings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fDLYzI-4dJeIsonriyHkik8-4JR2wAKUWpj8pobbdf0SpAuAgAwYmeXJxtXu4ApW4AL2mNBYCD3QwVC_9oOn1AekMVzaw0_valbjvJZ7NFchJuXr9VreSPW6L_zfc_SIa1Ny5Hnf_K1s/s400/larger+seedlings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixed seedlings ready to harden off </td></tr>
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You've made your lists, drawn out your crop rotation plans, have your seeds and compost ready, and before long you'll be itching to start sowing.<br />
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The pressure builds as magazines and social media start to fill with stories of planting dates and there's a noticeable jostle over who's starting to sow which vegetable seeds when.<br />
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Does that sound familiar? If you're new to vegetable gardening beware as it soon will be and before you know it you'll be sowing too and then wondering why your seedlings are seriously struggling or have died.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qRLR_knUj7aoYLI9U0b1qDUf4ajkUIBD6DMreCQzI4DYrL8CXg3PErj9diAHembxCZpKR-tOdl2jywm9hu362MxDz4TPESwyTL5ROqKzNLYTjitaXWt5jzRzAhLDuev86H70RHRN5GUt/s1600/parsley+seedlings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qRLR_knUj7aoYLI9U0b1qDUf4ajkUIBD6DMreCQzI4DYrL8CXg3PErj9diAHembxCZpKR-tOdl2jywm9hu362MxDz4TPESwyTL5ROqKzNLYTjitaXWt5jzRzAhLDuev86H70RHRN5GUt/s400/parsley+seedlings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leggy parsley seedlings sown too early and stretching for light</td></tr>
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As such an avid social media user, last year I remember feeling a sense of panic that I'd left my sowing too late, yet it wasn't even March! I know from experience that we can be three weeks behind the growing conditions of warmer gardens, but it was difficult not to feel left behind when being bombarded with everyone else's reports.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdee-yK_C3qRD2u2vYZaxvnTK3npatsoshytT2CWunBxKJ_I7jiM417lJT_CdPUGLHtZOP6FQgUhdj7alB9uYwuSWTLukmXdWTTQORKXzzTTbxkSHnEeCJnQtlQOACtzSallG2uvSeeEII/s1600/seedlings3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdee-yK_C3qRD2u2vYZaxvnTK3npatsoshytT2CWunBxKJ_I7jiM417lJT_CdPUGLHtZOP6FQgUhdj7alB9uYwuSWTLukmXdWTTQORKXzzTTbxkSHnEeCJnQtlQOACtzSallG2uvSeeEII/s400/seedlings3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't get caught out by a late frost - frozen seedlings!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">So why is it important to sow seeds at the correct time (temperature)?</span><br />
If you attempt to sow seeds below their preferred temperature, it can result in slow germination, seeds rotting, problems with plants developing and ultimately disease as they wont have started life with the best start.<br />
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Seeds need heat to germinate and the requirements vary from plant to plant. They will germinate quicker at higher temperatures but the minimums required can be roughly divided into three groups:<br />
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5 deg C for brassicas (cabbage type family), lettuce, peas and broad beans<br />
7 deg C for parsnips, carrots, beetroot, scallions, leeks, onions<br />
10-12 deg C for runner beans, French beans, courgettes, tomatoes and sweet corn<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaItmQEX5MgQPZPhJqwLS9KYSHHt0gz521CEUsSOsfYcQe8IjG2ZTjaIVBNhaNbV-7JYZsk3qPYTimPFyJVhxsBjCXL8tDF4XqmMqQkwBxXiryp_Vf3NJd4rxVJSgMXvv7bwjaM6UduU8/s1600/seedlingsmixed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaItmQEX5MgQPZPhJqwLS9KYSHHt0gz521CEUsSOsfYcQe8IjG2ZTjaIVBNhaNbV-7JYZsk3qPYTimPFyJVhxsBjCXL8tDF4XqmMqQkwBxXiryp_Vf3NJd4rxVJSgMXvv7bwjaM6UduU8/s400/seedlingsmixed.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Different containers for seeds</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">So how </span><i style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">do you know</i><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"> when is the best time to sow?</span><br />
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Part of being a successful gardener is learning to work with, understand and appreciate nature and her elements. That means noticing the wind directions and the signs of seasons changing, the fluctuations in temperature. Keeping a diary of not only what and when you sow but weather conditions that can be referred back to will become an invaluable aid.<br />
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If you wish to sow seeds indoors that can be transplanted out as the temperatures rise, or plant seeds directly into the soil where they will germinate, you'll need to have an idea of the soil temperature.<br />
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We can roughly work out when the best sowing dates are using average temperatures from previous years. Having an idea when the last frost date is in your area will help you to plan when to sow your seeds indoors, ready to be transplanted outside and hardened off once the soil temperature has warmed up.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAUmDs56e5LUKnP-3uL492402eKhFHKSw49lRcSB3xIu8AZoJoEpKzMFrUpldexExi4Omd6oQ23FSifR3A2KWEI0JqhR04t5uLwojsPntZ-lxEo1FVNhhmCvmRZ-gbU9fjRcOd4F3zOMd/s1600/P2210212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAUmDs56e5LUKnP-3uL492402eKhFHKSw49lRcSB3xIu8AZoJoEpKzMFrUpldexExi4Omd6oQ23FSifR3A2KWEI0JqhR04t5uLwojsPntZ-lxEo1FVNhhmCvmRZ-gbU9fjRcOd4F3zOMd/s400/P2210212.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many things wrong here, too many seeds sown, not enough light, no drainage...</td></tr>
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Take runner beans for instance. You have two choices:<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>1. Sow the beans directly into the soil once the soil temperatures have reached 10-12 deg C for three days or more (between May and June, depending upon where you lives) - <b>NOTE: easiest method!</b></i></span><br />
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So for us at 1,000 m above sea level I would be aiming for early to mid June however, if you live in a warm, sheltered area, mid May should work for you.<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><i>2. Sow the beans in modules ready to plant out when soil temps are 10-12 deg C or more. </i></span><br />
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Beans take between 7 - 14 days to germinate and you could allow approx 3-4 weeks in the pots prior to transplanting outside. As an example, if I'm looking at the calender, aiming to plant my beans outside on 11th June, I would plan to plant them in pots during mid to end of April (keeping an eye out on long range weather forecasts. This should also allow time to harden them off before planting i.e. acclimatising them to the outdoors gradually.<br />
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There's no science here - most <a href="http://www.aztecsailing.co.uk/baurnafea/greensideup/greensideuppix/article%20pdfs/Annual%20Vegetable%20Planner%20-%202011.pdf" target="_blank">vegetable guides</a> will suggest you sow runner beans between April and May. The above was just a demonstration of how the guides arrive at that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OEN88KeTclbsfC7NymssRCtW9GVitLb6v_lP3A58GxGYlxWUdzifu6hit3yWrXYVTtFoh2uvoSqZSle1yo5TTiljfNEZmhVOAfN4_Ne468vSUiQH63P6ueGmiUNS94BcIkmbw9MXJ2aG/s1600/4317832350116037227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OEN88KeTclbsfC7NymssRCtW9GVitLb6v_lP3A58GxGYlxWUdzifu6hit3yWrXYVTtFoh2uvoSqZSle1yo5TTiljfNEZmhVOAfN4_Ne468vSUiQH63P6ueGmiUNS94BcIkmbw9MXJ2aG/s400/4317832350116037227.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom heat from a propagator gives stronger seedlings</td></tr>
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In Ireland the most helpful resource I've found for frost dates, etc are the reports published by <a href="http://www.met.ie/climate/30year-averages.asp" target="_blank">Met Eirann</a> that give 30 year average temperatures from 1961 to 1990. Unfortunately not up-to-date, these can nevertheless be used as a guide for the average number of (ground) <a href="http://weatherfaqs.org.uk/node/26" target="_blank">frost</a> days that occurred each month as well as minimum and maximum temperatures. Bare in mind that the weather conditions from your nearest weather station might not resemble those of your garden. In our case it can differ by up to 5 deg C<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_0HIgCQDc0gqLcH_DFOUfByAptCtz53uva6F2cLjJv0p4GW9Sy-727g1mSCyWwltbd1g0uOCFZ4wgN9bYEQ8yiVJgZUsMr-1tbPa7ubjPzDHuwUL7e8xceh-UE89qR5TizMEZlEupUks/s1600/seeds2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_0HIgCQDc0gqLcH_DFOUfByAptCtz53uva6F2cLjJv0p4GW9Sy-727g1mSCyWwltbd1g0uOCFZ4wgN9bYEQ8yiVJgZUsMr-1tbPa7ubjPzDHuwUL7e8xceh-UE89qR5TizMEZlEupUks/s400/seeds2.jpg" width="366" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children love to help sow seeds</td></tr>
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For more accurate current readings Met Eirann also publish <a href="http://www.met.ie/latest/yesterday.asp">daily records</a>, those combined with the averages could give you a very clear indication of the ultimate sowing dates.<br />
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If you want to be totally sure however, soil thermometers are readily available either <a href="http://www.theorganiccentre.ie/node/786">online</a> or from garden centres.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmOrlGLBLdYoY0QhPwseA3rmY1He2Z2w2qCHQXyGtdvRU3dg8sJgMTTbf72CM8cyzzH3tWvW9ZFlm1aBn620aKrZDAdDxdW5WAeDD2p7vIJUSFzxZc_IKS0aJUo02SLTPAmlu5uqnHtUC/s1600/fleece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmOrlGLBLdYoY0QhPwseA3rmY1He2Z2w2qCHQXyGtdvRU3dg8sJgMTTbf72CM8cyzzH3tWvW9ZFlm1aBn620aKrZDAdDxdW5WAeDD2p7vIJUSFzxZc_IKS0aJUo02SLTPAmlu5uqnHtUC/s400/fleece.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horticultural fleece placed over beds will protect seedlings from frost</td></tr>
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Whenever you choose to sow, it's a good idea to start gathering resources in case of unexpected frosts that can either be used at the beginning of the year to protect sowings and seedlings, or at the end to protect from autumn frosts. Start stocking up on horticultural fleece, collect newspapers or pick up old net curtains from boot sales so that you can cover precious seedlings should a cold snap occur.
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Hope that helps!Greenside Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08783193096121064217noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-3549551809379959982012-01-14T14:02:00.000+00:002012-01-17T17:08:03.821+00:00How to cheer a woman up - nothing like retail therapy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-Z_DmZdphySlbKMrKw2C9NDUgp_1OCsI1_47tegq4PzPJPyhSJrBXmoDE1oLUlaFHyc6dortnl3_6tk07Q7P54NQ6LZoPPjbFI1jfoD8bNP8fOFH9lOjWPuyenpaBnyjBC9cK2y_XjP-/s1600/Gift+Voucher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-Z_DmZdphySlbKMrKw2C9NDUgp_1OCsI1_47tegq4PzPJPyhSJrBXmoDE1oLUlaFHyc6dortnl3_6tk07Q7P54NQ6LZoPPjbFI1jfoD8bNP8fOFH9lOjWPuyenpaBnyjBC9cK2y_XjP-/s400/Gift+Voucher.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Retail therapy in the middle of January buying gorgeous gifts for myself? How did I manage that?<br />
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Back in September my friend bought me a gift voucher for the lovely <a href="http://www.discoverireland.com/us/ireland-things-to-see-and-do/listings/product/?fid=FI_76439">Morgans Garden Centre</a> in Carlow and I'd popped it in my handbag.<br />
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Initially I thought I'd save it for spring seeds, but today I'm having a bit of a low day and remembered that I'd slipped it in there...<br />
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Walking around a garden centre, spending money and buying treats is usually guaranteed to bring a smile to my face. It also has the beneficial bonus of igniting the gardening mojo (which is probably a healthier form of therapy than the retail version but hey, there was a voucher burning a hole).<br />
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So on this melancholic day I spoilt myself with products I usually just gaze at - a memory foam kneeling pad, a Burgon & Ball herb rack and a beautifully perfumed verbena and lavender soap to wash the veggie garden mud away.<br />
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I find it virtually impossible to walk into a garden centre without purchasing anything practical so today it was a bag of seedling compost and plant labels. I'm now heading outside to pull a few weeds and make a few seedling pots in the hope that it will heal my low-spirit.<br />
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If anybody is uncertain as to whether a gift of vouchers might be a little unimaginative, this girl for one just adores receiving them, and in particular saving them for days like today.<br />
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<br />Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-31729659301636145922012-01-13T10:27:00.000+00:002012-01-13T10:27:38.113+00:00Winter sunrise ~ a hill dwellers perspective<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDwyrx3Lxh7TOo4lbV6rbiHXAqXMQdvhdsWTrlrdBKLV9a-HYXbG_YRdyBR8eqFmkLNBCFFEoVMw1Fe9c6glAv8MPPN-RO7x8ve6ckcJ4rqeJPHaMprzefvya71y7r-qIl0t_Vqx6HGM0/s1600/January+sunrise+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDwyrx3Lxh7TOo4lbV6rbiHXAqXMQdvhdsWTrlrdBKLV9a-HYXbG_YRdyBR8eqFmkLNBCFFEoVMw1Fe9c6glAv8MPPN-RO7x8ve6ckcJ4rqeJPHaMprzefvya71y7r-qIl0t_Vqx6HGM0/s400/January+sunrise+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There are many days on the top of our hill that we are engulfed in low cloud. Sometimes the damp air seeps through every crook and cranny of our house seemingly endlessly, so that in the end we resort to lighting the fire to dry it out. <br />
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My memories of August 2011 are waking up, hoping that I would jump out of bed, draw back the curtains and see the sun rising above the canopy of my favourite tree, but sadly it was not to be, yet another day of damp cloud.<br />
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In the colder, winter months however, the roles can be reversed and we are blessed with spectacular sunrises whilst the valley below is blanketed with freezing fog.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8diQyEKx4tYhz8WQM2sI5jZIWoU3sSUpCtlSvWp2oLFjvfvPT3WUP-0Gteb5LOThRuNeS1TZ5EHPZavbwJUteFOrwzOM9sJGun-VWa5gE3UGgB8K88ygRIUaluLtkSViAm2B5vGouKugY/s1600/2012-01-13+08.57.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8diQyEKx4tYhz8WQM2sI5jZIWoU3sSUpCtlSvWp2oLFjvfvPT3WUP-0Gteb5LOThRuNeS1TZ5EHPZavbwJUteFOrwzOM9sJGun-VWa5gE3UGgB8K88ygRIUaluLtkSViAm2B5vGouKugY/s400/2012-01-13+08.57.53.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As we drive down the 'horrible hill' on the school run we see islands poking through the mist, the sky lit up with a myriad of colour, the views so spectacular that even the children stop chattering and gasp.<br />
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Mornings like today make up for all those dull summer days. Mornings like today make living and gardening in an exposed elevated spot so worthwhile. Mornings like today can make my soul swell with happiness that we live on such a beautiful planet.<br />
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<br />Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-35394279727732310392012-01-09T22:42:00.000+00:002012-01-11T09:37:01.009+00:00Composting - How each household could save up to €1,000 a year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGb4w5Olx2MdjQGeBsgYvQV-yhD3vjYnlb89Rl-QlO6Rwh3NLVtiDwS3muh7f4qaOgxLQ-ZoMxuMDSZ71irqIvJkCLYbs4BNzetPXYPPzeeG4gog8plSep5FPaYAcVngb3B23jWNMV1Y/s1600/stopfoodwaste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGb4w5Olx2MdjQGeBsgYvQV-yhD3vjYnlb89Rl-QlO6Rwh3NLVtiDwS3muh7f4qaOgxLQ-ZoMxuMDSZ71irqIvJkCLYbs4BNzetPXYPPzeeG4gog8plSep5FPaYAcVngb3B23jWNMV1Y/s320/stopfoodwaste.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you're not already composting, the start of a new year is a good time to start afresh and plan to do so. Last year I attended a very interesting seminar at the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Carlow County Council</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> chambers given by Nuala on behalf of the </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.stopfoodwaste.ie/" target="_blank">Stop Food Waste Campaign</a> which, apart from giving us a free source of organic matter, explained why composting is so important. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The campaign is a great initiative primarily aimed at reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfill each year, and encouraging us to think more carefully about how we shop, cook and eat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Their website is a mine of information and well worth a look but a couple of points that were highlighted include:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The average person </span><strong style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">throws out</strong><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> the equivalent of </span><strong style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">three grown men of waste each year</strong><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> (300kgs), 30% of which is made up of food and 7% of garden and landscaping materials.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One third of food that Irish households buy is wasted - the equivalent of a third of our groceries being stolen out of our shopping trolleys.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The average household could save up to €1,000 a year by avoiding this waste by <span style="font-size: large;">composting</span>!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">From our own perspective I'm so glad we have chickens and dogs for the cooked food leftovers. We also keep our waste to a minimum by writing weekly shopping lists and compost as much as we can, just using a few old pallets to make a couple of containers to contain it. Those practices combined with recycling, means that our family of five produces on average one black bin bag of refuse destined for the landfill every two weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nuala highlighted a few different composting systems and I was particularly interested in the ones for smaller gardens, as I'm often asked about them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One was a </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBhPmLFpIo8"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Bokashi</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> which seems like a really handy way of composting if you don't have a big garden but use an allotment.</span><br />
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<a href="http://wormery.ie/the-original-wormery.htm"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Wormeries </span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">are another great alternative to compost bins and heaps, especially if you don't currently compost because you're worried about vermin. I was hugely impressed by a community composting (wormery) scheme that a group in </span><a href="http://www.ipcc.ie/cramptoncompost1.html"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Temple Bar, Dublin </span></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">have set up. Their log of how they went about it is well worth a read for anybody interested in community composting, particularly in an urban area.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's worth keeping an eye on the catalogues or in your garden centres as different products become available, such as this <a href="http://www.thesecretgardener.com/home/3500/general/earthmaker-aerobic-composter/">Earthmaker Aerobic Composter</a> where research has shown that it will make twice as much compost as traditional bins over the same period.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you have a few minutes, do take a couple of minutes to check out the Stop Food Waste website above.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For anybody who isn't already composting and doesn't have the Brown bin option for their 'green' waste, it was suggested that they get a small bucket with a lid and throw all their food waste into it for a week or two to see how much is thrown away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Would you be willing to give that challenge a go?</span><br />
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If you'd like to know more about composting, there's a free downloadable pdf file on my <a href="http://www.aztecsailing.co.uk/baurnafea/greensideup/information.html" target="_blank">website</a> giving full details on how to compost.<br />
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<br />Greenside Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08783193096121064217noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-38436880891852517392012-01-08T10:30:00.000+00:002012-01-08T17:12:25.232+00:00Hairy Bittercress ~ if you don't plan to eat it, compost it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As weeds go you can do a lot worse than Hairy Bittercress, which is just as well as it's currently taking over one of my uncovered vegetable beds (it's giving my soil protection from the winter weather).<br />
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This is an annual to biennial weed - seedlings can withstand the severest frost, making it a very hardy weed. It carries hundreds of explosive seed pods that when ripe, can explode suddenly in all directions up to a metre around you (so weed in glasses!). The seeds generally germinate between April to December.<br />
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Hairy Bittercress is easy to remove from the soil with a hoe or by hand and it's important to do so as it can quickly smother beds containing your small vegetable seedlings, competing with them for space and light. Once removed the weeds can then be added to the compost heap.<br />
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If you don't mind eating *weeds however, Hairy Bittercress is <a href="http://www.carllegge.com/2012/01/52-week-salad/">edible</a>, apparently tasting of watercress. I promise to give it a go when it stops raining ;)... Have you tried eating it?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hairy Bittercress<br />
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The following is an audio clip of my tasting session. Apologies for the slight mad excitement of being out in the fresh air again, am new to audio!</div>
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<a href="http://audioboo.fm/boos/615818-hairy-bittercress-tastes-surprisingly-good.mp3?keyed=true&source=embed">Hairy Bittercress - tastes surprisingly good! (mp3)</a></object>
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<br />
<i>* A weed is just a plant that's growing somewhere that it's unwanted.</i><br />
<br />Dee Sewellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06028426547264694142noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-42554672912356768672012-01-05T15:06:00.000+00:002012-01-05T15:06:01.564+00:00Fresh growth, hope and patience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fmz7n9vsfso/TwWzu_Yma5I/AAAAAAAABOI/zJgNuZzlFrg/s1600/2012-01-05+14.08.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fmz7n9vsfso/TwWzu_Yma5I/AAAAAAAABOI/zJgNuZzlFrg/s400/2012-01-05+14.08.01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It seems apt somehow that during the first week of a new year I should walk out into my polytunnel and be greeted with rows of tiny fresh green leaves.<br />
<br />
The two seed leaves of the <a href="http://greensideupveg.blogspot.com/2011/01/broad-beans-great-crop-for-beginners.html">broad bean</a> that were sown a few weeks ago and now reach upwards for the light, resembling miniature ancient Egyptian cats, fill me with hope. <br />
<br />
They are the sign of birth and of nature's cycle. I feel excited at the prospect of a new season of growth and longer days ahead, planning and raking, sowing and planting. I look forward to naturing the little plants until they are big, strong and healthy and can be harvested and cooked, their discarded pods added to the compost where they will decompose and finally be scattered onto the soil where their nutrients will nourish the next crop, completing the cycle.<br />
<br />
Today I am smiling at nature's gifts and patiently waiting for the coming weeks ahead and the joy and tranquillity they will bring. Today I am quietly reminded why I have such a love of gardening.<br />
<br />Greenside Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08783193096121064217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-61662639077557979972012-01-02T23:56:00.003+00:002012-01-03T10:05:17.089+00:002012 - A New Dawn, A New Day<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u4x9VsiBYbs/TwJASUT_D-I/AAAAAAAABNk/fHX9xauCQQ8/s1600/2012-01-02+23.04.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u4x9VsiBYbs/TwJASUT_D-I/AAAAAAAABNk/fHX9xauCQQ8/s400/2012-01-02+23.04.19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It's that time of year when we sit down, look at the year gone by, the year ahead and plan our coming goals...<br />
<br />
But I haven't yet! As a working mum with a shift working husband one aspect that I've had to resolve myself to is juggling family life. That includes taking time off with our children and/or working at midnight when they're in bed and/or shutting myself in the bedroom with the netbook for some peace and quiet.<br />
<br />
So here we are on the 3rd January. I have another week at home (mostly) enjoying their company and although I haven't sat down yet and written a list, I have been thinking about the year gone past and the one ahead.<br />
<br />
2011 was the busiest yet for Greenside Up with new <a href="http://www.greensideupveg.blogspot.com/2011/12/reflecting-on-2011-and-looking-forward.html">Community Gardens</a> starting up, the launch of the community garden network at the <a href="http://greensideupveg.blogspot.com/2011/09/giying-and-community-gardening.html">GIY National Conference</a>, finding out I was a finalist at the <a href="http://greensideupveg.blogspot.com/2011/03/what-do-irish-green-awards-mean.html">Irish Green Awards</a> and again at the South East Women in Business Awards. Mr G built raised beds, whilst I helped individuals start up, taught at night courses, spoke on radio interviews and, despite my nerves, spoke at several events about my passion - veggies and community gardening. I've met so many lovely, enthusiastic, talented, genuine people in the couple of years since starting Greenside Up I feel blessed and I'm really looking forward to meeting them again, and hopefully meeting more.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_FGLdezsybg/TwJB5hjW7xI/AAAAAAAABNw/IvhPNKkufjg/s1600/2011-09-06+12.03.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_FGLdezsybg/TwJB5hjW7xI/AAAAAAAABNw/IvhPNKkufjg/s400/2011-09-06+12.03.14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
However, the great thing about a new year is that it's a dam good excuse to start afresh.<br />
<br />
I love opening my brand new diary and the pages are bare. The uncertainty of not knowing what events will be unfolding and filling the crisp pages is exciting.<br />
<br />
I'm feeling amazingly motivated about helping more people grow veggies, as well as looking forward to starting a fresh year with the community and intellectually disabled gardeners I've been lucky enough to work with in the past.<br />
<br />
I'm also looking forward to starting afresh on our own plot, trying out some new varieties of vegetables, maybe some new methods, and am determined to make more wines and preserves this year too.<br />
<br />
So in the words of <a href="http://youtu.be/h8tuTSi6Sck">Nina Simone</a> "It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life ...." bring on 2012 and whatever challenges it unveils....<br />
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<br />Greenside Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08783193096121064217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-31831782626423779112011-12-28T11:23:00.001+00:002011-12-28T13:32:51.836+00:00Purple Themed Vegetable Garden - Would you do it?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f54sFzERI4I/Tvr2WqXG1OI/AAAAAAAABMQ/2TXBXVe5qOg/s1600/Kohl+Rabi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f54sFzERI4I/Tvr2WqXG1OI/AAAAAAAABMQ/2TXBXVe5qOg/s320/Kohl+Rabi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kohl Rabi</td></tr>
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<br />
Being a lover of the colour purple, it was only a matter of time before I thought of the idea of growing a colour themed vegetable garden.<br />
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I've grown several types of purple veg already including purple sprouting brocolli, carrots, scarlet kale (which is purple in colour), kohl rabi and rainbow chard which includes a purple stemmed variety.<br />
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It's unlikely that I'll go for it this coming year but as purple varieties of most vegetables are now readily available, I may just start replacing some of my seeds with the purple varieties listed below as they run out until eventually - well who knows.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s0TqgeYmMI8/Tvr3wr7IpiI/AAAAAAAABMo/4ghVbsTEkrA/s1600/PSB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s0TqgeYmMI8/Tvr3wr7IpiI/AAAAAAAABMo/4ghVbsTEkrA/s400/PSB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So what makes purple vegetables special apart from their glorious colour? Well for a start they contain natural pigments called anthocyanins. These act as powerful andixidants that protect from cell damage and are said to help lower the risk of cancer, strokes and heart disease.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-db2OHbSrPtw/Tvr3kytirPI/AAAAAAAABMc/OxY9p40SbDI/s1600/Scarlet+Kale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-db2OHbSrPtw/Tvr3kytirPI/AAAAAAAABMc/OxY9p40SbDI/s400/Scarlet+Kale.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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According to <a href="http://www.onepageprofile.co.uk/people/asparabuddies/babeeblog.asp?aid=475">Asparabuddies </a>(and their furry friends) purple asparagus is the sweetest of all the varieties they've grown, whilst here we've noticed that the pests head to the green varieties of kale first, leaving the purple leaves relatively unscathed.<br />
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So here's a list of over thirty different purple veg, including links to seed suppliers in Ireland and the UK if you'd like to give them ...<br />
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Asparagus - <a href="http://www.organiccatalogue.com/p3278/ASPARAGUS-CROWNS-Purple-Passion-10-Crowns/product_info.html">Purple Passion</a><br />
Aubergine - <a href="http://www.organiccatalogue.com/Seeds-Vegetables-Vegetables-A-B-Aubergine/c21_22_44_66/p1498/AUBERGINE-Rosa-Bianca/product_info.html">Rosa Bianca</a><br />
Basil - <a href="http://www.organiccatalogue.com/p781/BASIL-Red-Ruben/product_info.html">Red Ruben</a><br />
Beans - <a href="http://www.thesecretgardener.com/home/1225/general/climbing-bean-selma-zebra-heritage-range/">Selma Zebra</a><br />
Beetroot - <a href="http://www.organiccatalogue.com/Seeds-Vegetables-Vegetables-A-B-Beetroot/c21_22_44_72/p21/BEETROOT-Detroit-Globe/product_info.html">Detroit Globe</a><br />
Broccoli - <a href="http://www.thesecretgardener.com/home/268/general/broccoli-purple-sprouting-organic-seed/">Broccoli Purple Sprouting</a>
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Brussels Sprouts - <a href="http://www.suttons.co.uk/Gardening/Vegetables/New+Vegetables+for+2012/Brussels+Sprout+Red+Ball+Seed_153475.htm">Red Ball Haze</a><br />
Cabbage <a href="http://www.brownenvelopeseeds.com/cabbage/red-drumhead/">Red Drumhead</a><br />
Cauliflower <a href="http://www.organiccatalogue.com/Seeds-Vegetables-Vegetables-C-Cauliflower-Summer/c21_22_45_100/p79/CAULIFLOWER-Violet-Queen/product_info.html">Violet Queen</a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1KlezMd_0Jw/Tvr5l4HcNxI/AAAAAAAABNA/I30Ea_5gOA8/s1600/chive+flowers+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1KlezMd_0Jw/Tvr5l4HcNxI/AAAAAAAABNA/I30Ea_5gOA8/s320/chive+flowers+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Carrots - <a href="http://www.suttons.co.uk/Gardening/Vegetables/Vegetable+Seeds/Carrot+F1+Purple+Haze+Seeds_157351.htm?sku=157351&ito=1889&itc=13249&itkw=purple%20carrots&gclid=CKXjh-m5oq0CFVBlfAod2F51lQ">Purple Haze</a><br />
Chives <a href="http://www.theorganiccentre.ie/node/577">SKU</a><br />
Choy Sum <a href="http://www.organiccatalogue.com/p209/CHOY-SUM-Purple/product_info.html">Purple</a><br />
Garlic <a href="http://www.suttons.co.uk/Gardening/Vegetables/Vegetable+Seeds/Garlic+Iberian+Wight_173850.htm">Iberian Wight</a><br />
Globe Artichoke - <a href="http://www.organiccatalogue.com/p3/ARTICHOKE-Purple-Globe/product_info.html">Purple Globe Artichoke</a><br />
Leef Beet <a href="http://www.thompson-morgan.com/vegetables/vegetable-seeds/beetroot-and-chard-seeds/beet-bulls-blood-scarletta/gww4944TM">Bulls Blood Scarletta</a><br />
Lettuce - <a href="http://www.organiccatalogue.com/Seeds-Vegetables-Vegetables-D-L-Lettuce-Looseleaf/c21_22_46_86/p1542/LETTUCE-Amorina/product_info.html">Amorina</a><br />
Kale - <a href="http://www.brownenvelopeseeds.com/kale/red-russian-kale/">Red Russian</a><br />
Kohl Rabi - <a href="http://www.thompson-morgan.com/vegetables/vegetable-seeds/brassica-and-leafy-green-seeds/kohl-rabi-kolibri-f1-hybrid/263TM">Kolibri</a><br />
Mange Tout Pea <a href="http://www.thompson-morgan.com/vegetables/vegetable-seeds/pea-and-bean-seeds/pea-shiraz/gww4959TM">Shiraz</a><br />
Mint <a href="http://www.suttons.co.uk/Gardening/Vegetables/Vegetable+Seeds/Herb+Seed+-+Korean+Mint_165145.htm">Korean</a><br />
Mustard <a href="http://store.irishseedsavers.ie/Osaka_Purple_Mustard_Salad_p/1094.htm">Osaka Purple</a><br />
Onions <a href="http://www.marshalls-seeds.ie/hyred-hp-onion-sets-pid3615.html">Hyred</a><br />
Pak Choi <a href="http://www.suttons.co.uk/Gardening/Vegetables/Vegetable+Seeds/Pak+Choi+F1+Rubi+Seeds_174328.htm"> Rubi</a><br />
Peppers <a href="http://www.organiccatalogue.com/p1487/HOT-PEPPER-Purple/product_info.html">Hot Pepper Purple</a><br />
Potatoes - <a href="http://www.albert-bartlett.co.uk/products/purple_majesty_detail">Purple Majesty </a><br />
Radish - <a href="http://www.organiccatalogue.com/Seeds-Vegetables-Vegetables-P-R-Radish-Autumn-Winter/c21_22_23_39/p300/RADISH-China-Rose/product_info.html">China Rose</a><br />
Scorzionna - <a href="http://www.brownenvelopeseeds.com/giant-russian/">Giant Russian</a><br />
Swede <a href="http://www.thompson-morgan.com/vegetables/vegetable-seeds/all-other-vegetable-seeds/swede-tweed/gww4967TM">Tweed</a><br />
Sweetcorn - <a href="http://www.brownenvelopeseeds.com/sweet-corn-and-maize/painted-mountain/">Painted Mountain</a><br />
Swiss Chard (Leaf Beat) <a href="http://www.moreveg.co.uk/shop/article_LEMMS/Leaf-Beet-Magenta-Sunset.html?sessid=lelpQttM2JBbQr5NC8GPvYbQX3UQnpamRz1fqQJGK89LLELEKdgHqj6MWn2eW9Sx&shop_param=cid%3D26%26aid%3DLEMMS%26">Magenta Sunset</a><br />
Tomatoes - <a href="http://www.readytogrow.co.uk/seeds/c_tomatoes.htm">Black Cherry Tomatoes</a><br />
Turnip - <a href="http://www.thesecretgardener.com/home/1213/seeds/turnip-milan-purple-organic/">Milan Purple</a><br />
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Do you like the idea of eating purple vegetables? Have you ever grown any? Have I missed any? I'd love to hear your thoughts...Greenside Uphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08783193096121064217noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5886349661882889277.post-7373219406959290842011-12-24T21:52:00.000+00:002011-12-24T21:52:39.590+00:00Christmas Traditions ~ Twas the Night Before Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6yqnjB-sAKg/TvZI-wrzjPI/AAAAAAAABLk/nN-z7R_4hMY/s1600/2011-12-24+21.32.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6yqnjB-sAKg/TvZI-wrzjPI/AAAAAAAABLk/nN-z7R_4hMY/s400/2011-12-24+21.32.40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
When our first child was born it was time to make up new traditions for our family. A combination of some old ones from Mr G's childhood, some from my own and new ones created for our first and subsequent children.<br />
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Our eldest was born just three weeks before Christmas and reading the poem The Night Before Christmas by Clement C Moore to him as a tiny baby was one of our first new traditions. It's a poem I've read with delight every Christmas since, and no doubt will continue long after they've left home...<br />
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<i>Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>In hopes that St.Nicholas soon would be there;</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The children were nestled all snug in their beds</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads;</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>And Mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap,</i></div>
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<i>Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap, </i></div>
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<i>When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Away to the window I flew in a flash,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow</i></div>
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<i>Gave a lustre of midday to objects below,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>With a little old driver, so lively and quick,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And he whistled and shouted, and called them by name:</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!</i></div>
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<i>To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!</i></div>
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<i>Now dash away! dash away! dash away, all!"</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,</i></div>
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<i>When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,</i></div>
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<i>So up to the housetop the coursers they flew,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>With a sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas, too.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.</i></div>
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<i>As I drew in my head, and was turning around,</i></div>
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<i>Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>His eyes - how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>He had a broad face and a little round belly</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>That shook, when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And I laughed, which I saw him, in spite of myself;</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Soon gave me to know I nothing to dread;</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And laying a finger aside of his nose,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">"Happy Christmas to all, And to all a good night!"</span></b></i></div>
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