12
The Informer
Garden Growing
Dealing with the snow and ice As I write this month's article on the last day of November, the weather outside couldn’t be worse and it’s not even December yet! I really hope that we don’t get a repeat of last winter's prolonged snow and freezing temperatures. However, there is nothing we can do except be ready for whatever we get. Protect those plants
Last winter taught us a lot of hard lessons about protecting plants. We all lost supposedly ‘hardy’ plants and in order for this not to happen again an efficient and cheap way to protect shrubs etc., is to cover them with horticultural fleece. It is widely available in garden centres and DIY shops and it is still not too late to do this, but hurry! In addition, if bigger shrubs and small trees get covered in snow and ice, it is vital that you use a brush or stick to shake it off as snow and ice will do huge damage if left on branches. Last
winter a vast amount of Cordylines died throughout the country as a result of ice and snow resting on their branches.
With
Feeding the birds
Due to the cold weather my garden is full of birds. All the usual suspects are there except the ‘Blackcap’ who hasn’t shown up just yet. I’m doing my utmost to keep the magpies and pigeons away as they will eat more in five minutes than the smaller birds would in a day. Speaking of feeding the birds, a regular reader of my column in the Informer has a problem with vermin, i.e. 'Rattus Norvegicus’, that’s rats to you and me. They are feasting on the crumbs which fall to the ground under the bird feeders. I’ve suggested putting trays under the feeders and some other ideas. Has any reader a better solution? Email me please with any creative/innovative ways to get rid of these unwanted visitors
Gerry Norton
and I’ll gladly pass them on. Keep off the lawn!
During this cold weather it is absolutely vital that you do not damage your lawn by walking on it or pushing a wheelbarrow over it. As the grass is frozen you will do serious damage. If there is a break soon in the weather during December, you could give the lawn a last quick haircut but only if it needs it and only if we get reasonable, dry weather. Otherwise put the
mower away, or better still make a plan to have it serviced during January or February so it’s ready for next year. Next year's veg
Once the frost has gone, think seriously about growing your own vegetables next year. Apart from the wonderful taste and freshness of your own vegetables, you can save a small fortune when it comes to shopping and now that the ‘IMF’ (Institute of Miserable Feckers) have come
here to tell us how to live, the more we grow, the more we save. Keep an eye out
Finally, my tip of the month for December is to please make sure to call into your elderly neighbours to check if they need milk or bread or whatever. They are infinitely more important than the birds we love so much. Have a very happy and stress free Xmas.
Finally folks, if you need any information on gardening or if you have any tips or suggestions which I can pass on, please send them to me at livinglandescapes@eircom.net. I would be delighted to quote for any/all of your garden requirements from set-up organic vegetable plots to restoration of neglected gardens, design, planting and maintenance. No charge for initial visit and I will travel within reason.
Gerry Norton, Living Landescapes, 97 Church Avenue, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 Tel: 087-2462724 or email
livinglandescapes@eircom.net