Blog Archives - Gareth Austin Horticultural & Media Services

Strimmer Damage to trees

6/23/2015

Young tree with strimmer damage

Such a sad sight, tree heavily damaged by strimmers when planted in grass. Why spend good money on a tree and then ruin it with a strimmer!

This is one of the many reasons why we suggest always installing a mulch around the base of newly planted trees, not only does it encourage them to establish better (grass will typically reduce growth by 60% in the first 4 years) but it also means you don't have to strim so close to the tree... check out this feature on planting trees for more

Young tree with strimmer damage

Young tree with strimmer damage

Young tree with strimmer damage

Tomato Leaf Curl/ Leaf Roll

6/23/2015

Physiological Leaf Roll in Tomato plants

The curling in or rolling in of leaves on Tomatoes is a common sight during spells of heat in the summer months. As a result of intense heat, above 35C, the leaves of tomatoes will roll in as a defense mechanisms, and in many cases will not 'uncurl'. Its a problem which can be avoided by adequate temperature management, and in many cases will give no adverse affect on tomato yields.

Check out Physiological Leaf Roll in Tomato for more details

Physiological Leaf Roll in Tomato plants

Aphids on Gooseberry growing tips

6/23/2015

Aphids on Gooseberry growing tips

Look closely and you can see the Aphids having a field day on these Gooseberry plants...

I've given them a wee spray with some Pyrethrum spray, this will kill them on contact and should help to control the numbers

distinctive signs of aphid attack

First Of The Tomatoes

6/23/2015

Green Alicante Tomatoes

First of my Alicante Tomatoes coming through :-) - for more on tomato growing see here

First Of The Courgettes

6/23/2015

Courgettes

First of the Courgettes from inside my new tunnel coming along nicely...These were planted into a bed after a sowing of Italian Ryegrass as a green manure and have been fed a few times with some Seaweed liquid...

I always plant a pot beside the plants, this allows for targeted watering - see here . And remember to keep the water off the flowers!

Lets make those Tomatoes work!

6/21/2015

Tomatoes in Rathmullan House Walled Garden in mid August

The June 20th Gardening Feature for Derry Daily ' Lets make those Tomatoes work' can be found here and the Donegal Daily Gardening Feature can be found here

Downhill Demense walled garden

6/21/2015

Downhill Demense 1963

Some super old pics (courtesy Toby Edwards National Trust) of the walled garden in DownHill Demense. The first picture shows DownHill Demense around 1963 when the roof was just removed from the 'big house'. You can see the walled garden still in productive use. The walled garden area was leased out to a private individual for many years.

The second pic shows part of the walled garden, co 1900, showing the rose garden in full splendor.

For more on Downhill Demense check out the National Trust website here for DownHill Demense

Part of the Downhill Demense walled garden c.1900

Rose management feature for Donegal Daily

6/18/2015

Trumpeter Roses in full flower

The 13th June Gardening Feature for the Donegal Daily on 'What a good year for the Roses' can be found here

Getting plants for free

6/18/2015

Freshly potted up rooted cuttings of Fucshia

The 6th of June Donegal Daily gardening feature on' How to get plants for free' can be found here

Early Summer in Ros Ban Gardens in Raphoe

6/15/2015

Ann Kavanagh talking through some of the medical plants

Even on the most wettest of days, the enthusiasm that Ann Kavanagh has for medicinal plants is totally enthusing, and boy was it wet when myself and the Horticulture crew from Carndonagh visited!

But the group were enthralled by Annes stories and tales, and when Bob joined us the banter and stories kicked into overdrive.

The wonderful 3 acres of medicinal/natural/heritage/wildlife gardens that make up Ros Ban are open to the public via the Donegal Garden Trail, details for opening etc can be found here