Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips.
Spring Gardening Tips:

Growing fruit in the garden has never been easier, the choice and range of fruiting plants suitable to grow in the west of Ireland is extensive with new and improved varieties been added each season.

A big favourite with gardeners are the compact dwarf apple, pear and plum trees which are special grafted onto dwarf root stocks to help control the growth and put more emphasis on flowering and fruiting compared to strong growth. Many of the dwarf fruiting trees are ideal for growing in patio planters and containers but are equally happy to grow in the garden soil.

When planting Apples, Pears, plums or fruiting cherry trees consider under planting with smaller bush type fruiting plants including Rhubarb, Gooseberry, blueberries, strawberries and blackcurrants. This method makes good use of space and also makes it easier to control both soil weeds and pests.Check it out here!

Early February is an ideal time to plant new fruit trees in your garden or patio pots and also a good time to prune back existing fruiting plants and clean around existing plants to remove grass and weed growth.

Some of the Key Gardening Jobs to complete now include:

o  Garden lawns need a little attention now to help control lawn moss, my advice is to treat your lawn with a dressing of Sulphate of Iron to kill off winter lawn moss, Mix the Iron in water and apply the mix through a watering can or sprayer directly onto the lawn moss area. Make sure the mix is not applied to hard surface areas.

o  Greenhouses and polytunnels can be fumigated now by simply placing a Fumigant P bomb onto the greenhouse floor and lighting the fuse. The fumigant bomb will kill over wintering pests hidden in cracks and crevices within the greenhouse area.Check it out here!

o  French marigolds are wonderful for a splash of colour in early and mid summer, Sow the variety scarlet Sophie indoors now in seed trays and place on a bright warm window sill to germinate. The young plants can be potted on using growise compost in mid march.

o  Vegetable seed including Lettuce salad bowl, Cabbage minicole, Green calabrese, Cauliflowers and celery can be sown from seed now indoors in seed trays and placed in a bright location to germinate.

o  The double pink flowering dahlia Mr Optimistic is a beautiful variety to grow as a cut flower or to fill gaps in shrub borders for some added colour this summer. Dahlia tubers can be potted up now, placed indoors in a warm bright location to encourage early sprouting. Dahlia tubers are now available in a wide range of colours for potting on.

o  Salad Potatoes including the variety Harmony can be sprouted now indoors in a frost free location to encourage new sprouts. Harmony produces a great tasting waxy flesh that is ideal for use in salads. Now is the key time to be sprouting all early seed potatoes to gain a head start on the season.

o  Plant Cottage garden plants now including Arum lillies, Lupin’s, Delphiniums, foxgloves, Phlox, monkshood and phygelius for summer colour that will flower this and every summer. My advise is to plant in clusters of three, three lupins, three delphiniums and so on for bold strong colour

Paraic is back with his weekly radio programme on mid west radio every Saturday morning at 9am from March 3^rd. and weekly on Tv3 Ireland am morning programme with a gardening advise slot every Thursday morning at 9am. In this weeks live TV programme Paraic advises you on growing fruit trees and bushes in your garden. Check out Paraic’s weekly blog on www.gardencentre.ie for weekly gardening advice and tips

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips.

26th January 2012

Growing Potatoes is a long standing tradition in Ireland and in particular here in the west of Ireland. Now is the ideal time to prepare early seed potatoes for planting by simply placing the new potato tubers in seed trays with their “eyes” upwards in a bright frost free location – a garage window sill is ideal…

Its time to grow your very own New Potatoes.

1. Choose First early Seed potato varieties including the Irish varieties Orla and Colleen which are renowned for their flavour and taste. Irish bred varieties for the Irish palate.Click here to get great offers on our Colleen Seed Potatoes

2. Other traditional varieties to consider include the early Sharpes express, Duke of York, Epicures, Accord and Rocket. First early varieties will produce a crop of early potatoes at the end of June.

3. British Queen is a second early variety and produces wonderful floury potatoes in mid July. A firm favourite for generations and easy to grow.

4. Remember to Sprout the tubers for four weeks in seed trays on a bright but frost free location – window sill – greenhouse – polytunnel or bright garage is ideal.

5. Potatoes can also be grown in pots and containers, Use potato planters, add a layer of compost, place four sprouted tubers into the container and cover with a six inch layer of compost, add another four tubers to this second layer of compost and add water – Leave the potato planter in a sheltered patio, greenhouse or polytunnel to grow on.

6. Plant out your sprouted potato tubers in early March, Ensure the soil is well prepared by adding plenty of organic compost to the soil before planting. Add potato fertiliser granules when planting and again in mid April to help ensure a strong bumper crop.Click here for our wide range of grow your own products

Farmers in the AEOSM and REPS schemes who are interested in planting broadleaved trees and hedging plants are invited to a special workshop this Saturday and Sunday Jan 28^th and 29^th at 2pm in Horkans lifestyle & garden centre Turlough castlebar. This event is FREE and a great opportunity to learn how to plant and care for native Irish broadleaved trees and hedging plants.

This Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th Jan 2012, 2pm in Horkans lifestyle & Garden Centre Turlough Castlebar

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips!

Spring Gardening Tips:

Growing your own vegetables and flowers can be fun, rewarding and a very cheap way to supplying your own home with a bounty of fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit and filling your garden with colour and scent.

January is the ideal time to sow fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers from seed indoors in seed trays for planting out in early spring.

So may garden plants can be simply start on a warm, bright window sill indoors at this time of year

Some of the Key Gardening Jobs to complete now include:

o  Double flowering Dahlias can be planted from Tubers now, simply pot up the dahlia tubers in seed trays or individual pots, use Supergrow compost for best results, and place the pots on a warm bright window sill to sprout. Dahlia tubers are now available for planting in a wide variety of colours and flowering types.

o  Plant Timberely Early Rhubarb plants now directly into your garden soil, remember you will need six rhubarb plants to provide regular pickings all summer long. Add organic compost and some seamunges pellets to the soil before planting.

o  Fruiting plants including Apple, Pear , blackcurrants, Gooseberries and redcurrants can be pruned this month to encourage strong growth and help to increase fruiting ability and fruit size this summer. Now is also an ideal time to plant new fruit trees and bushes.Click here to check out or special offers on FRUIT TREES

o  Kill moss on Patio driveways, tarmac and slates now with an application of Patio Magic – Simply spray the Patio Magic treatment over the effected area on a dry day – Patio Magic works quickly to eradicate moss on all hard surface areas. Read instructions carefullyClick here for our amazing offers on PATIO MAGIC this month

o  Asparagus plants can be planted outdoors this month into well prepared and manured soil – Asparagus is a perennial vegetable and provides regular pickings from early spring each year. Remember to prepare the soil well and add in plenty of Organic compost to enrich the soil

o  Its time to prune back roses in your garden – Growth has started early this spring so its important to cut back roses now to stimulate new growth on which the flowers will be carried this summer. Remember to clean off your rose bed after pruning and clean the soil of weeds.

o  Parsley, both flat leaved and moss curled varieties should be sown from seed now indoors in gentle heat – Parsley takes some time to germinate but is easy to grow from seed if sown early indoors for planting out in early spring.

o  Protect any tender plants or early flowering plants from frost by covering with some garden fleece – Simply drape the fleece over the tender shoots or flowers.Click here to get a great offer on GARDEN FLEECE to protect your new plants

Paraic is back with his weekly radio programme on mid west radio every Saturday morning at 9am from March 3^rd. and weekly on Tv3 Ireland am morning programme with a gardening advise slot every Thursday morning at 9am from Thursday February 2^nd Check out Paraic weekly blog on www.gardencentre.ie for weekly gardening advise and tips

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips!

21st November 2011

 

 

 

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips.

January sees the start of the gardening year, the mild weather over the Christmas period has awakened the spring flowering plants with early daffodils and cyclamen bursting into flower.

Now is an ideal time to kick start your garden by…

1. Plant up window boxes and patio planters with Spring colour, Spring pansies, violas, primulas, cyclamen, snowdrops and early flowering tulips are now ready for planting and will reward you with lots of early spring colour.

2. Remove damaged and dead hedges now and replace with bare rooted beech, evergreen laurel, Portuguese laurel or green privet.

3. Summer flowering bulbs including Dahlias, double flowering begonias, scented lilies and gladiola for cut flower are now ready for planting. Dahlias and begonias should be planted indoors in gentle heat to start them off. Click here for our full range of Flower Seeds and Bulbs!

4. Garlic, onion, shallots and red baron onion bulbs are now available for planting out of doors. Add some Sea mungus organic fertiliser to the soil before planting. Click here to view our "Grow Your Own" range of Vegetable Seeds

5. Early seed potatoes are now ready for sprouting indoors in the greenhouse or polytunnel – Home Guard – Sharpes express, duke of York, British queens and colleen can be sprouted now to reward you with an early crop.

6. Sweet pea seed should be sown now indoors in seed trays in gentle heat, My tip is to soak the seed over night in tepid water and sow the seed directly into Supergrow compost the following day – Simply Leave the seed tray indoors on a window sill for rapid germination.

7. Would you like to have early sticks of sweet tasting Rhubarb – Cover your existing rhubarb crowns with a black bin or large timber box – exclude the light and look forward to some tasty pink sticks of rhubarb at the end of February.

8. Green Moss and Lichen is a problem on patio drives and walkways clean it now with a dressing of Patio Magic. Simply spray the patio magic treatment over the effected area and within days the moss and lichen will die and wither. See this months special offer on Patio Magic!

9. January is the ideal time to sow seeds of flowering geraniums and begonias – Simply sow the seed now in small seed trays and place in light on a bright window sill. Geraniums and begonias are easy to grow from seed.

10. Prune back apple trees, blackcurrants, redcurrants and gooseberries now to help stimulate growth and maximise fruiting for this season. Click here to see our range of Pruning Shears

Mid January is the ideal time to treat your shrub borders and rose beds with Premazor weed control. Premazor is mixed with water and applied to the soil around established trees, shrubs and roses to help stop the germination of weeds for this season. Remember to read and follow instructions for best effect.

Check out our gardening web site on www.gardencentre.ie

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips!

21st November 2011

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips.

1. December is the time to select a quality fresh Christmas tree for your home, the best variety is called Nordmanii which has lovely rich green foliage with a pine fresh smell. But more importantly you will have little or no needle drop Click here to see our Christmas Trees!

2. Finish planting spring flowering bulbs in borders and containers – Daffodils, tulips and snowdrops should be planted this week to ensure colour for Spring.

3. Plant Frost hardy Laurel hedging this month to ensure a strong evergreen hedge ideal for all gardens. Laurel is frost hardy, evergreen and easy to trim Click here to see our Hedging!

4. Beech and White thorn whips can be planted now to create a native hedge or hedgerow. Simply plant the whips 3 plants per meter for a strong dense hedge.

5. Add colour to your doorway and containers with winter flowering heathers, Cyclamen, pansies, violas and primulas, you can also add some spring flowering bulbs for added colour in march.

6. Lawn moss is a problem in all lawns this winter – Kill it now by applying a dressing of Sulphate of Iron, through the water can or sprayer to the entire lawn area – this treatment will kill lawn moss over night... Click here to see our Sulpahte of Iron

7. Evergreen climbers can be planted this month – Ivies, evergreen Virginia creeper, evergreen clematis and evergreen prycantha are ideal for covering house and garage walls to add cover and colour all year round Click here to see our Climbers!

8. Plant rhubarb and blackcurrant plants this month in your garden soil – add some organic farm yard manure to the soil before planting. Remember December is also the time to cover existing rhubarb stems with a black dustbin to exclude light and encourage the growth of sweet pink rhubarb stems for picking in February – go on give it a go Click here to see our Fruit plants

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips!

21st November 2011

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips.

1. December is the time to select a quality fresh Christmas tree for your home, the best variety is called Nordmanii which has lovely rich green foliage with a pine fresh smell. But more importantly you will have little or no needle drop Click here to see our Christmas Trees!

2. Finish planting spring flowering bulbs in borders and containers – Daffodils, tulips and snowdrops should be planted this week to ensure colour for Spring.

3. Plant Frost hardy Laurel hedging this month to ensure a strong evergreen hedge ideal for all gardens. Laurel is frost hardy, evergreen and easy to trim Click here to see our Hedging!

4. Beech and White thorn whips can be planted now to create a native hedge or hedgerow. Simply plant the whips 3 plants per meter for a strong dense hedge.

5. Add colour to your doorway and containers with winter flowering heathers, Cyclamen, pansies, violas and primulas, you can also add some spring flowering bulbs for added colour in march.

6. Lawn moss is a problem in all lawns this winter – Kill it now by applying a dressing of Sulphate of Iron, through the water can or sprayer to the entire lawn area – this treatment will kill lawn moss over night... Click here to see our Sulpahte of Iron

7. Evergreen climbers can be planted this month – Ivies, evergreen Virginia creeper, evergreen clematis and evergreen prycantha are ideal for covering house and garage walls to add cover and colour all year round Click here to see our Climbers!

8. Plant rhubarb and blackcurrant plants this month in your garden soil – add some organic farm yard manure to the soil before planting. Remember December is also the time to cover existing rhubarb stems with a black dustbin to exclude light and encourage the growth of sweet pink rhubarb stems for picking in February – go on give it a go Click here to see our Fruit plants

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips!

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips!

11th November 2011

1. REPS and AEO planting schemes for farmers should be completed this month, November is the best time to plant native broadleaved trees and hedging plants. Whitethorn, blackthorn, Beech , Birch, alder and willows can all be planted now to encourage strong rooting over winter Click here to see our Trees!

2. Barerooted ornamental and fruiting plants can be planted this month, November is the traditional planting time for all broadleaved trees and hedging plants, Soil conditions are ideal at the moment Click here to see our Fruiting plants!

3. Give your lawn its final mow this month and treat the entire lawn area with a dressing of Sulphate of Iron to kill moss before it begins to spread this winter. Sulphate of iron should be applied lightly and evenly to the entire lawn area Click here to see our Sulphate of Iron

4. November is the month to plant fruit trees and bushes in your garden or containers. Look for the dwarf apple trees, blueberries, raspberries and gooseberries plants now – They are ready for planting Click here to see our Fruit Trees

5. Colour can be added to Graves this month, plant autumn and winter flowering plants including winter heathers, Outdoor cyclamen, Polyanthus and winter pansies. You can also plant spring flowering bulbs for colour from January to May Click here to see our Bulbs!

6. Plant Bee friendly plants in your garden this Autumn I recommend Choisya ternate, Potentillias, Deutizia, Philadelphus, single roses, winter flowering viburnums and Mahonia. Your garden bees will thank you for it

7. November is a great time to plant both foliage and flowering climbers, Variegated Ivy – Virginia creeper, climbing hydrangeas, honeysuckles and clematis can be planted this month Click here to see our Climbers!. Remember to add some organic compost when planting to ensure a strong start to your new climbers Click here to see our Compost!

8. November is the ideal month to take cuttings from your favourite plants including Hydrangeas, Fuchsia , Potentillias, Geraniums, weigelia, and dogwoods. Remember to use some rooting powder to encourage strong rooting and better plants Click here to see our Rooting powder

Bare root season has started in Horkans – Now is the ideal time to get cheap trees and hedging plants for shelter and privacy in your garden. Bare root plants offer you wonderful value and strong well rooted plants which are ready for planting.


Bare root plants include – Mountain ash, Maples, Beech, Common ash, Birch trees, Laurel hedging, Willows in many varieties and Alders for wet ground.


Call this weekend for our special hedging promotions. Great prices on great plants

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips!

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips!

28th October 2011

1. The Bare root Season has started – Its time to plant Laurel and beech hedging plants as bare rooted plants now for a strong well rooted hedge for next spring. Laurel and beech can be planted two plants per meter for a solid dense hedge Click here to see our Hedging Plants!

2. Early November is the time to plant broadleaved trees for REPS, Whitethorn, willows, mountain ash, blackthorns and maples can all be planted now as young whips. They are cheap and easy to plant during the month of November Click here to see our Trees

3. November is also fruit planting time in the garden, Apples, Pear, plum and cherries can be planted this month. Remember to add organic compost when planting and to stake all newly planted trees to ensure strong rooting during the winter Click here to see our Fruit Plants

4. Rhubarb and strawberries can be planted this month, remember to add plenty of organic farm compost to the planting hole and enrich the soil with blood, fish and bone meal when planting Click here to see our Strawberry and Rhubarb plants

5. Winter flowering shrubs including Mahonia Charity, Viburnum eve price, Christmas roses, sweet box and Witch hazel can be planted this month for some welcome colour during the winter and spring months

6. Snowdrops and crocus bulbs need to be planted in the next two weeks to ensure good rooting and a good show of colour in January and February Click here to see our Bulbs

7. Green moss and lichen on patios, driveways and on house slates can be removed with an application of Patio Magic treatment. Simply Mix the Patio magic with water and apply directly to the effected hard surface area. Moss and lichen will die and wither within days. Patio Magic will also help to clean the area leaving it in tip top condition. Apply in dry weather this month Click here to see Patio Magic

8. Its time to clean out your polytunnel and greenhouse of old tomato, pepper and cucumber plants. Remove and store all fruit and simply remove to the compost heap, any of the summer fruiting glasshouse crops.

9. Green Manure seed can be sown during November on bare patches of soil in your veg and fruit garden. The green manure seed will germinate during the winter months producing a green carpet of organic fertiliser that you simply dig in next spring before planting your summer vegetables. A packed of green manure seed will cover approx 50 sq meters on bare soil. Green manure also helps to prevent weeds from growing Click here to see our Manure

10. Cut back summer flowering roses and cottage garden plants including Lupins, Delphiniums, hostas, Phlox and geraniums. Add some spring flowering bulbs including Narcissus, daffodils, Tulips, bluebells and snowdrops to the gaps in your borders for colour this and every spring. Spring flowering bulbs should be planted in groups for a stronger show of colour Click here to see our flowering bulbs

Bare root season has started in Horkans – Now is the ideal time to get cheap trees and hedging plants for shelter and privacy in your garden. Bare root plants offer you wonderful value and strong well rooted plants which are ready for planting.


Bare root plants include – Mountain ash, Maples, Beech, Common ash, Birch trees, Laurel hedging, Willows in many varieties and Alders for wet ground.


Plant your bare rooted plants this November

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips

20th October 2011

1. Take cuttings of Blackcurrants, red and white currants and gooseberry plants now, remember to dip the base into rooting hormone powder and place in trenches out of doors with sandy compost at the base of the trench Click here to see our Rooting Powder

2. Colder weather signals the time to start feeding song birds in your garden. Simply hang up some wild bird and peanut feeders in sheltered areas in your garden from now until late spring. Place a selection of different types of wild bird feed to give a greater variety of song birds in your garden Click here to see our Wildlife and Birdcare products

3. Prune back summer flowering roses now, trim the long stems to within six inches from ground level. Apply a dressing of Armillatox to the remaining stems to help kill of Algae and over wintering pests

4. Moss on slates, patio slabs and tarmac areas can be cleared now by treating the area with Patio magic. Simply mix with water and apply to the entire Area Click here to see our Patio Magic

5. Its time to plant fruiting trees and bushes in your garden, Apple, pear, plum, black, red and white currants can be planted now. Click here to see our Fruit Trees  Add some organic compost when planting Click here to see our Compost

6. Prune back apple trees now, remove the whippy growth at the top of the trees and shorten back side stems. This will encourage a more open shape and more fruit in the coming years Click here to see our Gardening Tools

7. Give the garden a good tidy up, Prune back summer flowering shrubs now, clear off the stems of lupins, delphiniums, Hostas, lilies and phlox by pruning the stems to soil level Click here to see our Gardening Tools

8. Finish off the planting of spring flowering bulbs in flower borders and shrub beds. Snow drops, bluebells, daffodils and tulips, plant in clusters to create a strong show of welcome colour next spring. Bulbs are easy to grow and will flower this and every summer Click here to see our Flowering Bulbs

9. Plant hardy hedging plants including Beech, Laurel, Green and golden privet, whitethorn and holly now. Plants planted before the winter will continue to produce a good root structure throughout the winter and make for strong vigorous growth during spring and summer Click here to see our Hedging Plants

10. Winter and spring flowering heathers are just coming into flower and will stay in bloom right up until early summer. Plant heathers now in groups of 3 or 5 to help create a carpet of colour in flower and shrub borders. Heathers can be under planted with spring flowering bulbs including snowdrops and dwarf daffodils for additional colour Click here to see our Winter and Spring Flowering Heathers

Jobs in the garden this week..

13th October 2011

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips

1. Rhubarb, Strawberries and blueberry plants can be planted for the next couple of weeks in well prepared soil  Click here to see our Fruit Plants Add Supergrow compost to the planting hole before planting and remember to feed all fruiting plants next spring with Rose fertiliser Click here to see our Compost and Fertiliser

2. Late October is a good time to Kill unwanted lawn moss with an application of Sulphate of Iron, either sprayed or Spread through a lawn spreader. Lawn moss will continue to infest you lawn in left un treated. Follow instructions carefully Click here to see our Sulphate of Iron

3. Sow green manure seed into vacant areas in your vegetable garden now, simply sprinkle the seed over the soil area, the seed will germinate and grow quickly adding much needed organic fertiliser to your soil Click here to see our Green Manure

4. Moss on slates, patio slabs and tarmac areas can be cleared now by treating the area with Patio magic. Simply mix with water and apply to the entire Area Click here to see our Patio Magic

5. Family apple trees offer you two eating apples on the one tree and are ideal for growing in patio pots or directly into the soil. Family apple trees will pollinate one another and reward you with great tasting fruit next summer Click here to see our Family Apple Trees

6. Graves can be brightened up now by planting some winter and spring flowering Cyclamen, Pansies, Violas and spring flowering bulbs. You can also place a planted container with winter and spring colour Click here to see our winter and spring flowering plants

7. Collect the last of your lawn cuttings, fallen leaves, un cooked kitchen waste and shredded newspapers and place in a compost bin in layers. Add some compost accelerator to help break down the organic matter quickly. Compost made now will make super useable compost and fertiliser for next season vegetable garden.

8. Garden and song birds should be fed from now until late spring, Sunflower seeds, wild bird mixes and bird peanuts will offer high levels of protein and energy for your garden birds. October is also a good time to clean out old nesting boxes and to place a couple of new nesting boxes around the garden Click here to see our Wildlife and Birdcare

9. Plant hardy hedging plants including Beech, Laurel, Green and golden privet, whitethorn and holly now. Plants planted before the winter will continue to produce a good root structure throughout the winter and make for strong vigorous growth during spring and summer Click here to see our Hedging Plants

10. October remains one of the best months to plant foliage and flowering climbers to cover bare or unsightly walls. I recommend you plant evergreen Ivies, Prycanthea for its lovely winter berries, Self clinging climbing hydrangeas and the free flowering scented climbing roses.

Horkans Gardening Night classes have started again – If you are interested in learning how to care for your garden then call Mairead on 0874100565 for information on up coming gardening classes at Horkans.

Jobs in the garden this week..

7th October 2011

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips

1. October is the ideal time to replace damaged and dead hedging plants in your garden. Dig out the existing dead plants, remove as much old root as possible and dig in some organic compost before planting your new hardy Hedge Click here to see our Hedging

2. Dwarf apple trees can be planted this week in patio planters or directly out into the fruit garden. Choose a mixture of both eating and cooking varieties to ensure good cross pollination Click here to see our Apple Trees

3. Blackcurrants, red currants and white currants can be planted now in rows Click here to see our Fruit Plants, enrich the soil before planting with Supergrow compost and plant the plants 3feet apart in rows Click here to see our Compost

4. Kill off existing weed growth by applying 360 weedkiller to effected areas, 360 weedkiller will kill all weeds on contact without contaminating the soil. 360 weedkiller can also be used to clear weeds on patio and tarmac driveways Click here to see our Weed Control

5. Plant tulip, daffodils and crocus bulbs now in patio planters and borders for great colour next spring Click here to see our Bulbs

6. Apply Patio Magic to moss on slates, tiles, driveways and footpaths now to kill unwanted moss and lichen growth. Simply mix with water and apply to effected areas in dry weather. Watch your moss disappear Click here to see our Patio Magic

7. Kill lawn moss now with an application of Sulphate of iron applied to the entire lawn area. Apply through a spreader or watering can evenly onto the effected lawn area. Sulphate of Iron can be applied in wet weather Click here to see our Sulphate of Iron

8. October is the ideal time to take cuttings from your favourite plants including Fuchsia, Hydrangeas, Potentillia, buddleia, laurel and willows. Remember to dip the cuttings into rooting powder to help with a stronger root development Click here to see our Rooting Powder

9. Apply an autumn lawn fertiliser to your entire lawn area. Autumn lawn fertiliser greens your grass without forcing growth and helps to kill lawn moss Click here to see our Lawn Fertiliser

10. Its time to plant rhubarb in your garden; choose the early fruiting variety, called Timberely early for strong stems of rich red rhubarb Click here to see our Rhubarb Timperly Early Remember to enrich the soil using organic compost Click here to see our Compost

Visit Horkans lifestyle & Garden centre this weekend and enjoy family lunch in the Bayleaf restaurant which opens every Sunday from 12 to 6pm

 

Jobs in the garden this week..

27th September 2011

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips

1. Sow green manure seed into your vegetable garden now, Green manure will grow during the winter and spring season and can be simply dug into the soil in April where it will add much needed natural nutrition

2. Broad bean seeds can be sown now indoors for planting out into the vegetable garden in mid October. Broad beans sown now will reward you with an early bumper crop of broad beans next summer Click here to see our Vegetable Seeds

3. You still have time to sow vegetable pea seed into the vegetable garden, choose Meteor variety for a quality great tasting pea in early summer Click here to see our Vegetable Seeds

4. Garlic, Hardy spring onions, lettuce and cabbage plants and Japanese onions can still be planted over the next three weeks in your vegetable garden for great fresh pickings in early summer next year

5. Blueberries can be planted any time during September; they are easy to grow, ideal in pots and patio planters and will bear fruit next summer Click here to see our Fruit Plants

6. Plant Fritillaries, Winter aconites, snowdrop and bluebell bulbs now out of doors where you want them to flower next spring. Remember bulbs are easy to grow, very free flowering and will flower this and every spring Click here to see our Flowering Bulbs

7. Kill lawn moss now with an application of Sulphate of iron applied to the entire lawn area. Apply through a spreader or watering can evenly onto the effected lawn area. Sulphate of Iron can be applied in wet weather Click here to see our Sulphate of Iron

8. Start a compost heap in your garden. Add grass clippings, fallen leaves, un cooked household waste, light plant prunings. Remember to add some organic activator to each layer in the compost heap and turn the entire compost heap twice over the winter period.

9. Plant the stunning Virginia creeper now onto house walls and garages. Virginia creeper grows quickly, self clings to concrete and wooded structures and produces amazing colour from autumn to early winter

10. Plant some shallot onions now out of doors for great tasting fresh shallots in April or may next year.

Visit Horkans lifestyle & Garden centre this weekend and enjoy family lunch in the Bayleaf restaurant which opens every Sunday from 12 to 6pm

Horky's Weekly Gardening Tips

Horky’s Weekly Gardening Tips

September 2, 2011

1. Pak Choi or Chinese cabbage can be planted this week for use as a tasty vegetable in October and November. Pak Choi is easy to grow and ideal as a vegetable in stir fry’s or as a green vegetable. Plant it now.
2. Duke of York Christmas potatoes are now ready for planting – Simply plant five potato tubers into a potato planter using Supergrow compost and place in a sunny location out of doors or in a tunnel or greenhouse. By the end of November you potatoes are ready to harvest and store until Christmas.
3. Sweet Pea plants can be sown from seed in early September – Soak the seeds of sweet pea in tepid water over night and sow the following day into Supergrow compost indoors. The plants will be ready to plant out in early November
4. Autumn and winter flowering Cyclamen can be planted now in patio planters and containers for a strong show of colour for the next couple of months.
5. Early September is a good time to tidy up Graves by removing summering bedding that is past its best and replanting with Autumn and winter colour. I recommend you plant Winter flowering pansies and violas, Cyclamen, Winter flowering heathers and the free flowering Polyanthus
6. Savoy cabbage plants can be planted now out of doors in the vegetable garden. Plant a dozen plants to ensure regular cutting from Later winter onwards.
7. Geraniums can be propagated from cuttings taken now from existing plants in your patio planters. Select six inch green stemmed cuttings, remove any flowers and all but two leaves at the tips. Leave to dry for one full day and then insert the cuttings into rooting powder and then into a gritty compost mix. Cover with a polythene bag and place indoors on your window sill until rooted
8. Virginia creeper is the beautiful red foliage climber you see at the moment covering house walls. Early September is the ideal time to plant Virginia creeper to cover bare and unsightly walls. Space the plants 1 metre apart and use Supergrow compost when planting.
9. Dead and damaged hedges should be removed this month and dumped. September is a great time to replant with new hedging plants. Look for the Hardy Laurel hedging to replant with and remember to use Supergrow compost when planting to ensure strong root growth.
10. September is a wonderful time to start a garden compost heap in your garden. Fallen leaves, grass clippings, shredded newspaper, soft weeds and clippings, egg shells, tea bags, coffee granules are just some of the suitable materials to add to your own compost heap. Remember to add a compost activator to help get the helpful bacteria going. Start now and you can look forward to super rich compost in early spring.

Join Paraic Horkan this Saturday morning on the Gardening programme on Midwest radio from 9am to 10am for Ask about autumn gardening.

Horky's Weekly Gardening Tips! 24th August 2011

Jobs in the garden this week..

 

24th August 2011

1. Plant winter and spring flowering bulbs in your garden and planted containers now, Dwarf tulips, dwarf Narcissus and daffodils, crocus and winter aconites can be planted now for strong colour this coming winter and spring Click here to see our Spring flowering Bulbs

2. Autumn and winter flowering Heathers can be planted now, Heathers will flower from early autumn, through winter right up until late spring and are ideal for containers and flower borders. Remember to plant in groups of three or fives Click here to see our Heathers

3. Kill lawn moss now by applying a dressing of Sulphate of Iron lightly but evenly over the grass area. Lawn moss is spreading in your lawn now Click here to see our Sulphate of Iron

4. Plant some autumn and winter cabbage plants now – I recommend you plant some Hispi cabbage and some Savoy cabbage plants for lots of pickings from autumn through winter. Plant a small quantity on a regular basis.

5. Remember to protect your potato crop from late blight. A dressing of Promoxamil applied now will help to protect your potatoes from autumn blight

6. Continue to plant lettuce plants – Look for Butterhead, iceberg and little gem varieties which are ideal for planting now to reward you with great pickings this autumn and winter.

7. Add instant colour to your pots and borders now by planting some free flowering Cyclamen. Cyclamen Mini are now available in a wide selection of colours and are ideal for long – lasting colour in all areas of the garden Click here to see our Cyclamen Mini

8. Late August is the ideal time to plant both flowering and foliage climbers. The beautiful red foliaged Virginia creeper can be planted now to cover shed and house walls. It’s fast growing; self clings and produces a stunning show of red foliage in autumn. Plant clematis, Pyracanthea and climbing hydrangea now Click here to see our Climbing Plants

9. Plant fruit trees and bushes in your garden now, Apple, Pear, cherries, blackcurrants, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries can be planted over the next couple of weeks and will reward you with fruit next summer Click here to see our Fruit

For beautiful autumn foliage colour plant the lovely Cotinus Royal Purple. This stunning plant produces purple foliage from early spring until late autumn at which time the foliage changes to shades of vivid orange and red. Wonderful easy to grow shrub for any garden Click here to see our Cotinus Royal Purple

Horky's Weekly Gardening Tips! 17th August 2011

Jobs in the garden this week..

17th August 2011

1. Control green moss and lichen on patio and driveway areas now by treating the entire area with Patio Magic. Simply Mix the Patio magic treatment in water and apply to the effected areas. Moss and lichen will disappear within days.

2. Spring flowering bulbs including Tulips, Crocus, daffodils, narcissus and snowdrops are now ready for planting in borders and containers. Plant a selection of spring flowering bulbs in clusters of five or seven for the best effect Click here to see our spring flowering bulbs

3. Add instant colour to your pots and borders now by planting some free flowering Cyclamen. Cyclamen are now available in a wide selection of colours and are ideal for long – lasting colour in all areas of the garden Click here to see our Cyclamen

4. When planting Cyclamen I recommend you use Supergrow compost which will add much needed nutrition to the soil ensuring stronger plants and larger blooms Click here to see our compost

5. New Potatoes for Christmas – It’s easy, Plant a selection of the special Christmas seed potatoes into potato pots or tubs in Supergrow compost. Allow the potatoes to grow as normal and harvest a bumper crop of new potatoes just in time for the Christmas dinner. Look for varieties including Maris Piper, red duke of York, and Charlotte Click here to see our Potatoes to harvest for Christmas

6. Treat your lawn to a dressing of autumn lawn fertiliser now. Autumn lawn fertiliser will green your lawn without forcing growth and at the same time kill of lawn moss. Simply apply to the entire lawn now to enjoy a moss free rich green lawn this Autumn Click here to see our Lawncare

7. Winter hardy Japanese onions sets can be planted into the vegetable garden now. Japanese Onion sets are easy to grow, frost hardy and will grow throughout the winter providing you with lots of great pickings next spring.

8. Take cuttings from your favourite plants including Geraniums, Fuchsias, Hydrangeas, dog woods and garden shrubs in general. Remember to dip the base of your cuttings into hormone rooting powder and put into gritty compost Click here to see our Hormone rooting powder

9. Prune back the long shoots on apple and pear trees now, Use a sharp pruning tool and prune the long branches back by two thirds of this year’s growth. This will help to encourage fruiting buds for next year Click here for our pruning tools

     10.Start feeding your garden song birds now, Wild bird food and wild bird peanuts are a welcome source  of protein and energy for your garden birds and help to build up valuable fat reserves in birds before the onslaught of winter Click here to see our Bird Food

Hedging and Tree Promotional Weekend in Horkans Lifestyle & Garden Centre!

Join us for our Hedging and Tree Promotional Weekend in Horkans Lifestyle & Garden Centre!

Date:

Friday 9th, Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September

Time:

Normal Trading Hours Click here for trading hours

Locations:

Horkans Lifestyle & Garden Centre, Turlough-Castlebar,  Horkans Lifestyle & Garden Centre Westport, Horkans Lifestyle & Garden Centre Sligo, Horkans Lifestyle & Garden Centre Galway

Event Details:

We will be offering special discounts and bulk offers for all Hardy hedging plants including Copper and green beech, hardy laurel, Portuguese laurel and conifers.

Our Team of qualified horticulturists will be available to advise customers on the best hedging and trees to select for your Garden!

Fuchsia Bloom!

Fuchsia Bloom!

July is the time for Fuchsia Colour in the garden, Fuchsia planted in hanging baskets and patio planters early in the spring are beginning to flower and add welcome colour to the garden. Fuchsia starts flowering in early July and will remain in flower right up until the hard frosts in early October . Because they flower on new growth regular feeding with one liquid fertiliser will enhance the blooms and help to encourage lots of flowers all summer long Click here to see our One Liquid Plant Food

 

Many of the Wild Fuchsia’s including Fuchsia Magellanica were hammered back during the cold winter weather but in many cases new growth is appearing from the base and where this new growth is present you should cut back the dead and damaged stems to the strong new growth.

Feeding with the granular Super grow fertiliser will encourage the plants to grow strongly over the next two months.

For colour in baskets and containers look for the double flowering varieties which produce larger and more colourful blooms.

Remember now is a great time to plant both the hardy and double flowering Fuchsias in your garden for some instant summer colour

Jobs in the garden this week..

27th June 2011

1. New Potatoes for Christmas, yes it possible, In mid July the Christmas seed potatoes will be available for planting into raised beds or Potato pots for a crop of new potatoes for Christmas. Simply Pot up five or six of these special tubers in Super grow compost in a potato bag and place in a greenhouse or tunnel to grow on for great tasting early potatoes this December. The new Christmas potato tubers will be ready to plant in a couple of weeks.

                                                  

2. Protect existing potato crops from potato blight by treating your plants to a spray of Promoxamil blight treatment. Promoxamil is a systemic blight treatment suitable for both potatoes and tomatoes and protects against blight by working from within the plant. Apply a treatment of promoxamil every two to three weeks Click here to see our Promoxamil blight treatment

3. July is the time to thin Apple and Pear clusters on your fruit trees. Select the smallest fruit lets and remove leaving about three strong fruit lets to develop. This helps to ensure the remaining fruits form to full size tasty fruits. Remember to feed all fruiting plants now with Vitax Q4 for excellent fruit this summer Click here to see our Vitax Q4

4. Plant summer flowering roses now for some instant colour, Roses have just come into flower and will reward you with lots of colour and scent until early Autumn. Many varieties are suitable for planting both into flower borders and also in patio planters.
5. Click here to see our Roses
6. Cut back Lupins and Delphiniums blooms once the flowers are faded, cut back the stems to new growth at the base. Plant a selection of late summer flowering Perennials including Chrysanthemums, Penstemons, Arum lilies and michaelmas daises for colour to early winter

6. Plant a selection of salad and vegetable plants now to help provide plenty of fresh greens from August until early winter. Cabbage, cauliflower, Sprouts, kale and lettuce can still be planted Click here to see our Vegetable plants

7. Trailing petunias are one of the best summer flowering basket and patio plants you can plant this summer. Hot pink and Barney purple are two of the best varieties and will flower from now until early winter. They are ideal for creating a strong vivid display of colour. Take my advice and plant 3 trailing petunias in your baskets or window boxes for a stunning show of colour Click here to see our Petunias

8. Its time to split summer flowering Iris, Simply dig up the clump, split the existing clump of Iris with a sharp spade and replant into new locations in your garden.

9. Potash is important for all fruiting plants – Apply a dressing of Sulphate of potash to all fruiting plantings now, simply apply a handful of potash to the soil around the fruiting plants. Potash is beneficial to apples, pears, Plum, cherries, blackcurrants and gooseberries Click here to see our Sulphate of Potash

10. July is the time to propagate your own plants from cuttings and seed, Geraniums, Hydrangeas, sedums and fuchsia can be propagated now from stem cuttings taken from this year’s young growth, simply dip into rooting powder and place in a gritty compost Click here to see our Rooting Powder

11. July is an excellent month to plant flowering and foliage climbers; I recommend summer flowering clematis, scented honeysuckle, flowering hydrangeas and the lovely free flowering wisteria. Remember to add organic compost to the planting hole when planting Click here to see our Climbing Plants

Join us for Sunday carvery lunch at the bay leaf restaurant, families welcome. Afterwards take a stroll through the Edinburgh woollen mills centre at Horkans lifestyle & Garden centre – we open 7 days – every Sunday from 12 to 6pm.