TOP TIPS

PHOTO: The sun is a great bleaching agent.

WHAT TO DO WITH MILDEW
Ian.
I have some mildew on a couple of shirts that have been in a damp cupboard. How can I get rid of it?
Reply.
The easiest way would be to soak the affected area in lemon juice. Put the garments onto the washing line and let the sun kill off the bacteria. The lemon and sunshine are great bleaching agents as well.

READERS TOP VINEGAR TIPS
Ian I have read your tips for vinegar use. I thought you would be interested in a few things that I do with this wonderful liquid. Mavis B. Carn.

I splash vinegar on my varicose veins. The vinegar reduces the veins and relieves the pain and swelling. Of course, you smell like a tossed salad!

I use about a tablespoon of vinegar in the water when poaching eggs. It helps the eggs to keep their shape. No taste of vinegar either.
My best use for vinegar is to use 1-tablespoon vinegar to an 8-ounce glass of warm water for a sore throat. Gargle every hour and swallow after gargling, with two mouthfuls. I got this from a Vermont Folk Medicine book by D.C.Jarvis many years ago. If started at the first hint of a sore throat, it always works, usually with a night's sleep. I don't mind the taste, but some children might.

It is also helpful when children get lice, if you take warm vinegar and put it on the hair also take your nit comb and dip it in the vinegar. As you run it through the hair it helps remove the nits. It is supposed to be able to help break down the glue the nits use to stay attached to the hair.
Thanks for those ideas Mavis!

FRIUT FLIES BEWARE
As we are talking about vinegar, try this remedy to get rid of fruit flies in the house.

Ian:
My mother has been using apple cider vinegar to get rid of fruit flies for years! You take a small bowl and fill it part way with vinegar, than wrap it in cling film. Poke a few pinholes in the plastic wrap, and the fruit flies will fly in, but can't fly out, so they drown in the vinegar! Place the bowl wherever you are seeing the fruit flies (like near the compost bucket in the kitchen or the fruit bowl). J.B. Newtoncunningham


Environmental.

BEE AND WASP STINGS

(Click on title for a link about Glenveagh National Park)

With the onset of warmer weather we are finding that the insects are increasing in numbers. Here at clean and green we have been looking into a few of the best treatments for insect bites. The other evening I was pottering around in the garden and was eaten by the midges. I remember visiting Glenveagh National Park one humid summers day. The tourists kept smacking their own legs and faces as the midges feasted happily. The staff however had no such trouble. They were burning peat in tins and kept them close to them when they were working in the grounds. It was very effective! One of the most unpleasant things in summer is to be stung by a wasp or a bee. Here are a few suggestions to ease the pain if it happens to you or your children.

BEE AND WASP STINGS.

The most effective treatment for bee and wasp stings comes from the kitchen cupboards. Treatment is different for both stings though as bee stings are acid and wasp stings are alkaline. Bees leave their stings in but wasps don’t. With a bee sting the first thing to do will be to remove the sting. Then sooth the skin with bicarbonate of soda mixed into a solution with water. This will counteract the acidity. Wasp stings should simply be bathed in vinegar. Don’t get the two remedies mixed up or the sting could hurt more. This will help you remember.

B stands for Bee and Bicarbonate and W and V look sort of similar in a way!

If either sting is in the mouth then sucking an ice cube should help.

Young children and a few adults can be allergic to the stings. The first signs are swelling and difficulty breathing. If this happens seek medical help immediately.

Plants for around the barbie that don't attract bees and wasps

BITES
Most insect bites are acid, so if you are being driven mad by itching you could use an old country remedy- a dab or two of your own urine. It works (apparently!)

For those of you who dislike the idea the best antidote is a mild alkaline such as bicarbonate of soda. This is mixed with water and dabbed onto the bite. Soap made into a lather then rubbed in can help too.

More on wasps

Even more on wasps, removal of nests

FLIES
Flies can get to be a real nuisance at this time of year. You daren’t leave anything out on the kitchen worktops or leave anything uncovered from fear of the flies laying eggs. Flies of different types dislike different plants I’ve found. In time gone by farmers used to tie bunches of elder leaves to the bridles of horses to keep away the flies from their eyes. We’re trying to use this method on Max, our dog but he’s not too happy about it!

Houseflies have different tastes. Nettles are supposed to keep flies away. Cut them and hang them up out of the way so you don’t get stung. If this sounds a bit dangerous then try rue. Farmers use this plant to keep rodents off their haystacks. Be careful when you handle it, as the sap is a skin irritant. Flies are supposed to dislike tansy as well. I planted a load in the polythene tunnel last year and it did keep the large flies out. Mint is effective if grown near the windows and doors as well. This is best grown in pots so that it doesn’t take over the garden.. Grow basil in pots, this deters the flies and you can take the pot out into the garden when you are having a meal outside.

The only other methods that we can think of at the moment are to get a bug gun, which fires a plastic net onto the fly and squashes them against the window, (a newspaper would be just as effective) or train your dog up to eat them. We had a dog that used to do that but we had to clean the windows two or three times a day where her wet nose had been.

Household.

CAR CLEANERS

Photo: This is what happens when you don't look after you'r car!

Shop bought car cleaning products are very effective but they can contain a large amount of nasty chemicals. Here are a few suggestions on how to keep your vehicle in top shape without damaging the environment. Let me know if you use the ideas and whether they mach up to the mass produced products.

Now that the autumn and winter is closing in we need to think about keeping the car windscreens clear To make a solution Mix 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water and coat the car windows with this solution. This vinegar and water combination will keep windshields ice and frost-free.

Car Soap1/4 cup vegetable oil based liquid soap, and hot water. Mix in a bucket. Wash your car on the lawn instead of your driveway to reduce runoff to the street or the drains.

Car Wax1 cup linseed oil, 4 tbsp. caranuba wax (available at motor shops), 2 tbsp. beeswax, and 1/2-cup vinegar. Put ingredients into a saucepan. Heat slowly until wax has melted. Stir, and pour into a heat resistant container. After wax has solidified, rub it on the car with a lint-free cloth. Saturate a corner of a cotton rag with vinegar and polish the wax to a deep shine.

Environmental.

RINGWORM

Photo: Papaya could help remove warts.

Ian.
Last week you mentioned ways to get rid of warts. My three-year-old child has circular marks on her arm, which people tell me is ringworm. How can I clear these up, as they appear to be spreading? C.B. by e-mail

Reply.
As I mentioned last week if you are in any doubt about your ailment or how to treat it then consult the experts. If you are sure that it is definitely ringworm that your child has then there are some natural solutions to choose from. But firstly, let us look at what ringworm is.

What is Ringworm?
Ringworm is a general term for a common fungus infection on the skin. In scientific terms it is called ‘Dermatophytosis’. The infection is called ringworm, as it appears as round or ring like in shape. Pets, such as dogs or cats, may be a source of transmitting the disease to humans. Although ringworms are common among the children, any body can be affected by it. Ringworm is a highly infectious fungus (not a worm). The spores of ringworm fungus are found primarily in the soil and around people or animals that have the disease. Ringworm of the skin usually appears 4 to 10 days after contact. !) If the spot of infection is scratched, the hands should be washed, especially under the nails. After bathing, you need to dry the skin completely.

Common Causes of Ringworm
o ·Infections can get into scratches or cuts in the skin
o ·Affects damp areas of the body where sweating is common
o ·Swimming pool
o ·Pets
o Walking in the countryside, you can pick up the infection simply by touching barbed wire fences that sheep have been in contact with.

SIMPLE REMEDIES
As with removing warts the treatments could be a bit hit and miss. If you see any irritations at all stop the procedure immediately. Under no circumstances must you use any product with bleach in it.

Papaya: Rub a slice of freshly cut raw Papaya on the patch. You can get this fruit in any large supermarket
Mustard seed: Make a powder with Mustard seeds. Add some water and make a paste. Apply on the patch till it clears up.
Natural Apple Cider Vinegar: Soak the ringworm for about 15 minutes several times a day.
Tea tree and lavender essential oils: Use a few drops of Lavender or tea tree Pure Essential Oil diluted in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. The other essential oils are not recommended for little ones. Apply a few drops onto a cotton bud three times a day
Clear nail polish: Apply clear nail polish to the area. This will stop air getting at the infection and will suffocate it. Caution: This could cause irritation so be careful!
White vinegar: Apply a small amount of vinegar to the infected area with a cotton bud everyday until it has cleared up.
Echinacea. The tincture I mentioned last week for warts is said to be very effective. You can pick this up at the health shop
Chewing tobacco: As horrible as it may seem some people recommend chewing tobacco to be put on the infection. It is said that the tar kills it, much the same as it does to lungs! If you have the warts as well someone suggested rubbing in cigarette ash to get rid of them…. Lovely!

Household.

TOP TIPS

PLASTIC FLOWERS
To clean plastic flowers put them into a carrier bag and add a couple of tablespoons full of salt. Shake the bag around for a minute or two. When the flowers are removed they will be as good as new.

SOAP SAVING
Put slithers of soap into a washing tablet net. The abrasive material on the bag will act fast to get rid of the dirt on your hands.

PILLOWS
Before washing foam filled pillows, tie knots in each corner. This will hold the filling in place and when the case is removed you will have a perfectly shaped pillow instead of the foam all collecting in one corner.

TOP TIPS NOT TO DO
Most times I venture out onto the streets there are always a few tips that would be better off not mentioning. This weeks winner, who shall remain nameless came up with two of the most dangerous tips I have ever heard of. They are definitely NOT to be tried at home!

BOILING UP TROUBLE.
The first suggestion was to save money on expensive pots and pans by simply boiling up your pasta and sauce in the kettle. It uses a fraction of the electricity and cooks it to perfection. Don’t try boiling drinking water afterwards though!

FORTIFIED WITH IRON
The same person claimed that they could also cook up a full Irish breakfast on an upturned iron. Apparently the temperature is just right to get the sausages a nice golden brown and the eggs are done to a turn. What happens to the fat that drips off of the sides I wouldn’t like to guess (never mind how your clothes would smell after ironing)!

household.

ADVERTISING STEREOTYPES

Advertisers, as we all know, do have a habit of twisting the truth. Their world seems to be full of stereotypes and clichés. There are hardworking people in organizations that do try to make us realise just how much we get sucked into the hysteria of consumerism. Here are some examples of just how the advertisers twist the truth to get you to buy their products.

· All cleaning products work instantly and effortlessly.

· Men will forego intimacy in order to watch football or drink beer.

· Women are locked in a constant battle with their weight/body shape/hairstyle.

· Career success is entirely based on your ability to impress your boss.

· Mums are often harassed but NEVER depressed/unable to cope.

· Any act of male stupidity (e.g. walking across a clean floor in muddy boots, putting the dog in the dishwasher, etc.) will be met with a wry smile, not genuine annoyance/anger.

· Anyone with a scientific career will have a bad haircut and dreadful clothes.

· Children will not eat fruit or vegetables. Ever.

· Both men and women find driving deeply pleasurable, never boring or stressful.

· Men are inherently lazy/slobbish; women are the reverse.

· Chocolate, however, will cause women to immediately fall into the languor of the opium eater.

· Hot beverages have miraculous rejuvenating effects.

· Any over-the-counter medical product will work instantly and 100% effectively.

· Children know more than adults.

· Women never merely hop in and out of the shower, instead preferring to act out some sort of soapy Dance of the Seven Veils.

· School is a happy experience for all children.

I’m sure you have more suggestions. Let me know!

Environmental.

CLOUGHJORDAN ECO VILLAGE

ECO VILLAGE GETS PLANNING PERMISSION

( Click on title for link to Cloughjordan project)

A few months ago I mentioned a new eco-village in Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary. At the time the group were applying for planning permission to develop a 67-acre farm into a showpiece for sustainable, pollution free living. Well I am pleased to say that this innovative project has been given the go-ahead by planners.
"North Tipperary county council's decision is fantastic and marks the second major milestone in the project's development this week as we have also recently closed the land deal for the farm in Cloughjordan," says Johnny Connolly, chairperson of Sustainable Projects Ireland Ltd. "It has taken many years of hard work, but we've had a lot of support along the way, particularly from Cloughjordan residents, and we are hopeful that there won't be any appeals against our plans. We are also confident that the decision and land purchase will boost interest among people looking for a superb quality of life and environmentally-sound homes. Even before the good news we have over forty members who have invested in sites, so we are expecting many visitors to our office on Cloughjordan’s main street and to our website.”

“This decision is of national importance for two reasons. Firstly it’ll change the way planners look at expanding villages and small towns from now on,” said Brian O’Brien of Solearth, eco-architects for the project. “Secondly it marks a major step forward in terms of sustainable settlement design and will finally bring us up to where countries like Denmark and the Netherlands are.”

The local authority are happy with the scale and density of the project, which is critical to the community’s overall design, with just under a third of the 67-acres being used for building, a third for residents’ allotments, and the final 20 acres for woodland and wildlife. The development, which is quite unlike any other in Ireland, includes the provision of 132 fully serviced sites suitable for a variety of housing, including apartments, terraced, semi-detached and detached. Members who buy sites will also co-own multi-use community buildings, private allotments and over fifty acres of land that’s zoned for horticultural and woodland use. Homes will be built to a very high eco-standard according to the company’s ecological charter.

Environmental.

TOP TIPS

Yet again I have managed to look into the minds of the public and find out more great ideas to make our lives that little bit easier. Here are the ones that are printable.

Have you ever had trouble threading a needle because the cotton is frayed? Well there is a simple solution, spray the end with hairspray. This will seal the end up to let you get the cotton through the eye of the needle.

Coloured pasta shells have had some bad press recently. The colouring agents in them were said to have adverse affects on some small children and could cause hyperactivity. If you have decided not to cook them up for the kids there is an attractive use for them. Add them to the clear glass vases you keep dried flowers in. Alternatively glue them to mirror or picture frames. (You could scrape the bottom of barrels out with them as well!)

Put a nail in between the prongs of a comb when you are knocking them into wood. This will save you hitting your thumb with the hammer.

Golden syrup will run cleanly off a spoon if it is heated first with hot water.

And to finish off here is one NOT to do. Someone recommended putting washing powder into the vacuum cleaner bag. When the machine is switched on it fills the room with fragrance.Yuk!

Household.

BREAD-THE FACTS

We have had brought to our attention this week that nothing is safe anymore when it comes to the environment. The most harmless of substances can take on an eerie danger when you read in between the lines. Take bread for example, you probably thought that this everyday item was harmless. Well we have some worrying statistics from the Association of Public Health Bread Research Department based in Dublin that will put hairs on your chest.

BREAD--- THE REAL FACTS!

These findings should make anyone think twice about eating this incredibly dangerous substance.

1 More than 98% of convicted criminals are bread eaters.

2 More than 90% of criminals are convicted within twenty-four hours of eating bread.

3 Bread has been proven to be addictive. Subjects deprived of bread in institutions and only given water to eat, begged for bread after only two days.

4 Bread is often a “gateway” substance, leading the user to “harder” items such as butter, jam, peanut butter, cheese and cold cuts of meat.

5 Bread has been proven to absorb water. The human body is 90% water so it follows that eating bread could lead to your body being taken over. This food substance could suck you up and turn you into a soggy, gooey bread and butter pudding person that could wreak havoc on society.

6 Bread is made out of a substance called “Dough”. It has been proven that as little as one pound of dough could suffocate a gerbil. This fact will alarm children who have these fluffy, furry creatures as pets. The average person in this country eats far more than that amount of dough in a week…scary thought…

7 Bread is baked at temperatures of more than 400 degrees Fahrenheit. That kind of heat could prove fatal to a human in less than a minute.Some bread eaters are unable to distinguish between significant scientific fact and meaningless, made up statistics!….

Environmental.

WATCH OUT!

Steven is struggling through an airport terminal with two huge and very heavy suitcases. A stranger walks up to him and asks, “Have you got the time?”

Steven sighs, puts down his cases and looks to his wrist. “It’s two thirty,” he says.

“That’s a very fancy watch!” exclaims the stranger. Stevens’s mood lightens a bit.

“Yes, it’s not bad is it, check this out” and he shows him a time zone display for every area on the planet. He presses a few buttons and somewhere on the watch says, “The time is two thirty one and ten seconds.”

The stranger is impressed

“ That’s not all,” says Steven

He pushes a few more buttons and a map comes on to the screen showing their exact location by satellite.
“I want to buy that watch!” says the stranger.

“Oh, it’s not ready for sale yet says Steven. I’m still fine tuning the device” “But look at this” and he proceeds to show the stranger that the watch is also an FM receiver with a digital tuner, a sonar device for underwater depth gauging and the tiny machine has the capacity to be used as a working computer with a 128Mb memory with a mini printer included. The watch also could be used as a spotlight.

“I’ve got to have that watch!” says the stranger “I’ll give you €1000 for it!” ”Oh no, it’s already cost me more than that…” “I’ll give you €5000 for it.” “But its not fin…” “€15,000 for it!” and the stranger pulls out his chequebook.

Steven stops to think. He’s only put about €8,500 into materials and development and with the €15,000 he can make another one and have it ready for sale in six months. The stranger frantically finishes writing the cheque and waves it in front of him. “Here it is, ready to hand to you right here and now, €15,000 Take it or leave it” Steven abruptly makes up his mind. “OK” he says and takes the watch off his wrist.

They make the exchange and the stranger goes happily on his way. “Hey, wait a minute” calls Steven after the stranger, who turns around warily. Steven points down to the two massive suitcases he’d been trying to wrestle through the airport terminal. “Don’t forget your batteries!

Environmental.

RE-USE IDEAS

Photo: It isn't only glass that can be re-used.

Furniture. Items in good condition can be taken to charity shops or sold through the local paper or noticeboards in shops.

Bicycles. You could try contacting a second hand cycle shop which may be interested in purchasing the bicycle. If it is in good condition then the charity shop will take it.

Bric-a-brac.Take to charity shops, jumble sales, and boot fairs. There’s always someone daft enough to buy your rubbish!

Buttons. Local charity and second hand shops may be able make use of these.

Clothes. Charity shops welcome clean, dry, good quality items. Worn clothes could be used as cleaning cloths. Natural cotton and wool clothing can be put on the compost bin at the end of their lives to rot down and help feed the veggie patch.

Household.

MAKE DO AND MEND

Reusing and recycling is not a new phenomenon. For generations people have had to make do and re-use what they have around them. Circumstances can influence what is recycled and there was a great example of people’s ingenuity in the Second World War.

Rationing was widespread and things such as packaging were more or less unheard of. If you did manage to get a few eggs and a bit of ham, you took them home, wrapped in paper in a string bag. Plastics were not used for packaging and if you bought tea it usually came in a tin, which could be used time and time again to put your biscuits in before it rusted away. Another commodity that was in scarce supply was clothing. Ready made clothes were hard to come by and when they were acquired the items were looked after and worn time and time again. The rationing of clothes came about because of the shortage of material. Partly because the textile companies turned to making other goods for the war effort but mainly because most of the merchant ships bringing cloth were sunk before they got to the English coast.


MAKE DO AND MEND

In the 1940’s, children's clothing was largely made from old items that had been cut down and restyled and women even made their own underwear. Wide legged underpants called 'scanties' could be made from discarded flour bags that had been unpicked and boiled clean. Buttons and hooks made do when elastic became hard to get.

A mans suit could be turned into a two piece skirt and blouse for a woman and socks were darned time after time when the toes started to poke through the front. Silk stockings were in short supply during the war. It was considered rude for women to go around bare legged but the government had forbidden employers to make women wear stockings. Women working in factories could overcome the problem by wearing trousers but nurses found it hard to get around a demanding matron. Many a nurse walked to work in order to save enough money to buy stockings rather than deal with the wrath of the matron. Where employers were not so concerned about dress etiquette, girls painted their legs with makeup and drew a line down the back to look like a seam. This was fine until it rained!

There were times when women wanted to get dressed up and there was a light fabric that was in big demand. This was a new product called nylon and it came from old parachutes. The material was very difficult to work with but in the hands of a skilled seamstress the cloth was made into fine tops.

HANDY TIPS FROM 1942

Here are a few handy tips from a wartime publication printed in 1942, advising people how to look after what they had got.

Outdoor clothes will wear better and last much longer if you change them as soon as you get home, and if you sponge them and iron them occasionally. Keep special clothes for the house, the garden, the city etc., and wear them alternatively. All your clothes will then be fresher."

You can reproof your raincoat by rubbing beeswax over the inside and then ironing it with a hot iron.

Never dry wet shoes before a fire. Put them on shoe trees as soon as you take them off and stuff the toes with tissue paper. Leather looks like new when treated with sour milk rubbed in with a piece of cheesecloth.

Brown shoes always look well polished if rubbed each morning with the inside skin of a banana. Leave them to dry and then polish them with a piece of dry rag.

Silk Stockings will last much longer if rinsed out in warm soapsuds before being worn; do this every night when they are taken off.


Household.

GREEN FUNERALS

Paul (Mulcher) Blaker is visiting Buncrana again from Nottinghamshire, England. Here he writes of carbon emissions and Green funerals (which are becoming more common place over there).

Its good to be back for a holiday break, Ian has asked me to help him with the column as he is busy decorating with environmentally friendly paint! There is something about the sea air here that helps me relax and refocus on things that are important. I always feel healthy and refreshed in this green and pleasant land. The refreshment that comes wrapped in re-useable recyclable glass at Roddins bar is particularly welcome.

I arrived here on Monday morning after a long car and ferry journey. We all take the freedom to travel by land, sea or air for granted. It gives us all great pleasure to enjoy the benefits and experiences we have visiting new places and meeting new people.

There is an environmental price to pay for this liberty. The only forms of transport that are carbon neutral in the sense that they do involve the burning of fossil fuels are walking, cycling, skateboarding, skiing, horse riding, rowing and sailing. Cars, trains, motor boats and planes all emit carbon dioxide the greenhouse gas most commonly implicated in global warming into the atmosphere.

My total journey from Nottingham to Buncrana includes about four hundred miles of driving and a two and a half hour ferry crossing. I do not know how much fuel a ferry crossing from Stranraer to Belfast uses but my car trip takes a full tank of petrol. My problem in attempting to make a carbon neutral journey would be that walking and cycling would take too long, I always fall off skateboards!
Global warming over the last ten thousand years has melted all the snow, I’m frightened of horses (strange because I love their emissions to help my organic vegetables grow) and crossing the sea in a rowing boat went out of favour with the Vikings. I like sailing but couldn’t get the car on a tall ship.

It would be worse if I were to fly over. Aeroplanes use huge amounts of fuel and pollute at high altitudes where it has been calculated each molecule causes thirty times more damage than it does at ground or sea level. If my children want to see Mickey Mouse in Florida ‘s Disneyland, one trip would use up their entire carbon dioxide output allowance that during their lifetime would be needed to stabilise the earth’s climate.

I don’t know what the answers are but when we know these facts we can make decisions and acknowledge we have to take responsibility for the consequences. It makes me more conscious to offset some of my carbon miles by taking care with energy use around my home and my responsibility to recycle and reuse. There is also a benefit in planting more trees to lock up carbon as well as the creation of forestry for other uses. I wonder how many trees we would have to plant for every plane trip we make.

Thinking about journeys led me to think about the greenest way to make my final journey. I have endeavoured to travel lightly on the earth and have decided that my return to it should reflect these efforts. Are we always happy to handover the arrangements for our passage to our spiritual home to others or are there decisions we would like to make now for our selves that will save our grieving loved ones the trouble. Without being morbid because, “it’s as inevitable as income tax” (as Mark Twain famously said), I have done a bit of research.

It doesn’t matter if our bodies are cremated or buried. The carbon dioxide emissions are the same. Cremation requires energy from a fossil fuel source and the alkaline ash produced doesn’t benefit the soil. When buried the body feeds the ground but in the traditional six foot grave it takes along time for the nutrients to become available. If it is permitted a shallower burial is better.

There is pollution into the atmosphere or the ground from the glues and resins in the MDF or the chipboard used in coffin manufacture. I don’t like the idea of mature trees or tropical hardwoods being felled to make a box to rot with me. Lots of alternatives are becoming available made from natural sustainable materials like willow woven into baskets, old fruit boxes or recycled pine and cardboard. It is possible to decorate all these as you wish and the woven willow coffins are particularly beautiful. When these decompose they are beneficial rather than damaging to the environment. They are also cheaper than the traditional type of coffin.

I have bought a burial plot in a woodland site in Sherwood Forest, the home of the legendary Robin Hood. My coffin is compressed cardboard and painted in environmentally neutral paint with a picture of a leaping salmon and a running hare, my two favourite wild animals on the sides. I will be buried about three feet deep so I’m readily available to the mountain ash tree and the wild flowering spring bulbs planted on top of me. When I’m laid to rest my friends can have a sing-song in the pub afterwards.

Any way I hope I’ve got a long way to go till then. My work as the Mulcher is far from complete and
If any of this has given you food for thought there is a list of web sites to visit for more information.

www.eco-coffin.co.uk
www.naturaldeath.org.uk
www.peacefunerals.co.uk
www.welfare-state.org

Environmental.

FRIDGES AND COOKERS

We have been looking through our e-mails again this week. One regular reader wrote to us after reading about sunburn remedies last week to tell us that their best remedy for easing sunburn was to use lavender oil. Simply add a few drops to some tap water and apply directly onto the burn. This is apparently very soothing. One drop of the oil put onto a mosquito bite also stops the itching instantly she goes on to tell me. There are a couple of good tips for you.

We have had a few people asking us what are the best methods for cleaning ovens and fridges, so we thought we would look into some effective ideas for getting the grime off ovens and the smells out of fridges this week.

FRIDGES
If a fridge is left switched off for any length of time they can get very smelly indeed. I remember I opened one that was full of food and had been turned off for at least three months. That was twenty years ago and I can still smell it! So first thing is to empty all the contents out. The fridge should then be left with the doors open so the air can circulate. One of the problems with buying a fridge second hand is that the doors will usually have been closed for a long period.

GETTING RID OF THE SMELLS
If your fridge has a bad odour then clean the inside with 2-3 heaped teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda mixed with a pint of water (500ml). Wash all the surfaces thoroughly and wipe dry. This should get the inside smelling as fresh as a summers day. Another idea for if you are leaving the fridge unopened for a few days is to put a lump of charcoal inside the fridge. This will absorb the stale smells that form when there isn’t fresh air circulating. The good thing about this idea is that you can throw the charcoal on the barbeque when you have finished with it.

TIPS
Rub glycerine on the sides of the freezer the next time you defrost it and you will find the ice drops off really easily and speeds up the defrosting process.

If you should ever need distilled water, simply collect the ice in the freezer, strain it and there you have it, perfect distilled water.

COOKERS
I can’t remember the last time I cleaned the inside of our cooker. I think it might be a self-cleaning one, but I have my doubts. A cocktail sausage and an old potato have been on the bottom of the cooker now for a few months and they haven’t been cleaned away!
If you buy a new cooker try rinsing the inside with a solution of bicarbonate of soda, the dirt comes off more easily. Re-apply every time you clean the inside of the oven.

CAUSTIC SODA
You can get specialised products to clean the cooker. These tend to be very expensive. If the oven is really filthy then try using caustic soda. I personally don’t like this product as it is a very powerful cleaning agent, but it does the job very effectively. The cost of it is a fraction of the price of the oven cleaning products.
Mix one tablespoon of the soda to a pint (500ml) of water. Swab the inside of the cooker and leave overnight. The muck and grime should just wipe off. Follow the instructions on the packet, don’t splash on the skin and wear thick rubber gloves.

A SOFTER OPTION
If caustic soda sounds too risky you could resort to the old favourite of mixing baking soda with vinegar. Leave overnight and the grime should come off. You may have to do it a few times to get it really clean.

The shelves are starting to fill up in the supermarkets with the products that say they are cleaning with the power of oxygen. That’s what you get when you mix baking powder and vinegar, again at a fraction of the cost.

A reader recommends soaking grimy oven shelving in washing crystals mixed with any household soap, for example washing powder for an hour. The grime comes off much more easily.

Household.

STYES IN THEIR EYES

Whilst were on the subject of both plants and bodies we thought we would mention a relief for styes on the eyelid, which can be very uncomfortable. We had e-mail from someone who said that rubbing them with the rockery plant, sempervivum, or houseleek as they are called, gave instant relief. The juice from the fleshy leaves was put on and the stye soon cleared. If you are not 100% sure that you are using the right plant then pop down to the chemist and get a bottle of diluted witch hazel. This is also very soothing around the eye. Another method I have tried is a used tea-bag which was very effective. My mother’s remedy was to rub pure gold on the stye. She had a gold earring that she used.

HICCUPS AND HEARTBURN

We’ve been looking into some remedies for hiccups, heartburn and indigestion this week. We all get these uncomfortable problems from time to time, especially if we don’t rest after eating. I get heartburn sometimes when I eat bought biscuits from the shop. It’s either the fact that they contain hydrogenated fat or the other reason, which is the fact that I usually eat the whole packet in one go. Most of the products on the shelves to alleviate the discomfort are just chalk with a bit of flavouring, so I tend to suck on a stick of chalk instead, it’s not very pleasant but it’s cheaper and takes my mind off the heartburn!

HICCUPS

I have mentioned in an earlier addition of Clean and Green that if you swallow a teaspoon full of vinegar to take the hiccups away. It really works but a lot of people would probably find this too distasteful. Try eating a pickled onion instead with the vinegar.

There is another method that you can try as well but you will need another person. We have tried this method alone and it doesn’t seem to work. We first came across this idea from a friend of ours who used to work for B.B.C. radio over in England. You probably have never heard anyone on the radio with hiccups and this how they stop it.

Sit down on a chair and straighten your back. (Get the other person to talk you through the next bit)
Take a deep breath and hold it in.

Still holding your breath, swallow three times (it’s not easy!)

When you have done this, breath out very slowly.

The hiccups will have gone.

If this fails then get someone to say that they will give you 10 euro if you hiccup again. This really works for some people, especially if you are money motivated!


INDIGESTION

Again, there are a lot of products on the market that claim to relieve you of indigestion. There are some very effective natural methods you can look at though from plants out of the garden. One plant is peppermint. You can buy bags from the health shops, but the plants can easily be grown in the garden and it doesn’t get invasive like normal mint. Simply pour boiling water on some fresh leaves and leave until it’s cool enough to drink. The leaves can be put on a tray and dried in the hot press as well which will give you a supply out of the growing season. The mint has a menthol aroma, which is said to calm the digestive tract.

Another mixture, which helps the indigestion, is to mix fennel and dill together and add boiling water (infuse) this works well too, but some people don’t find this as palatable as the mint.

Household.

INVISIBLE TOXINS

My lads and I went to a local café for some chips last week. We sat in an area that was usually set-aside for smokers before the ban, and it was great to have a free run of the place. We were happily tucking into the meal when a woman lit up a cigarette in the corner of the room. Instinctively I shouted (in a polite, excuse me voice), that there is a ban on smoking inside any public building. The woman obviously lit up out of habit and panicked taking herself and the ciggie outside. As we left the building the woman was again puffing away with a friend in the doorway of the café. I tried to make light of the situation by saying that I didn’t want her to get into trouble by the owner. The woman responded with a grimace and her friend just gave me a really dirty look and took a long drag on her fag as we walked past. Initially I felt really guilty about confronting the woman, but now I’m glad I did as I don’t want my lads to have to breath other peoples second hand poison when we go out. The only question I am left with is would I have impulsively spoken out if the offenders were beefy blokes polishing their knuckle-dusters?!…probably not.

INVISIBLE TOXINS
Cigarette smoke is something you can see and smell. Because of this fact it is easy to avoid it. There are other toxins in our everyday life that are not so obvious. Take household chemical cleaners for example. It is estimated that 15-20% of the population suffer from significant allergic reactions to these consumer products. The reactions fall into two categories, allergies and intolerance.

ALLERGIES
Allergies are a response to something the body realises as being toxic. This will usually produce physical symptoms such as skin reactions, headaches or breathing difficulties. Mental and emotional disturbance are also common.

INTOLERENCE
The symptoms of being intolerant to something are joint pain, chronic fatigue and a host of emotional states involving an inability to concentrate, feeling “spaced out” and woolly headed, irritable, anxious and depressed.

Some allergists see no difference between Allergies and Intolerance saying that the effects are the same. Things get more complicated though when some allergies show no symptoms at all, these are called hidden allergies.

HIDDEN ALLERGIES
Hidden allergies are similar to low level poisoning. The body adapts gradually to the toxins over a period of time. There are obvious examples that I could use such as nicotine or alcohol, but I will use the humble cup of tea and coffee to make the point.

Caffeine, found in tea, coffee, many soft drink products and chocolate is one of the most commonly consumed psychoactive drugs in the world. When you first have caffeine it may make you feel jittery and irritable. But take in enough of it over a long period of time and your body will adjust to the drug and the outward physical symptoms begin to disappear. The caffeine however, will continue to wreak havoc on your system, by altering your metabolism, contracting your blood vessels and muting the response of your adrenal glands to stimulus.

I DON’T HAVE AN ALLERGY!
Many people resist the idea that they have an allergy or they are suffering low level poisoning. Think about the medications that we take to deal with all those vague disorders such as sinusitis and headaches. Anti–histamines counteract the effect of histamine- a chemical released in the body when there is an allergic reaction. Aspirin and paracetamol are anti-inflammatory drugs. No one is sure exactly how these drugs work to relieve pain. However, inflammation is another common sign of allergy and poisoning. Even without thinking in terms of allergy, you and the doctor might automatically turn to anti allergy medicines to deal with the effect of toxic chemicals found around the house.

DETOXIFICATION
This week I have given you the symptoms. Next week, (unless something really exciting happens that I have to talk about), I will look at some simple methods to counteract the harmful effects of the chemicals that we come into contact with on a daily basis. There’s nothing magical about the ideas and most of them are just common sense. A couple of simple starters are to only buy one chemical cleaner when you usually buy five, and open a few windows to let some fresh air in.

Environmental.

STORING CLOTHES

Photo: Sometimes the clothes just have to be thrown into the washing machine.

Before we delve into the world of cleanliness and hygiene I wanted to tell you about another form of tiding, I suppose it could be called “Cleaning the Green”. We thought we would walk up the road and collect the rubbish that seems to accumulate around the bottom of the hedgerows on either side of the road near the Clean and Green-testing centre.


Our carrier bag full soon turned into a dustbin liner bag full. We are at least two kilometres from the town but we managed to collect loads of packaging from fast food takeaways, presumably thrown out of cars as they pass by. Empty packets of crisps, pop bottles, both plastic and glass, and the cans of pop that are always present. At one time we used to think that these big soft drink companies used to pay people to throw the cans in hedgerows as a form of subliminal advertising. This isn’t the case though. People don’t need paying; they distribute the cans around the countryside for free. There maybe up to 13 spoons full of sugar in the contents of the can, some contain quite large quantities of caffeine too, this gives people the energy to throw the cans in every hedgerow and drainage channel in the country. It’s not much to complain about in the grand scale of things, but maybe if people channelled this hyperactivity into picking up rubbish instead of dropping it, we would all feel the benefit, we could get them scraping up chewing gum too. We would certainly get a few more points for the tidy towns competition next year!

STORING CLOTHES.

This brings us nicely to this week’s topic, from tidy towns to tidy gowns. Or the art of looking after your clothes.


If clothes are stored well after wearing it may reduce the need for washing or dry cleaning, both of which can use chemicals, which are bad for the environment.


(Of course if you venture to the pub and have cigarette smoke get into the material of your clothing, there’s not much you can do but throw it in a washer.)

Here are a few ideas to help cut down on damage to clothing whist in storage:

- Air suits outside or in an unoccupied room after wearing. Put them on well padded hangers, this will stop the shoulders from stretching, making it look like you’ve still got the hanger down the back of the jacket when you are wearing it.


- Make sure cotton is properly dry after washing to prevent mildew in storage. A spell in the hot press works wonders.


- Wrap white cottons and linens in blue tissue to stop yellowing and store away from strong light.
- Rinse synthetic fabrics in cool water to prevent creases. Let pleated fabrics drip dry into shape before folding them for storage.


- Keep silk in a cool, dry and dark place- strong light will fade the colour.


- Never store suede and leather in plastic bags. Always store somewhere cool and well ventilated.


- Finally, don’t crowd clothing hung in the wardrobe-leave spaces between the hangers so the clothes can breath and stay free from creases.



Household.

SEAWEED BATH

We have just come back from a very enjoyable day out in Culdaff. The sun was shining and the lads spent the best part of the afternoon swimming in the icy cold water. Just before we left the sandy cove, one of my lads suggested that we take home some seaweed and have a seaweed bath when we got home. I was a bit reluctant but I gave in eventually, especially as the very large plastic bag was already full of the stuff. I pushed holes in the bottom to let out the sea and when it stopped dripping I put it in the boot of the car. As soon as we got into the house the water was running in the bath. The resulting soup looked lovely, our own private sea in the bathroom. As yet only half of the family have jumped in to savour the delights. I have put the moment off for a while. My eldest lad is very thoughtful -he has told me that it is going to refrain from throwing it out into the compost heap. It is going to stay in the bath until I can get chance to jump in!

NB. After a while I took the plunge into the gooey seaweed mixture and I must say I feel refreshed and silky smooth! But I will have to come up with a cleaning recipe for getting the bath white again!

Environmental.

HOT AND COLD

COLD TIPS
Here are three helpful tips involving cold water.

When you are working with flour, use cold water to rinse the utensils and bowls. If you use hot the flour will go sticky.

Use cold water when cleaning milk pans.

Wash your hands in cold water when you are preparing fish. If you use hot, the juices cook on your skin and get very, very smelly!

HOT TIP
Here’s one warm cleaning tip to finish off with. Heat up a small amount of white vinegar and use it on a cloth to remove dried on paint that is on glass. Yet another use for one of the most versatile cleaning products ever!

Household.

RECYCLING YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE

O.K. admit it, who hasn’t recycled their Christmas tree? (Real, not the plastic ones!) I’m sure most of you have, but I went out and about Inishowen this week and asked a few people what they thought about the recycling project for worn out Christmas trees. I think it makes for interesting reading, but if you get bored and don’t read it all at least scan your eyes to the one very good reason, it’s not all negative!

Here are some of the reasons for not recycling the tree: Can I stress that these are NOT my opinions! (Some of them are quite good though)

“I couldn’t get the tree in the car. And if I could the dropping needles would mess up the boot too much.”

“I would use up too much fossil fuel driving the 10 miles to the recycling centre.”

“If the forestry replant a tree for every one that is chopped down, then why bother.” (?!)

“ I put mine in the back garden. The wildlife love it and it soon rots down.”

“I burn mine. I chop it up and burn a bit at a time, the smell that comes off it is lovely!”

“What tree, eh? What recycling centre? I can see your lips moving but can’t hear what you’re saying!”

“Why bother, that company that recycles them should pick them up. They make the money out of shredding the trees to sell back to gardeners”

“I tried, but I couldn’t get into the recycling centre because it was full of cans, bottles and paper.”

ONE VERY GOOD REASON TO RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE

By putting the tree in to be recycled you are starting to get the idea of recycling things. While you are at it, throw the empty bottles, cans and newspaper into the boot of the car as well and take them in to the recycling centre. Don’t be too put off if the skips are full to bursting, they will be emptied soon. The companies that collect the recyclable materials try there hardest to keep up with the sudden increase of household waste caused by our indulgences over the festive period. I suppose if we consumed less and bought less packaging the entrances to the recycling centres wouldn’t get blocked at this time of year.

Environmental.

GRASS POWERED POWER STATIONS

Within the next few years Ireland could be dense with the dancing fronds of elephant grass, a crop with a serious chance of replacing coal and oil in electricity generation in much the same way that coppiced willow is being used as a biomass fuel.

Trials have shown that the plant flourishes on most arable land and the Irish climate is perfect for growing healthy crops. The plant requires no fertilizer and up to yet, suffers no pests or diseases. The elephant grass produces huge volumes of material that can be harvested using existing technology and burned in power stations. When harvested the stalks can be burned in conventional power stations.

The elephant grass (Latin name Miscanthus giganteus) can grow up to twelve feet tall. Each spring the grass grows up a new set of shoots, and during the autumn those shoots move the nutrients that they need to grow back into the root system. The farmer then harvests it, which means there is no need for nitrogen and other fertilizer to be added. This factor makes it a very efficient crop, especially as the plant shouldn’t need to be re-stocked once it is established. The advantage with biomass crops is that they do not add to carbon dioxide emissions. As they grow they absorb carbon dioxide, and when they are burned they release it again, so they are “carbon-neutral”. Ireland is in a good position to capitalise on the new crop. It has a lot of farmland and a small population. It is claimed that if 10% of land were used to plant up the crop, Ireland could produce about 30% of its power needs. This would help the country get a secure renewable energy supply to run alongside its potential for wind power and solar power.

In England there are plans to construct power stations purely to burn the elephant grass. In Eccleshall, Staffordshire there is a power station that is burning the crop from about 900 hectares that is already planted. There is a similar scheme in Selby, Yorkshire that is hoping to plant up 10,000 acres. These schemes might be available in Ireland and farmers could be eligible for a one off set up grant and then annual subsidies much in the same way that the land is put aside for forestry. There are of course potential problems; firstly there is the suggestion that mass planting could mar the landscape. Secondly, when rapeseed was introduced in large areas the seed spread everywhere, -fears are that the elephant grass could escape the confines of its growing space and take over the hedgerows. The plant is widely used as a large ornamental specimen in gardening and as yet I haven’t heard of one example where the plant has spread uncontrollably as it increases in size mainly by its roots and not from seed. Teagasc believe it’s only a few years before we grow it commercially here. So we will know soon enough.

Environmental.

TOP TIPS

If you have a piece of wooded furniture that has a dint in it then there is a way of removing it safely. Wet the area first with cold water. Put a piece of brown paper over the dint. Use a warm iron and go over the area a few times. When the paper is removed the dint will be gone.

Note: Do not use on furniture of value, just in case!

If your cupboard doors are tight use a piece of sandpaper in between the door and the frame.
Open and close the door a few times to make it open more easily.

IT’S A DRAWER

If your curtain rails are sticky and pulling the curtains is a chore, run a candle over the runners. This will make curtain closing a pleasure. Rubbing candles onto the runners of drawers will make them open more easily too.

Household.

ATHLETE'S FOOT

A relation of ours has a reoccurring problem with athlete’s foot. Now for those of you who don’t know, it isn’t only athletes that are prone to this fungal infection. The symptoms of this uncomfortable condition range from itching between the toes and in more serious cases, broken inflamed skin around the feet. The condition is highly infectious and can sometimes spread to the hands and face. It is usually picked up in swimming pool changing rooms and sports changing areas. The fungus thrives in warm, humid places so it isn’t long before the rest of the family start itching, as the bathroom floor can be a perfect breeding ground. We’ve been looking into a few natural remedies if you don’t fancy using the chemicals from the chemist.
PREVENTIONOne of the most important things to do to combat athlete's foot is to keep the feet dry at all times. The fungus needs moisture to grow. After drying your feet, scrape away the loose skin to allow any medication to penetrate the infected area.

• Firstly, do not use cornstarch, or baking soda in your shoes and socks to keep your feet dry, it could make them itchier.
• Wear absorbent socks, preferably cotton, and wash them in hot water with Ecover bleach.

• Keep your shoes well ventilated, and give them ample time to dry before wearing again.

• Open-toed sandals are good to wear as they allow the feet to dry.

• To avoid re-infection, wipe white vinegar on the inside of the shoes and allow to dry.

• Antiperspirants may also be used on your feet to keep down the sweating. Use a natural one from the health shop

• Dry your feet thoroughly after a shower either with a towel or hair dryer.
• Sometimes people who have had antibiotics contract athlete's foot. The antibiotics can compromise the immune system by killing the good bacteria with the bad, leaving the person susceptible to infection. Without the good bacteria, the intestines can't synthesize the B vitamins, which help enhance the immune system. To remedy this situation, eat several servings of yogurt with live cultures daily and take a high dosage of the B vitamins to help fight the infection.
REMEDIES

Aloe Vera Apply aloe vera gel to the effected parts, twice daily

Apple cider vinegar Soak your feet in a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water for ten minutes daily up to ten days or until symptoms disappear. This will relieve the itching and peeling of athlete's foot.

• Soak a cotton ball in vinegar, coat the fungus and let dry. Apple cider vinegar has anti-fungal properties.

Baking soda Soak the feet in a solution of baking soda and water for about 30 minutes daily. This will change the pH of the skin. Also sprinkle baking soda on the feet and in your shoes and socks. It will soak up some of the perspiration and help neutralize the skin at the same time.
Cinnamon Another kitchen medicinal remedy uses cinnamon. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, add 8-10 broken sticks of cinnamon, reduce heat to low and simmer for five minutes; remove and steep, covered, for 45 minutes. Use as a footbath. Cinnamon effectively combats both yeast and fungal infections.

Ginger has strong anti-fungal properties. Boil a cup of water, add one ounce of chopped fresh ginger, and simmer for twenty minutes. Let it cool and apply to your feet twice a day.

Honey Raw honey rubbed on the infected areas before bedtime and left overnight has also been found to be effective. Cover the feet with an old sock.

Onion Juice Apply onion juice twice daily.

Salt A mixture of two teaspoons of salt to a pint of warm water is another good soaking solution. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes and dry thoroughly. The salt kills the fungus and reduces perspiration.

Tea tree oil derived from the leaves of the native Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree, contains antiseptic compounds that are a very effective skin disinfectant. Depending on severity, use 5-15% solutions daily, diluting the tea tree oil with olive oil. Rubbing some on the affected area with a cotton ball several times a day for three to five days should eliminate the problem.
Environmental.

POISONOUS TOMATOES?

Not too long ago most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May and still smelt pretty good. However, they might be starting to pong a bit so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to disguise the smell.

People with money had plates made of pewter, which had lead in them. Food with a high acid content caused some of the lead to leach into the food, causing severe poisoning. This happened most often with tomatoes, so for centuries tomatoes were considered poisonous!

Horticultural.

WORD ORIGINS

The next time you hear young children swearing you might like to tell them the origins of a very popular word. Either that or you can bore someone at the bar with the story!

In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship. It was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large shipments of manure were common. It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, of which a by-product is methane gas. As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern a massive explosion usually tore great holes in the ship.

Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just what was happening. After that, the bundles of manure,volatile,cargo, Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just what was happening. After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term "Ship High In Transit" on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane. Thus evolved the famous and much overused term.

Environmental.

PLANTS FOR WET GARDENS

Photo: Sundews can certainly stand to have wet roots.

We thankfully don’t have too much of a problem with flooding around the peninsula but that isn’t to say that our gardens aren’t wet and can have small streams running through them in wet weather. I thought I would concentrate this week on gardens that are prone to waterlogging or even mild flooding as all is not lost with what you can plant.

Choose perennials and bulbs that are quick to form intricate root systems, such as chrysanthemums, violets, daffodils and creeping phlox. Fast rooting ensures the plants are well established before the water levels rise. Trees that tolerate wet with fibrous roots such as willow are also a good idea.



Choose plants native to the area. They have a better chance of surviving. Look at plants such as columbine, foxglove, daisies and some roses.



For better drainage, keep your soil sandy and leave small- and medium-sized stones in place when you dig.



Plant as far in advance as possible. This gives plants plenty of time to establish their root systems. Try to plant and divide everything except spring-blooming bulbs in the spring.



Mulch sparingly early in the season. A thin layer of fallen leaves is all that is needed on the garden during autumn and winter months because they would float away easily. Cut back all herbaceous perennials that aren't short and compact. Tall plants can be pulled up by their stems in a flood.So with some planning, even gardens in areas prone to occasional dousing with floodwater can be sturdy as well as beautiful.





Horticultural.

TOP TIP

Now that the tools are coming out of hibernation, they will need looking after in between use. Keep a bucketful of sand in the shed with some old oil added. When you have finished with the tool push it into the bucket a few times. The sand will be abrasive enough to fetch off any muck and the oil will prevent unnecessary rusting.

Horticultural.

SPRING IN THE GARDEN

Photo: Forsythia.

Lightly prune mophead and lacecap Hydrangeas. Take off old flower heads just above a strong pair of buds. Remove spindly twigs. On old bushes take out the stems that are a few years old by cutting them down to ground level.

Plant evergreens now as the soil is warming up. This will activate the roots when they are planted. The garden centres are getting well stocked with healthy looking specimens.

Prune Buddleia, the butterfly bush anytime now. Don’t be put off if there is fresh new growth, hack them back anyway. Theses bushes are brittle and the branches tend to snap if they aren’t pruned right down. The flowers come on this year’s growth anyway. There are a couple of exceptions to the rule though. There is the Buddleia globosa, which has orange ball shaped flowers, and Buddleia alternifolia, which has a weeping, habit. These both flower on last years growth and should only be lightly pruned.

The forsythia’s look great at the moment with their bright yellow flowers. When they have finished flowering these will benefit by being pruned back too. They tend to get overlooked otherwise.

Dig up and divide Hostas before the leaves get too big. Slice through the roots with a spade.

A job that we’ve been doing this week is trimming back winter flowering heathers, taking off the old flowers and trimming the small shrubs into shape.

Pick off the old flower heads from pansies; the plants will flower for longer. Remove the dead flowers from the daffodils as well; they produce seed, which will weaken the plant for next year.

If you have been over wintering Fuchsia plants on your windowsill then the fresh shoots can be picked off and either put into compost to root or placed in a jar of water, the root very easily and will produce a fine plant for summer colour.

Lift, divide and replant chives for a healthy crop throughout the year.

If you have fruit bushes, pull the encroaching grass from the stems and mulch well with any well rotted compost.

Be patient when it comes to clipping back the silver foliage plants in the garden that have been damaged by frost. Shrubs such as ceanothus, salvia, phlomis and artemisia, all have the ability to layer themselves from fallen stems lying on the soil. This can be cut next month to produce some new plants.



Horticultural.

IN THE GARDEN

A few years ago I made a raised bed in the front garden for strawberries. The alpine strawberries cropped well, but most of the goodness has now gone from the soil, as I haven’t mulched the area for a year or so. So it was time to dig everything up and turn the area back to grass. Luckily when I put the raised bed into place I put some black plastic down under the soil, this made the job of moving the soil very easy as deep rooted weeds such as docks couldn’t get a foothold. . The young, fresh strawberry plants have been dug up and moved into a new bed at the back of the house and self set poached egg plants have been dug up and scattered under trees and around the vegetable patch. These poached egg plants (Limnanthes douglasii) attract hoverflies in early summer and help to keep pests at bay.


With the weather being so dry and sunny recently we are well ahead of ourselves in the garden. Julie has been planting a mixed hedge at the front of the house. The plants are the leftovers from last year that are suffering in their pots. Some are evergreen such as Olearia and Eleagnus then there are deciduous shrubs such as Ribes and Elder. Together they will make a very attractive mixed hedge when they are established. The sunshine has warmed the soil nicely and this will stimulate the root development securing the plants into the ground, giving them a good chance of survival. Pot grown hedging can be planted at any time of the year but do establish better if they are planted now or in autumn, they shouldn’t need too much watering in now either compared to summer.

Horticultural.

CIDER VINEGAR

Ian
I have been hearing an advert on the radio that mentions Organic Cider Vinegar. What does this stuff do?
Thanks T.M. Newtown

Reply.
Cider vinegar has more or less the same properties that normal vinegar has. It is a bit of a cure all from hiccups to metal cleaner. Organic cider vinegar is a natural accompaniment to a healthy lifestyle and can be used in cooking and salad dressings
It seems that in the hustle and bustle of modern life the age-old natural healing properties of cider vinegar have been overlooked. Here are a few things that the vinegar can be applied to

Arthritis.
Organic cider vinegar is an integral part of the natural treatment process for the relief of any form of arthritis.

Weight
Firstly to reduce your weight you must regulate your food intake and exercise but cider vinegar can also help by acting as a powerful diuretic, draining the body of excess fluid.

Headaches.
A daily intake of cider vinegar helps to regulate the body's acid-alkaline balance, one of the causes of headaches.

Mouth Ulcers
Organic cider vinegar can be used as a mouthwash for ulcers. It is even thought to be a good cure for sore throats. To help with a tickly cough that keeps you awake at night put two or three desert spoonfuls of cider vinegar in a tumbler of warm water. Mix in two or three teaspoonfuls of honey and mix, ensuring that that water is not too hot. Gargle the mixture, swallowing each time and your cough will disappear "

Hair care.
After shampooing your hair rinse it in water containing several tablespoonfuls of cider vinegar and it will develop a deep shine.

Like all therapies both modern and complimentary, it is important to use treatments safety. The amount varies from person and person - but the normal recommended daily intake in one dessertspoonful of organic cider vinegar in a glass of water, taken three times a day. It can take six months before the effects of taking the vinegar become noticeable. Always consult your doctors first if you have a condition that may necessitate a reduced daily intake. Not all cider vinegars are the same!

Household.

THE BEST OF LIFE

I always enjoy reading the “Time for Reflection” article in the Inish Times. I’ve been reflecting myself this week as the flowers around me start to bloom and I thought I’d share a segment of a book called “the Gardener” – a number one Spanish bestseller by Grian (don’t worry its been translated). The usual ramblings will be back as usual next week.


THE BEST OF LIFE

A trader went to see the gardener while he was resting at the hut door.

“Good afternoon, gardener,” he said, “I’ve come to offer you a business deal that’s going to interest you for sure.”

And seeing the passiveness of the gardener, he began to tell him about an arrangement he had thought of that could be advantageous to both of them, an arrangement in which the gardener would promise to cultivate a large expanse of land exclusively of roses so that, later, the trader could sell them in the town’s market.

“Gardener, with your green fingers our roses will be the best in town,” concluded the trader with a satisfied gesture.

“Thanks, but I’m not interested,” said the gardener with his usual smile.

“But you could earn a lot of money…” claimed the merchant surprised.

“I’m not interested in money.”

“But everybody is interested in money...”

“Not me.”

“How can you say that? Money is necessary to survive..”

“Oh, well…! I eat and sleep every day, I have clothes to wear and a hut that gives me refuge on winter nights,” said the gardener calmly.

The trader could not believe that the gardener had rejected his offer.

“And also…” he insisted, “you would be doing the work you like, gardener.”

“I already do the work I like.”

“But….”

The trader was left with his mouth open. Then he closed it, stood up and left the garden, saying between his teeth as he left, “I’ll never understand those who stubbornly insist on living in poverty and missing out on the best in life.”

The gardener spent the afternoon listening to the musical sounds of the birds and contemplating the wonderful sunset that the universe offered.

From “the Gardener” by Grian.

GARDEN GADGETS

I’ve been trying to explain the complexities of advertising to my two children this week. Like most kids, they tend to believe what they are told, especially if they see it on telly. I try to explain that the main reason for the companies to be advertising is to convince us to buy something that we don’t really need and in turn make them lots of lovely money so they can develop new products that we don’t need either. This explanation fell on deaf ears so I tried to explain things in way that was more easily understood. One ad recently was selling “The Only Cloth You Will Ever Need”, that sounds all right until I thought of the different tasks I perform with a cloth. There’s washing the dishes, wiping grease off work surfaces, dusting the mantelpiece, cleaning the toilet bowl and washing your face! Now if there is such a thing as “The Only Cloth You Will Ever Need”, they can keep it! This probably wasn’t the best example to use as I found myself struggling to change the conversation from one of a toilet nature.

This same sort of mis-information exists in the gardeners’ world too. I have seen the advert on television recently of three twisted spikes sticking out of a long handle and the claim that goes with it is that it takes the strain out of weeding and hoeing the beds and borders. The advert shows this device cutting its way through garden soil that, as it happens is already weed free, and thinking about it, stone free too. The texture of the soil is as crumbly as Shamrock potting compost when it has just been tipped out of the bag. Now I haven’t used one of these labour saving devices so if someone has and they have found it to be an invaluable tool to go along side the fork and spade in the shed then please do let me know.

This week I made a trip to some of the large out of town D.I Y. stores. I usually shop locally for time and convenience, but with the kids having their “tours” I thought I’d have mine and check out the latest gadgets and fashions this year in the gardening world.

There were all sorts of stuff for the keen gardener with a few Euro in their pocket for a bit of garden retail therapy. Garden decorations such as wind chimes and plastic squirrels that stick to the side of the wall may be the very thing to cheer you up this summer.
I particularly liked a spring-loaded bag that could be mine for a measly nine pounds. It was called a Karrington pop up container and it could hold up to 24 gallons of “stuff” from the garden, with just the flick of a switch the flat disk springs up to form the bag with a satisfying swoosh, this is by far a more trendy option than being seen in the back garden with an empty compost bag, which is what I’ve have had to put up with for years.

Yes, I definitely need one of those, maybe even two….

One thing that I did find was that most companies have reduced the cost of their plants and most of the other garden stock as well. Lawnmowers, barbeques, pots, garden chairs, gazebos were all reduced. When I was looking around the plant section with my young lad in tow, we were the only people taking advantage of the umbrellas that are provided by the store to keep the rain off our heads. The amount of annual bedding plants that are as yet unsold is startling. These reductions are a familiar site in most or the larger D.I.Y.outlets.

Horticultural.

DAMPING OFF

Damping off can be the seed sowers biggest problem. This is a rapidly spreading disease, caused by a number of fungi; the attacks are very sudden and can have a devastating effect. Once infected, an entire seed tray full of seedlings can be destroyed in a matter of days.

The three main fungi that cause the disease are called Phytophthora, Pythium and Rhizoctonia, for those of you that are interested in such things.

The first sign that something is wrong is when patches of seedlings keel over and have visible damage at the bases of their stems. You may also see white fluffy fungal growth on the collapsed seedlings, or the stems of older seedlings may become distorted and wiry. The fungal spores are transmitted either by contaminated soil or by water splash. High temperatures, dense sowing, poor hygiene and waterlogged soils provide perfect conditions for this disease, but any combination of these factors can encourage it.

What can be done to prevent damping off .

Always use fresh seed compost and clean pots and trays. Make sure that any used pots are washed out thoroughly before use. Don’t use collected rainwater on the seedlings, as this may harbour harmful fungal spores. Rainwater will be the best water to use when the plants are established but at the start use tap water instead.

Always sow seed thinly and evenly in the seed tray, and make sure the compost is not kept waterlogged. Water initially using a copper based fungicide, (the Co-op definitely stocks this as I bought some from there last year) which can be applied now and again as the seedlings mature.

Wise words
There is a saying that I quite like about seed sowing; it really refers to growing plants outdoors but the quote tells me not to be too disappointed if I loose a few seedlings, as there is always something trying to get them!

“Sow seed generously; one for the rook, one for the crow, one to die and one to grow”

Horticultural.

WOODLAND PLANTS

Photo: Wild garlic.

Photo:Wild Cyclamen

Photo: Young fern.

Photo: Woodland aconite.

Photo: Bluebell.

(Click on title for link to chase Organics)

Woodland areas are looking fresh at the moment. All the new buds are bursting and the woodland floor is alive with colour. If you’re lucky enough to have an area of natural woodland it’s time to get in there and do any routine maintenance. If there are paths then they can be cleared of broken branches and any brambles that look as though they will encroach later in the season can be removed. Look out for any sharp branches pointing out towards the path that might catch people as they walk too. These want taking out as well. If there is hazel in the wood then get coppicing. Hazel benefit by being chopped back, it promotes healthy new growth and lengthens the lifespan of the tree. It also will let a bit of light into the wood; this will increase the amount of plants that will grow there. Chances are if the woodland is maintained there will be quite a diversity of plants that have naturalised. Wild garlic is quite prolific around here and if you happen to tread on any they smell wonderful (if you like garlic). Ivy does really well too, tolerating total shade. Contrary to popular belief, ivy doesn’t kill the trees when it grows up them either. The thick growth is a haven for wildlife. The only time that the ivy will adversely affect the tree is when the tree dies naturally; the weight of the ivy will bring the tree down earlier. Another plant that actually lives off the tree is the mistletoe. Next year, after the Christmas kissing has finished, try pushing the seed into cracks in the bark on horizontal branches. They stand a good chance of growing.

If you think the woodland could do with a bit more colour or ground cover, here are a few suggestions. Before I do though, I must stress that all these plants are available from commercial growers, which means that there is absolutely no need to pinch them from the wild. To start with if there is an area that needs a bit of green, there are seed mixes of shade tolerant grass. There is also a woodland mix for flowering plants that will give a riot of colour from spring to early summer. These are both available from Chase organics. They do a mail order catalogue too.

Here are more plants that will naturalise in the woodland:

Betony: Red flowers from July to September
Bluebell: Familiar blue-violet flowers from April to June.
Campion: Red and also white flowers from April to June.
Cyclamen: Choose your own flowering time. There are winter, spring and summer varieties – They grow brilliantly under trees
Ferns: Can give all year colour if the ground is damp enough. There are hundreds to choose from.
Foxglove: Pink, purple and the lesser seen white flowers from July to September. Watch out if there are young children about as the leaves are deadly poisonous.
Honeysuckle: Great climber, the naturalised plant has yellow flowers from June to September.
Primrose: Yellow flowers from February to May.
Sweet violet: Blue/ purple flowers in April.


There are loads of other plants that can tolerate shade, most of which will usually be found in the garden such as Hostas, Eleagnus, Hellebores, busy lizzy, certain bamboos etc. These could all be used to good effect around the edge of the wood. I wouldn’t recommend using rhododendrons though. These shrubs are all right when they are in the garden, but if left unchecked in a wood they can take over, cutting out all the light to the woodland floor.


Horticultural.