PONDS

Continue to remove blanket weed and duckweed using a net or rake. Pile the weed by the side of the pond for 24 hours to allow pond life to crawl back into the water and then put on the compost heap. Keep an eye on aquatic and marginal plants, removing faded flowers and yellow leaves, and cutting back where necessary.

Make sure that the fish have enough water and if the sun gets too hot, put some shade over an edge of the pond to give them some cool shade. Aerate the water in hot sticky weather by leaving fountains on overnight and top up the water regularly.

Shallow water features or those with water washing over cobbles can become green very quickly in summer weather. Algaecides may need applying more frequently than in normal ponds. If you do not want to spend the money or are worried about pollution the clear out fallen leaves and debris regularly, this will help to keep down algal growth. There will be fewer nutrients available from rotting organic matter.

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INSTANT HEDGE

Photo: The real thing!

I am always looking out for new plants and garden ideas that can be stored in my database of photos for future reference. Unfortunately I find that I am going out without my camera since I bought one that is too large to fit in my pocket. I have been finding myself repeating the words “If only I had my camera with me” It makes a change though because before this my much repeated phrase was “I’ll just get my gloves” I have been looking at some new innovations for the gardens this week. It’s probably always been the case but I must say that some of the ideas for the outside space are getting a bit bizarre. I noticed speakers for the garden made to look like rocks. (Rock music I suppose). It is good to see that the outdoor heaters are fading from popularity this year though. Not only were they a waste of energy, they were very ineffective as well. Talking of instant gratification how about this for an idea.

INSTANT HEDGE
If you have an unsightly chain link wire fence and fancy something a bit different, try this new idea. The fence is a easily disguised using strips of wire covered in hairy, green plastic, a bit like a giant pipe cleaner. The strips are simply pushed through the chain link. Although it sounds like a great idea, like there is no need for watering, there are a few downsides. Firstly they are made out of plastic, which isn’t that desirable, and secondly if kids get wind of the fact that they pull out the fence, you will have some very large pipe cleaner creations around the garden. It isn’t available here yet, the American market are test-driving it first. It will probably be here soon enough though .





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ME AND MY MOTOR -PADDY MORGAN

Paddy Morgan, like a lot of car enthusiasts, sees Ford cars as innovators of new technology over the years. I used to have a 1964 Ford Zephyr myself some years ago and it was one of the most comfortable cars I have ever driven. The downside I suppose was the fact that you had to get under the car with the grease gun every few thousand miles and lubricate the moving parts. There were no sealed units then!

Name: Paddy Morgan
Address: Creeslough
Car: 1982 Ford Granada 2.8 ghia

How long have you had the car?
A little over two years now.


How long have you been involved with vintage cars?
I have been interested in old cars since I was a child. I have been actively involved with vintage cars for 20 years now.


Did you restore the car yourself?
The car didn’t need restoring as it is still in its original condition.


Any plans to change?
As a matter of fact, yes!. I have the car up for sale at the moment. (Anyone interested can phone Paddy on 087 9063195


Is it reliable?
Extremely reliable. Ford were well ahead of the competition in the 1980’s and their technology was very advanced. The cars ran very well even though there were no computers to regulate the workings of the engine.


Best thing about the car?
The Granada was (and still is!) a luxury car so the ride is very comfortable. It comes into its own on log journeys and just soaks up the miles.


How often do you wash it?
It gets a lot of washes because white tends to show the muck.


Any modifications?
No, as I said earlier, the car is in original condition, weren’t you listening?


If you were the Minister for Finance what would you do to help motorists?
Lower road tax,( although it doesn’t really effect old vehicles)


What would you really like to be driving around in?
I still have a soft spot for the old Ford Anglia 105. They were great road and rally cars and even Harry Potter drove one!

BOLTING ONIONS

Why have my onions bolted? H.B. Carn

It's to do with cold temperatures at a critical period in their growth. We've had a few cold wet days over the past month, which may have upset their cycle. Chances are they are the red variety; these are very prone to it.

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DRAINPIPE PLANTING

I saw on a gardening programme that plants can be started in the greenhouse using a long drainpipe/guttering then sliding then into a trench in the garden. Does this work? Cheers Ray by e-mail

It’s an old Geoff Hamilton trick, especially useful for peas... which can then be slid off into a prepared trench the same shape as the guttering, with minimal root disturbance. It sounds easy but there has been a lot of trial and error in the method. Use a pipe about two feet long and don’t put holes in it. The roots go into the holes and stop the soil being slid out. You can use the method with most plants and flowers. If you get the roots quite well developed there shouldn’t be any bother as it comes out in one piece like a grass sod.

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STRAW BERRIES

The warm weather has given a great boost to the veggie plot. There has been a rush on questions about the garden too. Let’s get straight down to it!


Should I put straw under my strawberries to stop them rotting? Will it blow away in the wind? BT by e-mail

I was in an allotment recently and someone had put each of their strawberries into their own jar. This was to give them their own mini greenhouse I think or maybe it was the first steps to making jam!

The time to put straw under the strawberries is when the fruit has formed. As long as it is round the entire plant. Straw is like unravelled knitting, it not only holds itself together, but the leaves and fruit also pin it down. So unless you are in a really windy spot, it should stay put. A friend of mine grew the fruit very successfully in old tyres filled with soil. With two plants per tyre we could make a use of all of the old ones littering the peninsula.

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