Trees and bees

Most literature advises to never prune more than 25%. So if a tree has 4 branches, cut 1 off, easy!

On a crisp winter's afternoon, Tomasz and Craig provided some insight on fruit tree pruning.

January things to do around the Allotments

The weather this year has been reasonably mild compared to previous years and like all Irish weather nothing is predictable so you might ask what I should be doing on my Allotment in January besides hiding in the warmth of the Polytunnel with a hot cup of coco.

Christmas Party 2016

Another year at MCA has passed. It was nice to see so many gardeners there and the feast of cakes, biscuits, cheeses, bread, beetroot guacamole,beetroot cake, crisps and gluten free treats for all to share.

 

The Hamper prizes were drawn by the lovely Lorna supervised by Martin ensuring no prizes went astray. Lots of funds were raised by the ever successful raffle prizes.

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all MCA Gardeners and their families. See you next year!!!!!!!!

 

 

Fidelma Maher
MCA

June in Bloom

It was a rainy Tuesday afternoon and after weeks of glorious sunshine I decided to take myself off to the allotments for the afternoon to do the dreaded weeding. So in between the thunder and lightning storms I had a nice walk around the allotment to see how everyone's plots were doing and to check out the fruit trees.

 The Herb Garden looking really lush and green.

Spuds, Chickens wait chickens!, Oregano, chives 

and a lovely view whilst avoiding the Rain.

 

 

There are tiny little Grapes starting to form

 if you look really close top left, Red Chilli's and the

Tomato plants are growing nicely.

 

 

Gordon Blimey Apples, Plums and Pears galore!

 

 

 

 

Despite the crazy weather today, I really enjoyed myself even the weeding part and remembered how lucky I am to have an Allotment at such a beautiful place in Minnowburn, National Trust.

 

Fidelma Maher, June 2016

New Zeland Flatworm found at Minnowburn

The New Zealand Flatworm has been discovered at the allotments in recent months. Should we be scared.

This animal is regarded as a major predator of our native earthworms and has the ability to devastate populations. However, its impact in agricultural land is unclear as earthworm populations in open fields seem to recover quickly from flatworm predation. There is no doubt that in confined or shaded places such as gardens and small woods, its effect upon earthworm numbers is greater and more permanent. It may also affect soil drainage.

It has spread rapidly in both Northern Ireland and Scotland. It is thought to have spread through plant trade and the first introduction was thought to have been in the 1950s through the trade in daffodil bulbs from New Zealand to Northern Ireland.

Control 

It is thought hot water is a cheap and easy means of disinfection of containerised plants. But research on this method has still to be determined.

 

Further Information and Photographs can be found at the following links:
Invasive New Zeland Flatworm.
CABI New Zealand Flatworm fact sheet


Fidelma Maher