Home & Garden | Spring | 2023

YOUR GUIDE TO THE PERFECT

WEST CORK HOME & GARDEN

Welcome to Home & Garden magazine for spring/summer 2023

IN this great 32-page supplement you’ll find lots of articles, advice, images, ideas and inspiration to help you get the most from your West Cork home and garden in the coming months and throughout the rest of 2023.

From the latest interior trends to great ideas on how to get the most from your outdoor ‘room’ for the summer, bathrooms to barbecues and beyond – you’ll have plenty of food for thought.

We have tips on making the most of your garden space – whether it’s a tiny plot behind a townhouse or a sprawling half-acre in the country. ere’s a look at the continuing trend towards blinds over curtains plus a special on choosing the right floor covering for your home.

ere’s expert advice from a local horticulturist on lawncare and some pointers on dealing with the invasive and damaging Japanese knotweed species.

All this and lots, lots more in your guide to the perfect West Cork home and garden!

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Burkes of Bantry are the market leaders in supplying and fitting motorised blinds

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window measurements and send you fabric samples, or we can come to your home to measure and show samples whilst following Covid-19 safety protocols.

Burke’s of Bantry are specialists in the sale and fitting of Luxaflex motorised blinds.

We can then present you with a quotation and make arrangements for installation.

Mix things up a little

Southern Star interiors columnist Lauraine Farley gives her top tips for the 2023 season

NOW that we’re into spring of 2023 it’s worth taking a minute to look at what the top interior trends are currently – not that you have to follow those of course, but good to have a reference point! My rule of thumb has always been to embrace whatever style speaks to you, because after all that’s the only trend that truly matters!

Tasty transitional

Transitional styling is probably the most popular design style right now, and no wonder, it’s the perfect mix of traditional and contemporary styles with other accents too, to make a synergistic masterpiece of beauty and comfort. Transitional style is a ‘super category’ as it’s like

a big umbrella that other styles are collected under. It can be made to stay fresh by adding in more trendy items as they come along. One of the best ways to infuse a home with transitional styling is through its colour palette. A neutral palette is quintessential to this style, ink soft whites, beiges, creams, bisques, greige, tans, browns, charcoals and even black.

ink texture

No matter if you are on Team Colour or Team Neutral, adding texture is a design choice worth embracing. In 2023 this looks like exaggerated veining in marble and natural stone, high contrast wood grains and textured

plaster and lime washed walls. Heavily veined countertops will add a unique and dramatic touch to any kitchen or bathroom, however it is essential to remember that natural stone countertops such as marble and granite can be more porous and prone to staining and scratching than engineered materials, such as quartz, so take into account that they may require more maintenance and care to keep them looking their best.

Windows

When it comes to window dressing, there are several ways to bring in lively texture. Consider woven wooden blinds, or perhaps bamboo. ese will tick the box of

Left to right: ink texture as well as colour when you’re choosing fabrics; draw inspiration from your surroundings e.g. a rustic look blends well in a rural setting; timber-slatted blinds pair well with other natural materials like linen or wood finish floors and furniture.

another popular 2023 trend – natural materials. Or if you prefer, consider shutters or a wood-grained slat on a Venetian blind. for a softer treatment consider using textured fabrics like velvet or linens. Linen curtains go with absolutely everything.

Go for full-length, puddled if you like a romantic look or hemmed to ‘kiss’ the floor for a more tailored look. Pinch pleats add a luxurious detail that always stands the test of time.

Fab floors

Jute rugs are like chunky woven baskets that just work no matter where you put them. Because they are neutral and add great texture with natural fibre, they instantly add warmth to the room, plus they are great for layering. If for example you have a patterned vintage rug that might be a tad too small for the room, you can lay it over a larger jute rug or carpet.

Back to nature

Home styles come and go, but there are certain materials that stand the test of time and always remain popular. in recent years, there has been a trend towards natural materials, such as wood and stone as they can add warmth and character to any space.

Natural wood is indeed back in style for 2023. For example, it is hard to go wrong with a solid wood vintage dresser or a dining table.

Even if you prefer modern decor, adding just one vintage piece can make a room feel layered and collected. Plus, it just feels good to rescue something secondhand that is of excellent quality.

Drawing inspiration from our surroundings feels more natural and provides a seamless and stress-free transition when coming home. ink ‘modern coastal’ by the sea, ‘industrial chic’ in urban areas and ‘rustic farmhouse charm’ in the countryside.

Clockwise from top left: A jute rug – again in keeping with the natural materials trend – adds texture; exaggerated graining in marble and other stone, as seen in this kitchen, and wide-grained timber as seen in this solid walnut table are very on-trend currently; use accented colours in accessories like cushions and throws, and remember to take inspiration from your location.

Bathroom beauty

Baths

e popularity of the freestanding bath is a trend that is far from fading. e lavish style goes hand-in-hand with those moments of relaxation and self-care. Aesthetically pleasing, the freestanding bath has always been an object of desire. Before, it was limited to being a five-star luxury that could only be found in the posh hotels or a celebrity crib. ese days the freestanding bath is much more accessible, coming in all shapes and sizes.

Its versatility allows it to fit seamlessly within any design concept. If you’re going traditional, the Victorian roll-top bath is perfect for a period-style centrepiece. Here it’s all about the details. From chrome to a black leg set to the traditional crosshead mixer tap, it oozes old-school style.

If contemporary is more your vibe, a minimalist stone style with a freestanding tap will create a modern and sleek look.

Storage

As our bathrooms become more of a sanctuary, we are looking to find neat storage solutions to avoid the clutter. Floating vanity units are a great way to decrease percentage of floor space being used and are also very handy for hiding all those bathroom necessities.

In keeping with the clean and sleek trend, choose a storage unit that follows the same lead. Look to floating shelves that you can adorn with stylish candles and a touch of plant life. If you can stretch the budget opt for something bespoke to meet your storage needs.

To stop mess and clutter stay clear, of freestanding storage units as they take up space. However, if you have a pedestal basin, change it up for a vanity unit for that extra storage space for hiding things away.

ink green!

Reduce your shower time

Simple yet effective, reducing your shower time will save you money and help the environment too. According to experts reducing your shower time to four minutes could save you up to €100 a year.

Don’t leave the water running

Other ways to conserve water are to avoid leaving the tap running while brushing your teeth. And when you tinkle you don’t always have to flush. Leave it for the big ones – remember every drop counts.

Ditch single-use containers

Move away from single-use plastic toiletries and cleaning products for refillables. It’s an investment at first but over time will save you money and clogging up the landfills.

Go zero-waste

A zero-waste alternative to the refillable is the original bar of soap. It’s not just limited to soap, you can now get shampoo and conditioner bars. Washing your hair has never been so guilt-free. You can also be minty fresh and guilt-free with bamboo biodegradable toothbrushes and biodegradable eco-floss.

Reduce water heat

Turning down the temperature of your shower water will save money and energy. Reducing the temperature also has health benefits. Dermatologists recommend having a lukewarm shower to allow you to regulate your body temperature and to avoid scalding the skin.

More than ever before, the bathroom is now one of the most important rooms in the house. It’s no longer a place to just splash and go. The contemporary bathroom is all about luxury. Our love of moments of self-care means we lust after a space where we can indulge ourselves in comfort. And if it’s Instagram friendly all the better, because if that bubble bath isn’t on the ’gram ... did it really happen at all, asks Paula Burns

Lighting

Lighting can be tricky in a bathroom as the space often serves a dual-purpose. It can be a place of relaxation, but also where we get our glam on. If the bathroom is where you get ready for the day and put on your make-up, light is of the utmost importance.

Ideally natural light works best, however not every bathroom is a sunny delight. With this in mind look to installing recessed LED ceiling lights. ese are energy efficient and will provide light throughout the room. Add a dimmer so you can control the light according to the activity or mood.

A Hollywood mirror is the extra panache your glow-up needs. Opt for a sleek option where the lighting is recessed within the frame of the mirror as opposed to the bulky light-bulb style. For those moments of self-care the mirror light alone with a few candles can create the perfect ambience for some R&R.

Tiles

Deciding on a definite theme and colour palette is a must before embarking on tiling your bathroom. While they are not entirely permanent, it is a big job to change tiles once they are fitted. Realistically you will have these tiles for at least 10 years, so you have to love them.

You don’t have to adhere to current trends, unless there’s one you really like. ink long-term, stick to an aesthetic that suits your needs and won’t look dated in a

e slick look of monochrome tiles remain a firm favourite. is season the reliable white subway tile has been replaced with a monochrome print. If you’re brave and ready to embrace colour – bright and uplifting shades are back. ink sorbet colours of pastel pink and seafoam green. If a full-colour block is too much, add a touch of colour to the grouting to make it pop.

Sinks

As our bathrooms have become more luxurious, the unassuming sink is now a statement feature. Gone is the boring white ceramic and in its place is a piece of interest. To bring texture to the bathroom a stone, clay or a granite sink would work well. Easily fitted onto an already existing vanity unit, a stand-alone basin will give your bathroom an instant oomph.

If space isn’t an issue the his & hers double sinks are making a comeback. No more fighting over who brushes their teeth first, matching sinks add a luxurious feel to any bathroom.

To finish off the look, choose alternative metals to chrome for the taps. Warm tones of gold and copper can work well in both a modern or traditional style. If you’re keeping it monochrome why not add a contemporary feel with black matt. It’s sure to have a pitch-perfect effect.

Large and Small Format Tiles | Furniture, Accessories & Ware Large and Small Format Tiles | Furniture, Accessories & Ware Large and Small Format Tiles | Furniture, Accessories & Ware

Lighting behind mirrors adds a touch of five-star class while adding to the sense of space. Below: Standalone sinks with matching monochrome taps make a bold statement.

From

Deluxe Hot Tub with integrated heate

Deluxe Hot Tub with external heater

Ofuro Bath Tub perfect for two people

Wooden Hot Tub relax with family & friends

Sauna Barrel perfect for the garden or backyard

Camping Pod also available as a Sauna

Garden Cube with optional Sauna

Boudoir blight – let’s banish the bedroom bath

THE whole ‘bath in the bedroom’ debate has taken on new significance now that this boudoir blight has made an appearance on the visual bible for Irish property lovers –Home of the Year.

A recent episode of the programme saw this interior design faux pas make yet another unwarranted appearance.

You see some odd things on this show, not least of all the homeowner’s often-strange choice for the ‘red spot’ – their favourite viewpoint.

But imagine my horror to find my girl-crush Amanda Bone getting as excited as she can – so forcing out a gentle smile – when she spotted the aforementioned ‘red spot’ beside a bath which was – oh horror! – installed in the corner of a Co Meath bedroom.

e owners of this otherwise stunning home had made the fatal mistake of putting the tub just a few feet from the bed, obviously thinking this was some kind of nod to chic modern living.

Steam rose – not from said tub, but from my head – as I watched Ms Bone speak of ‘how calming and relaxing’ a bather would find their view of the sky at night, lying prostrate in this ceramic wash-cask.

‘I can understand why it’s their favourite place,’ she gushed, grabbing the big red spot and looking lustfully at the obtrusive bathing barrel.

From that moment on, my fantasy life with Amanda was banished from my daydreams. My imagined surreptitious tryst with this woman would never work, now that she had revealed her leanings toward such dubious design taste.

And as for the woman who made the gauche decision in the first place, well she had already truly irked me. ‘It’s so private, a space to come and relax in after work,’ said Vickie Nolan, whose husband, an architect like my formerly-beloved Amanda, should really know better.

‘Private? PRIVATE?’! I screamed at the telly when she uttered this daftness, pointing maniacally at the screen which showed a large un-curtained window on the left, and similarly stark patio doors on the right. Private? Unless your house is on the Fasnet Rock and this is the middle of a hurricane then, no, this is not private! I can think of nothing more horrific than trying to grab a few minutes of well-earned downtime of an evening, than having no option but to sink myself into a tub of warm water – in a shared bedroom!

Now, don’t get me wrong. I have a longstanding obsession with baths. I have, in fact, dismissed every potential home I have ever viewed if there was no tub involved.

ere is simply nothing better than a long, bubble-some hot-water soak after a stressful day. I do not subscribe to the oft-repeated theory that sitting in a bath is simply a means to stew in your own filth.

I see it more like a flashback to a far more extravagant time in history, when women were encouraged to bathe in everything from sour milk to crocodile faeces, and take their time at it too. ey may even have had the tub filled by a bevy of nubile young men. ough needs must in modern times, so I find a large bottle of Radox, generously fed into the bath filled by my own fair hands, does the trick just as well, thank you very much.

Now, my research does indeed confirm that the bedroom was where the first bathtubs were housed. But in the 19th century, only the upper classes could afford bathtubs at all, and they didn’t have what we now know as the ‘bath room’.

But once humanity made the massive discovery that we could create a private space for the rather unsightly act of washing our nether regions, and more besides, then the bath-room itself became the new status symbol.

Further googling tells me that this modern grá of

chamber tubs has been ‘inspired more by chic hotels than history’ and that the popularity of bathtubs in bedrooms has ‘grown over the past ten years’.

But why, oh why, silly humans? ere is nothing relaxing about it.

Let anyone who shares a room with their partner or –worse still – an entire family of annoying humans – tell me that having a bath in your bedroom will reduce your blood pressure.

It’s difficult enough to negotiate 20 minutes in the washroom without the man of the house wanting to pee, preen or just locate his headache tablets in the same space.

en there’s the various children who seem drawn –like magnets – to said bathing room, as soon as the lock clicks on the door, seeking comfort for a scratched knee, enquiring about a biscuit, or the location of a lost sock.

In our house we have the added complication of two cats who are mesmerised by the sound of running water and are instantly led, zombie-like, to the source.

ey love nothing better than sitting on the side of the tub, eerily dangling a clawed paw over the bubbles, usually in the vicinity of my vulnerable toes, like a deadly weapon, ready to detonate if I move too suddenly under the surface.

en, add to this the relocation of said tub to the hallowed halls of the bedroom and you have a recipe for off-the-scale chaos, not to mention a husband who will no doubt synchronise his viewing of the Champions League with your evening dip.

So, no, my friends. I will not be plonking a large ceramic wash bowl anywhere in my bedroom, should this increasingly creepy trend gain a foothold in the homes of West Cork.

Bathrooms or bedrooms. But never the twain should meet.

Siobhán Cronin is no fan of the increasingly common sight of a bath in the boudoir. Ban it immediately, she says, before it becomes a ‘thing’

Blindingly brilliant

IF you’re planning on sprucing up your interiors this spring, add extra curb-appeal to your home with well-dressed windows. While curtains become more accessible with readymade options, the clear winner in window style is blinds. From romans to rollers to the technologically advanced, window shopping just got more interesting.

In recent years, Jerry Connolly of West Cork Carpets has seen a decrease in the popularity of curtains, with customers opting for blinds instead.

‘People are looking to dress their windows with blinds as opposed to curtains these days,’ says Connolly. ‘Blinds provide a neater look with roller and vertical blinds being the main contenders.’

He attributes their popularity to their versatility in not only style but practicality too.

‘A roller blind is a very stylish option and is a great fit for any room in the house,’ Jerry explains. ‘ ey come in any colour you can think of and can be motorised or manual. Blinds are also designed to keep the drafts out and the heat in.’

In the era of Dermot Bannon-type new-builds, where floor-to-ceiling glass reigns supreme, blinds are the only practical option. Elaine Doolan of Albany Fusion Home has embraced the interiors trend by specialising in the supply and fit of Duette and Silhouette shades.

‘ e Duette is a very popular option thanks to its sleek design and the technology behind it too,’ explains Doolan. ‘Some fabrics in the Duette range have an A++ rating, making them extraordinarily energy-efficient by keeping more heat in during the winter and cooler in the summer.’

e versatility of the Duette blind makes it ideal for every type of window and door.

‘ e beauty of the Duette shade is how it fits seamlessly with almost every window type from sliding doors to tilt and turn windows and doors,’ says Doolan. ‘Based on your needs the beloved top-down bottom-up operation can be customized to provide the right amount of light and privacy.’

A 21st century upgrade to the Venetian style blind, the Silhouette shades are designed to showcase stunning views without the harsh glare of the sun.

e Duette is a very popular option thanks to its sleek design and the technology behind it too. is style of blind offers excellent energy efficiency in hot and cold weather.

Blinds can be motorised, fully automated and controlled from anywhere – not just the house – so you can even open and close them while you’re away.

e Silhouette Clear View shade is immensely popular for those wanting to ‘bring the outside in.’

Practicality, versatility and style have led to a resurgence in the popularity of blinds in recent years – and it’s a trend that’s set to continue, writes Paula Burns

‘

e Silhouette Clear View shade is immensely popular for those wanting to bring the outside in,’ says Doolan.

e technology behind the blinds doesn’t stop here. For Doolan who is a self acclaimed lover of gadgets, the magic happens in the motorisation of the blinds.

‘I love gadgets so this is definitely my gig,’ says Doolan. ‘ e blinds are fully automated and can be controlled from anywhere, so you can open and close them while you’re away from the house. e Silhouette can also work on a timer meaning you can set them at sunrise or sunset.’

At Burkes of Bantry, Jessie Hegarty has seen the same enthusiasm from customers for motorised blinds. While they may be more costly at the purchase time he believes they will save you money and heartache over time.

‘I’ve seen blinds that have been handled over the years and they always end up frayed, crooked with the chain broken and dirty,’ explains Hegarty. ‘I have a customer who opted for a motorised blind in their conservatory 10 years ago and they still look brand new.’ For those looking to dress their windows with a traditional curtain, they shouldn’t fret over the fear of not being in vogue. While the Roman and roller blinds remain popular, customers are still opting for curtains.

‘ ere’s still a demand for curtains in the good sitting room and the master bedroom,’ says Hegarty.

anks to improvements in ready-made curtains, finding a look to suit your interior style is made easier.

‘ ere is a world of different curtains out there in terms of fabric but what customers find the most difficult is the fall of the curtain. It’s break your heart stuff,’ says Hegarty. ‘Ready-made curtains, over the last 15 years have come-up in their standards significantly.’

When choosing a curtain, whether it is ready-made or made-to-measure by a skilled curtainmaker, Hegarty recommends a wave curtain.

‘You want the curtain the fall seamlessly without any bulk,’ explains Hegarty, ‘In terms of style, the wave curtain has become very popular. It’s almost a contemporary version of the eye-let curtain but without all the problems.’

When it comes to choosing a colour for either curtains or blinds, all three experts agree that neutral tones are the dominating choice.

‘Our blinds and curtains are available in any colour, however customers seem to prefer neutral colours,’ says Jerry Connolly at West Cork Carpets. ‘Grey remains a popular choice.’

With this in mind Jessie Hegarty recommends going for a pop of colour in the kitchen while keeping the rest of the house neutral.

‘You want your window dressing to be functional and not to dominate,’ explains Hegarty. ‘Introduce colour and texture through your cushions and accessories instead.’

Perhaps blurring the lines between a blind and a curtain, wave curtains fall seamlessly without any bulk and are a very popular, contemporary option.

FLOORED!

FOR some time now, the smoother surfaces have been taking over to the detriment of the fluffy ones in Ireland. It’s a trend that established itself firmly from the 1990s onwards and is probably a combination of going for brighter cleaner look and keeping it healthier. It’s all a matter of taste of course, but when considering the floor covering for any space, these are the key points to consider:

• Durability; time passes fast and you don’t want to have to replace your flooring every decade if you can help it.

• Slip resistance; the fewer falls you and your family have, the happier you will be. • Low maintenance; happiness is also about keeping your household chores to a minimum.

Carpets are still a go-to choice for many people. ere’s no doubting their benefits, which is that they bring physical warmth, opulence and cosiness. On the other hand, it’s the floor-cover choice that involves the highest maintenance. ey get stained more easily and attract liquids and dirt and the cleaning process is often a bit more difficult than, say, with a tiled surface. ere are wool carpets and synthetic carpets. e wool carpet is more hypoallergenic and the maintenance is higher. Many modern synthetic carpets can be cleaned using bleach – something to consider when you have pets and/ or children in your home. e pure wool carpet, however, has the best longevity in terms of its looks and quality.

Laminates are the least expensive options and many people like them for their lowmaintenance, clean-cut look, not to mention the large range of finishes. Although there are laminates which come with built-in underlay layers, it’s always advisable to put in an underlay to reduce the noise level completely. As always, there is a potential price to pay when you buy cheaply. In the case of laminate, wet spillage can cause it to blister, for example. Also, the wear and tear on a laminate surface can’t be repaired in the same way that it can with a solid timber floor. Once you’ve worn through the laminate surface, it’s gone.

Wood flooring is getting increasingly rare these days as the cost of hardwood timber has rocketed through the 2000s, even though the price has somewhat stabilised in the last few years. Once you look after your timber floor, it’s a choice for life and there is a good range of styles and tones to suit any room. e trend these days is for the more Scandinavian style whitewashed floor. Many of the whitewash finishes that are popular these days tend to be more of a matte finish – a subdued and subtle look that will work with anything, offsetting furnishings and wall hangings. Cooler greys and browns are also very popular and people are also choosing longer and wider planks. It tends to give a

Flooring can be a devisive topic, with many preferring the luxury and warmth of carpets, while others go for the practical, hygienic attributes of harder materials. Conor Power puts his best foot forward and considers the options

Above: Although solid wooden floors are less common these days – largely due to cost – options like this Scandinavian style whitewashed timber floor are still popular. Above right: Laminates are a cost-effective option when looking at alternatives to carpet. Many people like them for their low-maintenance, clean-cut look, not to mention the large range of finishes.

Wool carpets are the ultimate in underfoot warmth and luxury but synthetic options (below) do have benefits when it comes to pets, hygiene and durability.

stronger notion of space in a room, as well as being redolent of a traditional/vintage kind of solidity.

Semi-solid or engineered flooring is the halfway house between the laminate and the solid timber floor. It offers most of the advantages of the solid wood floor but at a cheaper price. Unlike the standard laminate (essentially, a picture of a wood floor surface over layers of high-density fibre board), the semi-solid has a layer of hardwood timber over a softwood core. e hardwood layer can be between 2mm and 8mm in depth, depending on the quality of the product. ey can be sanded and polished like a solid wood floor and, if fitted well, they’re impossible to distinguish from the solid wood floor. ere’s even a good sustainability argument in favour of the semi-sold floor as its uses far less hardwood than the solid wood floor.

Vinyl is the option that’s the most Marmite-esque. Many people still associate vinyl as the plasticated flooring of choice of 1960s Irish farmhouses and practically-furnished urban rentals. Lino floors have grown in popularity in recent decades, however, as people discover their huge range of patterns and their soft comfortable feel. With the choice of tiles or rolls, it’s also quite cheap and easy to install and it’s always a strong option for bathrooms and kitchens.

Tiles are the choice of flooring of our continental neighbours with homes in warmer climes, where the objective is to keep the interior cool rather than warm. at said, however, tiles offer a very wide range of superbly hardwearing looks. ere are also many levels of finish, with plenty of choice in matte finishes to avoid slipping. For homes with underfloor heating, tiles can be a very energy-efficient choice, turning the notion of the ‘cold tile’ on its head.

Best and worst for asthmas sufferers

With Ireland amongst the highest in Europe for the number of asthmatics per head of population (currently fifth in the EU), you need to consider what floorings work best and worst from a hypoallergenic perspective. e softer the surface, the easiesr it is for dust mites and other allergens to flourish. Carpet flooring is the worst. Both laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are the best options for asthmatics, with both surfaces offering the least opportunities for allergens to get comfortable. Solid timber floors and tiles are also asthma-friendly but to a lesser extent. In fact, the general move away from carpet flooring and towards the smoother flooring options may have something to do with the fact that asthma rates in Ireland have been coming down in recent years.

St p

Vinyl floor coverings – for a while almost banished to the history books – are again proving popular due to their easy installation, low cost and huge range of styles.

Love your lawn

AS spring awakens and we bid goodbye to the hibernation of winter, we start to see our gardens bursting into life once more. Out of the dark comes the light and the sounds of spring are brought to life with birds chirping and lawn mowers spluttering into action. Yes, after months of being retired to the shed for some much- needed R ‘n’ R it’s time to get the mower back doing what it does best.

Before you go all Edward Scissorhands on the grass, just like a surgeon you need to prep the patient before cutting in. Horticulturist manager at Bandon Co-Op, Sean Browne, recommends sending the mower for a service prior to the first cut of the season.

‘ e most important thing you need to do before any remedial treatment on your grass is have your lawn mower serviced,’ says Browne. ‘ is will ensure it’s ready to see you through the season and it will be working at full capacity.’

Once you’ve given the mower an NCT, it can be very tempting to give the grass a good old blade one. Don’t! According to Browne, cutting the grass right down to the soil is the worst thing you can do if you want that enviable green lawn.

‘Start cutting the grass at your highest level and gradually bring it down. You should just be giving it a trim,’ explains Browne. ‘Cutting it right down will only encourage moss and clover to grow and you don’t want that.’

Now that you have avoided disaster, it’s time to look at how to get rid of those pesky weeds and moss.

‘After a long wet winter like we have had, the biggest problem for lawns is moss,’ explains Browne. ‘In this part of the country there’s no limestone and so the soil is very acidic which in turn causes moss to grow.’

Killing off the unsightly moss can be an arduous job. A liquid moss killer such as Lawn Buster can be applied to the area with a watering can. is will turn the moss black but you will have to rake it out to prevent it regrowing. However, according to Browne, there are organic alternatives that are less backbreaking.

‘I recommend using a moss killer that will disintegrate the moss while adding goodness to the soil,’ says Browne. ‘A moss killer like Lawn Gold contains potassium, calcium and nitrogen. e potassium breaks down the moss meaning you don’t have to rake it out, the calcium stops it from re-growing and the nitrogen makes the lawn greener.’

Once the moss is killed off, Browne advises adding lawn seed on to the clear patches to avoid the weed and moss growing again.

Attaining the golf-course-type lawn that will leave your neighbours green with envy isn’t just about getting rid of the weeds. By looking after what lies beneath and providing the soil with the nutrients it craves you will see it thrive.

‘Investing in the soil, taking care of it throughout the year is extremely important to having a great lawn,’ says Browne. ‘I would recommend applying lawn seed in April and then again towards the end of the season in September. e lawn also needs feeding throughout the year. I would use organic feeds as chemical fertilisers do little for the soil. is way, over time you will have a much better looking lawn.’

ere’s good news for those who dread raking the grass and love a gadget. Keeping things organic, it turns out that using the cut grass itself can be a game changer to achieving that luscious lawn. Making a robotic lawn mower the perfect garden appliance.

‘When you rake the grass after cutting it, you are taking away the goodness from the soil making it more tired,’ explains Browne. ‘In the last stage of the season you want to start mulching with the offcut grass. You want small cuts, not big clumps. When you use a robotic lawn mower the grass always looks well maintained because it is returning the grass back into the soil.’

What’s good for the soil is inevitably good for the grass. So give the soul or should we say soil of your lawn the love it deserves.

Horticulturist manager at Bandon Co-Op, Sean Browne says ‘taking care of it throughout the year is extremely important to having a great lawn.’ Below: A robotic lawnmower makes regular fine cuts and feeds the cut grass back into the soil without smothering the lawn.

Paula Burns gets expert advice from a local horticulturist on what to do now, and throughout the year, in order to have your lawn looking its very best

Making the most of a tiny garden ...

BY JOYCE RUSSELL

MOST town houses only have a small garden where a lawn or patio may take up half the space. Tiny gardens can be beautiful and they can reflect the owners individual style and taste. You can use small spaces to grow fruit and vegetables as well as decorative plants – the secret is some careful planning and to use what you can to maximise the space.

You will need to water in a dry spell and may need to top up nutrients in small beds and containers by using extra feeds.

Plan before you act

We all act on impulse and can buy plants without finding out how big they might grow. If your garden is tiny, then choose dwarf varieties, or ones bred to grow in a container, when choosing trees and shrubs. You can still grow fruit in this way, if you want, but buy a pair of secateurs and be prepared to prune the tree every year to the size that fits.

Plan where beds will go and what you will grow in them. Children love a tiny plot of their own so include them in the plan – even growing just one or two edible treats can make memories for a lifetime.

Just one small bed

Four pieces of timber screwed together at the ends can make a square frame that’s just the right size for a raised garden bed. You can convert a bit of lawn if you strip out the sods of grass underneath, then fill the frame with compost and you are all set to get growing. If you want to make a small kitchen garden, then a 2m square bed can grow a surprising amount to eat – keep sowing more to replace what’s finished and keep picking and using any treats as they come ready.

ink vertical!

Climbing plants are a great way to cover fences and walls but all need some support. You can fix wires, trellis, or netting in place and use these to grow a wall of peas – sweet ones for scented flowers and podding ones to eat. Or you can plant and train a fruit tree to cover the wall.

You can use a wall as an upright garden by fixing in place any container that will hold compost. Sections of guttering are easy to fix on the side of a fence or a shed. Use stop ends to prevent the compost sliding out and be prepared to water often if the weather is dry.

ink containers

Buy big ceramic ones if you want and hide cheaper plastic options at the back. Black plastic buckets, with holes drilled in the bottom, make excellent growing containers for a variety of fruit and vegetables. Line them against a sunny wall for growing tomatoes and add a few bamboo canes if you want to grow climbing beans. Containers need water every day in dry conditions so make sure there’s a tap and watering can nearby.

Make a pallet planter

Move a few boards around to make planting channels in an old wooden pallet and paint it what colour you want. Fill each channel with good compost and you have three rows available for growing plants. Try a mix of salad and flowers if you want an attractive and productive mix. Or use as a herb garden and keep the planter near the kitchen door. I’ve seen pallet planters against walls on city streets where houses would otherwise have no garden at all. ey certainly brighten things up and grow more than you imagine in a tiny space.

is page, clockwise from main: Try a gutter garden on the wall of a shed; Children love a tiny plot to grow edible treats; A pretty way to use an old wooden pallet.

(Photos: Ben Russell)

... or a large one

EVEN if you have lots of land, I’d urge you to start gardening on a smaller scale and add a bit more each year as you know what the demands are and understand better how you want to expand.

An ornamental garden takes a lot of work in construction and expense for buying all the plants. Once it is fully formed, however, this takes less work than the maintaining of a large and continually changing vegetable plot.

Most people aim for a mix – make sure paths, taps, protective hedges etc are in place and plan, plan, plan for what you want to grow where. You may need to create terraces if growing on a slope and you should think about drainage if growing in a boggy corner.

How big is too big?

A big garden means you can grow a wide variety of beautiful plants and you may also grow a year round supply of fruit and vegetables. is can be a hugely fulfilling process, but it can also tie you in to a year-round schedule of garden tasks. If you want to take a holiday, it’s much easier to ask a neighbour to mind a smaller and efficient space than a large unruly one.

If you are a keen gardener, then go as big as you can cope with. If not, then aim for something that is easy to stay on top of – shrubs and bark mulch can create easy-care areas. You may want to divide spaces into areas for play, sitting, fruit trees, herbaceous borders, vegetable plot, rockery, ponds and so on. Larger plots usually evolve over the years, so don’t expect to get everything perfect all at once.

Equipment

A large garden demands more machinery and tools. A robust mower and strimmer/trimmer are essential if you have cut edges, grass paths and lawns. Long handled pruning tools are needed for big apple trees and loppers are useful for smaller ones. Some gardeners use a mechanical cultivator for turning the soil on large vegetable beds, others prefer a large fork or shovel for flipping over sods. A rechargeable battery leaf blower is an extremely useful tool for clearing fallen leaves, or scattered debris, and you won’t get much done without a strong and stable wheelbarrow or garden cart.

Compost and mulch

A big garden needs lots of feed – make as much compost as you can and buy in manure by the trailer load. A structure with several bays to contain segregated fresh and well-rotted stuff is very useful, but at a minimum, a tarpaulin or recycled polythene will make a good cover for a manure pile.

Mulch is the saviour of time and effort spent on weeding a large garden. Some mulches provide nutrients at the same time – just be sure you don’t introduce lots more weed seeds with your mulch material.

Polytunnel or greenhouse

What can I say! I am passionate about growing under cover. In our climate you can have a wide range of excellent fruit and vegetables all year round. If you have a big garden then a polytunnel or greenhouse makes lots of sense.

is page, from top: A large garden can expand and change over time; Go for a polytunnel or greenhouse for year-round gardening fun, plus tasty homegrown food; Make sure you have the proper tools and equipment for a large garden – a leaf blower and a wellmaintained lawnmower being two mainstays. (Photos: Ben Russell and Shutterstock)

Polytunnels are cheaper and easier to put up on a sloping site. You get more protected space for your money and strong polythene can last for decades. A glasshouse looks prettier and glass doesn’t lose clarity with age. A greenhouse tends to be less humid than a polytunnel.

Plenty of paths

If you have a large garden then you need good ways to move around it. is isn’t just about paths wide enough to push a barrow between beds. Although that is important, it’s equally vital to plot routes that allow you to wander and enjoy all the beauty and delights of your garden space.

Outside the box!

BY PAULA BURNS

MERGING the indoors with the outdoors is the ultimate home and garden trend –especially since early 2020 – and one which is showing no sign of waning. In Ireland we may not have the weather for outdoor living all year round, but for those precious days that the sun does we love nothing better than chilling in the garden. If for some reason you haven’t done so already, now is the time to start treating your garden like an extra room and make it the secret gem of your home.

Light the way

A clever use of stylish lighting will create an outdoor living space that will shine bright no matter what the weather.

If your patio area is a seamless extension of the indoor space take your interior style through to the garden. Choose wall lights that are in unity with the theme of your interiors. ey will provide extra illumination and security for the outdoor living space.

If you’re looking to create a cosier atmosphere, look to freestanding solar lighting. ese are maintenance free and can be scattered throughout the garden. ink individual light bulbs strung from trees and shrubs or add pretty hanging lanterns mixed with colourful plant pots to a trellis. Create an otherworldly feel with mix of festooned fairy lights and funky light bulbs peaking from the shrubbery.

Take a seat

When it comes to garden furniture, gone are the days of having an old rusty table and chairs. is season, elevate your garden with patio furniture you want to relax in.

When deciding on garden furniture, visualise how you want the space to work. Will you be entertaining friends and family or will it be a quiet space for you to curl up with a book?

If hosting is your thing, look to the boho vibes of Mediterranean living. An old wooden dining table can be easily up cycled with outdoor paint and a pretty tablecloth. Transport your guests back to sunnier destinations. Decorate with pretty lanterns and wild flowers for a laid-back affair.

For after-dinner drinks, create a sociable alfresco lounge area. Make it cosy with an L-shaped sofa adorned with comfy cushions and an easy to reach coffee table.

Turn up the heat

Long sunny days can often linger to sunset drinks. Once the sun starts setting so does the chill. To avoid having to bring the drinks back inside investing in an outdoor heater is a must.

If you’re tight on a space a small chiminea is ideal for adding some heat to your evening. A little bigger but in keeping with the same style, the fire pit is currently having a moment. ese can be portable or built-in depending on your space. If you’re going for a boho, beachy vibe, the fire pit is sure too dial up the heat on your look.

If the wood-burning option feels like too much work and mess, a gas-fuelled fire is the ideal alternative. With just a flick of a switch you can have a statement feature that will keep you warm all night long.

Quirky lighting (there are plenty of solar options that charge throughout the day) paired with comfortable seating, makes for a relaxed vibe perfect for a quiet read or an chat late into the night.

Firepits like this portable version, or something built-in if you have space, are the perfect way to add character and warmth to your outdoor space.

Under my umbrella

While the cloud cover in Ireland acts as its own shade there are days when escaping the glaring sun is needed.

Awnings are not just for business use. ey can be a neat and stylish way to provide cover from not only the sun and summer showers too.

An electric awning works well over an integrated patio. Designed to fit seamlessly above the patio doors, when retracted they won’t take away from the over-all aesthetic.

If your seating area is further down the garden invest in a sturdy parasol. A cantilever parasol covers a large area and it can be tilted to follow the sun. Make sure the base is sturdy (put it on wheels for easy movement) to avoid the parasol escaping to the next garden during windy days.

Final touches

Like any makeover it’s the small touches that create the biggest impact. Firstly decide on the theme of your garden. For example is it boho chic or French fancy? Whatever the style, accessories will help to complete the look.

Add texture to the area with oversized cushions and blankets. An outdoor rug will define the space. Introduce your unique style with your favourite candles and cute lanterns. Use potted plants for a splash of colour.

People may joke about the lack of sunshine in Ireland, but the reality is there are days in summer when it can be quite strong, and especially if you’re sitting out for a while. ere are every space.

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Tackling Japanese knotweed

Notoriously di cult to control, this invasive species needs to be handled with care, writes Conor Power

FROM a distance, it’s a florally impressive and exotic sight redolent of the Far East, but Fallopia Japonica (or Japanese knotweed in the vernacular) is one of the most invasive of invasive plant species to arrive on our shores.

e plant has been around for longer than a lot of people realise. Horticulturists here believe that it has been in Ireland since the 19th century – a period when it became so fashionable for French and British imperial invaders to bring back to Europe some of the floral spoils of foreign occupation.

In recent years, the propensity for Japanese knotweed to take over public areas has assured its place in the news, with all the difficulties in keeping it controlled along roadsides and streams. If you have Japanese knotweed in your own garden, it’s relatively straightforward to control it by following certain strick guidelines.

e main problem with Japanese knotweed is that, unlike many weeds, cutting it won’t make it stop growing. e resilient plant sees being strimmed or cut back as an opportunity to spread its seed even wider and every little bit that the plant gets chopped into just sprouts a new plant where it lands.

It also crowds out other species and poisons the soil for them, quickly becoming the dominant plant in certain wild areas, particularly along the aforementioned roadsides, streams and riversides.

How to recognise it

Fallopia Japonica is a perennial with small white flowers that grow in clusters and it has a bamboo-like stem. It flowers from August to October. It can grow up to three metres in height and has very distinctive heart-shaped green leaves with flat bases and which grow in a zig-zag pattern along the shrub’s stem.

e plant grows underground using a system called rhizomes. Also known as creeping rootstalks, these are root-like growths that grow horizontally and which are found in a number of other species, including rhubarb, Bermuda grass and ginger. e rhizomes are quite easy to identify, with their knotted, woody appearance, white shoots and bright orange interiors.

e underground root structure can be quite extensive. Usually, the length of the rhizomes goes to about five metres but can extend to as long as seven metres in some cases. Beneath a healthy Japanese knotweed plant, the structure can be up to two metres deep, so don’t imagine

that you can dig out a wide root structure that’s buried six feet under.

What to do

Under the law, you have a duty to report the presence of the shrub if you find it on public property. If it is on private property that doesn’t belong to you, you should inform that owner.

Under Regulations 49 and 50 of the European Community’s Birds and Natural Habitats Regulations of 2011, it is an offence to:

• Plant, disperse, allow dispersal or cause the spread of Fallopia Japonica

• Keep the plant in your possession for the purposes of sale, breeding, reproduction, propagation, distribution, introduction or release

• Keep anything from which the plant may be reproduced or propagated without a granted licence

• Keep any ‘vector material’; in this case, soil or spoil taken from Fallopia Japonica, for the purposes of breeding, distribution, introduction or release. Anyone with the plant on their property has an obligation to remove it. For this, you will need advice and outside help. e steps to take to make your Japanese knotweed disappear begin by contacting the National Parks and Wildlife Service. eir website is www.npws.ie and on the ‘contact-us’ page, there are links to the various divisions. For West Cork, the area is the South West Division while Mid-South Division covers the rest of Cork County. You can also try ringing them on 01-888 2000. ey will advise you from here.

Licensed specialists

You can also get in touch with a licensed contractor to deal with the dreaded weed. ere are various companies operating locally, such as Cork-based Japanese Knotweed Ireland (japaneseknotweedireland.ie), which deals with a range of other invasive species too. ey will send a specialist out to assess and deal with the problem. is usually involves injecting a special weed killer directly into the plant. Be aware, however, that one treatment may not be enough and it is normal practice to monitor an infected area over a five-year period.

Fallopia Japonica or Japanese knotweed is a perennial with small white flowers that grow in clusters and a bamboo-like stem.

Barbecue season

Like so many of us, Helen Riddell loves a good barbecue. With summer fast approaching, she examines the options, including the increasing popularity of outdoor pizza ovens

IF you’re deciding to bite the barbecue bug this year and make the most of a West Cork summer with meals cooked al-fresco, there’s a whole array of barbecue cooking options to choose from.

But, before you even hit the shops there’s a number of things to take into consideration. What size is your outdoor space? How many people will you realistically be catering for? What budget do you have? Do you have the patience to cook with charcoal or do you prefer the ease of cooking with gas? Finally, do you have somewhere to store your barbecue during the winter months?

Charcoal

Most people associate barbecues with charcoal, which is traditionally the most popular form of barbecue cooking and for the distinctive chargrilled taste it gives, particularly when cooking with meat. Charcoal barbecues come in a whole range of sizes, with one to fit every type of outdoor space, from larger grills to small portable steel buckets and even disposable barbecues for picnics. If you do opt for a charcoal barbecue you will need to be patient. Charcoal is slow to heat up and can take up to 15-20 minutes, but once the embers are hot they retain their heat and are slow to cool down, you can easily cook a starter, mains and even desert on one light of charcoal. You can also add seasoned woodchips or herbs which impart a great taste to food. However, care needs to be taken when cooking with charcoal, there’s more risk of fire-related injuries, and you need to make sure that meat is thoroughly and evenly cooked. ere’s also more clean-up involved afterwards including the disposal of ashes.

Build it and they will come!

If you have the space, you could always design and build your own charcoal barbecue. All you need is need is cement, bricks, a spirit level, a coal grate and a trowel, and

for those confident in attempting DIY there’s plenty of online guides, or you can employ a local builder. No matter what type of charcoal barbecue you go for, check out the size and material of the cooking grill before you buy. Chrome plated will look good when new, but they need thorough cleaning after every use. Also check the size of the bars, you don’t want them too wide that smaller items fall through. Stainless steel grills tend to be the most durable and are easy to clean and maintain. Cast iron grills hold the heat and cook food evenly but these need regular cleaning and seasoning, even when not in regular use.

Disposable

If you do use a disposable barbecue for picnics, it is imperative to light it away from dry grass and any combustive material and then make sure it is safely extinguished and cooled down before you move it.

Gas

If you decide to purchase a gas barbecue, whilst they are generally more expensive, they ignite with the push of a button and once the temperature rises su you’re ready to start cooking straight

Gas barbecues are quick, clean and easy to control. However, food cooked on gas does lack the ‘smoky’ charm of that cooked over coal or wood.

away. As the temperature is easily regulated, food is cooked more evenly, and with no ashes, they’re easier to clean and maintain. Gas barbecues can vary in size depending on the number of cooking burners, and you can find a more compact one to fit smaller outdoor spaces. Depending on how often you use it, a gas bottle can last for more than one summer, and they’re more convenient in the changeable Irish weather. Whilst gas barbecues are generally easier to use, food can lack the distinctive barbecue chargrill taste, and being larger you will need somewhere to store them over the winter months.

Location

Whatever option you decide to go for, when you’re deciding where to place your barbecue, make sure it’s near enough to the kitchen, you don’t want to be trekking from one end of the garden into the house for forgotten utensils or food items. From personal experience, siting our barbecue at the top of a hilly garden, whilst there’s fantastic sea views from the nearby seating area, it’s a long trek down to the kitchen if you’ve forgotten the ketchup! When summer draws to an end, think about where you’re going to store your barbecue over the winter months, and to make sure it doesn’t attract any unwanted visitors make sure you give it a good clean before putting it away.

Pizza ovens

In recent years pizza ovens have become more popular for outdoor cooking, with a variety on offer from topof-the-range styles to much cheaper options. e best pizza ovens cook at extremely high temperatures, around 450C/900F! and they typically feature either a stone or brick base which, when heated up, gives that distinctive crispiness and texture of an authentic Italian style pizza. Like barbecues, pizza ovens can be heated via propane gas or wood-fired.

If you want to try out a cheaper pizza oven before investing in a larger more expensive model, smaller options are available which fit on top of a standard charcoal barbecue. With a pizza oven there’s the added fun of making up your pizzas with and trying varieties of toppings and sauces, and maybe even pineapple!

But no matter what method of outdoor cooking you decide on this summer, there’s nothing like the taste food cooked and eaten outdoors on a summer’s evening!

Clockwise from top left: Kebabs cooking on a traditional charcoal barbecue. Freestanding pizza ovens are clean and convenient. A built in pizza oven makes a wonderful focal point for your outdoor space.

Government supported 27,200 home energy upgrades in 2022

THE Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Eamonn Ryan and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) published a report recently giving details of the almost 27,200 home energy upgrades supported through Governmentfunded SEAI grant schemes in 2022. is is the first of a regular planned quarterly update on progress against the Climate Action Plan target to upgrade 500,000 homes to BER B2 or better by 2030. Among the key insights in the report are:

• 27,199 property upgrades were completed in 2022, up almost 80% on the previous year

• Of these upgrades, 4.438 were fully funded upgrades for low-income households, up 85% year on year.

• 437 Approved Housing Body homes were supported under the One-StopShop Scheme and an additional 95 low-income houses were supported under the Community Energy Grants Scheme.

• Roof and cavity wall insulation measures, the simplest thing you can do to maintain heat in your home, grew by 107% between 2021 and 2022

• e number of homes upgraded to a BER B2 almost doubled, to 8,481

• SEAI processed more than 50,000 grant applications across all schemes in 2022 – up 140% on 2021

• SEAI registered 12 One Stop Shop service providers, all of whom commenced operations

• Capital expenditure on the national retrofit programme was €188 million in 2022, up 90% on 2021

• 40.27kt CO2 emissions savings in 2022, an improvement of more than 80% on 2021

Minister Ryan said: ‘ e National Residential Retrofit Plan is extremely

ambitious, and it has to be. Our aim is to retrofit 500,000 homes to a BER rate of B2 and install 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes by 2030, to make them warmer, healthier, more cost efficient and better for our environment. e message from the most recent IPCC report on climate is clear. We need to go further and faster in tackling climate change. However, this same report says that we have the solutions, including the solutions to implement better energy efficiency which retrofitting is all about.

‘Momentum in retrofit is building. SEAI supported 15,000 home energy upgrades in 2021, 27,200 last year and will deliver 37,000 this year. I have confidence we will meet this target given the strong pipeline of work in place. We have everything to gain by ramping up year on year – better homes, cheaper bills and less use of polluting and climate damaging fossil fuels.’

Minister Ryan added: ‘I particularly welcome the delivery of almost 4,450 fully funded upgrades for households at risk of energy poverty. ese energy upgrades are a crucial support for low-income households during this period of high energy bills.’

Dr Ciaran Byrne, Director of National Retrofit at SEAI said: ‘Overall, significant delivery targets for home energy upgrades were achieved last year. It is evident from this report that momentum in applications and delivery of home upgrades built steadily through the year. However, the factors driving uptake of home energy upgrades including increased grant levels, One Stop Shop service launch, cost of living and energy crises, were somewhat offset by the impacts of inflation, labour shortages and supply chain delays on contractors’ ability to capitalise on the demand. is led to a situation where, for

much of the year, there was an unmet demand for home energy upgrades.

e One Stop Shop and contractor base is continuing to scale up to meet

this burgeoning demand. Construction sector inflation and material supply chain constraints are likely to remain significant risks in the medium term.’

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