Home & Garden Summer 2013

Home Garden &

Summer/Autumn 2013 www.southernstar.ie

Interior Design | Gardening | Bathrooms | Extensions | Loft Conversions

Your guide to the perfect West Cork home & garden

02

Home&Garden

Welcome to our Home & Garden summer/autumn magazine The general consensus seems to be that so far, our West Cork summer this year has been ‘pretty good’ albeit with a slight blip that we’re experiencing this week!

Nevertheless, as we start to look ahead towards Autumn, now is a good time to think about and plan home improvement and garden related projects. With the housing market still appearing fairly quiet (although some small encouraging signs are beginning to emerge) many people are turning their energy and budgets toward improving and enhancing their existing home .

Inside we hope you’ll find some ideas and advice for developing your home and garden in the coming months.

All the best, The Southern Star team

Home&Garden

If you can’t move,

03

why not extend?

Running out of space? Growing family?

Can’t afford to move? Why not extend instead?

Get it right and you can create the home and space you always wanted as well as actually increasing the value of your property in the process. It’s generally accepted that there are three ways to extend your home – up, out or down:

Up – loft conversions

Transforming your attic is one of the best ways to add space if you don’t want to sacrifice part of your garden or driveway and it has also been found to be the best way to improve your property value. In addition converting your loft is generally less costly than other types of extension as apart from the windows, most of the structure is already in place.

The key to a successful loft conversion is getting the layout right. If you’re adding a bedroom, work out where the bed and wardrobe will fit. Or if you’re planning a bathroom, work out where the plumbing will need to go – will there be enough head height for a shower unit?

And think about access carefully. If your conversion means you’ll have to sacrifice an existing bedroom to make way for a staircase, reconsider your plans. Loft conversions are only the most valuable extension when they add a bedroom.

Out – kitchens, sun rooms, garages

As for extending out, a great way to add space to your property is to revamp the kitchen, especially if you enlarge the room by several square metres onto your garden.

French doors can really add to the sense of space by creating a light, airy feel. The kitchen is often the heart of a home, and making the most of yours will not only boost your enjoyment of your property, but will also appeal to other buyers if you ever decide to sell. Best of all, it needn’t be a hugely complicated process. Over the past few years, the planning rules have been relaxed, so you don’t always need permission to build. However, the rules vary by property type and location, so check the local council and central government planning regulations for advice and get in touch with your local planning office before any work begins.

Down – cellars and basements

Last but by no means least, the third way to add space involves digging a little deeper and converting – or in some cases building – a basement. Due to the complexities of the job, this is often the most costly way to extend – as well as the decorating and wiring, you’ll have to get all the groundwork right first. This often involves digging, drainage and laying a floor. This type of extension is most suitable for large properties especially in urban sought-after areas, where square footage is at a premium and so the added value should outweigh the cost. It’s probably not the most cost effective method though if you live in a rural property with exterior space to spare.

Finally, regardless of which direction you decide to extend, take your time to think carefully about what you need both now and in the future. Shop around and meet with architects and tradesmen who have a good local recommendation and always get at least two quotations before embarking on your project.

For more information on building regulations, guidelines and advice visit www.environ.ie

04

Home&Garden

For more space...

Creating a new bedroom in your loft adds value to your home

Bantry Ltd West Cork’s Largest Fashion & Household Department Store Roller Blinds Metal Venetian Blinds Duette Pleated Blinds Vertical Blinds Silhouette Shades Facette Shades Panel Tracks Vinyl & Wooden Shutters Velux Window Blinds

LuxaflexÂŽ inspiration dealers

Designed by Luxaflex Inspired by you www.burkesbantry.ie curtainfloor@burkesbantry.ie

Domestic and Commercial installations No job too big or too small Free measuring service

027 54313

Produce this advertisement and receive 10% off order of blinds valid until September 1st

! p just look u Home&Garden

05

Most attics will provide enough space for one good size room and not only will this create more living/storage space for you and your family but will also add value to your property, perhaps not tomorrow but in the longer term.

Converting your loft into an extra bedroom adds most value to your home followed by an office and then a storage room. Like any home building project though the first thing to do is to have a really good think about what you are trying to achieve.

The first decision is to determine the purpose of the conversion. Is it for extra storage space or another room to live/sleep in? This decision has implications not just in terms of construction but also building regulations. To this end the major issues are headroom and achievable floor area.

The first stage of any attic conversion is a close inspection of the attic space to find out its exact dimensions and whether conversion is feasible. On entering the attic one needs to establish if there is adequate room under the ridge of the roof. A measurement of 2.3 metres is required to allow enough headroom and there must be at least 2 metres clearance above the position of the access stairs.

Due to the slope of the roof and the required access headroom, the feasibility of a attic conversion is dependant upon a minimum height of approximately 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in) measured from the joist to the apex.

Two storey or single storey?

Whether your existing house is a two storey or a bungalow will also impact on which aspects of the building regulations should to be adhered to in the conversion. It is important to note that if you are converting an attic above a two storey building certain building regulations will come into play relating to the existing doors and even ceilings.

Fire doors are required to new habitable areas and the lining of stairwell and extension of fire alarm systems is also considered. Some but not all of these issues are exempt to bungalows converting their attic space.

Insulation

1)

Dо a preliminary survey to assess your loft’s suitability in line with your goals

2) Make a plan

Take some time to clearly establish the following – your objective, budget, timeline, planning regs, choosing a builder/seeing their work etc – it pays to be organised!

3)

Get Professional hеlр Wе’ve all ѕeen programmes on TV аbоut cowboy builders. One оf the moѕt obvious but valuable of attic conversion tips is tо uѕе a reputable аnd experienced building company аnd alwayѕ insist оn sеeing references аnd previous work.

4) Kеер your council

Yоur town council’s Building Control Office will uѕuаllу bе оnlу to happy tо offer attic conversion tips, help аnd support.

5) Conѕіdеr Uѕing An Architect

Although a professional architect cаn sеem a big expense thеre arе ѕеvеrаl reasons why yоu сonѕіder usіng оne. The fіrѕt iѕ obvious. A good architect wіll bе able to turn уour vision intо plans оn paper but hе сan аlsо be used tо project manage and maу hаve а good building company that hе works regularly with to save уоu the hassle оf finding а builder.

6)

Dоn’t bе tempted tо... ... ignore the building regulations and build уour attic conversion wіthоut official approval. This can be а recipe fоr disaster аnd сould cost уоu thousands оf euros nоt to mention making yоur house impossible tо sell.

7) Thіnk Big And Thіnk Light

But, оnе оf thе bеѕt attic conversion tips we сan give, is tо hаve аѕ mаnу аnd аѕ large windows as уоu can tо let thе natural light flood intо the new room.

8)

Gо Green Conserving energy іѕn’t good onlу for the environment, іt is аlѕo good fоr уour wallet. We all knоw that conserving energy аnd uѕіng environmentally friendly materials іs important but uѕіng thеm correctly wіll аlso add еvеn mоre vаluе to yоur loft conversion and property overall

Insulating your attic requires careful consideration as you are trying to achieve the same level of comfort without introducing condensation or dew points within the building fabric and at the same time maintaining ventilation of the roof timbers. There are a number of new insulation and vapour control products on the market that are worth investigating particularly with heating and energy costs on the increase, good insulation ensures that heat is not escaping and keeps the bills lower.

Safety regulations

In most cases attic conversions are exempt from planning permission however if the room is to be used for habitation (for example a bedroom or office), then there are specific regulations covering the means of escape under the building regulations. Again in the case of buildings with more than two storeys, there are also very strict regulations relating to the staircase, specifically that the main staircase of the house, as a final means of escape, is protected, so that if a fire develops in the lower floors of the house, anyone sleeping in the converted attic can escape.

Water supply and heating

If the attic is large enough to accommodate a bathroom, issues that need to be addressed relate to whether you raise the water tank or use a pump. In most cases the cold water storage tank is occupying a central area and is moved to increase usable area. In addition it may not be practical to extend the existing heating system into the attic without significant upgrade. It is worth considering alternative energy means as the area to be heated is quite small, generally less than 50sqm. Solar panels or evacuated tubes could be fitted on the outside of the roof to provide space heating for the additional space as well as providing a considerable level of hot water for the whole house.

While the issues raised above may appear complicated do not be disillusioned, a good architect, builder, or engineer is always happy to provide advice and generally free of charge. Good sources of information include your local Town and/or County Council, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Sustainable Energy Ireland.

Dan McCarthy Builders Skibbereen Ltd Lurriga,Skibbereen 0868398502 Email dan.macltd@yahoo.com

For more information on building regulations, guidelines and advice visit www.environ.ie

28 Pearse Street Clonakilty Co Cork +353 (0)23 883 5412

Great gift Ideas for everyone x

06

Home&Garden

WEST CORK FEATURE PROPERTY

The Lake House Tucked away in the hills outside Schull, this striking contemporary new build sits quietly, intentionally hidden from view.

Divided into two blocks with high-angled white walls and single-pitched black slate roof, you cannot but be struck instantly that this home is something just a little out of the norm.

Once the sale of the land was agreed, owner Terry O’Driscoll (a qualified interior designer) grabbed his architect’s cap and got busy at his drawing board. With a few house designs already under his belt and having studied the rural planning guide backwards, Terry engaged his creativity and the results are what we see today.

Constructed to resemble two traditional, linked lean-tos, and although modern in design, the sleek clean-lined look of the house blends successfully with the surrounding rugged landscape.

With no access road, an unpredictable site and the house’s intended proximity to the lake, this was a brave and difficult build. However, as Terry explains, all the hurdles were overcome by having a fantastic team working with him.

First called was his cousin and builder Bernard O’Driscoll.

Kevin Lynch dealt with the engineering while Denny

O’Donoghue got started on the ground and lake work.

Glenview Heating cracked on with the plumbing and solar with Brian Collins doing the electrics.

Just a little over 18 months later it was time for Clayton to start on the tiling and for family and friends to come on board and get their paint brushes out.

The entrance to the house, which is actually at the rear, is centred between the two blocks – one of which consists of the living area, while the bedrooms and bathrooms are neatly contained in the other.

07

Home&Garden Inside, the house has brilliant white walls, 15-foot ceilings and windows facing virtually every direction, so it’s ultra bright, spacious and airy.

Divided into three defined sections, the stunning living area is semi-open plan, with cleverly hidden sliding glass doors allowing easy separation.

Two chocolate leather sofas, a winged fireside armchair and a chunky wooden coffee table tastefully anchor the living room. The feature wall has been skilfully arranged, incorporating a fireplace, bookshelves and entertainment with an un-missable rustic log display. The remaining furniture is a thoughtful mix of new and old, all resting comfortably on the warm walnut floor that runs through into the dining room.

Here an old distressed oak table is perfectly partnered by six faded yellow high backed dining chairs.

Moving on, the kitchen is stylishly simple, unfussy and functional. Cream, chrome handled units compliment the stainless steel appliances and classic off-white brick tile.

Two giant cotton shades hang above rectangular bamboo floor tiles which have also been used in the adjoining utility.

The colour palette throughout the house is predominantly white with four earthy tones adding dept and interest.

Surrounded by water, the living area appears to float. Floor to ceiling gable windows and French doors lead directly onto a deck invoking an almost boat-like atmosphere.

Reader Offer :

The calm uncluttered theme is reflected in the bedroom wing. The four bedrooms (two en-suite) and bathroom have also received the designer treatment with eyeTobes ADS 300313_Layout 1 27/03/2013 12:46 Page 4 catching features and splashes of colour.

Delighted to be featured in the Southern Star’s Home The master bedroom has its own fireplace complete with & Garden Supplement Terry is celebrating by offering log alcove, while in another, a brick-built portion of wall readers an amazing deal for the month of August only – replaces the standard headboard. With three bedrooms a Two-Hour Home Consultation for an unbelievable €95 having direct access to the waterside patio, Terry opted for www.plad.ie or contact Terry 086 1039988.

Venetian blinds – not wanting to distract from the view.

TOBES ADS WEEkEnD 300313.qxd PAgE 4 In the bathrooms white walls and furniture are perfectly offset by the reappearance of the bamboo tile, used here on both floor and walls.

Talking about the build, Terry explained that the economy turned just as he started building. Always a strong believer Enniskeane in ‘shop and stay local’ he says that this is now more important than ever. ‘Times are tough and everybody feels AT 4 1” the pinch. Many who were thinking of moving or building For professional service and advice are now having to stay put and are doing up or extending their existing homes.’ Continuing, he explains that ‘the saying is ‘paint is cheap”, but that something as simple Classic and Contemporary as getting a colour wrong can actually cost hundreds.’

It’s all about style at O’Mahony Interiors With services available from colour consultation to interior design, ending with structural design (where he works with AT 4 2” the back-up of an engineer), he’s here to help. ‘My job is about getting it right. Making your home work for you and getting it to look just the way you dreamed.’

O’Mahony Interiors

Terry O’Driscoll - Fact File

A native West Cork man Terry studied and qualified as in interior designer in the UK (NDAAT 4 3” accredited). Returning home he launched Peninsula Life & Design.

In business for the last eight years, with numerous satisfied clients, his design work has received high profile praise, featuring in newspapers and several magazines both here and AT 4 4” the UK.

AT 4

5”

AT 4

6”

www.omahonyinteriors.ie Tel: 023-8847123 Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm Saturday 10am to 4pm. Closed lunch 1pm to 2pm

Unit 2, Colomane, Bantry, Co. Cork AT 4

7”

AT 4

Natural Slate Fibre Cement Slate Lead Roof Windows Breather Membranes Roof Ventillation etc

Suppliers in the West Cork Region

Quick contact guide: House, Interior Design: Builder: Engineer: Plumbing & Solar: Electrician: Tiler: Site Excavation & Lake Restoration: Windows: Kitchen: Bathroom Furniture: Walnut Flooring: Carpets & Selected Furniture: Venetian Blinds: Paint: Tiling: Mirrors & Home Accessories:

Terry O’Driscoll, Peninsula Life and Design M: 086 1039988 or www.plad.ie Bernard O’Driscoll, Goleen, Co Cork M: 086 8305347 Kevin Lynch, Goleen, Co Cork T: 028 35520 Glenview Heating, Adrigole Co Cork (Finbarr) T: 027 60876 Brian Collins Services, Dunmanway, Co Cork M: 087 2751773 South Coast Tiling Services, Goleen, Co Cork (Clayton) M: 087 6254815 Denny O’Donoghue Goleen, Co Cork M: 086 8204043 Munster Joinery, Ballydesmond Co Cork (Darren Flynn) T: 064 77551151 Cash & Carry Kitchens, Tramore Road, Cork (Declan) T: 021 4323245 Irish International Trading, Tramore Rd Cork (Pat) T: 021 4705800 Murphy & O’Connor, Bantry (Brian) T 027 50001 Kelly & Co Bantry Business Park, Bantry, Co Cork (Tadgh/Tony) T 027 50004 Burkes Of Bantry (Jessie) T: 027 50009/50519 (Devine Stockist) Coakleys Décor Shop Bantry, Co Cork (Billy) T: 027 51639 Bantry Bath & Tile, Bantry Business Park, Bantry, Co Cork (Albie/Dave) T: 027 56555 Embellish 20 North Street Skibbereen, Co Cork (Lorraine/John) T: 028 40185

AT 4

8”

9”

Prompt Delivery Service with Lorry & Crane AT 4 10”

Email: chrismharrington@yahoo.co.uk Mobile: 087 6844475

08

Home&Garden

HOME IMPROVEMENT

LOAN IS YOUR HOME LOOKING TIRED AND IN NEED OF A LIFT?

With a Credit Union Home Loan you can afford that makeover and still stay within your budget.

BANDON

027-56555

email: info@bantrybathandtile.ie

–––– DeAl 1 ––––

Free ADheSive AnD GrouT wiTh wAll AnD Floor TileS

(excluding special offer tiles) • 1 - 20kg bag = 6 yards floor 1 - 20kg bag = 8 yards wall

–––– DeAl 2 ––––

including Border Tile • (excluding special offer tiles)

–––– DeAl 3 ––––

www.bandoncreditunion.ie

Free 4-piece en-SuiTe (incluDinG Mixer TAp)

BANTRY

(027) 50535

with €1,100 spent in shop (excluding special offers)

CLONAKILTY

–––– DeAl 4 ––––

(023) 8833842

www.clonakiltycreditunion.ie

KINSALE

Bantry Business park

Free BAThrooM Floor TileS wiTh 25 yrDS oF wAll TileS

(023) 8844839

(021) 4772955

Bantry Bath & Tile ltd

WEST CORK

SKIBBEREEN (028) 21883

www.skibbereencu.ie Loans are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. Credit Unions are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Free 4-piece en-SuiTe + 900 QuAD TrAy-wASTe- Door

with €3,000 spent in shop • (excluding special offers)

MAny More DeAlS in-STore - incl Timber/Stoves, etc.

All Deals done separately Terms & conditions apply. See in store.

Home&Garden

Transform your

09

bathroom into an at-home spa experience

If the kitchen is the heart of the home then the bathroom should be described (especially for adults/parents) as the place to get away from it from all and grab some prescious downtime.

If you are a parent of young kids and if space permits then it really is a good idea to try and create your own bathroom/en-suite sanctuary and leave the kids to their own devices in the main family bathroom.

Today’s bathrooms are evolving into relaxing rooms, often with a nod towards the benefits of a spa. Whether remodeling an existing bathroom or building a new one, nature-themed trends add comfort and style.

Bathrooms tend to be one of the three most remodeled rooms, along with kitchens and master bedrooms. Modern bathroom design trends take cues from nature - from environmentally friendly products and earth tones to installing bigger windows to add more natural light.

Incorporate natural design elements

Earth tones, nature-inspired patterns, wood and stone materials, sustainable products and energy-efficient fixtures are staples of today’s top trends.

Adding comfort and efficiency to your bathroom can be as easy as replacing existing products with energy star-qualified options. Energy efficient showerheads, motion-sensing taps, water conserving toilets, ambient lighting and high-performing replacement windows with double or triple pane insulating glass, will help make your bathroom more comfortable and help save energy year round.

When it comes to bathroom design, go natural with mosaic tile backsplashes behind the sink or install a tile, stone or brick wall in the shower. Materials like ceramic tiles, wood cabinets, bamboo mats, stone countertops and natural fibres like cotton or sisal rugs help create a calming atmosphere.

Clogheen Industrial Park, Clonakilty, Co. Cork 023 8850937 web: www.j-t.ie e-mail: sale@j-t.ie

Summer Sale Now On

Brighten up with colour

Bold, bright colours can be overpowering in a small bathroom, but colour accents of poppy red, nectarine orange or turquoise blue can breathe new energy and life into a drab bathroom.

Why not accent with a splash of emerald green, the 2013 Pantone colour of the year, or other bold colours in tiles, towels, bath mats, artwork or accessories.

Add personal spa features

Luxurious spa qualities, like open shelving and built-in storage for easy access to towels, toiletries and candles, can be essentials in bathroom re-modeling projects. Other favourites include walk-in showers with rain showerheads, relaxing whirlpool or claw-footed bathtubs, towel warmers and even fireplaces.

Lighting is one of the keys to creating the spa experience. The right windows can dramatically transform an ordinary bathroom into an extraordinary experience. Windows add essential natural light to bathrooms and if you have a West Cork view can become a real feature.

Consider special-shaped windows or groupings of casement, awning, transom or double-hung windows to add more architectural interest.

For more information on building regulations, guidelines and advice visit www.environ.ie

Supply, Delivery & Full Fitting Service Timber floors | Bathroom suites & accessories | All types of tiles

Open Mon- Fri 9.30am – 6.00 pm , Sat 10.00am – 5.00 pm

10

Home&Garden

Crops thrive in a summer polytunnel.

Grow your own!

There is a growing revolution in Ireland at the moment. Vegetable plots are popping up in small gardens and in the corner of fields. There are people growing food on balconies, in raised beds and in pots by the kitchen door. The demand for allotments has never been higher.

• • • •

6 pack organic vegetable plants €3.50 Superb range of flowering shrubs & herbaceous perennials in stock Also, call in to see our wide range of rare trees & shrubs now in stock

It might seem like a return to past times, when every farm had a corner for vegetable growing and every garden had some potatoes, onions and cabbages. But this revolution is a response to modern times too: homegrown food is cheap, and growing your own can make a major contribution to the household budget.

I could talk about how much better fruit and vegetables taste when they are eaten the same day that they are harvested; about how amazing it is to tend a small seedling until it becomes a large and productive plant; about how growing your own is great for both body and mind. But much better than listening to my talking, or writing, is to get outdoors and give it a try! Sow one row of rocket and plant a few lettuces if that’s all you can manage, but be prepared that you might start looking at your garden with a different eye.

Give your hidden gardener a chance to flourish: it isn’t difficult, and before you know it you will be making new beds, buying interesting seeds, and adding a few cabbages to the flower border.

11

Home&Garden

Shanahan H&G13_Layout 1 29/07/2013 10:51 Page 1

BEBEANNE XXXqxd PAGE 1

Buy a polytunnel!

If you are dithering about whether to buy a polytunnel then I would say yes without any hesitation. The same goes for a greenhouse: these look much prettier if they are in full view of the house, but they are a bit more of an investment.

A polytunnel, or greenhouse, allows you to grow crops all year round and you can always have plenty of food for the table. Buy as big a polytunnel as you think you can look after and it will pay for itself many times over with the food you grow inside.

It isn’t too late in the year to put a tunnel up now. Look at the list of things that can be grown in the sowing chart overleaf and go for it! If you sow just some of these crops, and sow a few more in three weeks time, you will have plenty to eat through the autumn, winter and into spring.

-BCE 1 1”

BC 1

If small scale growing is more your thing, then try sowing some seeds in large pots, grow-bags and other containers. Again, I can only say it’s never too late to try growing something. Start off with salad leaves and radishes. Try herbs in pots, a few cabbages, some kale and a bit of Swiss chard. Keep plants watered and protect from slugs and snails and you should get some decent autumn and winter crops.

A lot of salad leaves are pretty hardy. Lamb’s lettuce, mizuna, mibuna and rocket will do well outdoors in an average winter, as will spinach, spring cabbage and Swiss chard. Of course, if you can provide any covering such as a cloche, frame, or layer of horticultural fleece when really cold weather arrives, then these outdoor crops will do very well through the winter months.

BC 1

3”

Ask for the seed you want in shops and if you can’t find it at this time of year, try looking at seed suppliers on-line.

You can cut out some of the work by buying in young plants. Check garden centres to see what they offer and some market stalls offer a choice. I like to examine and choose any plants I am buying, but it may suit some people to buy plug plants on-line (look at quickcrop.ie).

HELPING TO CREATE BEAUTY IN THE GARDENS OF IRELAND FOR OVER 50 YEARS The Unique Design of our 3.acre Nursery and Garden Centre, has received many compliments from customers and visitors throughout the many years � we have been in business. �

BC 1

4”

BC 1

5”

Remember to pot seedlings on into larger pots, or containers, if the garden beds are full and small plants must wait for space to clear.

Buying seed

The Nurseries for the Connoisseur

2”

If you want an even easier start, then buy in plants from your local supplier and take it one step at a time.

Smaller options

Homegrown harvest

BC 1

6”

•A wonderful selection of perennial plants in full flower � •Our stock of roses are now showing a beautiful range of colour in flower and in bud � •Our well known super Hydrangeas are again � available in many colours and varieties •A superb range of Japanese Maples in beautiful foliage � •This is a good time to plant your own fruit trees and bushes come and explore our fruit section •A comprehensive range of Herbs, Alpines and Herbaceous � plants in stock � •Large selection of Ornamental trees in stock. � The only way to compare prices is to compare quality.That is the reason we � always welcome customers to visit our nursery and see our stock and appreciate the efforts we make to give you the finest quality that can be produced � � �

BC 1

7”

�

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE Shanahan’s Nurseries (300 Metres from Fernhill House Hotel) OPEN TUES TO SAT, 9am to 5.30pm OPEN SUNDAYS AND BANK HOLIDAYS 2pm - 5.30pm (CLOSED FOR LUNCH 1-2PM)

12

Home&Garden

What to sow How to sow Beetroot Sow direct. 2cm deep in rows 30cm apart.

Coriander Sow in large pots to grow under cover.

Florence Fennel

Sow in pots. Plant out under cover when 8cm tall.

French beans Sow direct 20cm apart in double row 20cm apart.

Best under cover for autumn crop.

Kale Sow in pots and plant out under cover for large individual plants.

Hungry Gap is a good old variety for late sowing. Fizz and Red Russian can be sown direct in rows for smaller plants and leaves.

Kohl Rabi Sow direct. 2cm deep. Thin to 25cm between plants as they grow. Or can be sown in pots and transplanted as space clears.

Land Cress Sow direct 1cm deep in rows 30cm apart.

Lamb’s lettuce Sow direct 1cm deep in rows 25cm apart.

Lettuce Sow summer and winter varieties in pots or trays. Seedlings can be planted out when 5cm tall. Summer varieties will crop in autumn.

Winter varieties will last through colder weather.

Mizuna, Mibuna

Sow direct, 1cm deep in rows 30cm apart.

Pak Choi Sow in pots or trays and plant out when 5cm tall Parsley Sow direct, 1cm deep in rows 30cm apart. Thin plants to 25cm apart.

Or, sow seed in pots and plant out when 5cm tall.

Time to get sowing!

Floor Sanding

Potatoes

Use seed potatoes left over from spring planting, or buy in late

planting varieties. Choose blight resistant varieties if possible.

Plant in large tubs or buckets and earth up as stems grow.

Keep under cover if possible.

Radish Sow direct, 2cm deep in rows 15cm apart.

Rocket Sow direct, 1cm deep, 30cm between rows.

Spinach Sow winter varieties direct, 2cm deep, 30cm between rows. Spinach does really well under cover.

• Wooden floors sanded and refinished.

• Dustless machines.

• Fully insured and C2 registered.

• 18 years experience.

Spinach beet Can be sown in pots or trays and planted out as space clears.

Spring cabbage

Sow in pots and transplant to individual pots as plants grow.

Plant out 45cm apart when 15cm tall. Can also be sown in rows in a seed bed.

Spring onion Sow direct, 1cm deep, in rows 25cm apart.

Swiss chard Sow in pots or trays. Transplant to individual pots. Plant out 15cm 15cm between plants in rows 30cm apart. Do well under cover.

Turnip Sow snowball and winter varieties 2cm deep, in rows 30cm apart.

Contact Alan Fitzgerald 086-7908118.

Winter Purslane

Sow direct, 1cm deep in rows 25cm apart.

CALL US: 028 21927

NEW PRODUCT: WEED KILLER Microwipe targets the weeds and rushes only, without having to spray everything. It is ideal for targeting sensitive areas. There is no need to cause contamination of soil by spraying and killing everything. Just wipe the weed only.

CALL US: 027 20002

13

Home&Garden

Prick seedlings out into individual pots

Enjoy the taste of homegrown tomatoes

Lamb’s lettuce grows well outdoors in an average winter

Ten tips for GIY (Grow It Yourself) 1.

Use a liquid feed to give a nutrient boost

Dan McCarthy

Just start! One pot, one patch of ground, or one grow-bag, and you are on your way.

Fitted Furniture

2. Start small and build up each year.

3. Start simple. Aim to grow five or ten things well, rather than struggling to understand thirty different crops in the first year. Buy in young plants if you see them: this can be much easier than raising plants from seed.

4. Fence if you need to. Rabbits, farm animals and pets may need to be excluded from the vegetable garden. Keep plants weeded and watered: mulching the ground will help with both of these tasks.

5. Feed the soil and you feed the plants: add compost, well-rotted manure, or other plant foods from time to time. If plants look small and grow slowly, or if they bear a heavy crop, then use a liquid feed to give a nutrient boost.

6.

Look at the garden each day. It’s good to enjoy what you do and to remind yourself of why you are growing your own food.

7.

Keep an eye out for problems: if you spot failing plants early on, then problems are easier to resolve.

Fitted Kitchens,

8. Find a friendly neighbour to water, harvest and keep an eye on the garden if you are away for long periods. You can always return the favour when they are away.

9. Clear crops that have finished, or that have failed, and plant something else. It’s always better to look at the optimism of a new plant than the failure of an old one.

Tobes ADS 300313_Layout 1 27/03/2013 12:34 Page 2 Coakley Decor H&g 13_Layout 1 29/07/2013 10:45 Page 1 10. Don’t grow the same crop on the same bit of ground in successive years. Rotate crops round the garden so a crop only returns to the same plot after three or four years.

Wardrobes and Units

And one more tip...

If you are new to gardening, or if you like to chat about gardening issues, it is worth looking for other like-minded individuals. There are flower clubs and local Grow It Yourself (GIY) groups where experts and beginners can swap tips and advice.

AT 2

1”

AT 2

2”

Kilcoe, Aughadown, Skibbereen 028 38386

TOBES ADS WEEkEnD 300313.qxd PAgE 2

BeBeanne XXXqxd Page 1

Coakley DeCor High Street, Bantry, Co. Cork | t: 027 51639 25.4

AT 2

2”

50.8

AT 2

3”

76.2

AT 2

101.6

AT 2

-Bce 1 1”

J Buckley & Co.

Bc 1

The Square, Dunmanway 023-8845929

AT 2

AT 2

3”

4”

Flower & Veg Seeds • Seed Potatoes • Bc 1 Onion Sets • Shallots • Plants • Fertiliser Sprays • Gardening Tools • Paints • Gifts • Hardware • Key-cutting • Safes, etc • Bc 1

4”

Key Cutting Service

Bantry Bath & Tile ltd Bantry Bath & Tile ltd Bantry Business park

NIaLL aDs WeekeND 300313.qxd Page 7

14

027-56555 Bantry Business park email: 027-56555 info@bantrybathandtile.ie

Home&Garden

Thinking about getting a N7

N7

1”

email: info@bantrybathandtile.ie –––– DeAl 1

1”

polytunnel?

N7

2”

––––

Free ADheSive AnD GrouT –––– DeAl 1 ––––wAll AnD Floor TileS wiTh Free ADheSive AnD GrouT (excluding special offer tiles) • 1 - 20kg bag = 6 yards floor 2” N7 - 20kg bag = 8 yards wall wiTh wAll AnD Floor 1TileS

(excluding special offer tiles) • 1 - 20kg bag = 6 yards floor –––– DeAl 1 - 20kg bag = 8 yards wall

2 ––––

Free BAThrooM Floor TileS

–––– DeAl 2wiTh ––––25 yrDS oF wAll TileS

Free BAThrooM Floor TileS including Border Tile • (excluding special offer tiles) wiTh 25 yrDS oF wAll TileS 3” N7

Now is a good time...

–––– DeAl 3 ––––

including Border Tile • (excluding special offer tiles)

POLYTUNNELS N7

Free 4-piece en-SuiTe

–––– Many DeAl 3 –––– (incluDinG TAp) people we talk to who are interested Mixer in our polytunnels

3”

Free 4-piece en-SuiTe form the opinion they may as well until(excluding the spring before with €1,100 spent inwait shop special be offers) erected on a fresh site, as is often the case, ground getting one, as the growing cycle in a polytunnel is continuous (incluDinG Mixer TAp) preparation is so much easier before the soil is saturated

N7

4”

N7

5”

N7

6”

N7

7”

Su

ppl i fitt ed or ed

Barry Bros Barry Bros Building supply stores Building supply stores Townshend st., skibbereen

Tel: 028-21633 Townshend st., skibbereen Tel: 028-21633 stockists of all quality building, electrical, glazing, DIy and 7” 7 quality stockists of Nall building, general hardware goods. electrical, glazing, DIy and Contact Mark general hardware goods.

T 028 37268 Townshend St., Skibbereen M 086 345 7351 Tel: 028-21633 N7

8”

N7

9”

N7

10”

8”

Furniture N7

–––– DeAl 4 ––––

there is no wrong time to begin but there are many more with €1,100 spent in shop (excluding special offers) by the winter rain. advantages to starting off late summer and through autumn Free 4-piece en-SuiTe Perhaps even more important than these considerations 4” N7 –––– DeAl –––– than in the spring. is the growing cycle in a polytunnel. Sowings made from +4900 QuAD TrAy-wASTe- Door on will provide food through the autumn, winter Free 4-piece en-SuiTe with €3,000 spent in shop • (excluding specialnow offers) Firstly consider that a polytunnel can only be erected on a fairly and spring, imagine new potatoes, early carrots and + 900 QuAD perfect TrAy-wASTeDoor day, a breeze or a little drizzle can be enough to halt fresh broccoli with the Christmas dinner! How about MAnyspecial More DeAlS in-STore with €3,000 spent inproceedings shop • (excluding offers) and fickle as our West Cork weather can be, we fresh peas and broad beans in April and May and, with - incldays Timber/Stoves, etc. always have more favourable before December than we your polytunnel in place, as the shortest day of the year MAny More DeAlS in-STore do after, another consideration is that temperatures tend to be passes, (21st December) you can start to propagate the All which Dealsisdone separately & conditions apply. See in store.

- 7incl etc. higher a great help to get Terms a really good tension to the 5” Timber/Stoves, N summer exotics such as tomatoes, courgettes, melons polycover. etc, which will be ready to take the place of the produce All Deals done separately Terms & conditions apply. See in store. you have enjoyed through the early spring, not to mention the plants you have propagated in pots and trays already ahead of the season to plant in the outside garden as soon as conditions allow, and that kiwi or grapevine you planted in the corner has had a cosy winter to establish its roots and is off to an early start, or, you could wait until 6” N7 spring..........

Abbey N7

9”

Prop: Helen Dempsey • 2 Bridge Street, Skibbereen, Co. Cork • 028-22131 helen@abbeyfurniture.org • www.abbeyfurniture.org

Paintings/canvas starts from €19 N7

It is also worth remembering that if the polytunnel is to

10”

Check out our wide range of gift ideas for that special occasion.

NEW STOCK OF 10% OFF BEDS & FURNITURE WITH THIS COUPON NOW IN

Stockist of all quality building, electrical, glazing, cladding, DIY and general hardware goods.

FINBARR O DRISCOLL FITTED FURNITURE QUALITY KITCHENS

Bedroom & Lounge Furniture Designed to your requirements Rossnagoose, Skibbereen Tel/Fax 028 38475

For more information contact Mark at Polytunnels Munster on 028 37268 or 086 3457351.

Lawn

15

Home&Garden

How to maintain a lovely

You can hire scarifiers from your local tool hire shop

The kind of hot weather experienced in the past while can be damaging for your lawn. There are a number of tips and tricks to help keep it at its best heading into the autumn. >

If your lawn has been damaged during the hot spell, limit the amount of foot traffic on it and remember September is just a few weeks away, usually heralding ideal conditions to get the lawn back in shape.

>

Ease back on the mowing and raise the height of the cut. Now nearing the end of its feeding cycle, this should help the grass survive particularly after the stress of the hot weather.

>

Over-watering can be conducive to lawn diseases, so this is to be avoided.

>

Assuming you’ve been feeding your lawn over the spring and summer period (usually every 4-6 weeks) you should now be aiming to get the last summer feed done before the end of August.

>

To maintain a healthy robust lawn throughout the winter, it is important that the lawn is given an autumn/winter feed. As with the spring/summer feed, this is available from most garden centres, and it should be applied as stated on the product label.

>

Keep an eye out for lawn insects. Crows and other birds on your lawn may be an indication of the presence of grubs that are potentially damaging to the root system.

>

Scarification is the process by which the ‘undergrowth’ or thatch (old clippings and debris that can hinder drainage and encourage weeds) is physically removed from a lawn. It can be a harsh process and, initially, may make your lawn look worse, but ultimately can make it much better. Late spring (mid-April onwards) and autumn (September) are the best times of the year to scarify your lawn. For the best results, mow and feed your lawn beforehand.

Furniture | Bedding | Carpets | Flooring Unit 14, Curragh Commercial Park, Skibbereen E: skibbfurniture@eircom.net | T: 028-51400

ONE WEEK SPECIAL Specialists in the construction of quality sunrooms and conservatories.

20% OFF All Corner Suites WITH THIS COUPON

SPECIAL OFFERS ON BEDS & MATRESSES

All custom built to suit existing house Family-owned and run business Personal supervision at all times Free quotations

desmondconservatories@eircom.net Tel: 027-52766 • 086-1734686 • 086-1734689

Coorycommade, Coomhola Bridge, Bantry, Co. Cork

Your HOME

Fusion Home Interiors - West Cork’s leading destination for paint, curtains, blinds & home furnishings

20%

OFF

g n i h t y ever d n e p s u o when y 0 5 € r e v o *

This y Fridarday tu & Sa LY ON

We look forward to seeing you

We have plenty of parking!

Tel: (028) 23162 | 21330 Email: info@fusionhome.ie | www.fusionhome.ie

See Weekly Specials on our Facebook Page.

*€50 to be spent in a single transaction - cash or card payment only.

Offer excludes purchases of gift cards, existing offers & existing orders. Offer valid for purchases on Friday August 2nd and Saturday August 3rd only. Terms & Conditions apply, whilst stocks last.

(Formerly West Cork Paints)

OPEN MON-FRI 8am-6pm | SAT 8am-5pm

COME AND VISIT US ON THE CORK ROAD, SKIBBEREEN, beside filling station