Home & Garden Autumn/Winter 2019 by southernstarIRL

Home Garden &

AUTUMN 2019

Your guide to products & services for a perfect West Cork home & garden

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Magnificent seven!

Interior designer Lauraine Farley has top tips to help you get your home looking on-trend and in fashion this season Mellow yellow

In Autumn/Winter 2019 expect to see a surge in yellow tones – from gold levels to bright sunshine shades with a red or green cast that infuses the season with warmth. Nature’s own stunning display of autumnal colour is almost upon us and one of the colours that we’ll see on those wonderful woodland walks is yellow. As the leaves on the trees change colour with the seasons so too can our home interiors, and yellow, as the most luminous colour on the spectrum, offers us the feeling of happiness and hope. Yellow gives a wonderful warm, reflective aura in the summer, while remaining cosy and comforting in the cooler winter months. It is very much on-trend!

The gallery wall

go away. Personalised text, song lyrics and motivational quotes are still in vogue, but we are now seeing it coupled with supportive design elements, and not just wall art, but also on cushions and soft furnishings too.

If you have an assortment of wall art that you want to display together – photos, souvenirs, paintings, portraits, prints, even sculptures on shelves – consider arranging those pieces in a gallery wall display. This is a creative, and effective, way to arrange your art to convey an overall message or statement. Start with a focal point and build around that for a complex portrait of your individuality. The gallery wall is a truly eclectic statement of your personality.

Typography

Regardless of the overuse we’ve witnessed in the past, the typographical art print trend refuses to

On the line

If you’re looking to bring in one of the top wall art ideas for autumn/winter 2019, consider purchasing line drawings. Inspired by sketches from artists like Matisse and Picasso, line drawing wall art makes a minimalist statement. Often drawn with black lines on a white or cream background, line drawings make a dramatic visual impact on a space with minimal effort.

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Material wealth

Materials that are perceived as humble – rattan, plywood, jute, sisal, hemp and terracotta will be used more than ever over the next number of years. For example the sisal stair runner shown is a perfect hard-wearing alternative to carpet on the stairs.

Wabi sabi

The wabi sabi trend is back – did it ever go away? Western countries are being inspired by Japanese culture a lot lately, and especially by the concept of wabi sabi, which is a perspective that celebrates the imperfect, the impermanent and the incomplete. Typical characteristics of the modern wabi-sabi

Home&Garden aesthetic include organic shapes, rough textures, earthy colours, simple styling, and a sense of humbleness. It’s also closely aligned with the appreciation of nature. In the design world it is all about that effortless, lived-in look, using textures like linen, muted colours, organic designs and shapes.

Fab fabric!

Velvet is still a super trendy fabric for interiors, however how about trying something slightly different – corduroy? Ranked highly as one of the fashion trends for autumn-winter 2019, corduroy is definitely the on-trend, in-fashion fabric. Corduroy pants are great and all, but in my opinion, the material is at its best in furniture form. If you think there’s nothing

cozier in the colder months than wearing corduroy, you clearly haven’t pictured snuggling up on a cushy sofa covered in the stuff. Thanks to its inherent plushness, corduroy naturally softens the sharp edges of contemporary pieces. Plus, I love how the corduroy used on furniture often has wider ribbing which is funkier and impossible to mistake.

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Bathroom bliss! BY PAULA BURNS BATHROOMS are having something of a renaissance of late. They are no longer the forgotten, smallest room of the house used only for practical purposes. Instead, modern living has made the bathroom the second beating heart of the home after the open-plan kitchen. As our lives become busier we look to the comfort of our homes for escape and to act as a sanctuary. With self-care being the prescribed medication to offset the constant craziness of work and family life, it’s no wonder we have turned our attention to the bathroom. Here we can create our own little Utopia of luxury and relaxation. Baths are back With the need to take time to sit back and relax we have fallen back in love with the charms of the bath. Once discarded as old-fashioned and almost entirely replaced by the shower, the bath is once again the centrepiece of the bathroom. And ironically, it is the old-style

freestanding, baths that are reigning supreme. ‘The freestanding baths are now one of the most popular styles. These were once very expensive but as they have become more affordable, people can have luxury without the pricetag,’ explains Melanie Naughton, business manager with Bathroom Builders in Cork.

However the minimalist monochrome effect is still a design favourite. ‘Larger tiles with a rectangular shape and sticking to the grey, chrome, black and whites are a growing trend for bathroom design at the moment, giving a really crisp finish,’ says Melanie. Accessibility For older people or those with a disability, practicality and safety have been at the forefront with style and design often being forgotten. This no longer needs to be the case however, with bathroom design becoming more inclusive while being safety savvy too. Again, wet rooms are a stylish alternative for those who are less mobile. They work perfectly in a downstairs space on a concrete floor, and now with advanced waterproofing technology a wet room can work just as well upstairs.

(Wet) room for improvement! While a freestanding bath is the perfect place to soak our weary bones, Melanie and the team at Bathroom Builders have also seen a surge in the popularity of wet room style showers. ‘Wet room installations are easy, accessible and can really give a luxury look to any bathroom. Match that with a beautiful freestanding sink, LED mirror and rainfall shower-head and you get a fabulous high-fashion look with half the cost,’ explains Melanie. When it comes to styling out your bathroom there has been a move from the smaller sub-way type tile trend to larger more luxurious looks.

Grant aid Thanks to The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme provided by Cork County Council, creating a safer and more

accessible bathroom has been made easier. The scheme is primarily for older people. However, people with a disability can also apply. The maximum grant limit is €6,000. You can apply for a refund of VAT on the cost of the installation work. Bathroom Builders specialise in mobility and are very focused on creating a safe environment for the customer. Safety features ‘Safety features would include, hand rails, non-slip tiling, mobility shower chairs and also specialised thermostatic showers that decrease the heat after 15 minutes in case of any accidents,’ explains Melanie. ‘This will stop the user from being burned if a fall was to occur. These are fantastic features that have really helped with customer concerns and puts their mind at ease.’ Taking the leap to transforming a tired bathroom can, like all household improvements, be a daunting one. Just like fashion, interior trends come and go. With this in mind keeping to a basic colour palette like monochrome

Home&Garden or greys will ensure your bathroom won’t look out-dated too quickly. Know what your needs are. If it’s a quick sprucing-up, then this can be done easily with a change of a taps or a new mirror, but for a total revamp it’s better to let the pros do the work. Look for inspiration A scroll through platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest is always great for inspiration. Pinterest is especially good when it comes to interiors as it enables you to create your own virtual pin board of inspiration. By pinning your wish list of styles it will soon become clear what looks you’re drawn too, creating a vision you can then work with.

From design, necessary features and budget to organising plumbers, tilers and electricians, everything is looked after. As Melanie explains: ‘Our consultant calls to the house and goes through every detail of what the customer wants, needs and what will suit their budget. We give advice and style ideas and support the customer in their decision making.’

Monochrome colours, larger tiles and free-standing baths are very much in vogue at the moment. Wet rooms remain popular as an alternative to traditional shower enclosures. They are generally cheaper to install and allow for greater accessibility.

Costs A bath filled with Epsom and Himalayan salts might help you relax, but ultimately it won’t help you avoid the cost of getting your bathroom just the way you want it. That said, creating a stylish bathroom can be achieved on a reasonable budget. At Bathroom Builders they work with you on all aspects of the renovation.

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It’s curtains up! BY PAULA BURNS DECIDING how to adorn our windows can be challenging. Choosing what type of curtain or blind can often fall last on our interiors list, but it can have a make-or-break effect on the entire design of the room. Most of us grew up with the ever twitching, nosy neighbour favourite of the net curtain. Loved for their ability to create a certain element of privacy while the lace details gave way for ornate decorative looks. The reality was less light being able to navigate through what inevitably became a lace dust attractor, and dirty yellow soon became the new white. So now that we have ditched the kitsch how do we style our windows? In the recent after-years of the net curtain, minimalism was embraced. Designers wanted to forget the heavy curtain style of the ’70s and ’80s and as a result curtains and blinds took a back seat. But the past always has a way of sneaking up on us and with our love of vintage ever growing, statement curtains are making a

comeback sans the net curtain. Clonakilty-based interior designer Trevor Perrott agrees as he has seen his customers become braver with their curtain choices. ‘Curtains have become more of a statement piece in a room. Patterns such as florals are more popular than before,’ explains Trevor. ‘ Fabrics are also more ornate with velvets and

will offset this with a more lavish cushion such as one with embroidery detailing. Or let’s say a red curtain would work with a navy cushion that has red piping allowing them to compliment each other.’ When it comes to blinds, Roman blinds are still a firm favourite and with the shift in interior trends becoming bolder, so have they.

‘Curtains have become more of a statement piece in a room’ silks making a comeback.’ With curtains playing a major role in the design of a room, Trevor has noticed customers placing more emphasis in choosing a colour palette for soft furnishings based on the tone of the curtains. ‘The design of the curtain determines how the soft furnishings work,’ says Trevor. ‘For example if you have a plain curtain then customers

‘It’s not all about matching. People are not afraid to let their patterns clash. Often you will see a floral curtain with a geometric design blind. It works very well,’ says Trevor. However, when it comes to dressing our windows it’s not always so straightforward. For those who live in houses without front gardens, privacy can be an issue. Back in the ’80s the net curtain would have

prevailed here. These days shutters are a must-have. ‘Shutters work well in the bigger living area windows of houses that enter directly onto the street,’ explains Trevor. ‘They provide privacy while allowing light through. Often people will then have wooden venetian blinds on the upper story window. In a design aspect they work well together.’ Thanks to the Dermot Bannon effect many modern extensions include oversized floor-toceiling windows. For these Trevor recommends a particular roller blind made from a stiffened voile that allows you to see out, but not in. ‘These roller blinds are extremely handsome. They are translucent making them light and fresh. When they are up they are almost invisible. They are beautiful and stylish, making them perfect for a modern look,’ says Trevor. As an interior design expert, Trevor recommends considering the décor of the room when choosing a style of blind.

Home&Garden ‘Think about the textures already in a room before you choose your style of blind,’ advises Trevor. ‘If there are hardwood floors or tiles a style like shutters can be quite harsh. Here a roman blind and curtain would soften the overall look. And vice versa if you have plush carpets and luxurious soft furnishings a shutter style would be better.’ At Perrotts, Trevor and his team provide a made-to-measure service for curtains and blinds. There is also the option for an interior design service that is more in-depth. Using a made-to-measure service from a professional not only eliminates the hassle of going from one store to source fabric then finding a curtain maker then taking on the mammoth task of putting up a straight curtain rail, but it also ensures quality that will last. With curtains and blinds playing such an important role in the design of a room, cutting corners can have an adverse effect of the overall look. Availing of the made-to-measure service ensures quality at every point of the curtain and blind design. Perrotts offer a free measure and quote. From there they personally

order the fabric and have expert curtain makers creating a bespoke curtain made to suit your needs. ‘We look after everything from design and production to installation, ensuring peace of mind for our customers,’ says Trevor.

Curtains and blinds can play a major role in the design of a room.

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A lover’s guide to the perfect view A house once owned by the man behind The Lover’s Guide videos has now come on the market, near Baltimore, writes Emma Connolly

A RESTORED island grain store that oozes luxury is one of the most sought-after properties on the West Cork market right now. This home was once owned by the man behind of one of the world’s most talked-about videos - the Lover’s Guide. Psychotherapist Dr Andrew Stanway sold the home in 2005 but the Lover’s Guide creator must surely have fallen in love with this stunning view, too. Originally built in the 19th century to store grain for export during the Napoleonic Wars, it was redesigned and reimagined into a high-end home by a former owner and went on the market in 2005 for €3m. It’s believed it sold for a figure closer to €2m and now the Grain Store finds itself up for grabs once again for the further discounted price of €1.5m – and that’s fully furnished.

Taste is a peculiar thing though, and the furniture and fittings in the Grain Store might be everyone’s cup of tea. However they’re certainly not drab and are mainly custom-made to fit the large living spaces. Stand-out items include a perspex Kawai baby grand piano, and statement making baccarat chandeliers. Attention to detail is strong – wallpaper is handmade; floors are solid walnut and worktops are made from unique lava stone. To get an idea of scale, the dining room can accommodate a 10seater table making the house an entertainer’s paradise. And there’s a kitchen to match, which comes with an extensive list

Surrounded on three sides by the Ilen river, the five-acre property on Ringarogy couldn’t be more private. But with its own pontoon and vast water frontage, it’s far from isolated with access by the all-weather causeway or by sea. First reactions will certainly be of the ‘wow’ variety when you pull into the drive. Architect designed and clad in local stone and Bangor Blueslate with a wraparound terrace, it makes quite the statement against its secluded backdrop. But that’s just the start of the Grain Store’s magic – step inside the front door and into a double height hall with its imposing concrete staircase, and you’ll start to get all the feels. At 6,000 sq ft/557 sq m the house is certainly vast, without being vulgar. It’s in turnkey condition and new owners could potentially walk right in and not have to do a single thing.

A perspex piano and chandeliers are among the lavish furnishings.

of integrated high-end appliances such as Miele coffee maker, twin Miele dishwasher, Gaggenau steam oven and warming drawers, twin SubZero wine fridge and SubZero fridge freezer. A glorious sunroom (accessed by pocket doors from the dining room and separately from the hall) is the perfect spot to enjoy some of that perfectly chilled wine, and there’s also an outside mezzanine to tuck yourself away in and soak up the views. The house has five en suite bedrooms but it’s the master suite which is most impressive. It boasts two dressing rooms (imagine the luxury!), a magnificent Italian

The kitchen is very spacious, well kitted out and full of natural light.

Home&Garden bathroom, while the bedroom itself has huge windows looking out on the estuary. A TV partially blocking said view is in a slightly questionable location, but that’s easily fixed. The house is tucked away in almost complete privacy but with so much floor-to-ceiling glazing there’s reassuring blinds and shutters throughout. Completing the package is a triple door, 800 sq ft garage – after all you can expect plenty of visitors in a house like this. Selling agent is Maeve McCarthy of Charles McCarthy, Skibbereen who says: ‘The Grain Store sits beautifully poised in an impressive position on the estuary. It is abundantly evident that great care and attention was taken during the sympathetic restoration and extension of this property. ‘There are views of the river from practically every room, each giving a different aspect to be admired and appreciated. With over 557 sq m (6,000 sq ft) of living space, there is a sublime flow to the rooms to enjoy one’s own space whilst always feeling connected.’

When you’re not watching TV, the master suite boasts panoramic views of the Ilen river and beyond.

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Strive for sustainability Niamh Hayes looks at ways we can make our homes more eco-friendly THE choices we make when building our home or renovating it, influence the environment and demonstrate our values and attitudes towards it. There is always room to make better, more sustainable choices when building or renovating your home. The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has regulations which must be upheld when building a new home or an extension. Under these regulations, a building shall be built in a way that limits the amount of energy it requires, and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions associated with this energy use. By 31st December 2020, all new buildings will need to be NearlyZero Energy Buildings (NZEB). This means that houses should achieve the standard of having a very high energy performance and that the energy required should be covered to a significant extent from renewable sources. A Building Energy Rating (BER) certificate indicates a building’s energy performance, rating it on a scale of A-G. A-rated homes are the most energy efficient and will tend to have the lowest energy bills. G-rated are the least efficient. The BER is calculated through energy use for space and hot water heating, ventilation, and lighting. All new builds should have an A rating. Older homes are generally lower but improving the BER of an existing house can make it warmer and reduce energy costs. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) offer a range of grants to help improve the energy performance of your home, including for insulation, heating controls and getting a BER assessment.

Building a new home Responsible sourcing • When sourcing materials for your new build, aim to use locally sourced products and manpower wherever possible to cut down on CO2 emissions. • Illegally sourced timber is a leading cause of deforestation and can lead to the destruction of habitats. Use FSC or PEFC certified timber only.

Renovating If you are renovating or modifying an existing home, many of the above examples can also be used to make your home more environmentally sustainable. Changing to renewable energy sources, installing solar panels, putting in a heat pump, or a wood pellet/chip stove or boiler, can all help to reduce your carbon footprint. Smaller changes can also make big improvements. Insulation • Upgrading your roof, wall or floor insulation is a good place to start. • External wall insulation can cut heat loss by up to 90%. • Walls can be dry lined on the inside, but this isn’t as effective and requires a lot of work. • If your house has cavity walls, cavity fill insulation is a quick fix with minimal disruption.

Use of renewable energy sources • Using energy from renewable, non-fossil sources such as solar energy, wind, hydropower or biomass can make your home more environmentally sustainable. • Choosing an electricity supplier that produces its energy through renewable sources is a good option. This will not reduce the cost of your electricity bill, but it is good for the environment. • You can install solar panels that produce electricity when exposed to light. They come in the form of panels on roofs or building material products such as roof tiles, glass or cladding with solar materials embedded within them.

outside of your home into useful heat inside. • Biomass fuels such as wood pellets and chips produce far less carbon emissions in comparison to other fuels such as oil and gas. Using them in stoves or boilers will help to reduce your carbon footprint. Insulation • Proper insulation in your roof and walls will make your home more efficient as it will be quicker to heat and will reduce heat loss. Insulation can be made from renewable materials such as bark of a cork tree, sheep’s wool, recycled newspaper, wood fibre, cotton fibre and hemp. • Insulating pipes, ducts and vessels that are used for the transport or storage of heated water or air, will limit heat loss and make your home more efficient.

Heating • Solar thermal collectors produce hot water by transforming the energy from the sun into hot water. They can also meet a small portion of space heating demand. They come in different forms that are placed either on or in the roof. • Heat pumps are an efficient alternative to oil, gas, solid fuel and conventional home heating systems. The most common ones work by converting energy from the air

Water • Installing water-saving products, such as taps and showers, will limit the amount of water used. • Rainwater harvesting can be used to collect, store and use rainwater for landscape irrigation which promotes water conservation.

Heating • As well as the option of installing solar panels, a heat pump or a wood-burning stove or boiler, installing heating controls will make your house more environmentally sustainable. • Putting a lagging jacket on your hot water cylinder will keep your water warmer for longer. Water • Water use can be reduced by fitting more water-efficient appliances such as taps and showers. Draughts • Replacing old vents or installing a chimney balloon, if your fireplace is not in use, will reduce draughts and keep heat in. • Replacing old doors and windows will give you another layer of insulation. • Triple-glazed windows with airtight seals and thermal breaks will prevent air from leaking out. Lighting • Replace light fittings with low energy LED bulbs which are long lasting and use very little energy.

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Rough Celebrity gardener Diarmuid Gavin tells Emma Connolly why we have to drop our dislike of dandelions and other weeds THE award-winning garden designer is challenging us to change how we garden. Our natural inclination for vast and weed-free lawns along with colourful flower beds, helped by intense feeding, are things we need to move away from, he says. ‘The Irish climate means we can grow plants that originate from across the globe. But we’re now beginning to realise the cost which that type of intensive gardening has on the environment. We also have to challenge the notion of having everything very neat and tidy; having big areas given over to lawns instead of pollinating plants and also having an ubercolourful spaces which usually comes from using lots of nitrates,’ he says. In terms of the coming winter and looking ahead to next year, here are some of Diarmuid’s tips for an environmentally-friendly garden: Build a habitat We like our gardens neat and tidy but nature doesn’t work like this. Habitats as simple as a few paving stones piled up to create a miniature dry stone wall, or logs and twigs will provide cover for beneficial insects such as beetles who feed on aphids and small caterpillars. If you don’t have a lot of room, even a small pile of dead leaves will make a home for these insects. Children will love this project as it’s very likely that they’ve learnt about the importance of looking after our wildlife in school. Ladybird house Ladybirds have an unsurpassed appetite for aphids such as greenfly, munching up to 50 of the critters a day or up to 5,000 in their short life spans. And greenfly and their mates do enormous damage to some beautiful plants such as roses, which we love to grow. So, let’s encourage ladybirds who also munch on mites, thrips, scale insects and whiteflies. They need places to hibernate in winter. They naturally overwinter in

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and ready! crevices of bark on trees and in piles of leaf litter. You can create your own ladybird house by using a simple wooden box and adding bits of bark and leaf litter. Or construct a wildlife wall – this is made from layers of brick or tile and wood against a wall with some corrugated cardboard included in the layers for ladybirds to lay eggs. Make a log pile using a few branches, logs and twigs in an out-of-theway area where they won’t be disturbed. Even just leaving an area un-mown or perennials not cut down for the winter is a good hideaway for insects. It’s also a great excuse as to why your garden isn’t perfectly neat!

dandelions, buttercups, angelica, teasel and clover will signal your garden as a wildlife-friendly zone. Help the birds Bird feeders are generally constructed in one of two ways. The first is the feeder that hangs from a tree, usually with wire mesh that birds can peck through. The second is a platform feeder, a tray that rests on a pole stuck in the ground. Steel poles are good as they are difficult for cats to climb. The feeder should be situated in an area that acts as a good lookout post for the birds for potential predators. Near your kitchen window is ideal so you can enjoy the show yourself. And if you don’t have a garden, a windowsill is as good spot as any for scattering some bird seed. It is very easy to make your own feeder and it’s a fun project to do with your kids. Just get an old plastic bottle or milk carton, wash it out and cut a hole in the side which will give access to the seeds. Pierce a few drainage holes in the bottom, fill with bird seed and hang with wire or string from a tree branch. You can buy seed mixtures and bird cakes or make your own using sunflower seeds, peanut granules (not roasted or salted), flaked maize, uncooked porridge oats, grated cheese and soft fruit. What you mustn’t give is dessicated coconut as this can swell up inside the birds, cooking fats or margarines, milk or salt. And always leave out some water as this can be particularly difficult for birds to source when ponds are frozen over. Put up a nesting box for birds next spring – for tits, sparrows and starlings these should be sited 2 to 4m up a tree or wall. Robins and wrens prefer boxes below 2m, well disguised with vegetation such as ivy. Or how about a bat roosting box? These creatures are very important for biodiversity. Plants such as evening primrose that attract nocturnal pollinators like moths will provide food for the bats.

‘We have to challenge the notion Butterflies of having everything Spread some flutters of joy very neat and tidy; through the garden or at having big areas least plan to attract swarms given over to lawns of butterflies to your summer plots. instead Butterflies epitomise nature and all that is of pollinating good and healthy in our eco-systems. Ideally you plants’ need to keep them well fed

. ter win his et at rn

from March through November, but what plants do they love? The butterfly bush, buddleia, would definitely be their favourite dish. They also like lavender, escallonia, caryopteris, hawthorn, blackberries, heathers and hebes. But you don’t need to have heaps of space either – the balcony gardener or courtyard dweller can plant perennials and colourful annuals that will tickle their taste buds. Give la There are many scrumptious dyb irds flowers such as cornflowers, ap lac single flowered dahlias, et oh heliotrope, verbena, ib solidago, alyssum, e echinacea, sedums, aubretias, calendulas, asters, zinnias and dianthus that will provide nectar. Native flowers such as loosestrife, valerian,

Make a bee motel Solitary bees like to lay their eggs in hollow tunnels and this is not always easy for them to find. To help them, find a small wooden box. Next find plants with hollow plant stems such as reeds, bamboos or paper straws. You can also drill holes into pieces of wood. Assemble these tightly together in the box and fix to a wall in a south facing sunny spot – about a metre or so off the ground.

Bird feeders can be shop-bought or homemade, using something like a milk carton.

Put ‘bee motels’ on a south-facing sunny wall.

Home&Garden

Planning a fruit BY JOYCE RUSSELL IMAGES: BEN RUSSELL FRESH picked fruit is one of the delights from the garden. Many fruits are easy to grow and the rewards are great for just a small amount of work. The prime planting season starts later in autumn, but this is the time to do some research to help you decide what you want to grow and where you want to put it. Draw out a plan (to scale if possible). A small bit of planning will help to create a fruit garden that’s perfect for your needs and one that will crop well for years. How many? Few people need more than three apple trees. Don’t be tempted to plant a field with twenty unless you can look after that many and have plans for how to use all the sacks of fruit. It’s a good idea to start small and add more if you need to. Fruit trees crop for decades and three wellmaintained trees can give more fruit over that time than twenty neglected ones. The same applies to other fruits. Harvesting and pruning can take a lot of time – grow only what you can care for and use to full advantage. Spacing Trees and bushes may be small when you buy them, but over the years they grow big. And then they grow bigger again! Pruning can keep things under control to some extent but it is really important to allow enough space at planting time. Check planting distances before you put anything in the ground and always allow more room rather than less – trees grow fast in our mild climate. Access for mowing and picking Allow space around rows and under branches. Keep grass mown and soil weed free. You also need room to harvest – no one will want this job if they have to be a contortionist in order to reach the fruit. Soil, water and light Read about each plant’s needs and try to put each fruit tree and bush in the right place. Some do well in shade and others like a sunny wall. Most like plenty of water but hate waterlogged

Clockwise from main: Currants are one of the easiest-to-grow garden fruits; Plum trees can bear a heavy crop; Use strong stakes and ties to hold new trees in position; Fix wires and canes to a wall for training a tree; Blueberries taste delicious straight from the bush; Fig trees crop well if grown in the right place. ground and some prefer an acid or alkaline soil. Blackcurrants need a nitrogen rich soil but fig trees don’t.

sure net is secured at the base so birds don’t sneak underneath. Supports Provide a stake to support each new-planted tree. Rows of raspberry canes will need support too and it is better to put these in place before plants grow big. Take care not to damage roots, stems or branches when driving in poles and fixing ties.

Covers Soft fruit needs some protection from birds in most circumstances. Consider how you will put netting over currants and berries – allow enough room for a structure when planning and planting. A simple system of poles with jam jars on top works well to raise netting above bushes or you can make a more permanent fixed-structure. Make

Varieties It takes the same amount of work

to grow a variety that crops poorly as it does for one that crops well. Ask for advice at garden centres. Staff should know what varieties suit this part of the country. Bramley’s Seedling is probably the most reliable cooking apple for example. Pruning Learn about pruning and tackle trees as needed to keep them under control and cropping well. Different people have slightly different pruning methods – pick one method and stick to it to keep trees how you want.

AUTUMN SOWING & PLANTING GUIDE

garden

Can try sowing(s) or planting (p) Sep

Broad beans Cabbage (spring)

What to plant ...

Apples and pears These can be trained along walls or fences, but most people buy freestanding trees. Choose varieties that are grown on dwarfing rootstock – often called bush or dwarf trees (plant 2.5m to 3m apart). This will help keep trees to a manageable size for an average garden. Standard trees grow very big (plant 3.5m to 5.5m apart) and it can be hard to reach to prune and pick fruit. Pears don’t crop as well as apples in many gardens. They flower early and blossom can be lost unless grown in a sheltered and frost-free position. Plant more than one apple to ensure cross-pollination. Pears do best in pairs that flower at the same time, to pollinate one another. Plums and damsons Incorporate plenty of manure when planting. Don’t prune in autumn or winter and be prepared to add extra supports for branches if the tree bears a heavy crop. Damsons do reasonably well in hedgerows where they get some shelter from other trees. Choose a sheltered and sunny position for plum trees. Don’t let a young tree bear too much fruit. Cherry Morello cherries can produce a great crop if grown against a sheltered north(ish) facing wall. Prune every June to keep the tree under control and net fruit so the birds don’t get it before you do. Most sour cherries are selffertile so you only need one tree. Sweet cherries can make large freestanding trees. It is hard to net these against birds. If you have a large wall, you can train a sweet cherry against it, but be prepared to work at pruning and you may have to grow two different varieties to ensure pollination. Fig Don’t give fig trees a lot of feed or they will grow masses of leaves and little fruit. These trees grow in poor soil in waste ground and along the roadside in hot countries. Emulate this by planting close to a warm house wall, out of the way of cold winds, and into a large hole that limits root growth. The limitation can be because you line the hole or because it is surrounded with gravel, hardcore, or some such. My fig tree is planted directly into a hard yard surface. It crops very well most summers – giving 80 or so figs. Watch out for wasps and birds as fruit ripens. Raspberries Choose healthy looking canes with good roots. Plant in a trench with some compost ¬–and allow 30cm between plants. Spread the roots out and water in well. Summer varieties will usually crop in July. Autumn varieties usually produce fewer fruits but can crop over several weeks in the autumn until first frosts. Support canes with wires and use netting to protect from birds. Learn how to prune and feed so you get a good crop each year. Currants Blackcurrants and redcurrants are reliable croppers in an average summer. Four blackcurrant bushes and two

redcurrant ones will provide lots of fruit for using fresh, for making jam, and for putting several bags in the freezer. Plant in October for best results and allow 1.8m between plants. Learn how to prune and feed and these plants will crop for decades. Blackcurrants like high nitrogen feeds, redcurrants like some nitrogen and lots of potash. Gooseberries These fruits seem to have lessened in popularity, but they are easy enough to grow in most gardens. Choose a large sweet-fruiting variety for use in pies and jams. Add plenty of manure and potash at planting time and allow 1.5m between bushes. Protect blossom against bullfinches and watch out for sawfly eating leaves in summer.

Nov

Notes

Choose autumn sowing varieties like Aquadulce Claudia and sow in pots undercover or direct in drills – use a cloche to cover outdoor sowings.

Late sowings do best under cover, but this crop is hardy and does well outdoors.

Sow undercover or with cloche protection.

Coriander

Does well in large pots. Grow near a house wall, in a porch, or undercover

Corn Salad (lamb’s lettuce)

Grows well outdoors or undercover

Endive

Grows well outdoors or undercover

Garlic

Kale mixes

Kohl rabi

Land cress

Use autumn planting varieties and get them into the ground in early October Sow in rows and pick leaves when small

Late sowings are possible undercover but plants grow slowly An easy crop with a peppery taste

Mibuna

Can sow almost any time. Does best with some covering in cold weather

Mizuna

As above

Mustard greens

Pretty hardy. Leaves develop a strong peppery taste

Onion sets

Early October is the ideal time to get autumn planting varieties into the ground.

Oriental greens

Pak choi

Plants do best with some covering

Usually sold as a mix of varieties — good for salads and stir fries

Harvest when small until first hard frosts.

Pea

Blueberries These bushes love an acid soil and only crop well if they are grown in one. Choose varieties carefully. Some grow huge bushes that are hard to net against birds and some are more productive than others. The late fruiting variety Brigitta doesn’t grow too big and produces huge crops in August in my garden. Patriot produces earlier but less prolific crops for me. All blueberries are self fertile to some extent – Brigitta seems to do the job effortlessly. Allow plenty of room between plants so they can reach the full spread indicated for each variety.

Oct

Chicory

Lettuce (winter)

Grapes Vines require a bit of work. They do well in a greenhouse, polytunnel or large conservatory. Grapes can tend towards moulds in a damp summer/autumn and in a poorly ventilated space – think before you put one in a small conservatory. The roots can be vigorous and they can take nutrients from other plants so plant outside the greenhouse or polytunnel if possible and bring the stem inside through a hole in the structure or in the door frame. Choose varieties with care. Avoid small fruiting/large seeded options unless you intend to make lots of wine. Seedless, large fruiting dessert varieties are best for eating.

Good time to sow (s) or plant (p)

Sow hardy podding varieties or mangetout varieties direct in a drill in a greenhouse/polytunnel or outdoors under a cloche. Or start seed in pots.

Radish

Rocket

Spinach

Use winter varieties. True spinach doesn’t transplant well

Swiss chard

Can try late sowing for late spring crops, but better to find plants

Turnip

Late sowings of fast varieties can work well under cover in a good winter

Sow in Sept outdoors and later sowings undercover

Grows all year round in a polytunnel or greenhouse

FRUIT TREES Apple

Can plant any time between November and March, but avoid frozen or very wet ground

Pear

as above

Plum

as above

SOFT FRUIT

• Joyce Russell’s book ‘New Vegetable Garden Techniques’ is available in good bookshops now. See The Southern Star newspaper for her regular gardening column.

Currants

Plant between October and March

Gooseberries

Plant until March

Raspberries

November is the best month to plant but can plant up until April

Later plantings may not crop heavily next year

Strawberries

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LoLcoacllaylly oadcalleadylley M LM oLca MdLae dceally MLa oaa o c c llllyy Locally M Maaddaeede M Ma de

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Home&Garden

Shed-loads of options! David Forsythe looks at things to consider when buying a garden shed AS the Irish summer draws to its usual soggy close it’s time to think about getting the house and garden ship-shape for the winter months ahead. It’s a sad day indeed when the barbecue has to be put into hibernation along with the lawnmower, garden furniture and those other summer essentials, but it’s vital that you have somewhere to put them nonetheless. Buying a garden shed is a significant investment so it’s well worth shopping around and doing some research to see just what sort of shed will suit your needs best. There are a number of considerations to take into account such as what material it is made from; what size you need; what type of roof; what style etc. Another important factor is just what type of weather conditions your new shed will have to withstand. Is it in a sheltered location? Will it be exposed to the elements? Remember that here in West Cork we have a hardy Atlantic climate, so your shed will probably need to be a bit sturdier than the average! Don’t forget planning considerations too. Most sheds won’t require planning but always double check to be sure. The most common pitfall in this regard is homeowners placing their new shed in the wrong location. The structure must not extend beyond the front of the existing house so keep it to the side or the rear of your property. Height must not exceed four metres with a pitched roof or three metres with a flat roof. New structures up to 25 sq m are planning exempt as long as you don’t live in it or use it as a commercial premises.

What’s it for?

Is it primarily for storing garden equipment, furniture etc? Will you be using it as a workshop? Will you be storing indoor items, plants, seeds etc? What about bicycles, children’s toys? These are just a few of the things you need to consider that will influence your choice. If you just need somewhere to keep a few shovels and plant pots until the spring something pretty basic will do. If you are storing valuable bikes, ride-on mowers and tools then security needs to be a priority. Insulation will be needed if any kind of household items are being stored. If you plan to work in the shed, insulation and electricity may be needed. Maybe you’re considering an office, and what about running water? Beyond the basic wooden box, many shed types will also require a concrete base if you don’t have one already so factor that into your costs too.

What size?

Sheds now come in a huge range of sizes and it’s best to go with bigger rather than smaller when you are measuring your location; it’s always better to have too much space than not enough. Take into account what way the doors will open – you don’t wan’t to find out you can’t open the door once you’ve had the shed delivered! Also remember, in the case of wooden sheds particularly, you need to be able to access the building on all sides for maintenance and regular treatment.

Wood, metal or plastic?

The three principal materials now available are wood, metal or plastic. Traditional wooden sheds are a good option for plants, seeds etc, as they are not susceptible to condensation but they do require regular treating and maintenance. Skibbereen Garden Centre are agents for Munster Garden Sheds and offer a huge range of shiplap and barrel board sheds in a variety of designs and sizes. Metal sheds are a good option when you need to keep things secure and especially in exposed locations where the West Cork winter will do its worst. Avoid cheaper self assembly options as they really aren’t cut out for this type of climate. The huge Steeltech Sheds range is available through Deelish Garden ou y s g in th 0 Centre offering sturdy, guaranteed sheds, 1 Top e v a h s workshops, garages, offices and more. y should alwa Plastic is the final option. Cheaper than metal but also low maintenance. They are in your shed of en a good option for smaller storage-only by John O’Bri p -o o requirements – many people use them C Lisavaird for storing garden furniture and children’s h. us br rd ya d outdoor toys during the winter months. an 1. Shovel, rake . ow rr ba t gh ei w A Keter light the first tool out 2. Vise grips , of the box! r have enough 3. You can neve screwdrivers! wipes , for 4. Ultra-grime rfaces, etc. hands, tools , su gton boots. 5. Bekina wellin ories. 6. Paint access aluminium 7. Multipurpose ladder. less drill, no job 8. DeWalt cord too small. tooth speaker, 9. Dewalt Blue I’ll play my it’s my shed and Is it time to take stock and think music!! ! about stepping up the garden se ca – just in 10. First aid kit property ladder with a brand new shed? Go on, you know you want to!

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Home&Garden

Is your home winter-ready? BY DAVID FORSYTHE

condition, cleaned and painted and don’t forget the grate!

THERE’S no place like West Cork during the summer. On a sunny day on the shores of Roaringwater Bay you could be in the Mediterranean. Come mid-winter though and it’s an entirely different story. When you’re facing into a hurricane-force storm roaring in from the Atlantic with lashing rain and howling winds you’ll be glad you took the necessary precautions to get your home winterready! Boundaries Get your fences and hedges in shape. No matter what type or size of property you have, your first priority should be getting your boundaries in top condition to withstand the winter weather. Repair your fences where needed, treat wood, get hedges and borders in orderly shape and remove any dead wood. Engage a tree surgeon if you have large trees that need cutting back. Make sure what you have in place will provide adequate protection for your property. Make sure you know what the prevailing wind direction is and plan accordingly. If you’ve had problems with severe weather before, now is the time to address them with new fencing or hedging if required. If it’s a big job consider engaging a professional company – for example FRS Fencing in Bandon offer free quotations. Painting Paint your house. Painting not only makes your house look more attractive, it also provides the building with additional protection against the elements. Make sure you use the correct type of exterior paint. Paint suppliers such as Bandon, Drinagh and Lisavaird co-ops all tend to have special offers on exterior paints at this time of year from recognised brands like Dulux, Weathershield and Fleetwood Weatherclad, so see what’s available from your local stockist. A good sturdy ladder is essential when you do this job yourself so make sure you have one. If you have high gables or chimneys to reach consider using a scaffold or hoist – safety must be your top priority. It’s also critical to make sure your walls are clean and dry before you start painting. Most exterior

Chimneys Clean your chimney. It’s only a few weeks before temperatures really start to drop and things can start to get really chilly, so be prepared. If you have an open fire or stove it is essential that you get your chimney swept and make sure all your vents are clear. Not only is there an increased risk of an un-swept chimney catching fire but carbon monoxide is also a major risk. Invest in a carbon monoxide alarm if you don’t already have one. Carbon monoxide poisoning is deadly and the gas has no obvious smell so an alarm is vital.

Cleaning gutters is not a very popular job, but blocked or leaking gutters can have all sorts of ramifications, including damp inside the house. Now is the time to survey the perimeters of your property. A fence, hedge or tree knocked or damaged in a storm is a problem in itself, but if pieces of debris get blown around they can be very dangerous to people, property and animals. paints will be rainproof within a few hours so check the forecast!

everything is working properly. Whether you have oil, gas, solid fuel or a combination you need to get your boiler serviced by a professional. This should be done annually to ensure it is working safely and economically. Stoves are now very popular, if you have one you should give it a thorough check before use. Give your stove a good clean including the flue and if you have an enamel version a new coat might be required. Likewise with open fires, now is the time to ensure everything is in good

Gutters Nobody likes cleaning out gutters and it’s the one winter prep job that many people can overlook but skip this one at your peril. Blocked or leaking gutters can have serious implications and even contribute to structural damage if you don’t sort them out. Gutters that are holding water can also lead to damp inside the house. When you are clearing them out, block the top of the downpipe with a cloth or sponge to prevent any debris forming a blockage in the pipe. Use a trowel or brush to clear along the gutter, away from the downpipe, and collect any debris in a bucket. Use a hose to clean out afterwards and dislodge anything stuck in a downpipe with drain rods. This is also a good time to check all your gutters are securely fastened and to check for any blocked drains around the outside of the house.

Pipes Check your pipes. The nightmare winter scenario is a burst pipe causing flooding but there are steps you can take now to ensure this doesn’t happen to you. Frozen water in pipes expands and can break the pipes themselves, when the ice melts you get a flood. The key here is proper insulation. Make sure your water pipes are well insulated; pipe insulation is easy to install and is readily available from your local hardware store. Insulation As well as insulating your pipes, consider extra insulation for your attic and walls. This is one of the best ways to keep your home warm during the winter, reduce your heating bills and also reduce your carbon footprint. Up to 30% of heat can be lost through a poorly insulated attic while another 30% can find its way out through uninsulated walls!

• DOORS • WINDOWS • CONSERVATORIES

Heating Most people will start using the heating again in September or October so now is the time to ensure

Contact Stephen Dineen T: 086 847 6604 • E: stephendineen1@gmail.com

Home&Garden

Community spirit Community gardens have been bursting into life all across West Cork in recent years and a wide variety of people are reaping the rewards, writes Aisling Meath

Clockwise from top left: An aerial view of Goleen Community Garden; Zehra, Afreen, and Hali enjoying a community get-together in the garden in Clonakilty; the community orchard in Skibbereen; Dunmanway Community Garden; at work in the community garden in Bantry. THE Community Garden in Goleen was showcased on the RTÉ programme ‘Grow Cook Eat’ as an example of how enjoyable it is when a community comes together to grow its own food. ‘The garden is totally chemicalfree and the planting scheme is to encourage broad bio-diversity. We have plants like lavender, sunflowers, buddleia and heathers to attract bumble bees, butterflies, hoverflies and pollinators in support of the National Pollinator Plan.’ said volunteer Owen Kelly. As well as organic fresh food, volunteers also reap the rewards of fresh air, camaraderie and a reduction in stress. Brid Ni Fhathaigh, Emily Shakespear and John Baker regularly work the community Garden in Bantry situated on an acre of land beside the Peace Park. ‘We rent it from the council’ said Brid. ‘It’s a great social activity, everyone is welcome.’

‘We hope the garden will promote activities that help mitigate climate change, such as rainwater harvesting, tree planting, and local food production’. In Dunmanway the fruit is plentiful with apples, cherries, gooseberries,

‘We hope to create an inclusive free space for all kinds of activities and one of the first things we did was to plant a willow coppice for a local weaver who will teach basket making,’ said Emily. ‘We have onions, potatoes, squash,

‘We hope the garden will promote activities that help mitigate climate change ...’ and raspberries all growing in their community garden on land leased from the council by the Family Resource Centre. A broad group of local volunteers including the Men’s Shed rolled up their sleeves and got it up and running. Some even attended a gardening course beforehand to learn the basic skills of growing food. Now there are potatoes onions, carrots, rhubarb, courgettes,

blackcurrants, runner beans, various herbs and flowers, and are aiming for a mix of edibles, medicinal and plants for wildlife. continued John. ‘The rest of the land is rough scrub with willows, poplar, meadowsweet and brambles. We bring our kids along and they made their own den in the corner where they are visible while we work in the garden. Sometimes they even come and help us!

tomatoes, herbs plants and flowers growing in abundance. ‘The garden is open to everyone as a space to enjoy, take time out, read a book or have a picnic. We welcome the public to help themselves to berries and herbs, and ripe fruit from the trees.’ said Aileen Corkery of the Resource Centre. The flood relief works in Skibbereen temporarily halted activity in the Community Orchard, and now that work is completed local volunteers are looking forward to a renewal of growth in activity there. ‘The community orchard is a wonderful space, and has inspired other projects such as the schools garden project, ‘Herbville’ and ‘Incredible Edible’ events, ‘Appletown’ and other projects. It hosted food festival picnics and bicycle buffets and is an invaluable refuge for wildlife within the town.’ said Brian Granagan. Appletown is a volunteer led project, which aims to have 2025 apple trees

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& FACHTNA McCARTHY ENGINEERING planted throughout Skibbereen by 2025. ‘We have a number of beautiful apple trees and in the past we have grown vegetables and herbs in the orchard,’ said Ana Ospina. ‘We hope to create a mixed permaculture ‘food forest’ planting scheme made up of several layers of planting. ‘We need volunteers, and over the next couple of months we hope to organise a variety of public events to encourage people to get involved’. Zahra, Afreen and Hali are among the children who often look through the windows of the Direct Provision Centre at Clonakilty Lodge; brightening up when they spot the familiar figure of retired local teacher Jean Dignan. They are allowed to join Jean and work with her on their vegetable bed and other gardening projects, which provide them with both fun and educational experiences. With start-up funding from The Lions Club, managed by The Clonakilty Friends of The Asylum Seekers, supported by the Vincent de Paul, the garden provides a refuge to the 100 people living in the Lodge, over half of whom are children.

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‘I love the children being able to get away from being cooped up in bedsits and enjoying the fresh air in the garden. We have a homework club here as well. Gardening also provides opportunities for vocabulary building. ‘I was explaining what a snail was to some of the little ones who had never seen one before; they were just enchanted and spent hours watching it going in and out of its shell.’ said Jean. Khanyo Dlamini also really enjoys the garden and takes her children to play there. She grows a variety of African corn, which reminds her of the taste of home. Other regular gardeners include Buci, Fumni ,Pam,Tracey, Doria, Leban Stella, Karzan and Anne who all find the outdoor activity a big plus in their lives. ‘The community garden is a very friendly homely place, the children feel free ’ People are really welcoming and it’s a place where you can destress.’ said Khanyo.

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Stay safe in your home Securing your home from intruders and external hazards is the obvious thing to do, writes Niamh Hayes. But what about the dangers within? DAMP is an excess of moisture that has nowhere to go. All houses contain moisture, but an excess occurs when there is either a sudden increase in the amount of moisture entering your home or a gradual build-up of moisture caused by its inability to escape. Living in damp conditions can cause some health issues including asthma. The most common source of damp is condensation which happens when warm, moisture-laden air hits a colder surface. Poor heating efficiency and ventilation in a room will make the problem worse by making surfaces cold. Black mould can appear as a result. Inside your home, activities such as showering, cooking and drying clothes indoors will result in high levels of moisture in the air. If this moisture is not extracted from within the house, it can only dissipate throughout it. Plumbing, both in old and new houses, can cause dampness due to small drips, leaks or corroded pipes. Hairline cracks around baths and showers can also cause it. Moisture can also get into your home from the outside and will result in damp inside if it cannot escape back out. Poor external wall insulation and drainage systems, leaking or undersized gutters, weak points in chimney stacks, holes in roofs, as well as the make up of the walls, and the amount of moisture they are

subjected to, will all affect dampness. Repairing the source of water is the main solution for eliminating dampness. Improving ventilation, having a good heating system and upgrading insulation and plumbing systems are all ways of reducing dampness. Installing exactor fans in kitchens and bathrooms or, at least, opening a window when cooking and bathing, will help the moist air exit the house and avoid drying clothes indoors. Installing double or triple glazed windows, using a dehumidifier and special mould paints can all help to reduce dampness.

above which remedial action to reduce the indoor radon gas level in a house should be considered. The RPII provide a radon measurement service if you want to have the radon levels in your house measured. Once you get your home measured, there is no need to re-measure unless you carry out major refurbishment work. All homes built since 1998 must be fitted with a standby radon sump which can be activated at a later stage, to reduce high radon concentrations subsequently found. These sumps cannot stop radon but are a potential means of evacuating radon should the need arise. If you are building a house, it is possible to test the soil for radon, but this will not determine the level in a new house. Instead it is recommended that radon levels be measured soon after the house is occupied.

Radon Gas

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed underground by the radioactive decay of uranium, which is present in small quantities in rocks and soils. Radon surfacing in open air is quickly diluted to harmless concentrations and so it isn’t a huge cause for concern. However, when it enters an enclosed space, such as a house, it can sometimes build up to dangerous concentrations. If a house has very high radon levels, there can be a significant health risk for occupants. Radon can enter homes through cracks in floors or gaps around pipes or cables. Radon cannot be seen or smelt but it can easily be detected by special equipment. The Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland (RPII) has set a national reference level of 200 Becquerels per cubic metre,

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide is a poisonous gas which can cause death. It is colourless and odourless and can be hard to detect. The incomplete combustion of organic fossil fuels such as oil, gas or coal is a common source of Carbon Monoxide. In normal conditions, the combustion process will result in carbon in fossil fuel combining with oxygen in the air, to produce Carbon Dioxide. However, if there is a lack of air or the heating appliance is faulty, Carbon Monoxide can be produced. You can help protect your home

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Inspired by research into the art of pressed flowers, Sonya made her own traditional herbarium press (along the lines of those used by Victorian plant hunters) and began systematically pressing flowers from her own

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