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There’s plenty of jobs to do in the garden

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By Debby Looney, gardening expert

It seems that the longer the days get, the bigger the list of jobs in the garden gets!

Everything, including weeds, is experiencing a growth spurt. While, in principle, I am against using pesticides and herbicides, sometimes exceptions can be made for example, the gravel drive! There are a few products available which prevent regrowth, Weedol ‘Pathclear’, ‘Premazor’ and Resolva granular ‘Weed preventer’, all have enzymes which prevent seeds from germinating, giving you at least six months control.

Conifers always look their best at this time of year, especially those with brightly coloured shoots such as Picea 'Daisy’s White'. Top of the list, for me, has to be Abies koreana, a beautifully shaped conifer, with bright green new growth and bright purpley-blue cones. It is a slow grower and suitable for medium sized gardens as a specimen. Herbaceous plants are all making an appearance, and Candelabra Primulas are spectacular now, with their tall spikes of multi-coloured flowers. They grow particularly well in moist shady areas of the garden, and they are slug resistant.

For some weeks now bedding plants have been available, but to my mind it has been too early to plant them out. However, with the month turning and the weather heating up, it is safe enough to start planting out the bedding. Do keep an eye on the weather forecast and cover any annuals with garden fleece, or even some hessian.

Planting pots

There is a fantastic range of pots available to the gardener, ranging from enormous glazed pots, to very affordable high quality plastic ones. My favourites are still the basic terracotta pot, as I love the way they age. There are pots to suit every situation, from square fibreglass ones in which topiary looks stunning to brightly coloured stackable pots. When planting pots, we have always been told to put some drainage in the bottom, such as gravel. This works quite well, but the new way of thinking is to omit any drainage. When water draining through the pot suddenly finds itself with nothing to cling to, that is, when it hits the “drainage”, it actually stops moving downward, and in a bizarre way causes waterlogging! So, save yourself the trouble, and put your compost straight in! Mix in some water retaining gel, and slow release fertiliser, then water the pot before planting. The gel will swell so you can gauge whether you have put in enough compost. As a rule of thumb, I find three patio plants such as surfinias or bacopas, in a 14 inch basket is plenty. Fill in any gaps with trailing lobelia, or other bedding in trays. If you put too much into a basket or pot, the result will be some of the plants dying due to lack of space!

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Killarney for Palestine film screening

Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz. The event, which […]

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Killarney for Palestine recently held a sold-out screening of the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land’ at the West End School of Arts, raising €2,100 for Camp Breakerz.

The event, which took place on July 3, included two screenings, both of which were fully booked. Guests enjoyed cheese and wine before the shows.
‘No Other Land’ depicts the ongoing destruction in Masafer Yatta, a cluster of villages in the Southern West Bank, and shows the experiences of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. The film won in the Best Documentary category at this year’s Academy Awards.
The screenings were organised in association with the West End School of Arts.
All proceeds from the €25 tickets benefited Camp Breakerz Crew, a children’s charity based in Gaza that provides creative outlets through dance and is involved in food distribution programs in Nuseirat Camp and Deir-Al-Balah due to food shortages.
Sally MacMonagle, who recently spent time in Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, also spoke at one of the screenings.

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Bid to host European Presidency summit meetings gathers pace

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026. Deputy Cahill […]

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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Tourism, Michael Cahill TD, has highlighted Killarney’s suitability to host summit meetings of international Government Ministers during Ireland’s six-month European Presidency tenure in 2026.

Deputy Cahill believes Kerry’s available accommodation, food, and conference facilities are “second to none,” with Killarney as the central location.
“Visitors from every corner of the earth have been coming to Kerry for centuries now, to experience its beauty and serenity and have returned on many occasions because of the fabulous time they have enjoyed during their stay here,” said Deputy Cahill. “Where else would you want to bring the senior Government Ministers of all of our EU counterpart states, to experience Ireland, its customs and heritage?”
The Rossbeigh TD outlined various attractions available for visitors during downtime: “During their downtime, they can visit the Blaskets and Slea Head, Sceilg Mhichíl and the Ring of Kerry, Killarney’s Lakes, Gap of Dunloe, National Park and Sliabh Luachra, all of our glorious beaches from Ballybunion to Rossbeigh, Kells to Ventry, Whitestrand to Inch, Ballinskelligs to Cromane, Waterville to Derrynane.” He also cited Kerry’s golf courses, Listowel Writers Week, the Rose of Tralee, and Puck Fair as potential experiences.
Deputy Cahill confirmed he has raised this matter with An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin; An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris; and Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne.
“If Killarney’s bid is successful in bringing the Heads of State to our county for meetings, conferences and functions, it will be a massive boost to the local economy in Killarney and also throughout the county,” added Cahill.”Iwill continue to push in the coming months for Killarney and Kerry to be included as bases for the rounds of meetings that are to take place from July 1 to December 312026.”

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