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It’s time to take care of your lawn

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By Debby Looney, gardening expert

Living in Kerry is a real treat at this time of year when Magnolias shine.

There are so many beautiful specimens in gardens, and it is now they are spectacular. In February they are instantly recognisable by their large soft flower buds reaching up to the sky, but in March we are treated to an unsurpassed show!

Magnolia soulangeana will grow to quite a tree, but Magnolia stellata is suitable for smaller gardens. For a shady spot in your garden, possibly under a magnolia, I recommend Bergenias. These are evergreen, hardy, low-growing perennials, which are now flowering in many shades of pink. Pink Dragonfly, Bressingham white and Silberlicht are just a few of the many varieties available.

Lawn care really begins in March. If your lawn is looking thin, or has a lot of moss, you may need to remove old thatch and moss in order to re-seed. There are a lot of types of grass seed, that which is suitable for a shady garden, or “tough grass”, and even “smart seed”, which incorporates a water retaining gel. However, aeration and nutrients are the key to a healthy lawn. If reseeding, and especially when sowing a new lawn, consider mixing in an amount of white clover. Clover fixes nitrogen in the soil, eliminating the need for chemical fertilisers, as well as providing bees with a great source of nectar. White clover stays low, and will not ruin the look of your lawn. It is, in my opinion, definitely the way to go.

There are many types of fertilisers for sale, and I thought I would quickly go through a few of them today. Sequestered Iron, or Sulphate of Iron, is one which many people ask about. It helps ericaceous plants which are struggling to grow stronger and produce flowers. Apply in early spring.

Sulphate of Ammonia is a fast-acting nitrogen supplement, suitable for greening up plants.
Sulphate of Potash is high in potassium promoting flowers and fruit, as well as helping the plant to resist pests and diseases.

Superphosphate helps to ripen fruit, and can be applied throughout the summer.
Epsom salts are high in magnesium, which is needed for healthy foliage and is also very good for tomatoes.
Fish blood and bone is a general fertiliser, but is “natural” as opposed to chemical.
Bonemeal is also a natural product, and is excellent for root growth.

Garden lime is also an important additive, especially if you have very acidic soil. Slightly alkaline conditions are especially good for cabbage varieties, as it prevents clubroot.
As always, read the labels, and when you can use organic products.

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Ireland’s oldest citizen has Killarney connections

Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week. Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections. The previous record […]

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Ireland’s oldest woman met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin this week.

Máirín Hughes, who turned 109 on May 22 has strong Killarney connections.

The previous record was held by 107-year-old Nancy Stewart who died on September 10 2021.

Although born in Belfast, Máirín went to school in the Mercy Convent. Her father was a customs and excise officer and the family moved around a lot eventually coming to Killarney after spells in County Down and Dublin.

Her mother came from the Rathmore area and her father was from Newmarket in County Cork.

She attended the Mercy Convent and has, in previous interviews, recalled growing up on the shores of Lough Lein.

“Neighbours who had three children were given the job of taking me to school,” she said. “They were annoyed because the children were going to school for two or three years but I was put in to the same class as them – my mother had taught me.”

In 2021 she featured in the book ‘Independence Memories: A People’s Portrait of the Early Days of the Irish Nation’, sharing stories of being kept in school in Killarney during an attack on the RIC barracks down the road.

In 1924 she started a degree in science and a diploma in education at University College Cork, before working in the pathology lab in University College Cork’s Department of Medicine for 16 years.

last year she recalled her story on the podcast: ‘Living History – Irish Life and Lore’.

During the broadcast she talked about her parents’ membership of the Gaelic League in 1910; the Spanish Flu in Ireland in 1918; The Black and Tans in Killarney in 1921; the early days of the new Free State; Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in 1932, visiting the Basket Islands in 1929; and working in the UCC medical laboratory from 1932 until 1948.

This week President Michael D. Higgins hosted an afternoon tea event to celebrate the important role that a variety of people have and can play in different communities and Máirín was among the guests of honour.

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Philip is running over 100kms for Cancer charity

Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday. Phillip has already […]

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Local runner and charity fundraiser Philip Kissane is set for the biggest challenge of his career as he lines up for the Cork City Marathon on Sunday.

Phillip has already completed four half marathons at various locations around Killarney – all in aid of Kerry Cancer Support Group – or the Cancer Bus as it popularly called.

This is the second time that Phillip has run four half marathon and an official race for the charity.

Back in 2021 he finished with 5km Run Killarney event but his finishing race this time around is over eight times the distance at 42kms.

“We are delighted with Philip’s continued fundraising support but also with his awareness raising for the charity,” Breda Dyland, Service Manager Kerry Cancer Support Trust.

“We are getting busier all the time and still get no statutory funding so are dependent on fundraisers like Philip’s to keep us on the road. We have just put our new wheelchair accessible bus on the Cork route so Philip’s funding will be going towards the operation of this vehicle.”

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