Hi from Dublin (new to Ireland!)

Homegrown · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 12

HI everyone.
I'm very excited to have found this forum.
This is my 1st full spring/summer in Ireland having moved from Canada.
After a failed attempt last year I am trying again for a veggie garden (organic) this year. Have done a raised bed this time around as I live on reclaimed land that is mostly sandy soil...
Looking forward to reading all the great articles and learning from all the experienced gardeners and learning with all the people that are new to gardening like myself!

Her Outdoors · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 1:19 pm Post subject:

Hi Homegrown and welcome to Ireland and Irish Gardeners!

walltoall

Hi Homegrown,
Welcome to the right proper gardening site. Some of our members are homegrown Canadians who are waiting for the snow to melt back there. You'll have no such worries in Ireland, esp. Dublin.

If you have really sandy soil in your place you can restore it with seaweed and you can get the seaweed at your nearest beach free and legal. Don't nick the sand though or you'll be done for it. Raised beds can be made from the thus reconstituted soil next year. You probably are aware but let's say it anyway. Water raised beds sparsely but very regularly. Even the soft irish climate won't keep a raised bed damp. Enjoy.

Homegrown · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 12

thanks for the replies & warm welcomes everyone!

I didn't know that about the seaweed! I knew it was good at keeping slugs away (which I have a large number of in my garden!).
Unfortunatley, we are renting atm, so I dont think we will be here this time next year, otherwise I would do the seaweed thing for sure - it's a great idea!

Right now I am trying my hand at nettle fertiliser and was thinking of nicking some seaweed to put around the perimeter of the bed to keep slugs away...infact I'm going to post abotu that on the pests board!

walltoall · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:06 pm Post subject: Regarding seaweed and slugs

Well! Homegrown! I never knew that seaweed deterred slugs. See what I mean about this site? We all learn from each other. I grew up in North County Dublin. Back in the 50's the Rushmen were the great market gardeners. Still are. Trained by Dutchmen, the Amerlynks, Ruigroks, DeJongs etc. who ran from Hitler. Rush is built on sand dunes. Like twenty or thirty feet deep. Every Winter and Spring the South and North beaches were totally cleaned of seaweed (locally known as 'wore') after every storm and every big tide. One of the reasons Rush became a great seaside resort back then was it's totally clean beaches! I mean a mile of pure fine sand each side of the headland and the harbour. Visiting Dubs thought the Rush 'farmers' were keeping the strands clean for them to use! Us locals knew better. My family got our 'wore' from Rogerstown to avoid competition with the proper gardeners. They couldn't get their little grey Ferguson tractors onto the beach there.

michelle M · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 3:15 pm Post subject:

Welcome Homegrown, from another beginner Very Happy

Homegrown · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 12

WoW, thanks for sharing that info - so interesting! I'm in North County - Sutton , near Howth. I'm in an estate and the soil is sandy and rocky (i'd imagine from the builders??).
Now I cant wait until the next time I head out to Rush, it's so beautiful there.
I actually went on one of my first country roadtrips last weekend and we drive through Ballyvaughn!

sal · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 4:04 pm Post subject:

welcome

Garden fairie · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:54 pm Post subject:

Welcome Homegrown, I'm new here too. Thanks for helping the topic of slugs and seaweed to come up. I didn't know that. I'm off to the seaside this weekend Cool

walltoall · Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:41 am Post subject: Fairies in the garden

Welcome Garden fairie, Make sure you have either a trailer or some large plastic sacks. You don't always find clean seaweed on every beach and sometimes its all mixed up with sea sand. The salt content deters slugs but humping the seaweed home in the boot makes a fine mess. I hope you have a Dyson. Depending on where you are in Kilkenny, Tramore used to be a good beach for seaweed. But I don't know if you can get your car onto the beach. You can in the beaches in North Dublin

stevemc · Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 3:28 pm Post subject:

Hello Homegrown Im another refugee on the Northside of Dubln been here 15 yrs so far

Garden fairie · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 7:00 am Post subject:

Thank you Walltoall, I'm from Wx and know a few beaches with lots of seaweed. I'm also not that car proud. It has brought home at least 8 fruit trees and an assortment of garden stuff including leafmold from local woods. Very Happy

Did anyone else sow any different tomatoes?

michael brenock · Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 9:29 pm Post subject:

without Walltoall's contribution life could be dull in the site, i enjoy his contributions always
michael brenock etc