News from Julianstown
by Niamh Bn. Uí Loinsigh
Julianstown Village Garden retains its An Taisce Green Flag Award for 20/2021 and it is all down to our group of dedicated Volunteers who come along every Saturday to weed, plant, mow, sweep and cut the hedges. The chief volunteers are Jackie & Chris O’Shea, Eileen McCullough, Mary & Brendan Logue, Aisling, Leo and David Monahan, Tom Hughes, Tom Finglas, Pat Kiernan, Larry Lenehan, Delores Mullen, Cara and Declan, Stephen Hoey. There are also some who just come along every so often and do the job that gives them most enjoyment. We have Kevin and Andrew, who are both on the East Meath Community Employment Development Scheme and they both are doing a fantastic job litter picking, mowing, and cutting the hedges. The garden has really come a long way from when it started back in 2004. The late Clare McEnaney originally designed the 3-acre garden, but over the years it has just taken on a life of its own and as need demands things are changed. Any gardener knows that a garden never ever stays the same! The garden certainly gave much pleasure and solace during the Covid-19 Pandemic to our many local families and visitors and we thank them all for taking such good care of the garden by doing such small things like putting their litter in the bins provided. Many thanks to An Taisce, Meath Co. Co. , our local Councillors and sponsors, for all their help.
Halloween
Our committee regrets that our Annual Halloween Festival will not place this year, as we would not be happy that social distance could be maintained but if anyone feels like decorating an area in the garden with pumpkins or scary ghosts, please feel free to do so.
Local Planning:
The 345acre Solar Farm has been re-submitted and validated by Meath Co.Co. and several residents have voiced their concerns. The planning reference is LB201194 and due to Covid-19 there will be no Public Meetings, but a mail drop has been sent to some of the residents who live nearby. If you wish to contact Energia regarding any questions you might have please email the Liaison Officer Rosy Billingham Rosy.Billingham@energia.ie .
In the Garden
October brings with it a big change in both weather and gardening habits. As the first frosts arrive by the middle of the month, all range of gardening tasks end as a whole host of new one commences.
October spells the beginning of the dormant season for all our garden plants and national trees and as a result our countryside turns all colours of red, brown, and orange. Combined with the colourful display from our trees is the low sun and red sky sunsets which give a radiant glow to our Autumnal evenings. The traditional planting season comes into play in October. As plants go dormant, it is the best time to lift, transplant, prune, divide and take hardwood cuttings.
Things to Do In the Fruit & Veg Garden
- Harvesting is the biggest job of them all. Most vegetables including most carrots, onions, all squash, courgettes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, pumpkins and cabbage should be harvested before the first frosts. While brussels sprouts, turnips & kale all benefit from a bit of frost to ripen.
In the Greenhouse -October is a good time to do a ‘Spring’ clean-up of greenhouses. Clear away old pots and tray and clean down surfaces to prevent a spread of diseases from one season into the next. Tie down lighter greenhouses in windy weather
Plant Care Divide herbaceous perennials such as sedums, geraniums, heuchera and many more. Transplant any plants that have outgrown or are beginning to be outgrown by other plants and take hardwood cuttings of deciduous trees and shrubs. Bare root season starts at the end of the month (weather dependent) so plant early to give your hedging the best possible start
Lawn Care – Give the last cut of the year around the end of the month. Avoid cutting in frosty conditions. Set the blade high, just to top the lawn.
General Maintenance Stay on top of fallen leaves and rake up every 2 weeks. Use a leaf blower for quick & effective results. Neaten up borders for the Winter months and Put away garden furniture before the heavy frosts. Cover over chimeneas, benches & other features with garden furniture covers. Give lawn mowers a service and remove petrol before putting away for the Winter
FOR A 10TH YEAR – Great Pink Run
The Great Pink Run with Glanbia is back for the 10th year, this October 17th and 18th 2020, with the aim of raising funds to support Breast Cancer Ireland’s pioneering research and awareness programmes. With Fitbit as silver sponsors, the event will be virtual this year, in recognition of social distancing protocols, with participants encouraged to run, walk, or jog either a 5k or 10k, in their own local communities that weekend. Registrations are now open at www.greatpinkrun.ie. The cost of registration is €15 + the cost of post and packaging.