Ask our gardening expert Paraic Horkan your gardening questions – Simply e-mail your question to askparaic@gardencentre.ie
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
On your Mid west radio slot you mentioned a weed control that could be used on Potatoes after the last round of clay is applied, it was for the preemergence of weed – what was the name of the product??
Many thanks
Niamh
hi Niamh – thank you for your Question on Weed control in Potatoes – the Product i mentioned was LINURON which is used for weed control in Potatoes and carrots.
Linuron should only be used on potatoes as outlined on the instructions on the container.
Paraic
when is the best time to prune a eucalyptus tree
hi mary – you can cut back or trim your Eucalyptus in July Lightly – any heavy pruning should be left until next spring April is a great month and Euculpthus respond well to pruning – Paraic
Hi Paraic
I am a newby gardener but am learning as I go along. I have recently planted dahlias and hydrangea in my garden. I mixed in compost and nutri plant feed when I planted them. Do I need to continue feeding weekly and if so what should I use?
Thanks
Nicky
Hi Nicky,
thank you for your Question and well done on your sucess to date as a new gardener – Dahlias and Hydrangeas are two great choices for easy to grow plants that add lots of colour. You have done everything well in terms of preparing and planting your new plants.
The hydrangea plant will not need any additional feeding for the rest of the summer but you can certainly continue to feed the dahlias weekly with ONE liquid fertiliser which will encourage lots of additional colour and help the plants to flower until early winter. Watch for slug damage and lift the dahlia tubers / roots in november and store until the following spring – Good Luck
Hi Paraic
Thank you for your advcice.
The dahlias are doing well with lots of flowers but the hydrangea doesnt look any different from when I planted it nearly a month ago. It was unfortunately damaged by a pesky neighbourhood cat just days after it was planted so I staked it for extra support but am worried that it just wont survive. Any suggestions on what I can do to try breathe some life into it?
How do I store the dahlia tuber/roots until spring?
Sorry for all the questions, so much to learn!
Thanks
Nicky
Hi Nicky,
Great to hear your Dahlias are doing GOOOD – They will continue to flower up until October and possibly into November ( up until we get the first frosts) Protect from slugs over the next couple of weeks and continue to Liquid feed them as this will also help to swell up the developing tuber/ root for next Year.
After the frosts have blackened your dahlias ( in november) Dig up the dahlia Tubers, remove all the soil, and store each tuber by wrapping the dry tuber in newspaper and store them in a frost free location ( garage or attic is fine) – Pot up the tubers in early february indoors and plant out next May for another year of stunning colour.
Your Hydrangea will probally not do a lot more this season, i would leave it alone, it will drop its foliage in november and remain dormant for the Winter ( no need to do anything with it for winter ) Next spring it will burst into growth and you can feed it in May with some rose fertiliser or a good shrub fertiliser and repeat in Mid June – Good Luck