Kevin Gallagher doing a great job selling the Irish Seed Savers seeds in the Dublin Food Co-op. See you soon Kevin!

This tree in Africa doesn’t look like much from a distance, just a stumpy tree by the river bank.

But becoming closer you gradually see the amazing carvings in the trunk.

These Baboons creeping along the trunk and branch.

How many animals do you think there are here?

This chimpanzee is so life like!

Galloping horses through the branches,.

A hippo curved along the underside of a branch.

Snakes coiled around the roots.

This spider crawling around the tree, and all this hasn’t harmed the tree at all, its still healthy and very much alive. So don’t tell me you are bored go bore a tree!!

Great question and heres the answer.

You can freeze seeds to extend their life but once thawed they need to be used straight away otherwise they will quickly loose viability.

Seeds need to be very dry about 3% moisture to survive long term storage; for which you really need a dehumidifier in our climate here in Ireland. It’s best to get your seeds as dry as possible then store in paper bags or envelopes, then in airtight containers somewhere cool – 3-4 degrees centigrade in the dark and at a stable temperature. You can keep them in a fridge also most seeds except parsnips and carrots, once dry will remain viable at least between 5-10 years.

So get growing, saving, drying and storing. Best of luck and do get in touch if you have any questions.

Brassica napus

SOW: April to June either in modules or  direct in drills. Thin to 30cm apart.

HARVEST: Throughout winter.

Tuesday March 2nd 2010, Macroom Library. Midday

2). ‘The Gearagh flood plain’

Sunday March 7th 2010, (meet in the car-park, 1 mile from Macroom on the Bantry road). 2pm.

‘Aboriginal Woodlands of the Barony of Muskerry’.

(packed lunch and appropriate footwear).

Bail O’Dhia ar an Obair’s beir bua- Ted Cook

We have had several applications from homeowners in Clare who would like to be part of the show and have the garden of their dreams created by an amateur designer so we are now looking for eager new designers in the South West & Shannon area.

The show will air in May, providing great exposure for the chosen designers and the winner will have their design recreated and featured as part of this year’s Bloom exhibition.

NEW SERIES OF ‘SUPER GARDEN’ COULD YOU BE A SUPER GARDENER?

Are you passionate about gardening? Is it your ambition to be a garden

designer? Do you dream of winning a Gold Medal at Chelsea?

‘Super Garden’ is seeking 5 amateur garden designers to compete for the title

of ‘Super Gardener’ in the new RTÉ series, to be broadcast in May 2010.

A passion for gardening is a must, as is creative flair, and the ability to design

a garden to a budget and deadline.

So if you feel you have what it takes, this is what you need to do!

Email us and tell us briefly why you love garden design, and what your dream

design would be. Where possible, please enclose basic plans or drawings.

Email: supergarden@vipmg.tv

Only amateur garden designers are eligible to enter this competition.

Filming will take place during the months of March and April 2010, so

applicants must be available for filming during this time.

Terms and conditions apply.

We are inviting anyone interested in starting a garden or the avid gardener to bring along any surplus saved seed  and young plants they may have to swap with other gardeners and growers.

During the day you will be able to talk to the Seed Savers experienced staff and find out about their work in preserving and increasing agricultural biodiversity in Ireland.

A practical demonstration will be given and get a chance to see the Agricultural student’s polytunnel. The students will also be selling tea, coffee and cakes with all the proceeds going to the college.

There’s no need to book and you don’t need to bring seeds or plants, just come along and maybe you will go home with a few surprises.