Outdoor Living

GARDENING Prepare for winter – and spring

Patsy O’Sullivan on the October tasks in the flower garden – preparing for winter and next year’s blooms.

Andy Wilson looks at the history of hazelnuts and cobnuts in Ireland and describes how to grow them.

John Paul Tiernan describes how algae, crustaceans and birds along Mayo shores are on the move this month.

Chris Brown discusses the myriad uses of trees and why they might also be the fuel for our future.

Advice on growing blueberries, which are particularly suited to Ireland’s moist climate and peaty soils.

John Paul Tiernan on scientific advances in oyster breeding and the future of oyster farming in Mayo.

This week, next at the latest, Mayo’s red stags will start to descend from the high hills to find their hinds.

In the latest article in his series on fruit and nut trees, Andy Wilson discusses plums and damsons.

Celebrate National Organic Week at Enniscoe Harvest Picnic and Allotment Day in Ballina this Saturday.

Mayo Organic Centre, Mayo Abbey, is open to visitors this Thursday for National Organic Week.

Chris Brown looks at the likelihood of flooding as a consequence of global warming and asks, ‘What now?’