These awards won at the Bord Bia Quality Awards 2010/2011.
Freshly cut grass... sun-soaked skies... lazing on a warm afternoon. Yes it's summertime! It's the perfect time for enjoying your garden to the full. To get your garden off to a flying start then begin with your lawn, which will be growing rapidly throughout the summer months and will require mowing at least once a week. For best results it is advisable to mow little and often and a fast acting lawn feed will make all the difference. Look out for weeds which can soon take over your garden during the warmer months, and not only do they look unsightly but they steal valuable water and nutrients from your soil and can become hosts to pests and diseases. Do take the time to remove any weeds using a hoe on annuals and small weeds, or a weedkiller on those persistent, deep-rooted perennials.
If you would like to add some instant colour to your patio and garden then opt for some ready filled pots, or plant up your own. Don't restrict yourself to only buying plants in bloom. Some plants, such as petunias, can be set back after planting and may take a little longer to bloom. Plants without blossoms will actually bloom sooner and may even grow better as well. Hanging baskets also add instant colour and should be safe to leave outside once all danger of late frosts has passed.
No doubt that watering is the biggest chore of the summer months and your plants need just the right amount of moisture to ensure that they produce a display to be proud of. It's important to conserve water so remember that well established plants may not need watering, however plants growing in pots, baskets or containers can dry out in a matter of hours on a hot day. Newly planted trees, shrubs and bedding plants will also need regular watering as they are vulnerable to drought. Use a hosepipe with a watering gun instead of a watering can to prevent water wastage - it's quicker too.
Consider adding a controlled release fertiliser and water-retaining gel to the compost in pots, containers and hanging baskets to make feeding and watering easy. They will suffer if the soil is not supplemented with nutrients during the growing season so use a high nitrogen feed, such as Miracle Gro, until midsummer, then opt for a high potassium feed, such as a liquid tomato feed.
Tomatoes are a favourite home-grown vegetable and a little care and attention now will ensure bumper crops throughout the summer. Make sure your plants are well-supported by tying them in as they grow. Be sure to remove sideshoots from upright cordon varieties and remove yellowing or dying leaves, and remain alert for pests and diseases treating accordingly. Feed weekly with a liquid tomato feed and water regularly.
Enjoy long, sunny days by having a barbecue in your garden. Those who like cooking will appreciate having plenty of herbs to hand. Plant up a herb pot with delicious culinary favourites which will be wonderful to have just there when needed. For a potpourri of aroma and taste then chose a mixture from Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Basil or Bint. If planted in a permanent spot in the garden, many of these favourite herbs will return year after year. Herbs can be planted in beds and borders, or grown in pots on the patio making them some of the most reliable and easy to grow plants around.
Finally, for colour gaps in beds, borders or containers now is a good time to fill them in. Chose an eye-catching tree or specimen plant such as Fatsia Japonica, Phormium, or perhaps some colourful grasses. To add interest to a dull or flat garden put up an arch, pergola or trellis and cover it with colourful climbers. Make your garden pop with colour this summer with fuchsias, roses, lavender or spirea.
Have a happy, safe summer in your garden!
Orchard Cafe is now stocking VENGA - a new to the market drink which unites innovative premium fruit combinations with significant and comprehensive nutritional value and select teas in an extraordinary way. Orchard customers have reported very positive feedback for VENGA products which promise outstanding taste combined with healthy benefits and authentic natural functionalities based on the latest cutting edge scientific research.
The refreshment is only available in a small number of exclusive establishments, so Orchard is once again leading the way in bringing new and innovative products for customers to try out.
The ingredients in VENGA drinks are not used by accident. Their fine-tuned and
balanced interaction creates a traceable overall functionality, which far
exceeds the total amount of each ingredient. Best of all... it tastes great!
Photo: Gerry Dooley, owner of Orchard with Graham Knuttel
World-famous artist, Graham Knuttel, chose Orchard Home & Garden as the venue to launch his beautiful new Light of the Moon design, a limited edition plate, which became available from 26th March.
To celebrate this, the renowned artist was at Orchard to sign his charming collection for customers.
The artist's style is unique and is instantly recognizable. The vibrant, colourful collection makes a statement and is sure to be a topic of conversation for young and old alike.
His work is represented in many important private and public collections in Europe and the USA. Amongst some of the celebrities who own a Graham Knuttel piece are Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Eddie Jordan, Christy Moore, Colin Farrell, Michael Stipe, Bertie Ahern and Joanna Lumley.
Graham Knuttel's collection starts from €15 at Orchard. The limited edition Light of the Moon is €125.
Furnish your bedroom with fabulous-ness! Our new Hamptons collection has just arrived in store and is now available.
Every piece of this beautiful range meets our high standards for design and sustainability. The look is traditional yet modern, romantic and feminine, reliable and strong. The range includes single beds, double, queen or king, with a choice of lockers, wardrobes and dressers.
It's never been so easy to get the bedroom of your dreams!
Orchard is delighted to be a 5 Star Gold Award winner for 2010/2011, this award was won at the Bord Bia Quality Awards. Orchard has also won an award for Best Product Information & Signage.
"Quality Award recipients pride themselves on delivering above and beyond consumer expectation," explains Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive of Bord Bia. "They have to make significant investments in training, infrastructure and procedures to attain a Quality Award and consumers can benefit greatly from identifying them before they plan a trip to the local garden centre."
Orchard has also been listed as a top 20 retailer. This prestige was accredited by Retail Excellence Ireland.
