Bringing Christmas indoors

FLAUNT YOUR SKILLS
The Christmas period is the perfect time to flaunt your indoor decorating skills. There are plenty of opportunities to be creative, either by home baking or making decorations. Maybe not everything you see lying about outside is suitable for hanging on the tree or decorating the walls, but, it’s amazing how an everyday item can be transformed with a bit of glitter and some cotton wool. Evergreen shrubs are ripe for picking just before the holidays and make a wonderful addition to the table.

Here are some other fun and unique ways to bring the outdoors inside.

COLLECTING ALL YEAR
Start collecting things now. For the best decorations keep your eyes open year-round. My mother in law has the same principal for buying the presents, if she sees something at any time of year it goes into the present’s drawer, if only I had that discipline. Items that can be found in the wooded areas or countryside include discarded bird’s nests, large seed pots and pine cones. Flowers, herbs and berries can be picked and dried early.

STRING THEM UP
Try stringing popcorn to make a garland, stale popcorn works the best. Add pine cones, plain or spray-painted in plain colours or glittered. Or just add fake snow to cap them with.

Sliced citrus fruits make beautiful homemade stained-glass windows when hung from the branches of the Christmas tree. Simply slice the fruit, place on baking tray and put in the hot press. If you are in a rush (and who isn’t at Christmas?) then put the slices in a warm oven. Sprinkle with sugar or varnish or just keep them as they are to enjoy their natural colour as the winter sun catches them.

Large nuts and seed pots are easily sprayed with gold paint or glitter, adding to the much-welcomed sparkle.

PINING FOR SCENT
Baskets filled with pine cones are beautiful around the fireplace, near the backdoor, or as a centre piece on the dining room table. Since many pine cones drop early in the year, the scent may need to be refreshed with evergreen or cedar oil. A few drops will do the trick. Pine cones also can be dipped in egg whites, then rolled in cinnamon and other spices. These make unusual gifts or as an aromatic pick-me-up just before guests arrive when you throw them on the fire (the cones, not the guests).

An inside wreath created with flowering herbs, twigs, and berries not only is a graceful addition to your own wall, but it makes the perfect gift. The key to creating a wreath is to forget about being perfect. Any holes can be filled in later, and every wreath has it’s own appeal.

CHRISTMAS HOUSE PLANTS

No festive Season would be complete without some indoor house plants to freshen the air, soften the hard edges of a room and give an extra splash of colour. Here are some easy to look after varieties that are all widely available. The Poinsettia’s are going for next to nothing in the shops. They probably won’t last as long as the ivies or ferns but that doesn’t matter because they give us so much pleasure over the short Christmas period




Cyclamen - this winter to spring flowering plant is excellent for indoor use and is available in a variety of colours, red, pinks, purple and whites.

Winter Cherry (Solanum) – These have brilliant orange/red berries.
Christmas Cactus (Zygocactus truncatus) is another great plant to use in your home and will flower for weeks.
African Violet - One of the most popular houseplants here in Ireland and so widely available in a variety of colours with great velvety green foliage.

Ivy (Hedera) - Small ivies make great houseplants.

Ferns – Try the holly or maidenhead ferns, both make excellent indoor plants.
Osmanthus - Commonly known as 'False Holly' it is a great Christmas display.

Primrose (Primula) – These give colourful clusters of flowers a range of yellow, red, pink, white, orange and purple.

Poinsettia – Red white or cream, they will compliment any Christmas theme.

Azaleas - Colours including white, red, pink and purple. They don't like being hot and dry, so keep cool, which is good advice all around at Christmas……


NOT EVERYTHING IS SUITABLE
I mentioned earlier about not everything outside being suitable to be used as Christmas decorations, or ornaments at any other times of the year. This got me thinking about the times when I carried unusual (or dangerous in some cases) things into the house thinking “It seemed a good idea at the time”.

I have decided to do a Top Five list.

1. When I got my first house, I wanted to look sophisticated so I bought a load of old books from a charity shop to give me an instant bookcase full of “Old Classics” These classics had bookworm issues, which put the woodwork of the house in danger and made me look really daft when anyone asked me what a particular book was about, having not read any of them.

2. A friend of mine bought a fresh oyster each for us to enjoy. He guzzled his down making horrible guttural noises, which frankly made me feel ill. I therefore kept my new pet in a bucket in the front room for three weeks simulating the tide with my hands and feeding it fish food. I eventually had to throw it out as it was becoming a health hazard and the neighbours were complaining about the smell.

3. Like many people of my age, I have (when much younger and more foolish) come home with a traffic cone, usually on my head and had a road sign in the bedroom.

4. I was getting fed up with the wallpaper in my front room one day and decided to change it. The paper came off really easily as it was vinyl, revealing some older wallpaper from the 1940’s. It looked OK to me so stayed there until I moved out four years later.

5. A friend of mine wanted to spend a couple of nights sleeping on my settee…He ended up living there for two years.

Floods

COPING WITH A FLOODED GARDEN
More and more people are getting concerned about flooding and the damage it causes. No house is really safe, although the severity of the floodwater will differ depending on where you are. Although we escaped the severity and distress of the damage, there have been floods in Inishowen with Greencastle being the worst hit. The issues of why this is happening are open to debate…Global Warming and the fact that we have been building on flood plains are just two theories. Whatever the reasons our hearts go out to the families who have been so affected by the floods. When the waters recede and it is time to clear up and count the costs there will also be some work to do in the garden.

HERE COMES THE FLOOD
I used to live in an area where the bottom of the garden got washed away every year. It wasn’t that the area was low lying though, it was because the storm drains were not sufficient to carry away the water fast enough. The result was the manhole covers used to pop off of the drains and the water would come out like a very powerful fountain. It wasn’t just the water of course as the drains were also linked to the sewage pipes. Having sewage in the water is why so many household items have to be dumped. Veggies contaminated by sewage couldn’t be eaten either.

AFTER THE FLOOD

After the water level has gone down there are some steps you can do to bring the garden up to scratch.

· Add some slow release fertiliser or well-rotted manure to the soil (beds and lawn) as nutrients will have been washed away. Don’t disturb unti it has dried, then gently aerate the soil with a fork.
· Put some coarse lime-free sand into the holes as well to aid the drainage.
· Most garden plants will survive a day or two under water so don’t panic and start digging everything up straight away.
· Wash down hard surfaces and collect up debris to prevent drains blocking, soil surfaces being covered, and pollutants or contaminants lingering in the garden. Wear gloves and overalls to minimise contact with pollutants.
· Remove damaged shoots from affected plants.
· Consider planting trees on a slight mound.
· Grow plants in raised beds.
· After flooding, edible crops near to harvest are best not eaten: no assurances can be given that root crops will be safe to eat, so they should be discarded. Plants eaten raw should be discarded too, and it is prudent to avoid growing salads and other uncooked crops for two years in case disease spores remain in the soil. However, the following year after flooding, it should be safe to grow crops that are to be cooked.
· If you know in advance that a flood is coming then try to gather everything from the veggie patch that you can before it comes.

Here are a few other things you can do:

· Roofs converted into living green roofs absorb storm water and release it slowly.
· Move any items kept outside such as garden furniture to higher ground. Remember that floodwater could get into your garage so move any chemicals or fuel to ensure that they do not spill into the floodwater and cause damage.
· Close off the flow valves on propane tanks, oil drums, or other fuel containers that supply your home through pipes and fittings.
· Unplug any exterior electrical connections such as outdoor lighting, pond pumps and filters.
· Turn off the water supply to the garden.
· Tie in climbing plants.
· Check tree ties are secure on any newly planted trees.
· Anchor fruit cages and coldframes against storm damage or dismantle them if time permits.
· Take valuable or sentimental items and store them indoors or move them to higher ground.
· Empty petrol lawn mowers.
· Lock gardening tools away.
· If there is somewhere for water to go, drainage can be installed. Or, where appropriate, it may be worth digging out a ditch or seasonal pond at the lowest part of the garden to catch surplus water and let it soak in slowly.
· Choose permeable surfaces when laying drives, paths and patios to allow rain to soak in.

REMEMBER:
Floodwater will often be contaminated, usually by untreated sewage, spilled chemicals, silage from farms or dead animals.

· Always wear protective clothing when working in or near floodwater.
· Wash all cuts and cover them with waterproof plasters.
· If you receive a wound during a flood you should go to a doctor and get a tetanus injection.
· Small children, pregnant women, elderly people and those with mobility difficulties or other health problems should be kept away from floodwater.
· If you feel unwell at any stage or if you ingest floodwater you should contact a doctor.

If you would like some more information about how to cope with flooding then go to
www.flooding.ie.

CHRISTMAS TREES

I inherited a mantelpiece Christmas decoration a couple of years ago from my mother. It is a collection of moulded together resin figures that have a frequency sensitive snow effect backdrop, which automatically plays a selection of Christmas carols at totally inappropriate moments. It gave my mother loads of enjoyment, as she would leave it on all year round to irritate the carers that come to visit her when she was ill. I tried to keep the tradition going in my own house after she died, but the rest of the family know where the off switch is on the back. However once the Christmas season comes it takes its place at the heart of the trappings and decorations of the season. Apart from this ‘Christmas tat’ as my 14 year old son calls this family heirloom with a look of patronising disdain, the other favourite decoration in our house (and in many others) is the Christmas tree. Now Although our family tend to put up our tree sometime in the week before Christmas, I have noticed many families locally put it up in the first weekend in December. So what are the options when choosing your tree?


SELECTION AND CARE OF YOUR TREE
You might be opting for the synthetic tree, which have their merits. Every year our family debates the merits of synthetic versus real. In practice this means I try and persuade Julie to have a practical, tidy, non needle dropping, reuse every year synthetic one and every year after politely listening to my great oratory powers, Julie goes out and gets a real one. When you are selecting your real Christmas tree always bear in mind where you are going to place it in the house. Check that the size suits your home and the room you are going to put it into. For most modern homes a 6ft Christmas tree is very suitable.

Check that the stem is straight and the tree has even, dense branches and a fresh colour. When you bring your Christmas tree home, cut an inch or two off the bottom of the stem and stand it outside in a bucket of water. Shake off any loose needles before you bring it inside and stand it in a special Christmas tree stand or in a bucket of wet sand with a water bowl to which you should add a pint of water daily (avoiding the electrics). Try not to let the tree dry out, as the base will re-seal itself and stop taking in water. Water is important as it prevents the needles from drying and dropping off and the branches from drooping. Water also keeps the tree fragrant. Place the tree in the coolest part of the room away from fires and radiators, as central heating is the worst enemy of a tree.

ROOTED TREES
If you have a big garden, then why not consider buying a rooted tree in a pot. Rooted trees in pots have the best chance of survival if they are kept in the house over the Christmas period. If you water them well they should still be alive at the end of the holiday and you can plant them outside in a half barrel in the garden ready for next year. I have known people successfully re-use their trees for a couple of years this way. They were planted into a bigger pot every year and it was a good while before the trees got too big for the house. It can be a lot of work keeping them watered in summer though.
Christmas trees to plant outdoors

Maybe you would like something Christmassy in the garden all year round. There are a few trees that would be suitable. Don't plant Norway spruce though unless you have a very large garden. It grows to about 30m (100ft) and drops needles all year. Instead, try:

· Abies koreana - grows to 12m (40ft) and therefore more suitable for the smaller garden.
· Abies procera - silvery-blue, fragrant tips, smooth, grey bark, and good needle retention.
· Abies fraseri - soft needles, which also hold well, and strong boughs that are ideal for supporting heavy ornaments.


TREE SAFETY
Make sure your tree is properly secured and positioned clear of doorways, stairs, heaters and open fires. Christmas tree lights can be dangerous if not properly wired. There are a lot of different types to go for in the shops. Look for the approved safety standards sign on the box and go for the low energy ones like the Buncrana Christmas Lights Committee have done this year. Remember to unplug tree lights and other decorations when out of the house or going to bed at night. And if you have a cat, make sure that it doesn’t jump up the tree to get to the shiny baubles and bring the whole lot down.



TREE TYPES

The most popular types of Christmas tree sold include:

· Norway spruce - the traditional choice and usually the cheapest. It has fallen from favour in recent years, as it tends to shed needles quite heavily. Nevertheless, if well watered and kept away from radiators it will drop fewer needles.
· Nordmann fir - the most popular tree these days due to its needle-holding qualities. It has strong, straight branches clothed with thick, flat needles with a silvery underside. But it's the most expensive as it's much slower growing.
· Fraser fir - this has a good shape and excellent needle-holding qualities.
· Blue spruce - this tree has a silvery-blue colour to the thick needles and an aromatic, citrus scent.
· Scots pine - a little more unusual, but a wonderful, bushy tree, with extra long needles that don't drop as readily.

WINTER GARDENING FOR KIDS

MEETING YOUR NEEDS

I never noticed, or remember bad weather days when I was a child. I also can’t imagine being hot when my toes feel like icicles. It’s no doubt a safety feature we have built into us so we don’t suffer unnecessarily. Imagine being able to feel toothache when you don’t have it…not nice at all.

There must have been days when I just couldn’t go out though and I also must have found things to do to occupy myself. I remember having a day off school because of an illness when I was about six. This must have been one of the longest days of my life….. My mother had to put me on the settee, throw a blanket over me and left me there until teatime when she got back from work. I must have been ill because I didn’t move all day other than to see if there were any children’s programmes on the television. There weren’t. The only programme on was a schools programme called “Meeting Your Needs”, or Needing Your Meats as the producers so cleverly called it by altering the title in this edition. That phrase has haunted me ever since and I can’t help but think of it when I hear meat being mentioned. I was glad to get back to school the next day I can tell you and realised that you miss nothing if you stay off school. From then on I dragged myself in every day until I left.

GARDENING FUN FOR THE CHILDREN

Gardening fun doesn’t just have to be in the summer months. So, how can we generate a bit of horticultural interest in children and get them away from the snappy catchphrases of daytime TV and the relentless Christmas advertising? Here are a few ideas.


1. If I had a hammer: If you are handy with a hammer and nails, how about giving the children a hand making a bird house. The wood yards around Inishowen are very good at cutting wood to the right length for you if you are not too confident about cutting it yourself…It’s only a question of fixing it together with a few nails ..check out the internet for a plan.

2. Windowsill Gardens: When the relentless rain and winter cold keeps children inside, try cultivating a windowsill garden. All you need is a sunny spot and a few containers of soil. Herbs are an excellent choice for windowsills and you can plant bulbs now (just about).

3. Garden crafts: There are several projects you can try, depending on their age and interest. Hand-painted plant markers or homemade whirligigs to put between rows to frighten off birds. Check the internet for more ideas.

4. Garden Centre Visits: Plan a visit to the local garden centre to buy seeds. Or let your child help select varieties from the seed catalogues. Then start seeds indoors to plant outside after the last frost. Ask the experts at your garden centre or check the internet or your favourite gardening book to determine when to start seeds.

5. Carnivorous Plants: What child wouldn't be fascinated by an insect-eating plant? Many garden centres sell Venus Flytraps in their houseplant section.

6. Watch Seeds Sprout: Put some paper towels into a jar or on a saucer. Sprinkle on some large seeds like courgettes or smaller seeds like mustard and cress. Keep them moist and leave them on the kitchen windowsill. Seeds should sprout in a few days.
7. Potty People: Draw or paint faces on small clay pots, then fill with soil. Plant grass seed, water, and watch the "hair" grow. The other idea is to make a grasshead. Make a ball from a pair of old tights and fill with a mix of wood shavings and grass seed at the top, before tying up the end. This can then be made into a face and watered.
8. Paint and Decorate: Let children indulge their natural creativity by painting inexpensive terra cotta pots to use next spring or for repotting houseplants this winter. They also make nice birthday and thank you gifts. If you use water based paints (recommended if you are doing this inside) then a coat of varnish after the paint has dried will seal in the colour.

9. Worm Farm. Line a large cardboard box with a dustbin liner bag. Fill it with soil, organic matter, and a few worms. Keep it shady and moist, but not too wet. Add vegetable kitchen scraps to the top of the pile. Worms help teach children about the interdependence of plants and organisms as they turn vegetable kitchen scraps into valuable compost. Get them to hold one as well…..

10. Terrariums. Carefully place some soil and a few mosses and plants (with roots) inside a clean mayonnaise jar. Keep your indoor garden moist with a plant mister, and cover the opening with clingfilm.

11. Feed the Birds. Stock up on birdseed and suet at your local garden centre, and feed the birds this winter. Have your child keep a record of all the species of birds that come to the feeder and what date each first was spotted.