Latest news with #'sGarden
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
'Super Garden' recreated at local school to honour late gardener
The wife of a talented gardener who died shortly after winning RTÉ's Super Garden competition has said she is delighted to see his creation living on in a local school in their hometown. John Dooley and his wife Elizabeth from Castledermot, Co Kildare, won the top prize for their design "Past, Present, and Future" last year. Their feature garden, which was displayed at last year's Bloom festival, emphasised the importance of using land to produce food and protect the environment. John, a former farm manager and gardener who was self-taught, focused on pollinators, medicinal plants, and vegetables. Tragically, just one day after he began clearing away his design when Bloom ended last June, John suffered a heart attack at home and died. Now, his wife Elizabeth has marked the first anniversary of his death by opening "John's Garden" at Scoil Diarmada in Castledermot, where he donated the creation after his big win. 'The night before his anniversary, I thought: 'Oh no, I will have to go through this ordeal again, and I'd be crying and having red cheeks all the time,'' she told the Irish Examiner."I told myself: Get up and get ready. His garden and the school have really kept me going, this is what John wanted and that has helped me 'John and I were very close and had similar interests, so I talk to him every day. I talk to his photo, and I feel him all around. Liz Dooley, centre, cutting the ribbon at Scoil Diarmada to officially open the garden her late husband John Dooley donated to the school. Picture: Moya Nolan 'John wanted to pass the garden on, he was over the moon when he won, and he wanted the school to have the garden because he felt like the old way of growing your own vegetables was being lost.' Cutting the ribbon at the official opening at the front of the school, Elizabeth told locals: 'John would really love this, and you're all here now in his memory, and I wish everyone joy as they come into the garden.' John, who was 62 and originally from Killeen in Co Laois, was described as a 'laid-back man with a huge talent for gardening'. 'There was nothing he couldn't do,' said his wife. 'I entered him for the Super Garden." The couple, who celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary last July, were 19 and 22 when they got married. 'He came to the dances here in Castledermot and we met there. He was in good health, but suffered a heart attack around nine years ago. But he was going well. He tended to the garden in the local Church of the Assumption after he was made redundant as a farm manager. "That's where we got married there, and that is where his funeral Mass was too.' Elizabeth said she now finds some solace knowing the garden has been donated to the local children. 'His dreams and wishes will live on in that garden," she added. Principal Jennifer Murphy speaking to visitors at the opening of the garden Liz's late husband John Dooley donated to the school. Picture: Moya Nolan Scoil Diarmada principal Jennifer Murphy paid tribute to John and Elizabeth, saying: 'The most important thing we have learned is that gardening is not an instant thing." 'In a world where we don't always understand the promise of time and patience, the children are now learning to appreciate that if you plant a seed it takes a lot of time and care to grow. "This will be the legacy that John leaves us. May he rest in peace." Read More Colin Sheridan: Bloom is the crowning jewel of our capital city
CBS News
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce spotted in Philadelphia on Mother's Day
Taylor Swift and her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, were spotted dining in Philadelphia on Mother's Day. Some lucky Swifties snapped a picture of the global pop star and Berks County native along with her Kansas City Chiefs tight end boyfriend in Philadelphia on Sunday afternoon. The couple was seen enjoying lunch with their mothers and a few other family members inside Talula's Garden in Washington Square. Swift and Kelce have been enjoying some time off after she wrapped up her worldwide "Eras" tour, which spanned from March of 2023 through December of last year, and since the Chiefs' season came to an end with a dominating loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 10.
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Households in new builds urged to avoid specific type of lawn
A gardening TikToker has a host of tips for people living in new-build homes to bring more wildlife back to their garden - and their top tip is to avoid one type of lawn Hundreds of thousands of people move into new-build homes then wonder why there doesn't seem to be any birds, insects or other wildlife coming into their garden. And the answer, says one gardening expert, may lie on what you've put on your lawn. Charlotte Hugh, who runs the TikTok account Charlotte's Garden with nearly 47,000 followers, bought an end-of-terrace new-build home with husband Ben back in 2020, and since then has transformed their "mud pit" into a thriving cottage garden. "The garden has become our sanctuary, a colourful, characterful cottage garden in the heart of a busy housing estate," she says. "As more and more homes are being built, these blank canvas gardens are getting more common. So, I'm on a mission to inspire others to transform their spaces and create havens for wildlife." Chief among her tips is to rip out the plastic lawn put in by the developers and replace it with pollinator-friendly grass or flowering shrubs. "I think, as new build owners, we have a responsibility to make our gardens as wildlife friendly as possible," says Charlotte, 35. "Too many new builds have plastic grass (and even plastic plants) lack of trees and no places for wildlife to thrive. But it really doesn't take a lot to make your garden a haven for creatures." Second on her list of dos and don'ts is to put out bird feeders and bird baths to give feathered friends an incentive to visit your garden, "especially in the winter when the birds are extra-hungry". "You can even put out water for insects to drink from too (a little shallow dish full of pebbles and water works well)," Charlotte recommends. Next up, create a wildlife pond to help smaller bugs and frogs thrive. Keep the sides shallow so if any creatures fall in, they can get themselves out safely. "This could be a pond dug into your garden or just a barrel or old sink filled up," says Charlotte. "Any water in your garden is wonderful for wildlife. Just pop a few pond plants in and a solar-powered fountain too." Consider how to make your garden attractive to pollinators like bees, butterflies, beetles and moths so they will keep coming back. "This could be alliums, verbena, lavender, cosmos, hollyhocks - there's loads," Charlotte advises. You can also sow wildflower seeds in one area of your garden and see what comes up - just check you're scattering native plants and not invasive ones. "Leave areas of grass longer for insects to thrive in," says Charlotte, "and leave piles of logs, leaves, branches around for animals to take shelter under." Bee and bug hotels are another way to increase the biodiversity of your garden, as are planting trees to provide shelter and food to passing birds. And, says Charlotte, think about bigger creatures too. "If you haven't got concrete fence bases (like I do) then make sure you cut holes for hedgehogs to pass through - search for 'hedgehog highway'," she adds.
Hindustan Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Sukesh Chandrashekhar gifts Jacqueline Fernandez tulip garden after her mom's death: ‘She'll be reborn as our daughter'
Alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar has written a letter to Jacqueline Fernandez on her mother, Kim Fernandez's death. He allegedly named a lily and tulip garden in Bali after Kim. He said, 'she will be reborn as our daughter'. Also read: Jacqueline Fernandez visits Siddhivinayak Temple with 'dear friend', Elon Musk's mom Maye, calls it beautiful experience Sukesh penned another letter to Jacqueline from inside the Mandoli Jail. He began his letter by calling Jacqueline his love. It was shared on Reddit. He shared, 'Baby girl, Mom is "with us", "in us" around us as or Guardian Angel, I know the Pain You going through But my love, I am in harder pain, Because you know In a very short period, I have been the Closest to mom Then all of you, its very difficult to digest that she is Gone too Early, and I could not be there with her, for her. remember What mom used to tell me, and the Note she had written to me on my Birthday in 2021'. In the letter, he alleged that he arranged a special prayer mass at Vatican for her mom. 'I am Gifting You a Very Beautiful, Lily and Tulip Garden in Bali, Dedicated for mom, as Lily and Tulips were, her favourite flower's, I have acquired, a large piece of the island where the farming was ongoing at Bali, Now its a fully Private Garden Named, owned Kim's Garden by Jacqueline Fernandes. I am Gifting you This Garden today as your Easter Gift, in Remembrance of Mom,' he wrote. Sukesh shared, 'Baby you know What I am very guilty about, I hope Mom did not hate me While She was Breathing her last. However I am sure me being her favourite, Mom will surely have a Re Birth as our Daughter. Baby Be Strong Mom is with us, Now Dad is our priority, he needs all, The love, You are a Warrior my queen, Stay Solid, Don't Doubt Yourself or Blame Yourself.... Baby I really want you to go with Dad to visit your Easter Gift, that I am giving you today, which is Dedicated for Mom, as you will surely feel her presence There'. Earlier this month, Jacqueline Fernandez's mother, Kim Fernandez, died in a Mumbai hospital, her team had confirmed. She was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital last month. Jacqueline's mother was admitted after suffering a heart stroke. Last month, Jacqueline skipped the IPL ceremony in Guwahati as her mother wasn't well. Jacqueline's mother, Kim was of Malaysian and Canadian descent, whereas her father Elroy Fernandez, is from Sri Lanka. Sukesh Chandrashekhar, an alleged conman, has been behind bars since 2015, facing charges of a massive multi-crore fraud. During the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) investigation into his alleged crimes, a connection to Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez emerged. Sukesh has claimed that he is dating the actor. A few pictures of the two together also emerged online following the claims. However, Jacqueline has denied Sukesh's claims, alleging that he deceived her into believing he was a legitimate businessman. Furthermore, she has accused Sukesh of using intimidatory tactics to threaten her, leaving her shaken and disturbed.
Fox News
04-04-2025
- General
- Fox News
10 products to take care of your indoor plants in the spring
With the worst of winter behind us, it's time to refocus your indoor plant care on spring. That means increasing watering, fertilizing, repotting and dusting the leaves. You'll want to keep the soil moist in the spring, which means checking with more regularity. Look for a fertilizer with equal nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels for flowering varieties. Here are 10 tools to help you care for your indoor plants in the spring: Original price: $14.49 Potting soil helps get your plants ready for growth. Miracle-Gro Houseplant Potting Mix contains perlite, sphagnum peat moss, fertilizer, a wetting agent and coir to help your indoor plants grow. It's designed to feed plants for up to six months after potting. For $19, try Sill's potting formula, which is based on a nutrient-rich blend of coconut coir, aged pine bark, rice hulls, compost and earthworm castings. Original price: $109 Check your plant roots for signs that it is time to repot. If you see roots winding around the outside of the root ball or more roots than soil, it's time to find a new pot for your plant. Moving plants to larger pots allows you to add new decor to your living space. This metal pot planter with a stand from Wayfair is modern and elegant. Or try this Southwest Texas ceramic planter, $15.99 at Walmart, for a chance to infuse more color into your room. Try Sill's all-natural fertilizer to give your houseplants the macronutrients and essential trace elements they need to thrive. You can also use this liquid fertilizer on outdoor plants. This organic liquid fertilizer, $13.97 on Amazon, contains a premium organic mix of macro and micronutrients that gently feeds all potted household plants. Use neem oil on your indoor plants in the spring as a preventative measure against common pests and diseases to protect them throughout the growing season. Neem oil is a natural pesticide that can be used on indoor and outdoor plants. Kate's Garden Plant Spray for Insects, $17.99 on Amazon, is a peppermint oil-based, non-toxic spray to help rid your plants of pesky fruit flies and fungus gnats. A moisture meter for indoor plants can be a great tool to ensure you aren't overwatering plants in the winter or underwatering them in the summer. The meter takes out the guesswork of watering your plants by providing accurate readings of the moisture content in your plant's soil. This Classy Casita's garden moisture meter delivers reliable readings. This three-in-one meter, $20 at The Sill, provides moisture, pH value and light level readings. Add lava rocks to the top of your plant's soil to help hold moisture before giving dry soil a good soaking. Lava rocks are also great to add if you have a planter without a drainage hole. They can help with overwatering. You can also use wood mulch for the same effect, which costs $3.97 at Home Depot. Support your thriving climbers and Monsteras with a Coco Coir Pole. This vertical plant support made from coconut fiber mimics the texture of tree bark, allowing climbing plants to attach their aerial roots and grow upwards. A set of four poles costs $17.99 on Amazon. Remove dead leaves from your plants with these Modern Sprout pruning shears on Amazon. They have a no-slip grip and a carbon steel blade, perfect for quickly deadheading flowers, cutting herbs, grooming houseplants or trimming pesky dead leaves. Regular dusting keeps your plants' pores free and promotes healthy photosynthesis. Keep your plants dust-free this winter with these soft cotton gloves explicitly designed for dusting houseplant leaves without damaging them. These microfiber gloves, $5.81 at Walmart, are another great option that will make dusting houseplants easy. For more deals, visit A beautiful watering can that sits on a sill will inspire you and remind you that it's time to check your plants' water level. It's also functional decor. This watering can in bronze, $20 at the Sill, is handcrafted from metal. WhaleLife's watering can, $14.99 on Amazon, has a Scandinavian design with a long-stem spout.
