Helpful Q&A

What can I use to defend against weeds?

Use a weed control fabric which allows water and nutrients to pass into the soil and helping to retain moisture for the plants, but defends against weeds, preventing them growing through.  Use Weedol or Roundup ready to use on weeds to elimate them.

How can I help my fish during the freezing winter months?

Make a hole in the ice by melting it using a container of hot water.

How can I encourage birds in my garden?

Make sure that bird tables are well stocked with food especially in the winter when supply is short.

I have lots of moss on my lawn, what can I do?

Apply a good quality feed and moss killer such as Evergreen Complete, evenly across the lawn and after two weeks the moss will go a black-brown colour. Rake off the dead moss and re-seed the bare patches. Providing good drainage and regular feeding will help control moss occurring.

How do I control moss in my lawn?

The first thing to consider is the drainage and aeration of the lawn, mosses thrive best in poorly drained turf. Drainage may be improved by spiking the lawn to remove compaction. The ideal tool for doing this is a hollow tine fork that extracts plugs of turf, the extracted cores should be swept up and removed. If drainage is very poor lifting the turf and installing land drains may be considered. When the grass begins to grow in spring a chemical moss killer can be applied. Feeding the grass when in growth will encourage vigour, and prevent invasion by mosses. Finally be sure to mow the grass at the correct height, too short and you will weaken the grass plants, too long and you will provide an environment where trailing mosses can thrive.

How can I help my fruit trees to fight against the bugs?

Bug Clear Fruit and Veg can be sprayed onto the trees.

A little beetle is decimating my lilies. Please help!

Lily beetle is a relatively new pest but very easily recognised by its brilliant red colour. Both the adults and the larvae can cause severe damage to lilies and other plants including Hosta. The most effective treatment for plants growing in pots is to drench them with Bug Clear Ultra, this is systemic in action and will protect plants for up to 6 months from lily beetle, greenfly,scale etc. as well as vine weevil.

How do I help my houseplants grow?

Feed with a houseplant fertiliser like Baby Bio, keeping a close look out for any diseases or pests. Choose a sheltered spot away from excessive heat or draughts.

How can I encourage pond life?

At spring time give the pond a good clean, discarding older aquatic plants.

How can I maintain my rose garden?

Start a spray programme using insecticides and fungicide with a rose fertiliser such as Rose Clear 3 and feeding regularly with Rose Plus.

How do I look after my poinsettia?

To get the best out of your poinsettia remember to water it regularly and do not expose it to extremes of temperature, hot or cold, a normal warm room is about right. In addition to the fiery red blooms, keep a look out for white and pink poinsettias.

What should I use to feed my hanging baskets?

You can use either a liquid food such as Miracle Gro Pour and Feed or put a slow release product like Osmocote in the compost, which will feed the basket for the whole season.

How do I get my Hydrangea to retain its nice blue colour?

To preserve the colour of your blue hydrangea a pH value under 5.5 is required. For pot culture use Westland Ericaceous Compost, and treat with Vitax Hydrangea Colorant as recommended on the container. For plants growing in the open ground the use of Vitax Hydrangea Colorant at planting time, and regular subsequent treatments will keep the flowers an intense blue.

My Hosta suffers badly from slugs, but I don’t want to use slug pellets as I have a dog...

For those averse to using slug pellets because of pets, wildlife, children etc, various other methods of control exist: Doff Slug Killer is non toxic to pets and wildlife, and will offer control of both slugs and snails. Slug traps may be used to trap and drown slugs and Slug Barrier Granules are an excellent repellent which is spread on the soil around the plants, it provides a barrier which slugs and snails will not cross.

How do I start my Begonia tubers?

Tubers of begonias should be pressed into the surface of moist compost, hollow side up, do not completely bury them but plant with the surface level with the soil. The tubers should be kept in a reasonably warm place where shoots will be produced in a short period of time, plants can be put outdoors once all danger of frost is passed. 

What is the best First aid in the garden?

Many of the older cures for pests in the garden are no longer available, or have been replaced by newer chemicals and knowing which to choose can be quite difficult with many gardening reference books recommending chemicals which are no longer available. Our garden care department offers a whole range of products all of which are very effective, but to ensure you get the best choice for your requirement then be sure to ask at our information desk. For now here are a couple of our top recommendations:- Provado Ultimate Bug Killer! - This is the only insecticide on the market which doesn’t just work on contact, but it also finds its way into the system of the plant and protects against insects for up to 8 weeks - Available as a concentrate or in a ready to use spray formula. Round Up - A fast acting weed killer which destroys annual and deep rooted perennials such as dandelions, grasses and thistles right down to the root. Like Provado, Round Up is systemic in action working from inside the plant. Roundup is rapidly degraded on contact with the soil leaving no harmful residue which could harm pets or children.

If you have a question you would like to ask us, please drop into the Garden Centre or send us an email to info@nangles.ie and we would be happy to help.