P r e s s R e l e a s
e
For immediate release 1 March 1996
There's more to gardening than neat clipped hedges, weed-free borders and manicured lawns . . . . there's wildlife for a start. "With spring in the air, now is your opportunity to take part in some active conservation in your own back garden", says Dr Peter Foss of the IPCC.
The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (see Editors note 1) has just published a series of Growing Wiser Wildlife Gardening fact sheets to help people garden for wildlife.
The factsheets have two themes, developing environmentally friendly gardening skills and gardening with wildlife in mind. The titles of the factsheets are: "How to make a worm bin", "How to make leaf mould and garden compost", "Gardening without peat", "Gardening for wildlife", and "The world of the water garden". They are written in a user friendly style and illustrated with diagrams (see Editors note 2).
Through these fact sheets the IPCC aims to re-educate people to the art of soil care and making good compost from household waste, while at the same time giving wildlife a place in even the suburban garden.
The benefits of a home-made compost far outweigh those of the pre-packed shop counterpart which uses peat. Home made compost is easy to make, environmentally friendly, uses up domestic refuse and is free. But perhaps it's biggest advantage is that it doesn't contain peat, a non-renewable resource. The production of peat continues to threaten seven of the last remaining raised bogs in Ireland which have become extinct throughout Europe. (see Editors note 3).
"As garden and household plants do not actually need peat, it is an unnecessary ingredient in pre-packaged composts" says Dr Peter Foss an ardent gardener who has not used peat in his garden in the last 8 years.
Once set up, a compost heap or worm bin will last for many years with the minimum amount of maintenance. According to Dr. Foss, "If everyone composted their household waste, one third of all our household rubbish would be recycled and wouldn't have to be dumped in landfills where it creates so many environmental problems "
So for anyone who would like to turn over a `green' leaf in
their garden this year, IPCC factsheets are available when you
send an SAE for 40p to Growing Wiser, IPCC, 119 Capel Street,
Dublin 1.
EDITOR'S NOTE 1: The Irish Peatland Conservation Council is a national charity and is entirely supported by voluntary contributions. Conservation projects include: purchasing bogland nature reserves, providing resources and training for teachers and education groups, repairing damaged bogs, fostering a positive attitude towards bogs, and encouraging lifestyles in harmony with the environment. The IPCC can be contacted at: Capel Chambers, 119 Capel Street, Dublin 1. Tel: 01-872 2397. Registered Charity Number: CHY6829. The work of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council is supported by the FÁS Community Employment Program.
EDITOR'S NOTE 2: Growing Wiser Wildlife Gardening leaflets:
1. How to make a worm bin: practical advise on setting up a wormbin,
what to feed it and how to harvest the compost produced.
2. How to make leaf mould and garden compost: practical advise
on making leaf mould from autumn leaves, how to use them in mulching
and setting up a compost heap that produces an invaluable soil
improver for the gardener.
3. Gardening without peat: a list of suppliers of peat-free garden
products for those who don't have time to make their own.
4. Gardening for Wildlife: practical advice and suggestions on
planting your garden with attractive plants for birds, insects
and other wildlife.
5. The World of the Water Garden: how to build and maintain a
garden pond and what plants to grow if you if you want to attract
a host wildlife.
EDITOR'S NOTE 3: Raised Bogs of International Scientific Importance threatened by and damaged through the production of horticultural peat:
Click on this symbol to get back to the IPCC Homepage Copyright © Irish Peatland Conservation Council 1996