Sitting pretty? Well here’s Esther N McCarthy’s picks for colourful midsummer moments at home.

In this video Peter Dowdall from the Pavilion Garden Centre in Cork reveals how to ensure the best growth and colour if your planting Clematis and Azalea this Spring. 

Give your home a lift with a splash of seasonal colour. Esther McCarthy unearths some chic and cheerful gems.

We’re all about the mammies this weekend, so Esther N McCarthy has done a swift gift foray for those to whom we owe everything.

As the season warms up, Faith Ryan starts the hunt for that perfect gift.   

Environmentalists are ramping up pressure on Coillte to end the use of a hazardous pesticide in State forests.

“The children arrive every June, like garden elves, bringing joy to all, especially, the patients.”

Faith Ryan samples a delicious lampshade, mosaic table coasters and vintage-print coffee cups.

CORK GIY will have its first first outdoor visit of the year, and seedling swap at Knocknaheeny/Hollyhill Community Gardens. 

Charlie O’Leary, landscape designer at the Pavilion Garden Centre, says we underestimate watering needs.

Macroom Flower & Garden Club presents a spring gardening talk by Mary Cronin (BSc. Hort.) from Sweet Magnolia Garden Centre, Lissarda on Thursday March 12 at 8pm in Coolcower House. 

Cobh Flower and Horticulture Club holds its next meeting in Cobh Community Centre on Monday 2nd March at 8pm. 

Cork Alpine and Hardy Plants Society present a talk by Val Bourne, the award-winning garden writer, last year’s “Journalist of the Year” at the UK Garden Media Guild Awards; photographer; lecturer and columnist for the Telegraph newspaper, on Thursday, Feb 26.

The Home Renovation Incentive scheme or HRI was introduced by the Government in October 2013 as a way of stimulating activity in the construction sector. 

Ever wondered how long it would take to see nearly everything Cork city has to offer?

There’s a certain snug, indoorsy feel to this week’s pick from Esther N McCarthy.

Mitchelstown Flower and Garden Club are hosting a teaching and work night demonstration with Bernadette Scanlon at the Town Hall on Thursday, October 30 at 8pm. 

The Owenabue Garden and Flower Club, Carrigaline, will hold its decorative show on Monday, October 20 at 8pm in the Church of Ireland School Hall, (entrance beside the main gates to the Community School). 

It’s Arabian nights and a bit of Scottish borders too for Esther N McCarthy this week as the first nip appears.

Willow pattern, with its Chinese love story playing out on bowls and plates, brings a hint of granny’s table-top style back in fashion (€82.95 for 20-piece set, from Anvil Home).

Esther N McCarthy goes hunting for some extra-special products this week, from an over-sized homage to 1950s pop culture to a fun way to keep the children’s toys tidy.

Esther N McCarthy has watery wishes this week, along with lovely interior set pieces too.

Modern living in Ireland dictates that many of us will live in high-density urban situations, featuring balconies, terraces and communal rooftop open space. Here are some useful ways we can optimise this style of outdoor living.

An tIonad Glas, The Organic College in Dromcollogher, Limerick,is hosting an open day tomorrow, Sunday, July 20, from 2pm to 5pm.

* Ballyseedy Home and Gardens will host an ‘Open Garden Day’ on July 12 from 10am to 4pm at the gardens of Noel O’Keeffe, Silverstone, The Rock, Carrigtwohill.

As humans we have an inbuilt affinity with water.

* The World Flower Show will run at the RDS, Dublin from June 19 to 22.

From nautical lighting options to magical sea creatures Esther N McCarthy (@estread) adds to her list of wishes.

* ACE at UCC and the Irish Heritage Trust will offer a summer short course at Fota House: ’A History of Gardens’ with Dr Nigel Everett which will run for 6 weeks, starting on June 10.

Stargazing, geek crazes and total comfort make up Esther N McCarthy‘s pick of wishes this week.

The garden can act as another room, especially late in the evening, via subtly lit features.

This week Esther N McCarthy offers a silken tower of Easter eggs for a touch of hall table seasonality and some bright summery things to cast about.

Gardening goodies sprout up on Esther N McCarthy’s list this week.

Go back in time with these gloriously colourful retro clocks, 40cm each and €35 from Harvey Norman. www.harverynorman.ie

¦ Macroom Flower & Garden Club Spring Floral Demonstration & Gardening Talk on Hellebores & Spring Bulbs Thursday, March 13 at 8.00pm, Coolcower House.

Springtime is inspiring some fresh and funky styles.

One of the biggest hurdles in garden design is the small matter of the budget. . . be warned, landscape work can be deceptive in terms of spending.

¦ Cork Flower Club have Beatrice Hartog, AOIFA, to demonstrate on Tuesday, February 18 at Canon Packham Hall, Douglas, at 8pm.

This week Esther N McCarthy gets loved up for arts, crafts, tabletops, jewellery, bathbombs — and toast.

Carol O’Callaghan has some great buying ideas for those who may be stuck for inspiration at this time of year.

¦ Coachford flower and garden club are hosting a Christmas demonstration: ‘Have yourself a very Merry Christmas’, with Margaret Ahern, in the Village Inn Coachford, on Dec 4, at 8pm.

With autumn on its way and the nights drawing in, it’s time to get cosy in the midst of the back to school rush. Helping with the effort, Esther N McCarthy picks a clock, some lamps, cute pottery and clothes to wrap baby in.