Dede Sophie

Volvo’s XC40 is a deceptive car, writes Brian Byrne. The styling suggests it is smaller than it actually is, but its dimensions are similar to Nissan’s Qashqai and it is larger in most measurements than the Range Rover Evoque, which appears bigger. My neighbour has an Evoque and that visual comparison was easy when I had the electric version of the XC40, the Recharge, outside my house last week. I have liked the styling of the XC40 since it first arrived here in early 2018. There’s something about the angular details, almost boxy, that sets it away from the usually curvier competition in the compact SUV space. It kind of radiates ‘no nonsense’. As you’d expect from the Swedish brand. With a bit of swish added in the form of the diamond cut and black alloys. The vehicle was good enough to win Car of the Year accolades in both Europe and Japan as well as the Women’s World COTY in 2018, and the Continental Irish Car of the Year for 2019. The no nonsense ethos is also largely true for the ...

Can you grow a mandarin orange from seed? LOOKING FOR MANDARIN ORANGE OR OTHER RARE AND UNUSUAL SEEDS? THEN CKICK HERE FORTHE ‘SEEDS OF EADEN’ SEED SHOP Mandarin oranges are a seasonal, easy to peel, sweet tasting fruit usually eaten plain or in fruit salads. However, if while spitting out seeds you have thought to yourself…. ‘Could I grow a mandarin orange from seed?’ ..well the answer would be a resounding yes! Like most citrus fruits, mandarin orange seeds are relatively easy to both germinate and then cultivate. To begin, collect your Mandarin orange seeds and then wash of any fruit residue under tepid water as the residue will contain natural germination inhibitors. If you are using dried seed then allow to soak, again in tepid water for 12-24 hours. Mandarin orange seedsUsing 9cm pots filled with a good quality seed mix such as John Innes ‘Seed and Cutting’ plant one seed per pot just below the surface. If it is available then an Ericaceou...