ScaryCrow

25/10/25

In this, the ‘Age of Nature’ we are doing ‘direct action for nature’ on a large scale, and have been for a long time, and we have some things to say, so it’s here on this blog that we let ScaryCrow loose.

Scarycrow : Sandro’s Blog. by separating Sandro’s bog out from this web, it allows us to keep his views out of our horticulture and gardening pages.

Sandro Cafolla since 1974 has been a force for nature, in this the Age of Nature. His business has succeeded in introducing wildlife gardening to Ireland, by setting up the first mover examples, or as we at DBN like to call it ‘Direct action to save nature’

Sandro’ says or as we say from now on ScaryCrow Says “As an Anti-nuke organiser, I am proud that we won the Carnsore Point battle, against nuclear and then Won against Uranium mining in Ireland in the 1980s. Alas as with all things the message got confused and today the real danger of nuclear energy is not the nuclear power, nor nuke weapons in safe hands, it’s the uranium mining. Great big toxic holes in the ground leaching radioactive waters into the earth, then our drinking waters and then in into river and seas, which we have no right to destroy in the first place”.

Sandro’s in his online presence in the early days of the internet, uploaded archive RTE news footage of himself and friends at the Carnsore festival. (may still be around) The BBC has archived video of Sandro working for peace in Belfast at the A Centre and ‘Just Books’.

In 1992-94, he argued for and won funding for genetic resources, for Irish Seed Savers and much more.In the past 35 years his focus is on plant species, his business and our genebanks. At his age, we hope you agree, he deserves to be able to say what he likes, sure he’s a ScaryCrow after all.

In this section, we also feature some nice photos of an interest this firm has in heritage conservation, not just plants.

One of our targets to preserve and protect Ireland’s horticultural heritage is well established in the horticulture trade, where we attend trade shows to make gardeners aware of the history, beauty and educational value of yesterdays horticultural bygones, including our wildflowers and we explain why they should be saved and protected. DBN especially goes out of our way to quantify the important work that is our livelihood, we teach our skills with these ancient tools, we relate to those bygone workers who toiled the fields with the very tools that are being destroyed as recycled metals today.  In preserving the heritage of the tools made by the blacksmith we nod to the memory of labouring gardeners and farm workers. Today we say, Field workers are worth their weight in gold and need to be paid and supported.

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Topics we hope to get a chance to explore

Bungalow Bliss, are one off house really the problem, we see a future for small scale rural one off house provided they have enough space for solar, bio-fuel, bio-filters, wind and earth/air to heat systems.These small lots could have fruit and perennial vegies, a vegie plot, small tunnel, fuel lots, chicken and small animals. ponds, stored water, recycling, and all as we do today contribute to local centralised recycling.

With work at home, collectivised resources, and support for decentralised living, we could repopulate areas needing new blood.

Housing shortage – Forest houses. Scarycrow says, if i came from a war torn country where i lived under a sheet of iron, I would suggest Ireland inc burns the planning laws for the housing emergancy and compulrost purchase selected Coillte forests, especially those deemed most suitable. Simple harvest the mono culture spruce trees down and bring in mobile saw mills use turf cutters and quickly build mud walls, timber walls, roof and floors and sod roof, so cheap at €35 per metre, – there’s a max sze that these cheap structure can be built too. (There are vernacular building still around, if you need a blue print). I hope the homeless able bodied could work together to build all the houses. Council lays on drinking water and the community collects rain and waste water. Then give the tenants, 5 years to leave. by which time they have to get established in proper housing.  There after, replant the now more fertile weed free site with broadleaves, sure pay thos ewho are leaving to do so, pay them well as they will need a break. Scarycrow bets its alot faster and cheaper than what Ire’ Inc’ is up to in 2026.