I would be very cautious.

I realise you are in Ireland rather than the UK, but I guess that pesticide authorisation is likely to be similar.

The Defra garden database, when searched for the active ingredient 'copper', only authorises the use of copper oxychloride in grapes.

The RHS list of withdrawn chemicals lists copper oxychloride in all other situations, and copper sulphate (Cheshunt compound and Bordeaux mixture).

Just because a product is no longer licensed does not automatically mean that it is harmful to use; it can just mean that the licence owner did not want to go through the product renewal. But copper can be toxic, hence my reservations.

Google are bringing out an update this week which should help on the ad swamping. They don't care about the little guys like us, but when some of the big ones (Daily Mail etc) have complained they've actually started to implemented some changes. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll not be playing daily advert whack-a-mole around the site and they will be less intrusive

Dear fellow gardener,

Someone gave me copper to use on my potatoes which I grow in bags. I bought all my varieties from a certified seller and they are doing marvellous, not a mark on them and the first flowers are forming. As they do so well why would I use copper? Is it necessary?

You may need to set up an account to get this, but it is a good one.

£10 off your order when you spend £20 or more across our entire range of flowers, plants, seeds and bulbs.  Ends midnight 20th May.  Code TM_TN4951W

Last day of the beef stew.