Muintir na Tire School Garden Competition

  The Lord Mayor of Cork urges Primary Schools in the City to enter Cork School Garden           Competition   for 2026   LtR.    Una Leader, Scientist for Environmental Awareness, Green Schools and Circular Economy Cork City Council. The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy and Cathy Davis and Bethany Elvins    of St. Mary’s Special School Rochestown at the launch of the Cork School Garden Competition in Atkins GardenWorld Atkins Garden World was the venue as the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Feargal Dennehy launched the annual School Garden competition for Primary Schools in Cork City. Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy  emphasized the significance of school and community gardens in promoting Cork City Council’s biodiversity initiatives. He remarked, “These initiatives play a crucial role in our aim to achieve net-zero carbon emissions within the next decade. Cork City Council takes pride in collaborating...

  The Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley with pupils of Coachford National School Seán Murray and Mia Malinovska at the launch of the Cork School Garden Competition in Atkins GardenWorld. The Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley with pupils of Coachford National School Seán Murray and Mia Malinovska at the launch of the Cork School Garden Competition in Atkins GardenWorld. L-R Ger Barry, Director of Services Planning and Environment, Cork County Council, Aida Goold, Senior Executive Officer Cork County Council, Sean Murray Coachford National School, the Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, Mia Malinovska Coachford National School, Katherine Corkery Planning & Environment Directorate Cork County Council, Conor Nelligan Heritage Officer Cork County Council at the launch of the Cork School Garden Competition in Atkins GardenWorld. Pupils of Coachford National School Seán Murray and Mia Malinovska at the launch of the Cork School G...

  Peas Peas produce a small yield from the space they occupy – so why grow them? Well, they are almost never available in the shops fresh, always frozen. As soon as a pea is picked from the plant the sugars inside it start to turn to starch, which means the flavour starts to deteriorate immediately. So, peas that are cooked immediately after picking will always taste nicer than the frozen alternative. Peas are also a fantastic veg to grow with kids, as it gives them the chance to eat peas raw – which, in our experience, they absolutely love. SOWING Peas will grow in most reasonable soil. They don’t require any nitrogen fertiliser, as they take in nitrogen from the air via bacteria in their roots. If adding a general fertiliser use one that is low in nitrogen. Peas are usually sown direct into the soil, but can be transplanted from modules. If sowing in modules sow 1-3 seeds per module. Seeds can be sown from March and can continue until mid-June. Earlier sowings usually give the be...

  Beetroot Many people have an aversion to beetroot because the only way they have ever tasted it is boiled and drowned in vinegar. If this is your experience, we recommend giving it a second chance. Beetroot is a fine root crop that is easy to grow, is incredibly good for you, and stores well, therefore can usually be eaten all year round. On top of all these benefits, when it comes to cooking it has multiple uses – boil it, bake it, grate it into salads, make chutneys, wine and even cakes (beetroot brownies anyone?). Try baking young, small (golf-ball sized) beets in the oven wrapped in tinfoil – they are a revelation. SOWING Beetroot likes a fertile soil with good levels of soil nutrient. Ideally it should be planted in a soil that has been manured the previous winter. Don’t worry if you have not prepared any beds prior to sowing – you can still successfully grow beets so long as the soil is healthy. Appy an organic fertiliser about a week before sowing/planting out. Beetroot ca...