Muintir na Tire School Garden Competition

  Cork School Garden 2022 focus on Coomhola  N.S This week we focus on Coomhola  National School from South West Cork. The judges were very impressed with the  wild play area, Individual trees for pupils, native trees, and good  mowing regime.  Congratulations to all involved at Coomhola National School. Enter for 2022/23 here

  Cork School Garden 2022 focus on Conna National School This week we also focus on Conna  National School from North Cork. The judges were very impressed  by the great use of limited space, water harvesting, rotating  composter  and the Involvement of classes. Congratulations to all involved at Conna National School. Enter for 2022/23 here

Plant flowers and Bees will Follow Do you think our Pollinators are declining Do the Windscreen Test. 10-15 years ago, If your travelled a few miles , your windscreen would have bees splattered on it Now it takes a few week of driving for the same result Lets feed the Bees Here is a list of Bee friendly Plants  Super food for butterflies Since 1984 50% of the Irish Butterfly species have drastically declined. The following is a list of super foods for butterflies • Borage • Lupin • Phlox  • Salvia  • Rudbekia • Aubertia • Verbena • Sedums • Delphinium • Lavender • Sage • Buddleia (Buzz) Dwarf Variety • Single Flowering Dahlia • Nicotiana  • Cosmos  • Delphinium  • Oregano  • Primroses  • Catmint  • Hebe • Wallfower Have you tried an over ripen Banana to Feed the Butterflies Happy gardening

Click on picture above to download Guide Why is pollination important?  To make a seed, plants have to move pollen from one flower to another flower of the same type.  This movement of pollen is called pollination. Without it, there would be no seeds, and without seeds, there would be no plants.  This matters to us because plants provide a large part of our diet, as well as other resources we depend upon. It matters not only to humans – wild plants also provide food and shelter to most of our wildlife (birds, mammals, and insects).  We also shouldn’t forget that it is those wild plants that make our island a colourful and attractive place to live. WHO are our pollinators?  In Ireland, some plants are pollinated by the wind, but most are pollinated by insects, including bees, hoverflies, butterflies, moths, beetles, wasps and ants.  Most insect pollination is carried out by bees. We have one type (species) of managed honeybee and 98 different wild bees. This includes 21 bumble

  Cork School Garden 2022 focus on Coachford N.S This week we focus on Coachford  National School from West Cork. The judges were very impressed with this  wonderful garden and by the knowledge of the pupils. The Art in the garden was wonderful, the hose and hubcap sculpture, pallet container on wheels to store  garden tools and the quality of the vegetables was excellent. Congratulations to all involved at Coachford National School. Enter for 2022/23 here

  Cork School Garden 2022 focus on St Maries Of the Isle N.S This week we also focus on St Maries of the Isle National school from Cork City. The judges were very impressed by the  great use of small space, lots of different elements,  the u se of willow dome as art space and composting. Congratulations to all involved at St Maries of the Isle National School. Enter for 2022/23 here

  WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY? Biodiversity  is basically a fancy word for nature. It was formed by merging together the two words ‘biological’ and ‘diversity’. It simply means the enormous variety of life on the planet. From the tiniest bacteria to the largest elephant... if it’s alive it’s part of biodiversity.                  Why is Biodiversity important? Aside from the obvious moral reasons for looking after biodiversity, q uite simply without it we would not be able to survive on Earth.  ​That’s kind of a big deal. H ere are seven reasons why: Food             Cleaning Recycling Wellbeing ​Materials Medicine Air School Projects ​How can you boost the biodiversity at your school? We have put together a collection of fun and simple actions you can take to help a wide variety of wildlife.  Wildflowers Birds Bees  Bugs Growing wildflowers  is probably one of the most beautiful biodiversity projects you can undertake at your school. This is not just great for wildflower conservation and the

When Shade Gardens are Beautiful  The biggest question I get asked at Griffins Garden Centre is “What can I grow in a shaded corner” I love planting shade loving beds. It is where I can plant some different plants and still have so much interest and colour.  A cottage garden in shade can be bursting with colour if you select the right Plants  Perennial flowers that add colour: The bleeding heart is an apt one for Easter. Old Fashioned Pink Bleeding Heart is a popular shade perennial with arching stems of lovely, heart-shaped flowers. A timeless classic, this plant inspires nostalgia whenever it's noticed! (Dicentra spectabilis) Blooms of the bleeding heart plant (Dicentra spectabilis) appear in early spring adorning the garden with attention getting, heart shaped flowers borne on arching stems. Read more at Gardening Know How: Bleeding Heart Flower Care – How To Grow Bleeding Hearts https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bleeding-heart

  Cork School Garden 2022 focus on Castletownsend N.S This week we focus on Castletownsend  National School from West Cork. T he judges were very impressed with this  first time effort and the knowledge and enthusiasm of the children and also by  hens maintained and hatched by the class. Congratulations to all involved at Castletownsend National School. Enter for 2022/23 here l.

  Cork School Garden 2022 focus on Templebreedy N.S This week we also focus on Templebreedy National School  from East Cork. T he judges were very impressed with the g reat use of small space,  water harvesting,  knowledge of pupils and whole school involvement. Congratulations to all involved at Templebreedy National School. Enter for 2022/23 here

  Cork School Garden 2022 focus on Vicarstown N.S This week we also focus on Vicarstown National School  from East Cork. T he judges were very impressed with  the the great improvements from the last visit. The new trail & wildflower meadow was brilliant, the welcome smiley face and country specific beds matching was very creative. Congratulations to all involved at Vicarstown National School. Enter for 2022/23 here

  Cork School Garden 2022 focus on Timoleague N.S This week we focus on Timoleague National School  from West Cork. T he judges were very impressed with  the new pond, tunnel & wildflower meadows and use of limited space. Congratulations to all involved at Timoleague National School. Enter for 2022/23 here