Muintir na Tire School Garden Competition

  Cork School Garden 2022 focus on Gaelscoil an Teaghlaigh  Naofa. This week we focus on Gaelscoil an Teaghlaigh Naofa from Cork City.  The judges were very impressed by a  great first time entry, lots of upcycling and recycling and 6th class growing  tomatoes. Congratulations to all involved at Gaelscoil Teaghlaigh Naofa National School. Enter for 2022/23 here

  Cork School Garden 2022 focus on Gaelscoil an Chaislean  N.S This week we also focus on Gaelscoil an Chaislean  National School from South West Cork.  The judges were very impressed  by their great first time entry, the great variety of veg & herbs, links to other communities,  Sensory element to the garden, Sunflowers for Ukraine and Cooking of the produce. Congratulations to all involved at Gaelscoil an Chaislean National School. Enter for 2022/23 here

The Secret to Success: Ensure the soil is warm. Warm up your soil by covering it with black plastic a few weeks prior to planting. Those extra degrees will translate into earlier tomatoes. If you are planting in a pot or growbag, put a sheet of aeroboard/polystyrene underneath. This is a much warmer environment for the root system by creating a barrier between cold soil and roots (and also a great way to re-use aeroboard). An exception to the rule, tomatoes can be buried deeper than they come in the pot – all the way up to the first few leaves. Tomatoes are able to develop roots all along their stems. If you can't dig a deeper hole, simply dig a shallow tunnel and lay the plant sideways. It will straighten up and grow towards the light! Pinch and side shoot tomatoes regularly. Remove suckers that develop in the crotch joint of two branches (picture) Mulch your tomatoes after the soil has had a chance to warm up.  As tomatoes love heat. Mulching conserve...

  Cork School Garden 2022 focus on Watergrasshill National School This week we focus on Watergrasshill N.S from North Cork .  The judges were  very impressed by the lots of colour, lots of upcycling and great use of arch. Congratulations to all involved in Watergrasshill National School. Enter for 2022/23 here

  Cork School Garden 2022 focus on Walterstown National School This week we also focus on Walterstown N.S from East Cork .  The judges were  very impressed by the huge improvement in different Areas. Rainwater haresting and Great upcycling.  Congratulations to all involved at Walterstown Nation School. Enter for 2022/23 here

Now is a great time to start setting seeds. Some seeds can be started in the class room and then brought out when the temperature rises. You will need A mixture of seeds: lettuces, radish, tomatoes, cucumber, chives to name a few Seed and Cutting Compost Seed trays or toilet roll inserts Lollipop sticks or labels to Label your salads ( we love to put the date you set the seeds on the Label so you will easily know how the seeds are progressing) Seeds to be started indoors Peas (sow March to June, also October in tunnel, ready to harvest in 10 weeks). Sunflowers (sow in March to May) Pumpkins (sow April to June, ready to harvest in 24 weeks). Tomatoes (sow February to March, ready to harvest in 20 weeks). Marigolds (ideal for Companion Planting with Tomatoes, if you plant near tomatoes it will reply the white fly, therefor healthier Tomatoes) Spinach (sow March to August, ready to harvest in 7-14 weeks). Mixed salads...

  Cork School Garden 2022 focus on Dripsey  N.S This week we focus on Dripsey  National School from West Cork.  The judges were very impressed  by  the huge amount of work in turning the space into a garden, the fairy tree, h erb garden in the tyres and the great 1st time entry. Congratulations to all involved at Dripsey National School. Enter for 2022/23 here

Cork School Garden 2022 focus on Derrinagree  N.S This week we also focus on Derrinagree  National School from North Cork.  The judges were very impressed  by a  great first time entry, work done to create the front garden, the use of  established tree area and the wildflower meadows. Congratulations to all involved at Derrinagree National School. Enter for 2022/23 here  

 Muintir na Tire Launch Cork School Garden Competition. DSC 4467  Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Danny Collins and    deputy Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Damian Boylan with Pupils Jonah Canty Eliza Canty and Nathan Canty representing    Ballymoney National School Ballineen Overall County winners in 2022 and    Finn Ó Baolghill and John Ó Broin representing Gaelscoil na Duglaise City overall City winners in 2022 at the Launch of the Cork School Garden Competition 2023 There was an air of spring in Atkins Garden World as The Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Danny Collins and the deputy Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Damian Boylan joined together to launch the Cork Schools Garden Competition 2023 Sponsored by Cork County and Cork City Councils and organised by Cork County Muintir na Tíre, the competition has a PRIZE FUND of over €5,000. The Annual Cork School Garden Competition is open to all primary schools in Cork city and county who have a school ...

Potty about Potatoes There are so many different potato varieties, usually described as early, second early and maincrop potatoes . These names indicate when they crop and also give you an idea of the space you'll need, how closely and when they can be planted. First Early : First early potatoes are perfect if you want to grow small, new potatoes and should be planted from the end of February to late May. They'll be ready to harvest in about 10 weeks from the planting date. It's a good idea to 'chit' these varieties before planting - this produces long shoots from which the plants will grow. First early potatoes are ideal for growing in potato patio planters or containers. If you are short on Space and would love to Grow Potatoes The PotatoPot is ideal for you. A few of our most popular First earlies are Sharpes Express,: ‘Sharpe’s Express’ is a favourite early in Ireland for good reason. It is unusual amongst ‘earlies’ in that it is a...

  Cork School Garden 2022 focus on Scoil Eoin National School   This week we also focus on Scoil Eoin National School from West Cork . The judges were very impressed with t he coffee pod border, outdoor classroom, recycling and bee-friendly border .   Congratulations to all involved at Scoil Eoin National School. Enter for 2022/23 here

  Cork School Garden 2022 focus on Scoil Naomh Eoin N.S This week we also focus on Scoil Naomh Eoin National School from East Cork.  The judges were very impressed  with the potential here and great involvement by parents. Congratulations to all involved at Scoil Naomh Eoin School. Enter for 2022/23 here