Muintir na Tire School Garden Competition

  There’s a wise old GIYer I know who says that the “sap starts to rise” in gardeners in March. It’s an odd expression and I yet I completely get what he means by it. The sap is of course starting to rise in plants, but it feels like something is stirring inside us GIYers too – spring is in the air everywhere we look and the desire to get out there and stick your hands in the soil is palpable. They say that when soil is broken by a spade or fork it releases endorphins – this might explain why GIYers are such a happy bunch, we’re basically high on soil all the time. True or not, there is something that I’ve noticed over six seasons of GIYing – I have started to be more in tune with the seasons. When you grow your own vegetables you sort of have to be. Mother Nature has her own pace and it’s a (sometimes maddeningly) slow, methodical, inexorable one – she refuses to be rushed. Every year my excitement gets the better of me and I sow seeds in January and February but it is only now in...

  This week we focus  on   Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin   who received a Best in Category award for their School Garden.   This is and continues to be a wonderful garden and continues to mature nicely. The garden covers all the elements including Food Production, Biodiversity, Upcycling Colour and art and is a fun learning place for all the children. We were very impressed by links to local heritage, great use of Irish language and excellent signage. The students were very knowledgable. We were especially impressed by the new additions i.e the water harvesting and native hedge and tree planting.  Keep up the great work    Congratulations to all involved at  Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin   For more Information on the School Gardens Competition  Click Here                                        

  This week we also focus  on Dromleigh N.S who received a Gold Medal for their School Garden.   This is a very good garden despite the limitations of the site. The garden still covers all the elements including Food Production, Biodiversity, Upcycling Colour and art and is a fun learning place for all the children. We were very impressed by the links to local heritage (Plough) and good use of Irish language . The students were very knowledgable.   Keep up the great work.   Congratulations to all involved at Dromleigh National School   For more Information on the School Gardens Competition  Click Here

  Cork School Garden 2024 focus on Ballmoney National School T his week we focus  on Ballymoney N.S who received a Gold Medal for their school garden.  The judges were very  impressed   by this wonderful garden. The garden covers all the elements including Food Production, Biodiversity, Upcycling Colour and Art and is a fun learning place for all the children. We were very impressed with the links to local heritage. Keep up the great work.         Congratulations to all involved at Ballymoney National School   For more Information on the School Gardens Competition  Click Here

   Cork School Garden 2024 focus on Castlelyons N.S This week we also focus  on Castlelyons National School who received a Gold Medal for their School Garden.  This is and continues to be a wonderful garden. The garden covers all the elements including Food Production, Biodiversity, Upcycling Colour and art and is a fun learning place for all the children. We were very impressed by wildflower areas. Consider getting a polytunnel to extend planting season, maybe more upright planting to disguise around biogas area. Keep up the great work.          Congratulations to all involved at Castlelyons National School   For more Information on the School Gardens Competition  Click Here