Muintir na Tire School Garden Competition

  Parsley One of the most popular herbs in the world, parsley is the classic “stock-pot” herb and a quintessential part of any herb garden. This herb can also successfully grow inside, so it is perfect for any Urban GIYer – or just someone who wants to brighten up their kitchen. SOWING Parsley can be sown direct or sown in modules and transplanted. Outdoor sowings can be made from April to June. Indoor sowings can be made from from March to June. If sowing direct, sow curly parsley thinly in rows 15cm apart and large-leafed parsley in 30cm rows, at 0.5cm deep. If sowing in modules, sow a small pinch of seeds in each module and thin to one plant when seedlings emerge. Keep in mind parsley seed is slow to germinate, so be patient – this is dependent on temperature, but usually germination takes three weeks. GROWING When seedlings emerge, the plants can be thinned to 15cm apart. This is not essential but usually gives better results. If you have sown direct make sure to regularly chec...

  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...

 

  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...

  Carrots No veg seems more classic than the carrot. And growing your own means you will be rewarded with a crunchy, sweet and flavoursome crop. Not only are carrots a delicious veg to grow, they also store incredibly well, are highly nutritious, and if you time your sowings right you could be self-sufficient through most of the year with this classic ‘stockpot’ vegetable. The GIYer can also try out lots of different varieties of carrots, which, generally speaking, are not on offer in supermarkets. We generally associate carrots with the colour orange, when in fact you can grow carrots of other colours too, such as purple, yellow and even white. SOWING When it comes to successfully growing carrots good soil is key. Fresh manure is not very suitable for carrots – the high nitrogen content encourages excess leaf growth, and manure can also cause the roots to fork. However, well-rotted compost is fine. Apply a general purpose organic fertiliser (such as chicken manure pellets) about t...

                     Closing Date Extended to  Friday 17th April 2026   Cork School Garden Competition 2026 Official Entry Form – Fill in form Sponsored by Cork County and Cork City Councils the Annual Cork Schools Garden  competition is open to all primary schools in  Cork      who have a school garden or are in the process of developing one.  Cork School Garden Competition Who Can Enter Cork Schools Garden  competition is open to all primary schools in Cork   who have a school garden or are in the process of developing one. The Annual School Gardencompetition is open to primary schools in  Cork   City and  County  only. We encourage full-school participation where possible, including students, teachers, SNA’s, office staff, caretakers and parents The entry must be approved by the school principal.  This year we will be looking closely at: The learning exper...

  Courgette It would be more difficult to think of reasons why not to grow courgettes. They are easy to grow, incredibly prolific and grow freakishly fast in the summer. Two or three plants will be more than enough. In fact, your only problem will be working out what to do with a glut of courgettes. Courgette bread anyone? SOWING Courgettes like a fertile soil. Add compost and a general fertiliser a week or two before sowing/transplanting. Sow seeds indoors (in a tunnel, glasshouse or a sunny windowsill) in 10cm pots at a depth of 2cm in late April or May. The seeds are large and germinate and grow quickly, so don’t put them in modules or very small pots. Also, don’t sow too early as courgettes are frost sensitive and hate cold weather, so you don’t want them ready for transplanting before May. Seeds can be sown direct into the soil in May, but this tends to be less successful than transplanting. GROWING Courgettes should be ready for transplanting in May. Space plants at least 60-...