Muintir na Tire School Garden Competition

  Lettuce There are four main types of lettuce. The first three (butterhead, cos and crisphead) form hearts at their centre and are usually grown as proper heads of lettuce. They take longer to mature. The fourth type (loose-leaf/’cut-and-come-again’) doesn’t form a heart and is therefore generally grown as a ‘cut-and-come-again’ crop, where leaves are cut as required. SOWING Lettuce will do well in any reasonable soil, as long as it’s moisture retentive – add well-rotted manure or compost the previous winter. When growing heads of lettuce, sow one seed per module in a module tray. Lettuce needs light to germinate, so don’t cover the seeds with compost. Lettuce will not germinate in temperatures above 25°C, so if the weather is warm you may need to move the trays into a cool shed for a few days until they germinate. Seedlings are ready to plant out when they have 4 or 5 leaves. Harden off well before transplanting. Use fleece or cloches to protect early sowings from frost. GROWING ...

  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...

  Spinach, Annual If you are looking for the traditional spinach leaves purchased in supermarkets, then annual spinach is the plant for you. Don’t confuse this plant with perpetual spinach, which is actually just another name for chard. Tender spinach leaves are a wonderful addition to salads. Spinach is very good for you and cooked properly can be very tasty. SOWING Spinach will grow in most reasonable soil, though will grow better if the soil has compost and fertiliser added a week or two before sowing/transplanting. Seeds can be sown from April to August, through July and August sowings are less likely to bolt. Spinach can be sown direct or started in modules. However bolting, which is a major problem with spinach, is more likely with transplanted spinach. Sow thinly 1-2cm deep in rows 25cm apart or 1 seed per module. GROWING Thin the plants to 10cm apart. Transplant module-grown plants 10cm apart in 25cm rows. Never allow the soil to dry out as this can lead to bolting. HARVEST...

  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...