School Garden Judging in North West Cork

Yes its that time of year again when the School Garden Judges visit the  various schools around to look at their garden and offer them some help and guidance. Yesterday was day one of judging and we went to the beautiful area of North West Cork to visit five schools during school hours.

First port of call was to Vicarstown National School. This is their first year in the competition and they have recently moved their garden to a new location. We received a great welcome from the school and they took us on a tour of their new Garden.

Then it was on to Scoil Chroí Iosa in Blarney where we met some very enthusiastic teachers and pupils who were very knowledgeable about their garden and gardening. Blarney are lucky to have a polytunnel which enables them to get plants started earlier in the year. Thanks again for the wonderful welcome at both the senior and junior schools. Next up was the short trip to Rathduff National School who despite lack of space and proposed building work had managed to grow onions, peas, lettuce and much more. The students were also very knowledgeable about the plants they had grown from seed.

Next we visited the town of Mallow and a visit to Gaelscoil Thomais Daibhis who have managed to create two beautiful gardens in two very small Courtyards. Again we met some great children who knew so much about gardening

Our final visit of the day took us to Banteer National School who were last years overall winners. Banteer are just crazy about bees this year and they have set about making their school more bee friendly and colorful. Well done to all the schools we visited in north west Cork and next up is a visit to West Cork next Monday and Tuesday.