The Santa Rita Living La Vida 120 Garden at Bord Bia's Bloom

After their inaugural show garden in 2015, Santa Rita will once again be exhibiting a show garden at Bord Bia’s 2016 Bloom-in-the-Park, to be held in Phoenix Park, Dublin 2nd – 6th June. Entitled ‘The Santa Rita Living La Vida 120’, the ‘Large Category’ show garden is inspired by the wine brands South American origins and will bring a flavour of Chile to Bloom this year.

Read more: The Santa Rita Living La Vida 120 Garden at Bord Bia's Bloom

Highlights of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016

Once again, Chelsea will be packed with amazing plant displays and the best cutting-edge garden designs

For five days in May, the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea will be transformed into the world’s greatest flower show.

Read more: Highlights of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016

This Week's Event

The Native Woodland Trust is taking part in the Bealtaine Living Earth Festival in Waterford again this year. We will be organising a volunteer day at our Gracedieu Community Woodland in Waterford.

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All About Bloom 2016

The evolution of plants, the war in Syria and international gardens from Chicago, China and Chile are just some of the themes and inspirations for this year’s Bloom festival. Bord Bia today launched its 10^th annual Bloom event and according to the organisers, this year’s show will have something for all ages and interests.

Read more: All About Bloom 2016

Dublin Garden Squares Day 2016 and Free Lunchtime Seminar

Dublin Garden Squares Day 2016 returns for its seventh year on Saturday 21^stMay with a host of expert walking tours of Dublin’s historic squares and public gardens.

It follows a free lunchtime seminar entitled Squaring the City on Friday 20^thMay in the Irish Architectural Archive.

Read more: Dublin Garden Squares Day 2016 and Free Lunchtime Seminar

Allianz Garden Show Ireland Brings Thousands to Antrim Castle & Gardens

Thousands of visitors flocked to the stunning Antrim Castle Gardens over the three days of Allianz Garden Show Ireland to enjoy the fabulous Festival of Flowers, Food and Fun.

Monty Don’s visit on Saturday was a highlight for many. Returning as Show Patron for his third visit, he remarked on the warmth of the welcome he received. Those who managed to get into the Punjana Tea Pavilion to hear his talks were enthralled with his stories of behind the scenes filming of BBC Gardeners’ World.

Read more: Allianz Garden Show Ireland Brings Thousands to Antrim Castle & Gardens

Bord na Móna Completes Rehabilitation of c. 12,000 Hectares of Bog

Bord na Móna today confirmed that it has rehabilitated close to 12,000 hectares of the company’s boglands which amounts to over 15% of its total landholding to date. As part of that work, the company has actively restored over 1,000 hectares of raised bog since 2009 and aims to increase this figure in the next six years.

Read more: Bord na Móna Completes Rehabilitation of c. 12,000 Hectares of Bog

All Ireland Pollinator Plan – Local Community Guidelines Published

The All Ireland Pollinator Plan was published in 2015 and this document is the first of many documents to be published to help keep pollinators in your local environment.

Read more: All Ireland Pollinator Plan – Local Community Guidelines Published

Only 4 Days To Go - Meet Monty Don at Garden Show Ireland

We're on the countdown to Northern Ireland’s premier gardening event and gardening icon Monty Don is busy preparing for his third show. On Saturday 7th May the Show Patron will give his expert opinion on all things gardening to the crowds gathered at the stunning Antrim Castle Gardens.

Read more: Only 4 Days To Go - Meet Monty Don at Garden Show Ireland

Gardening Icon Monty Don Returning to the Allianz Garden Show Ireland

Gardening icon Monty Don returns as the Show’s star attraction on Saturday 7th May to give his expert opinion on all things gardening to the crowds gathered at the stunning Antrim Castle Gardens.

Read more: Gardening Icon Monty Don Returning to the Allianz Garden Show Ireland

Step Back in Time at Farming and Country Life 1916

Have you ever wondered what life was like in rural Ireland in 1916? Well wonder no more! On 10^th and 11^th June Teagasc will host a major national centenary celebration at its research facility at Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway. Farming and Country Life 1916 is expected to attract over 50,000 visitors making it the single largest centenary celebration of farming and country life.

Read more: Step Back in Time at Farming and Country Life 1916

Bloom to Highlight the Importance of Mental Health, Breast Cancer and Crumlin Children's Hospital

Monday, 23^rd May 2016 According to Bord Bia, this year’s Bloom event will draw attention to many important societal issues including mental health, breast cancer survivorship and Crumlin Children’s Hospital. Mindfulness, the plight of Syria refugees and the need for social inclusion in rural Ireland will also feature as key themes within the popular show garden area.

Read more: Bloom to Highlight the Importance of Mental Health, Breast Cancer and Crumlin Children's Hospital

Bloom Fringe 2016

The Gritty City Turns Pretty this June Bank Holiday for Bloom Fringe Festival 2016. Bloom Fringe kicks off on Friday 3rd June @ 6pm in Dublin Castle with the Irish film premier of the Gangsta Gardener Ron Finley's film "Can You Dig This?" produced by John Legend followed by Q&A hosted by Peter Donegan of The Sod Show!

Read more: Bloom Fringe 2016

Chelsea Flower Show 2016: The Winning Formula for a Successful Garden

The world’s best-known horticultural event is around the corner. In just a few weeks thousands of flower, plant and garden design enthusiasts will descend on the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower show for five days of green-fingered heaven.

Read more: Chelsea Flower Show 2016: The Winning Formula for a Successful Garden

Belvedere College Uses its Rooftop to Start an Urban Farm

Potatoes, wheatgrass, fish and bees among the growing projects

Belvedere College is in one of the most urban locations in Ireland but that hasn’t stopped the boys’ school from starting a farm on its rooftop. The Dublin secondary school, a stone’s throw from O’Connell Street, is growing potatoes and a selection of vegetables, farming fish and keeping beehives.

Read more: Belvedere College Uses its Rooftop to Start an Urban Farm

Surf and Turf at Burren Slow Food Festival

The rising popularity of the Slow Food movement in Ireland will be demonstrated in County Clare this May when Michelin Star chefs, food writers and food producers come together for the Burren Slow Food Week Festival 2016 taking place from May 27th to 29th.

Read more: Surf and Turf at Burren Slow Food Festival

City Parks, Clean Water | The Trust for Public Land

We are excited to share with you City parks, clean water: Making great places using green infrastructure, the first report exploring the intersection of green infrastructure and parks.

Read more: City Parks, Clean Water | The Trust for Public Land

You Say Glyphosate, I Say Probable Carcinogen - Let's Call the Whole Thing Off - Organic Trust

The debacle that is the relicensing of glyphosate in the EU continues to roll on towards the June 15th deadline when its current authorisation runs out. Just last week, the European Parliament made recommendations to the Commission (the licensing authority) that the licensing period be reduced from 15 years to just 7 and for the herbicide to be only available for professional use.

Read more: You Say Glyphosate, I Say Probable Carcinogen - Let's Call the Whole Thing Off - Organic Trust

Chartered Institute of Horticulture Grand Final at the Botanic Gardens Dublin Ireland Saturday 7th May 2016 at 10:30

The Grand Final is to be held at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin on May 7th where we will see some of the brightest young talent in the horticultural profession competing for the prestigious title of CIH Young Horticulturist of the Year 2016. The winner will receive the £2500 Travel Bursary provided by the Percy Thrower Trust and will be able to use it to further their horticultural career anywhere in the world.

Read more: Chartered Institute of Horticulture Grand Final at the Botanic Gardens Dublin Ireland Saturday...

Irish Seed Savers News & Events Update

The deadline for our supporters to avail of their free seeds and tubers has now passed (but we’ll continue to process them if you can get them into us quickly), so this has freed up some time to get out into the gardens. We've started sowing our spring crops our leaves and greens etc

Read more: Irish Seed Savers News & Events Update