Our gardening noticeboard

The GIY ‘Get Ireland Growing Fund’ in association with AIB is open for applications but the deadline is nigh — January 23 is the closing date.

Sat, 10 Jan, 2015 - 00:00

The GIY/AIB initiative offers community groups, schools and not-for-profits a chance to gain a bursary of €500 to €2,500 out of a total fund of just under a million euro. Not bad, eh?

The Get Ireland Growing Fund supported 110 projects in 2014 ranging from school gardens, a probation centre in Cork; a project at the Irish Wheelchair Association in Athy; food gardens at Focus Ireland and Galway Simon, as well as an ‘edible quayside’ garden in New Ross.

Blackrock flower and garden club will hold its AGM on Tuesday, January 13 at 7.30pm at the Ursuline secondary school Blackrock — members only.

Bantry Flower & Garden Club will holds its Annual General Meeting on Monday, January 12, at Westlodge Hotel at 8pm. All members please attend

Ballincollig Flower & Garden Club will hold its AGM and presentation of prizes on Monday January 12 at 8pm in Oriel House Hotel. Members only. Meeting followed by craft talk.

Adam Whitbourn, Head Gardener at Blarney Castle Gardens will lecture on the topic: ‘Past, Present and Future’ for the Cork Alpine Hardy Plant Society on Thursday January 22 at 8pm, at the Lavanagh Centre, Cork.

A ‘Snowdrop Gala and Other Spring Treasures’ day will be held at Ballykealey Manor, near Altamont on Saturday, February 7.

The event has a brilliant line up of speakers, including Jim Jermyn, Scottish nursery-man, author and alpine specialist and Matt Bishop the British galanthophile and author.

The day also includes a guided tour of the snowdrops at Altamont and bulb sale. Tickets €70 including lunch/ refreshments For details contact Hester Forde at hesterforde@gmail.com or 0868654972.

Ann Mc Seoin — horticulturalist and member of Innishannon Flower and Garden club will present a slide show entitled “A walk on the wild side” on Wed Jan 14 at 8 pm in Barrett’s lounge.

Slides will feature many of the gardens which the club has visited. Visitors and new members most welcome.