Our gardening noticeboard

Cork Alpine and Hardy Plants Society present a talk by Val Bourne, the award-winning garden writer, last year’s “Journalist of the Year” at the UK Garden Media Guild Awards; photographer; lecturer and columnist for the Telegraph newspaper, on Thursday, Feb 26.

Val will discuss: “Snowdrops in the right place”. The event will be held in the Lavanagh Centre, Ballintemple at 8pm and bulbs will be offered for sale. All welcome.

Blarney & District Garden & Flower Club will host a gardening talk by Alan from The Secret Garden, Newmarket, Co Cork on Thurs Feb 26 in Whitechurch Hall at 8pm. Everyone welcome.

Ballymoney Garden Club presents a gardening talk with John Hosford on Mon, Feb 23 at 8.30pm. Venue: St Paul’s Centre (Ballymoney Hall), Ballineen, West Cork. Plants for sale on the night.

Glenville Flower & Garden Club will start off its new season with a talk by Margie Lynch, Herbalist & Naturopath, entitled “Warming from within using foods and herbs from the kitchen” in Kades Kounty on Feb 24 @ 8.30pm. Everyone welcome.

Ballincollig Flower & Garden Club will host the Inter Club and Flower Arranger of the Year elimination heats in Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig, Co Cork on Sat, Feb 21. Viewing by the public from 3.30 to 5.30. Entry €5.00, students €2.00. Everyone welcome.

The Lough Flower and Garden Club welcomes Pat Duggan to its monthly meeting next Tues, Feb 24 in the SMA Centre, Wilton, Cork at 8pm. Pat, who is a well-known flower arranger, will demonstrate the art of wedding flowers. Everyone welcome, admission for visitors €7.

Peter Dowdall will present a gardening class at The Pavilion Garden Centre in Ballygarvan on Wed, Feb 25 at 10.30am. Topic: Making your garden sparkle. For more info see www.thepavilion.ie or call 021 4888134

Blackrock Flower and Garden Club will have a musical treat with Pat Lemasney to celebrate its ruby anniversary. All welcome.

Kinsale Garden & Flower Club presents a talk by Madeline McKeever, ‘Brown Envelope Seeds’ on March 12 at 8pm in St Multose Hall. Visitors welcome. Refreshments served.

The new 7th edition of the Teagasc Guide to Vegetable Growing has just been published and copies are available free of charge to everyone. A great comprehensive read — just email its author, Stephen Alexander at [e-mail]  for a free copy. An electronic version is also available on the Teagasc website under “Publications”.

Jeremy Irons is the high-profile speaker at a mini-seminar following the free screening of environmental documentary ‘Trashed’ at UCC on Mon next, Feb 23. The event, which runs from 2.15pm-4.30pm, is open to the public but tickets are required.

Jeremy, who was the narrator for the Cannes shortlisted film, wil talk about his commitment to sustainability and global waste solutions, and will highlight the performance of newer technologies that promote the green agenda while also allowing fairness, equality and the creation of employment in the undeveloped world.

Tickets are free of charge and are only available on a first come first serve basis. See http://www.ucc.ie/en/greencampus/news/  for more or email: [e-mail]