Amateur community gardening groups encouraged to showcase at Bord Bia Bloom
(l-r) Rob O’Keeffe, Head of Marketing, Tirlán CountryLife; Kerrie Gardiner, Show Gardens and Horticulture Content Manager, Bord Bia Bloom; Laura Douglas, Head of Bloom and Brand Partnerships, Bord Bia; Senan Foley, Head of Retail, Tirlán CountryLife
Beginner gardeners offered opportunity to share local stories on a national stage with popular Postcard Garden feature, supported by Tirlán CountryLife
Bord Bia is calling out for local gardening groups and enthusiasts to design and deliver postcard gardens at Bord Bia Bloom 2024. The petite garden spaces provide community groups, schools, charitable organisations and garden clubs the chance to tell their stories and showcase creative talents through innovative and vibrant garden design. Tirlán CountryLife was today announced as feature sponsor of this much-loved amateur showcase which is one of many gardening features at the popular June bank holiday weekend event. Bord Bia Bloom will return to its home in the Phoenix Park, Dublin for five days from May 30th - June 3rd.
Kerrie Gardiner, Show Gardens and Horticulture Content Manager, Bord Bia Bloom said, “While people might best know Bord Bia Bloom for the designer show gardens, regular attendees will be very familiar with the much-cherished smaller Postcard Garden spaces. These 3m x 2m plots capture a rich tapestry of local storytelling that is brought to life through the use of plants and creative garden designs. No two are alike, and we often see themes including mental health, the environment, charitable activities and education represented through these green canvases.”
New for this year, Tirlán CountryLife has come on board as sponsor of the Postcard Gardens feature. The 100% farmer-owned group, offers an in-house, qualified horticulturist in each of its 15 garden centres nationwide to provide helpful tips and advice to newbie customers and seasoned gardeners alike.
Senan Foley, Head of Retail at Tirlán said: “Community is at the heart of what we do at Tirlán CountryLife. We are delighted to take our long-running relationship with Bord Bia to the next level with this sponsorship. With a network of 15 garden centres, all of which operate in local communities throughout the south, east and midlands of Ireland, and a huge amount of horticultural expertise, we will work with Bord Bia Bloom to spread the magic of the Postcard Gardens to an even wider audience.”
Bord Bia Bloom 2024
Visitors to this year’s event can expect another vibrant mix of thought-provoking show gardens designed by leading garden designers, expert horticultural talks and advice, a vast collection of rare and quality plants from Irish and International plant nurseries, sustainable living discussions along with delicious local food and interactive entertainment for visitors of all ages.
Laura Douglas, Head of Bord Bia Bloom and Brand Partnerships said: “As one of Ireland’s most popular festivals, Bord Bia Bloom is consistently looking for ways to enhance the visitor experience each year, and our aim is for attendees to feel inspired, entertained and informed.
We are thrilled that Tirlán CountryLife is supporting our Postcard Gardens this year as it has already established a prominent community presence nationwide through its fantastic garden centres and horticultural advisors.
“We have seen a surge in novice gardeners attending in the past few years, and we want to make sure we can continue to deliver a world-class, immersive experience that continues after our five days in the Phoenix Park. By partnering with some of Ireland’s leading brands, such as Tirlán CountryLife, we believe we can really achieve this.”
For more information on the Postcard Gardens and to download an application form, visit BordBiaBloom.com. The closing date for applications is March 11th, 2024.