Having launched in February, the Cork School Garden Competition has had over 40 entries to date and while the closing date is fast approaching, there is still plenty of time for those last minute applications.

The competition sees the collaboration of Muintir na Tíre, Cork County Council and Griffins Garden Centre, as they join forces to encourage schools across the rebel county to take part in the event, which introduces children to gardening.

It influences primary schools to develop waste lands into school gardens, which involves growing plants, vegetables and much more. The garden is viewed as an outdoor classroom that will develop the children’s skills and appreciation for nature.

“The competition introduces gardening to children, and enables them to learn about nature and science. They develop new skills so while it is a schools garden competition, it is not just about gardening,” explains Margaret Griffins, owner of Griffins Garden Centre.

The competition is in its sixth year and climate change is the central focus for this year’s event.

“We teach children in very simplistic ways how they can change the environment. We have a blog on our website providing help and tips,” says Margaret.

“There are different elements in the competition including edible gardens, which is about planting vegetables. A few years ago we were doing a session on herbs and the kids were afraid to taste them.

It was so alien to them to eat something that was green; it was as if they thought it was going to poison them. Now food comes from the supermarket and it tastes synthetic rather than natural.

“Gardening also encourages the children to be creative and the art element of the garden is a strong section. The kids have done various things with pallets and tyres.

“Children spend a lot of time on their tablets and it is affecting their progression into adulthood, they lose so many social skills; gardening is a great way to get them off their tablets.”

There are great prizes to be won, and Muintir Na Tíre co-ordinator Denis Kelly has high hopes for the competition.

“Everybody is invited to the award ceremony, which will be held in our County Hall in Cork in May and the winner will receive a beautiful plaque and €400.

“We are the only school garden competition in the country and it would be great if others could develop the competition in other areas.”

The closing date for the competition is 13 April. To register your school log on to www.muintircork.com

Incredible Edibles

With similarities to the Cork School Garden competition, the Incredible Edibles programme instigated by the Irish agri-food educational body Agri Aware is now in its tenth year.

Incredible Edibles is a healthy eating initiative for primary school pupils, encouraging schools across the country to grow carrots, lettuce, potatoes, strawberries, turnips and herbs. Schools are supplied with grow packs containing everything needed to grow a veritable feast of healthy foods.

Registration for the 2018 Incredible Edibles project in now open, and schools can register online at www.incredibleedibles.ie/project.