3 minute read
IRD Duhallow Social Farm and Gardens Open Day
Enjoyable and informative day was had by all
By RACHEL BUDD
After months of work redeveloping the Community Gardens at IRD Duhallow, The IRD Duhallow Social Farm is finally taking Shape.
We were delighted on Friday 28th July to open our new gardens to our host farmers, our participants and their friends and families and to our volunteers, supporters and members of the public.
This season has been a challenging one for the garden. Luckily the weather was kind to us whilst the ground work was ongoing to establish new pathways and growing areas in our gardens and we planted out our seedlings in the intense heat of June, later than we would usually, and watched them wilt in the heat.
But against all odds our vegetable gardens have been amazing, and we were able to showcase our produce by hosting a vegetable stall, crammed with fantastic vegetables, from enormous cabbages and beetroot, to fantastic carrots, lettuce, chard, tomatoes, onions and early potatoes. All grown by Duhallow Social Farming Participants based at the IRD Duhallow Social Farm.
The Therapeutic Garden goes from strength to strength and this year is particularly resplendent with its displays of dahlias and other herbaceous perennial flowers, all planted to encourage biodiversity into our environment.
As is now eagerly anticipated each year, we incorporated our annual plant sale into this full on day, with organically grown flowers, shrubs, herbs, fruit bushes and roses all propagated from the IRD gardens by our volunteers and participants.
To complete the day, we had a demonstration of the various composting systems around the gardens and a talk about the value and use of organically produced compost and the benefits for the seeds and plants grown in it.
The IRD Duhallow Social Farm will continue to develop and become a hub for training, networking and bringing together farmers, participants, volunteers and supporters in a beautiful and productive environment.
To kick off our training programmes in the redeveloped gardens, we will be running a short 6 week Introduction to Vegetable Growing Course. This will take place on Tuesday Mornings, starting Tues 12th Sept from 10am – 1pm.
We also hold a weekly volunteer morning, every Wednesday from 10am – 1pm, if you would like to come and help out in the gardens here at IRD Duhallow we would be delighted to have you.
No prior gardening knowledge required, just a pair of sturdy boots and a sense of humour!
If you would like to know more about Social farming, or would like to sign up for the opportunities above, please contact Rachel Budd on 029 60633, rachel.budd@irdduhallow.com
