For the second year running, GIY will be getting Ireland growing at the country’s largest garden event, Bloom, taking place in the Phoenix Park from Thursday 2nd until Monday 6th June. GIY is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to make home grown food the norm. Recent research states two thirds of Irish people have considered starting their own vegetable garden, but over 30% admitted that they do not know where to begin – GIY can show you how!

Come see the Edible Map of Ireland, created with the help of the GIY network of 100 groups and 10,000 GIYers across Ireland. The map is a giant sized raised bed with 32 different types of vegetables – one for each county.  Be amazed at just how many vegetables can be grown in Ireland.

Take the GIY Pledge, a promise to grow something that you will eat this year and join a host of GIY patrons e.g. Shane Horgan, Darina Allan, Diarmuid Gavin, Ella Mc Sweeney, Joy Larkcom, Duncan Stewart, Klaus Laitenberger and Clodagh Mc Kenna. Get involved in Learn, Sow And Show – GIY want to get 50,000 people sowing a seed during Bloom with your help, we teach you, you pass it on to five other, together we grow!

The expert tent will have a series of practical talks, aimed at accelerate your growing expertise – from Ireland’s largest potato collection, to wormeries ( a great way to get little boys into gardening), seasonal Summer garden out and Sunday’s Food Forage themed talks which includes a tour in search of wild herbs and other tasty free food.

About GIY

GIY is a registered charity (CHY 18920) that inspires people to grow their own and gives them the skills they need to grow successfully.  They do this by bringing GIYers together in the community and online so that they can learn from each other.  There are now nearly 100 GIY groups around Ireland and approximately 7,000 people involved between the groups and our online network.

GIY group activities include monthly meetings, talks and demos; garden visits, seed and seedling swaps; produce bartering, mentor panels and grower’s meitheals. Meetings and membership are free of charge, and open to all – beginners and experts, young and old.

GIY Ireland was founded by author and journalist Michael Kelly.  Patrons of the organisation include Diarmuid Gavin, Darina Allen, Duncan Stewart, Ella McSweeney, Klaus Laitenberger, Clodagh McKenna and Joy Larkcom and the organisation is proudly supported by The Arthur Guinness Fund, Woodies DIY and Garden Centres, Ashoka and AIB.  For more information visit www.giyireland.com.  To take the GIY Pledge, visit www.facebook.com/giyireland.

Activities for GIY@Bloom will include:

1. Yoga for Gardeners, Victoria Mary Clarke will be stretching out gardening aches and pains

3. Edible Map of Ireland

4. Scarecrow Competition, in partnership with Agriaware and the Incredible Edibles Initiative in Schools

5. Expert Tent, speakers to excite you to grow higher, faster and stronger

6. Potting Shed, Take the Pledge and pass it on!

7. Forage@Bloom, our Sunday theme includes talks in the expert tent and a guided forage

8. Raffle, A selection of great prizes including vouchers for Woodies, Ballymaloe, Village@Lyons and more …..