Annual Dinner - 7th December

Bunclody Horticultural Society Annual dinner will be in Lady Lucy Restaurant, Millrace Hotel, on Friday, December 7. Talk to Nicholas or Carmel, 087 6869457 to make your reservations

Annual General Meeting 2012 - Officers & Committee

Following AGM on Nov 22, the following Officers and Committee were elected: President Bernie Clarke; Vice-Pres, Margaret Kirk; Chairperson Eamonn Butler; V-Chair, Nicholas Ryan; Secretary: Carmel Ryan; Asst Sec Margo Hodges; Treasurer Tom Clarke; Asst Treas Les Knowles; PRO Michelle Morrison

Committee: Helen Battigan, Frances MacDonnell, Fern Larkin, Rita Butler.
Show Committee (led by Ian Hodges and Betty Rothwell) and Events Committee will be drawn from elected committee at first meeting following AGM. 

Membership fees for 2013 (due from January 1) is €12.50 single; €20 per couple.

Water Lilies, Reeds & Bull Rushes

Members who might like pond lilies (mixed colours), bull rushes or
reeds (come with a severe warning), miniature reeds (safe)  contact
Eamonn via bunclodyhs@gmail.com

Paul's Garden & Wildlife

Paul Cutler has started a new page on Facebook..... 
I just wanted to let you know that I've just started a page on Facebook called "Paul's Garden and Wildlife". It's a sort of photo diary of plants and things of interest in my own garden, that I'm happy to share with anyone who is interested. I welcome comments, especially if you don't agree with my naming. I'm increasingly interested in photographing wildlife in my surrounding countryside, so these will be included. I hope to add to various albums, to build up collections of photos. The page is open to anyone who is already on facebook, unlike my personal page which is restricted to family and close friends. When you view my page "like" it: then I'll know someone is taking an interest in it! - Paul Cutler
Well worth a look! - BHS

October Newsletter

You can now view/read/download the October Newsletter here

Bunclody Show - 2012 - Results

Results for all classes are now available here

Wexford Garden Trail

The latest information regarding member gardens of the Wexford Garden Trail, special events etc can be viewed on the Wexford Garden Trail website.

Fota Garden Seminar 29th September 2012

Members may be interested in the Fota Garden Seminar. The programme of events can be seen here
Further details about Fota and the speakers is available here

Garden Competition Results 2012

We know that a lot of people are anxious to find out the results, so breaking with tradition we are providing a link to the results for those with a degree of mental agility. Work out the following puzzle and click on the link to see if you can successfully access the results:
Choose a number between 1 - 10
Multiply this number by 9
If the answer is a two digit number add the two digits together
Subtract 5 from this number
Now select the letter in the alphabet that corresponds to that number,1=A, 2=B, 3=C etc
Think of a country that begins with that letter
Remember the last letter of that country
Think of an animal that begins with that letter
Remember the last letter of the name of that animal
Think of the name of a fruit that begins with that letter

Now click on this link to enter your answer to unlock the access to the Garden Competition Results

Bunclody Show 18th August

Bunclody Horticultural Society's 61st Show takes place on Saturday,August 18. The doors open to the public at 2.30pm. 

Schedule of classes and entry forms available at Redmonds' Newsagents, Main St, and other outlets in the area, ring Secretary Carmel 053 9375994 or mail name and address to bunclodyhs@gmail.com

Garden competition results will be announced at the Show. A digital photo presentation will be displayed of gardens visited. 

We are having an After Show Dinner at Millrace Hotel,  in the evening after the show, Aug 18. Members and non members are very welcome to come along. Contact Nicholas 053 9375994 for further details or to make a booking.

Glenavon Riverchapel Garden Visit 27th June

We have arranged an evening visit to Glenavon Japenese Garden on Wednesday 27th June. We are meeting outside the RC Church at 1730hrs and will be travelling by car share. Further details from Nicholas Ryan.

Garden Competition 2012

This year’s garden competition gets underway in the week beginning Monday, July 2, 2012.

Entry forms can be downloaded from this site, or from Redmonds Newsagents, Main St, Bunclody.

These paragraphs will hopefully give further explanation with updating of competition.

The Garden Competition is open to all members, with no restrictions on distance from Bunclody. Non-members are restricted to a 10 kilometre radius of Bunclody town. 

The purpose in saying it gets underway on the Monday is in case judging cannot be completed in the one day due to the number of entries and how distant the gardens are scattered around the counties, Carlow and Wexford. And, of course, due to possible inclement weather conditions. Gardens don’t often look well in atrocious weather, and wet and cold judges and assistants don’t make perfect arbiters. Further information is included on entry form.

This year we have made a few changes to the competition with the purpose of encouraging entries, and to award entrants who have gone to a lot of trouble to erect special features and are conscious of the need for biodiversity.

Special Features include specimen trees/shrubs, flower borders, colour, arrangements, gazebos, summerhouse, nest boxes, insect hotels, sculptures, mirrors, unusual displays, scarecrows, ponds, water features, etc. While the garden, overall, might not win a First it could be worthy of Meritorious Mention for which we intend to award a Special Merit Certificate.

Biodiversity is an area which may not lend itself to the formal aspects of  a ‘Show Garden‘. Usually we associate biodiversity with ‘wild habitats’.  However, we are conscious of the need to lay out our gardens in a special way and grow plants which will encourage insect life. Pollination is the key to a continued healthy environment. In rural towns and country where farming is increasingly one of mono-culture we need to be conscious of  how we can compliment the landscape with plants which will provide bees, hoverflies, birds, etc, with a habitat which will ensure their continued existence. Without our pollinators there is so much food we would not enjoy, and not only honey, but apples, plums, pears,  to mention a few.

Garden Size: We have taken on board suggestions that there may be an unfair advantage in different garden sizes competition in the same class, eg, the Best Ornamental Garden. So, this is why we have decided to include semi-detached, terraced and detached houses with gardens under ¼ acre in size, and Best Ornamental Garden over ¼  acre. Two reasons here: smaller gardens might be easier to maintain and prepare for judging; bigger gardens might lend themselves to bigger and better features. 

Rita & Eamonn Butler's Open Day Sunday, 1st July

Once again Eamonn & Rita are holding an open day in their garden to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Society of Ireland. Everyone is welcome to come along, besides being able to walk around and admire their extensive and excellent gardens, there will be plants for sale and tea, coffee and refreshments will be available. A great day out in aid of a worthy cause. For further details, time, location etc please click here

The Chelsea Chop [or in this case 'Nibble']

The Chelsea chop [so called because it is usually carried out at the end of May, coinciding with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show] is a pruning method by which you limit the size and control the flowering season of many herbaceous plants. 
This year rabbits have carried out their own 'Chelsea Chop' on a number of new Lupin plants grown from seed. They have eaten all the leaves but left the stalks! However - these plants have now started to put on new growth a lot faster than those that the rabbits had missed. As this is obviously a radical new way of improving the growth of new plants as well as established ones, I am offering rabbits free of charge to anyone who wants them - just come and catch your own in my garden, there are generally 40 or 50 to choose from....... 

Garden Competition

Closing date for entries for this years Garden Competition is 29th June, so make sure you have your entry form submitted in plenty of time. Entry forms can be downloaded from the Garden Competition page or are available from any committee member.


There are classes for:

• BEST ORNAMENTAL GARDEN (large, over 1/4acre approx)
• BEST ORNAMENTAL GARDEN semi-detached, terraced or detached house with
  garden (under 1/4acre approx)
• BEST COUNTRY STYLE GARDEN (over 3/8th acre) which includes fruit, vegetables, flower beds, shrubs, trees, etc
• WINDOW BOXES AND/OR HANGING BASKETS

Something for everyone then, so there is no excuse for not entering!!!

Outing to Mount Usher & Warblebank Gardens

Our next outing is to Mount Usher and Warblebank Gardens on Wednesday 13th June. Coach leaves at 0930hrs from Church of Holy Trinity, Bunclody. Contact Nicholas Ryan or e-mail bunclodyhs@gmail.com for further information. Non members are welcome to come along with us on this outing.

Plant Sale This Saturday!

Plant Sale Poster

April Newsletter

April's Newsletter is now available. Click on the link below to read or download:
Newsletter - April 2012

Old Tap Wanted

Details on the For Sale/Wanted page

Garden Competition Entry Form 2012

Please click on the link below to download a copy of the Garden Competition Entry Form 2012:

Garden Competition Entry Form 2012

Low Maintenance Gardening

Just a reminder about Andrew Dudley's lecture on Low Maintenance Gardening on Thursday 19th April, Andrew will be giving his talk upstairs in Redmond's Bar at 2000hrs

Non members are very welcome to attend.

Plant Sale 5th May

We will be setting up St Aidan's Hall for the Plant Sale on Friday evening 4th May from 8.30pm. Anyone who is available to help is welcome to come along.
Hopefully members are busy potting up plants at the moment for the sale, these can be brought to St Aidan's Hall either on Friday evening or on Saturday morning before 10.00am.

What's On Updated

The What's On page has been updated today

Committee Meeting 29th March 2012

Just a reminder - the next committee meeting is at 20.30hrs on Thursday 29th March in Redmonds

Growing Gourmet Mushrooms

If you have a shaded, damp corner in your garden where nothing will grow this would be an ideal place to grow some rather special mushrooms. Have a look at this site for further details: Gourmet Mushrooms
I will be ordering my own kits in a couple of weeks, if anyone is interested in buying kits for themselves let me know, and we could pool the order for possible discounts and savings on postage.
There is a good article starting on page 36 in "Teagasc Today's Farm" March/April issue regarding a farmer in Co Limerick who has started to grow these very same mushrooms commercially in his own forest. You can read this at Today's Farm March/April 2012

Pond Fish for Sale

Details on the For Sale/Wanted page

Spring Flower Arranging Demonstration

There will by a Spring Flower Arranging Demonstration given by Helen Battigan in Bunclody Library on Tuesday 20th March at 7.00pm. 
To avoid disappointment book your place now directly with Bunclody Library either by telephone or e-mail.
Telephone: 053 9375466
E-mail: bunclodylib@wexfordcoco.ie

Please Note:  Visit to Frankie's garden is cancelled on Wed. 9th May.

Bellefield House Visit - Saturday 3rd March 2012

We are meeting outside RC Church in Bunclody, coach departs at 0930hrs. Coach €15 per person. Non members welcome

What's on at Bellefield House

3"- 4" Plant Pots Wanted

I am looking for about 48 x 3" - 4"plant pots for potting on cuttings and seedlings. If anyone has any to spare they would be gratefully received.  If you have any to spare could bring them to the general Meeting on 8th March. Thanks Les Knowles 

Our New Blog Site

We would welcome comments, ideas etc regarding our new Blog Site either in person at our next General Meeting on Thursday 8th March or by e-mail anytime. 

What's on Updated

The What's On page has been updated today