Bloom 2012 Pictures.

paddy147

Myself and my family went to Bloom today.

Just as we arrived is started to rain.But that wasnt going to stop us enjoying Bloom this year.

Main thing we noted,was the vast array of plants and flowers this year.

The show gardens were great.
We especially liked the "Rabbit Garden" that won Supergarden,the school children garden,and also the garden for the blind.

I loved how the rabbit garden made great use of old scaffolding planks to make all the raised planters and also the garden table.The water feature was an old water/immersion tank cut in half (very clever indeed).

The walled kitchen gardens were in absolutely amazing condition,and full respect to the 2 head gardeners for their hard work in making them look so beautifull.:D




Loads of traders stands and plants to be bought,some great bargains too.There didnt seem to be too many traders selling native Irish plants though.

We really enjoyed the day out and credit to the people who make Bloom what it is.

My girlfriend and daughter went off searching for and buying various plants and flowers,and we all had a great day.

For anyone who has not been to Bloom 2012,get your backsides over there by Monday,otherwize you will have missed a great day out for the family.





PS-Please feel free to add any pics that any of you took of this years Bloom.:)

My pics (lots of them )

paddy147

More pics.

paddy147

Some more pics.

paddy147

1 more pic (rabbit hutch with built in undergrass tunnel).

Redsquigy

Was here myself today. Your photos are brill, well done. I was there at opening time 10am and the sun shone until the afternoon - left just in time for the rain and picked up a few plants too. It's a great day out for families and somebody there for everybody. A really great day and congrats to all at Bloom for yet another fantastic show.

meercat

Nice pics paddy
thanks for posting

paddy147

The rain worked to our advantage.

Everyone ran for the large tented village and the tented eating area.

So we more or less had a free run of Bloom and the show gardens.:D

johngalway

paddy147 wrote: »

That's lovely, I wouldn't be a fan of garden gardens but I'm liking that.

Goodne

Great photos Paddy, thanks. Really looking forward to going on Monday

paddy147

Can I just say this to anyone going by car and who will be parking up in the red or green carparks......

The carparks are grass carparks and in some cases the grass is dense and allmost 2 feet high in places.The security guard was sending us into another field along with other cars,and we said no way to him.

The grass was up to the top of the front wing of the car,and my girlfriend said there was no way she was driving the car into that particular field.

Now with all the rain thats falling at the moment and the heavy rainfall that is forecast for tomorrow,I rekon the grass carparks will become one giant mudbath.



So be prepared for a rather muddy scene tomorrow and Monday.:(

Sgt Pepper 64

Thanks Paddy, been every year since it started, usually very muddy.

Going MOnday, cos thats when they reduce the prices even more!

paddy147

The oriental show garden was lovely,and the young lad sitting in the middle of it playing the banjo style instrument was great.

He was playing a real "Irish" style bit of traditional music and he was giving it the beans too playing.
Catchy little tune and he had alot of people watching him and applauding him too.

Well worth a look.:)

paddy147

A few more pics from Bloom 2021 that we took.

There was a themed garden based on the kids cartoon called The Lorax.My daughter liked that garden.

Also some rather funky looking chicken coops and ones on wheels too (handy for moving around)

Also 3 different companies promoting and selling rainwater harvesting products.Allways good to see,especially with the pending arrival of these "IMF" water meters.

Ophiopogon

Great pictures Paddy, I've still not managed to get up to the show gardens but I'm gonna come in early tomorrow and try have a run around.

It's funny that ye were right beside me at one point judging from the pictures.

paddy147

Ophiopogon wrote: »

Great pictures Paddy, I've still not managed to get up to the show gardens but I'm gonna come in early tomorrow and try have a run around.

It's funny that ye were right beside me at one point judging from the pictures.

Where would you have been then?

We May be back over at Bloom tomorrow,as my girlferiend has made a few new plant supply contacts and wants to drop back over and chat with them some more.:)

PS-It will be 4 x 4 jeep and wellies at the ready too for tomorrow.:D

Ophiopogon

paddy147 wrote: »

Where would you have been then?

We May be back over at Bloom tomorrow,as my girlferiend has made a few new plant supply contacts and wants to drop back over and chat with them some more.:)

PS-It will be 4 x 4 jeep and wellies at the ready too for tomorrow.:D

My boss very kindly gave me today off (I'm sure they are regretting it now), I was just thinking about the parking though, I know the first Bloom it rained much worse then this and it was still ok. I park up the front just off the track so I'm think I should be ok for tomorrow.

Really annoying though as my wellies just split last week and I've not had a chance to replace them yet.

paddy147

Ophiopogon wrote: »

My boss very kindly gave me today off (I'm sure they are regretting it now), I was just thinking about the parking though, I know the first Bloom it rained much worse then this and it was still ok. I park up the front just off the track so I'm think I should be ok for tomorrow.

Really annoying though as my wellies just split last week and I've not had a chance to replace them yet.

Stick a pair of shoping bags inside your wellies.
You will be a walking advert for Tesco or Supervalue.:D

The security guard sent us into an overgrown field yesterday (grass allmost up to bonnet) and we said no way.:eek:

So if we are going back over tomorrow (which we will most likely do) we will be using the jeep,so we dont have any problems with overgrown fields,mud and geting stuck.

I got stuck before,years ago at the motor racing in the park,and after that I swore never again.;)

Ophiopogon

paddy147 wrote: »

Stick a pair of shoping bags inside your wellies.
You will be a walking advert for Tesco or Supervalue.:D

The security guard sent us into an overgrown field yesterday (grass allmost up to bonnet) and we said no way.:eek:

So if we are going back over tomorrow (which we will most likely do) we will be using the jeep,so we dont have any problems with overgrown fields,mud and geting stuck.

I got stuck before,years ago at the motor racing in the park,and after that I swore never again.;)

Haha, god I might just have to do that!...I remember when I was little my mother would wrap my feet and hands in bags if it was snowing out(I did have gloves on but they'd be soaked through) always use to drive me mad, didn't think I'd have to do it again as an adult.

paddy147

Ophiopogon wrote: »

Haha, god I might just have to do that!...I remember when I was little my mother would wrap my feet and hands in bags if it was snowing out(I did have gloves on but they'd be soaked through) always use to drive me mad, didn't think I'd have to do it again as an adult.

Yep,I know that feeling,or else a pair of yellow marigolds under the black gloves when cycling to school each morning.:D

Your fingers would be cut off you with the frost,snow and biting cold winds,if you didnt have the marigolds on under your gloves.:eek:



PS-Do go and have a look at the show gardens.You shall not be disappointed.

paddy147

The walled kitchen gardens also now have 2 bee hives with bees.

Well worth a look to see the beehives up close and how the honey bees operate.

The gardens are alive with the honey bees on all the plants and fruit and veg.:D

Pics of the beehives.:)

shamcfc

Nice pics, any idea on prices on them chicken houses

ponddigger

hi p147.nice photos.just back from bloom .great day out .never mind the drissel:Dponddigger:D ps p147.what was your fav garden

paddy147

shamcfc wrote: »

Nice pics, any idea on prices on them chicken houses

From around 400 euro upwards.The really really big coops cost more.

They are huge chicken coops,they really are,and very very well built.

My girlfriend is eyeing 1 up for keeping 2 chickens in the back garden.

2 fresh eggs every day....Yummy.:D

paddy147

ponddigger wrote: »

hi p147.nice photos.just back from bloom .great day out .never mind the drissel:Dponddigger:D ps p147.what was your fav garden

Hi Ponddigger.:)

I liked them all,as they are all lovely and unique in their own way.

But for me it was the "rabbit garden" and alsio the waterfall/Stream garden that did it for me.

Also the cottage garden too.

Combine all 3 of those,and that would be my ideal garden.

The water fall flowing into the stream and pond,,then the used scaffold planks for raised beds and seating areas and then a part of the garden for wild flowers/meadow style garden.

Bit of a pik n mix for me:D

paddy147

After going on Saturday and not geting to see enough of Bloom (due to the rain) we went back to Bloom today,and it was rather busy.

Sun was out,so too were the crowds and everyone was after a bargain with regards buying up all the display plants and flowers.

The grass carparks didnt end up too muddy afterall,but we took the jeep just incase.

Plenty of stuff for the kids to do and make.

Also a good selection of Irish food stalls and drinks stalls too.

Lots of farm animals too.

Brilliant day out,yet again.

Got back in for 10 euro each too,after I chanced my arm and asked for a cheaper entry price.My girlfriend and daughter bought some more plants and flowers.

We took the "scenic" route accross the field to get out of the carpark and back on to a tarmac road,and it worked out nicely too,as we avoided the masive que to get out the Ashtown Gate exit.

Bloom 2012 was great and congratts to the people who made it happen.

Roll on Bloom 2013.:D

Goodne

Finally got there today - fab day for it too. Crowds were quite large but I really enjoyed the day.

paddy147

The way some people were running from stall to stall and buying up the various plants,you would swear that there was never going to be another plant for sale,ever again anywhere.

Madness.:D

Ophiopogon

paddy147 wrote: »

The way some people were running from stall to stall and buying up the various plants,you would swear that there was never going to be another plant for sale,ever again anywhere.

Madness.:D

Yeah there were some pretty intense bargain hunters floating about yesterday, almost felt like they couldn't care less about the plant just as long as they could say they got a bargain.

Glad it's all over, already making plans for next year.

Back to the real world today. How I've missed my greenhouses.

paddy147

Ophiopogon wrote: »

Yeah there were some pretty intense bargain hunters floating about yesterday, almost felt like they couldn't care less about the plant just as long as they could say they got a bargain.

Glad it's all over, already making plans for next year.

Back to the real world today. How I've missed my greenhouses.

Yeah,we saw some people (not the Bloom helpers) loading up wheelbarrows and large suitcases and going off down to the carpark with so much stuff,that they couldnt even see where they were going.I got a whack of a wheelbarrow twice.:(:D

We decided to plant some of the plants we bought,at around 10pm last night in the garden.Didnt fancy leaving them out in pots overnight,so my girlfriend got stuck in and planted them as darkness was falling last night.




Hope you enjoyed Bloom yourself??:)

Did you have a trade stand there yourself,and if so then I hope you did very well on the plant sales and getting new customers.:)



PS-I pitty all the lads and lasses who have to take everything apart,and turn Bloom back into open green space today,in all that that rain.:(

Clementine2010

My other half said its like paying into a big Woodies, just a big shopping experience, personally thought it was a great day out, plenty to see and do and well worth the entrance fee. Great photos as I couldn't even get near some of the show gardens with the 10 deep crowds of people

Ophiopogon

paddy147 wrote: »

Hope you enjoyed Bloom yourself??:)

Did you have a trade stand there yourself,and if so then I hope you did very well on the plant sales and getting new customers.:)



PS-I pitty all the lads and lasses who have to take everything apart,and turn Bloom back into open green space today,in all that that rain.:(

Yes I was on a trade stand, we did very well and got a lot of advertising. Nice as well as we got a lot of compliments on our plants.

I really enjoyed the first few days but I have to say my patience kinda ran out by yesterday evening, it was great to be back in the nursery today just to have a bit of quiet.

We finished up by about nine last night and it was already fairly dismantled by the time we left, trying to get as much done before the rain came in.

paddy147

Ophiopogon wrote: »

Yes I was on a trade stand, we did very well and got a lot of advertising. Nice as well as we got a lot of compliments on our plants.

I really enjoyed the first few days but I have to say my patience kinda ran out by yesterday evening, it was great to be back in the nursery today just to have a bit of quiet.

We finished up by about nine last night and it was already fairly dismantled by the time we left, trying to get as much done before the rain came in.

Glad it was a good success for you.:)

Can you PM me where you work?

My missus is allways looking out for new nursery and plant suppliers.

She may have bought plants from your stand,for all I know.;):D

Thanks.:)

ponddigger

hi p147 my fav 2 gardens

ponddigger

hi p 147 my fav 2 gardens,stone and water

paddy147

@ Ponddigger...I had a feeling that they would be your 2 favourites allright.;)

Good choice too.:)

paddy147

Was back over at Bloom today...(wrong date on camera).

Looked a tad different today,compared to last weekend.Spot flooding,very muddy and lots of dismantling work and removal work going on.

Had the walled kitchen gardens all to ourselves too.:)

daigo75

paddy147 wrote: »

The oriental show garden was lovely,and the young lad sitting in the middle of it playing the banjo style instrument was great.

The name of the instrument is Shamisen. Very nice to listen to, if played properly.

paddy147

daigo75 wrote: »

The name of the instrument is Shamisen. Very nice to listen to, if played properly.

It was rather nice to listen to indeed.:)

healyon

Some of them pics look great, wish i had have gone