Biodiversity Projects Spring 2023 Update

A range of projects that have been in planning stage since last year are now scheduled to be undertaken this spring. The projects are all intended to benefit the community, while promoting biodiversity in the landscape, and encouraging us all to consider how to live more sustainably.

A number of kitchen gardens have been planned to enable residents to grow their own food, compost and understand the rewards of working with nature. A well run kitchen garden with a sharing basket can be a huge benefit to residents. Working in the garden has immeasurable health benefits. Ingrid Swan, Clúid’s inhouse horticulturalist, was delighted to hear that one resident felt she had met more people in 2 months of working in the community polytunnel than in the two years they had lived in the scheme.

Kitchen Garden Projects are planned for
• Holycross Gardens/ Coill na Darach, Killarney
• Cuirt na Ciarradhe, Claremorris
• Broom Lodge, Cabra

Deerpark View have just had a glasshouse installed to help them to grow ornamental and edible plants from seed. A pictorial meadow will be sown in a portion of the green this spring. A pictorial meadow contains a mix of native and ornamental perennials and annuals. Pictorial meadow mixes do not contain any grass seed. They provide an excellent source of food and overwintering habitat for pollinators and invertebrates.

There are also plans to enhance ornamental planting on schemes to improve foraging for pollinators and the ecological value of these shared spaces. The planting will also improve the visual appearance of the planting beds and ensure that there is seasonal change throughout the year.

Planting to Promote Biodiversity:
• Abbeyview, Monkstown
• Rutland Sq., Cork
• Belarmine Hall, Stepaside
• Robin Hill, Sandymount

Trees on the Land have very kindly supported our residents in the creation of community orchards again this year. Community Orchards will be planted in the following schemes:
• Liosan Court, Newcastle West
• Cois Carraig, Newcastlewest
• Russell Hall, Liimerick
• Cois na Feile, Abbeyfeale