Mayo school scoops prize in 2024 Woodie's Budding Gardeners competition

A school in Mayo has scooped a prize in this year's Woodie's Budding Gardeners competition.

Teacher Michelle Flatley and students from third and fourth class who are part of the school’s nurture group in Scoil Íosa, Ballyhaunis, were announced as runners up in this year’s Woodie’s Budding Gardeners competition, taking home a €250 Woodie's gift card.

Now in its fourth year, the Woodie’s Budding Gardeners campaign encourages children across Ireland to flex their green fingers by taking on an exciting garden project at home or in school while learning about the importance of plants along the way.

This year saw a record number of entrants to the competition, with families and schools across Ireland taking part in the campaign. The overall winners were the Brennan family from Co. Louth, who scooped the top prize, receiving a cheque for €1,000.

This year's theme was 'The Power of Plants' and children were tasked to 'plant a patch' of their choice between the months of March and May.

Woodie's garden expert and judge Brian Burke was impressed with this year’s entries, saying: “Of all the jobs I did this year, there was none tougher than judging the Woodie’s Budding Gardeners competition. The innovation, creativity and imagination on display from Ireland’s young gardeners is phenomenal, and the level of work and attention to detail is so impressive.

“It was clear these young budding gardeners had lots of fun along the way, and that’s really what it’s all about – cultivating a passion for gardening and plants while learning about the importance of biodiversity to support our planet.”

Adding to this and congratulating all the entrants and this year's winners, Rachael Williams, brand and communications manager at Woodie’s, said: “Thank you to each and every family and school who took part in this year’s Woodie’s Budding Gardeners competition. We had an amazing response to the campaign with a record number of entrants in 2024.

“It is great to see this campaign grow year on year as we know the importance of helping our young budding gardeners grow their knowledge about gardening and the importance of it, all while having some fun along the way. Once again, we were impressed by the work and this year's patches were so creative. Well done to everyone.”