Welcome to the Carrickfergus in Bloom Website
There are many reasons why we feel proud of Carrickfergus Borough - one of them is the abundance of flowers and attractive horticultural displays. Each summer the Borough is brightened up by hundreds of hanging baskets, bedding displays, shrub beds and trees. Carrickfergus Borough Council developed the Carrickfergus in Bloom environmental improvement initiative to brighten up the Borough, to become a 'Borough of Flowers'. The objective is to make a brighter Borough for the benefit of all citizens and visitors. This website has been designed to provide current news, information and advice on all our inbloom activities. However, please do contact carrickfergus in bloom if you would like to see anything else at www.carrickfergusinbloom.org. Carrickfergus Borough is located in County Antrim in Northern Ireland.
Carrickfergus in Bloom Community Competitions
Each year we organise the Carrickfergus in Bloom Community Competitions with a £1200 prize fund. The categories are Best Kept Garden; Best Kept Container Garden; Best Kept Community Planting Scheme; and BestKept Commercial Premises. The Young people’s categories include Painting, Poetry and Tallest Sunflower. SEE LATEST WINNERS or ENTER THE COMPETITION.
Carrickfergus in Bloom Gardening Advice
The following gardening tips have been added to help to make your garden a success. Hanging Basket Tips, Butterfly Paradise, Composting your Garden Waste, How to Plant and Stake a Tree, Tree Planting Tips, Wildlife Gardening, Build a bird nestbox, Night time Gardening, Grow Crops in Pots, Growing Tomatoes etc. Click here to visit our gardening advice section. Not sure when things in the garden should be done? Use the handy carrickfergus in bloom gardening planner to find out what your should be doing in your garden each month.
Carrickfergus in Bloom Campaigns
A vital part of the Carrickfergus in Bloom initiative is the campaigning work we do in the community. In 2011 we continue our campaigns to promote biodiversity through our Blooming Wild campaign, growing vegetables in schools, getting communities working with community grants; tree week kicks off our tree planting campaign and linking gardening to the health, fitness and wellbeing agenda. Click here to view the Carrickfergus in Bloom campaigns section.
Latest News & Events
Planting the Hedgerow: on Saturday 23rd February 2013 from 10am to 1pm at Diamond Jubilee Wood, Whitehead. Come along to this free event and find out what wildlife our native hedges support and why they are one of nature’s greatest assets. You can access Whitehead Diamond Jubilee Wood via the pedestrian entrance at Bentra Golf Course car park. This free fun day out is for all the family. Please bring suitable outdoor clothing and footwear! Wellies are recommended for this site. more...
“Blooming” Busy Pupils Help Local Traders!: Downshire School’s Year 11 and Year 12 Horticulture classes were busy this week preparing floral hanging baskets for traders to display in the centre of Carrickfergus. more news...
Celebrating the Hedgerow: Come along one of the Hedgerow Hopes Initiative events and find out what wildlife our native hedges support and why they are one of nature’s greatest assets. Activities include a Bug Hunts, Jam Making, Wild Food Forage, Hedgerow Planting and Layering and much much more. see event web link
Rose Award Success for Borough: Carrickfergus has been award the Translink Ulster in Bloom – Roses in Towns Trophy for 2012 at an award ceremony at Belfast Castle today. The Roses in Towns Trophy, is presented annually to the Council area with the best display of roses. The Borough also received the Best Station Award for Carrickfergus Rail and Bus Station and Best Community Rail Halt Award for Whitehead Rail Station. more news...
Love Parks Week: Love Parks Week is an annual campaign to celebrate parks and other green space. In Carrickfergus we are asking as many people as possible to join our campaign for continued investment and support for these valuable assets. Each year we have a number of events that encourage local people and visitors alike to enjoy our parks and green space areas. More at www.carrickfergus.org/loveparks.
Translink Ulster in Bloom Competition: Gardeners throughout Carrickfergus Borough are being asked to 'Lend a hand this summer' to ensure success within this years Translink Ulster in Bloom Competition. Last year we celebrated a number of awards and with your help we can keep our record of success. more news...
Fancy an Allotment? Did you know that Carrickfergus Borough is home to the largest allotment site in Ireland? The allotments at Eden off Beltoy Road have 189 plots and if you are interested in growing your own fruit and vegetables please apply online at www.edenallotments.co.uk. Allotment gardening can provide a number of benefits to individuals and the environment. For more information on our allotment service click here.
Beach Road: Check out the environmental improvements at Beach Road Nature Reserve. For further information on this newly improved resource for Whitehead click here for further information or you can visit the Beach Road Nature Reserve website.
One Pot Pledge: Carrickfergus Borough Council is backing a nationwide campaign launched by Garden Organic that will target a growing band of people that want to have a go at growing their own food for the first time. To find out more or take part click here.
