A Pollinators Paradise and Horticultural Heaven awaits visitors to the Bumblebee Farm Open Day on Sunday, March 29th next in Drimoleague in West Cork. With a mission to protect and promote biodiversity through regenerative practices, Ireland’s first dedicated edible flower farm produces a unique range of beautiful nectar-rich bouquet blooms and speciality edible flowers.
The farm tour and talk will introduce guests to the wonderful world of edible flowers, pollinator-friendly plantings, sustainable horticulture that supports the natural lifecycle, and organically produced seasonal cut flowers.
Mags Riordan, founder of Bumblebee Farm, is a florist and horticulture enthusiast who works to preserve, protect and restore bumblebee populations through regenerating natural habitats, soil health, and the cultivation of nectar rich plants, trees and flowers.Ireland’s largest bees and one of the most effective pollinators, bumblebees are one of the super-heroes of our eco-system, she says.
Farm visitors can learn about the work of bumblebees and other pollinators, the different habitats, and how to make a bug hotel that suits our native species. They are also given pollinator-friendly seeds to take home, and advice on supportive plantings, to start their very own magical bumblebee oasis, no matter what size garden or terrace space they have.
Renowned chef, forager and grower Eddie Attwell from the Glengarriff Eccles Hotel will be on hand with incredible foods, made using produce grown on the farm and foraged locally. There will be
refreshments using Bumblebee Flower Farm ingredients.
Eva Milka and Eoin Jenkinson from Gaelic Escargot will also attend the farm open day, sharing their incredible journey into snail farming and some interesting insights to their protein-rich product!
Reconnecting to where our food and flowers come from is at the heart of Bumblebee Farm’s open Day, Mags Riordan says, encouraging families and anyone interested in more ethical
sustainable lifestyles to come along.
Tickets for the farm open day are priced at €25, with children accompanied by an adult going free. They are available on https://bumblebeeflowerfarm.
Mother Nature’s Mothers’ Day Gift
Families are also reminded to celebrate Mother Nature on Mothers, Day, Sunday 22nd March next, by gifting a sustainable and bee friendly bouquet from Bumblebee Flower Farm. Mags Riordan, the farm founder, is a professional florist and her very beautiful seasonal floral designs are available for next day delivery anywhere in the 26 counties.
Eco-friendly bouquets and arrangements by Mags grace many weddings and events, adding a truly beautiful sustainability dimension. They also make the perfect spring gift for Easter and special occasions. There are even edible flower posies for little flower girls who may be tempted to nibble their colourful creation. While a very popular gift purchase for special occasions, imported flowers also have a very negative environmental impact, Mags Riordan explains.
“The pesticides used in production and the carbon footprint of the thousands of miles they travel to get here isn’t good. But, if you cannot get local blooms, at least look for Fairtrade bouquets, as their production supports local workers and there is limited pesticide use”, she advises
