Killaloe-Ballina Community Garden

 The bottom line of the proposed new fencing for the community garden needed to be cleared as earth, stones and wood had been dumped in this area. A mini digger made short work of what would have taken members weeks if not months to achieve. Digging up the old blackcurrant bushes took just the blink of an eye. Starting work at the fruit tree bed end of the bottom fence line. Removing the liner from the pond and filling it in. Making short work of removing tree stumps. Nearly at the end of the line.  Bed cleared of old blackcurrant bushes. Replanting divided rhubarb crowns at the bottom of the fruit tree bed. Well-earned tea break.

 During COVID, new members wishing to grow vegetables joined the garden and some, who did not wish to cultivate their own plot, joined as social members.       Clearing brambles and brushwood surrounding the garden continued, in anticipation of a request for funding for perimeter fencing being granted.

 Members meet at the garden, on Saturdays from 12 noon year-round and on Tuesday afternoons from 5 pm when days are longer, to work  -  maintain and improve the garden, exchange gardening hints and tend their plots - and socialise. Loading cleared brambles and brushwood on a trailer to take to green recycling. Work followed by socialising over coffee and cakes under the shelter.  

 A modest harvest of pink fir apple potatoes, a first crop from a new deep bed.

 A Halloween bonfire at a member's home 31 October 2018.  

The Killaloe Ballina Community Garden, KBCG, began life in late 2010 under the umbrella of the Killaloe Resource Centre, with tutoring from Jim Cronin an organic gardener and owner of a superb garden in Bridgetown. Records from the time show that there were 29 registered members, not including their partners. Some were DIY gardeners; some had organic experience but most were a bunch of hands-on interested beginners. We had 10 beds, growing spinach, beetroot, beans, peas, potatoes, leeks, onions, garlic, cauliflower, cabbages, carrots, parsnips, sprouts, fruit bushes and strawberries. We operated a rotation system. In order to raise funds in 2012 we had a pre-Christmas car boot sale in Scariff raising €110 it was great fun. St Patrick’s Day 2013 cake and plant sale raised €268, not the best day for fund raising! In August 2013 we had a fantastic turnout and built our shelter. The men’s shed group made us some benches still in use today. In 2014 we had a quiz night at the Anchor Inn ...