Award-winning Kildare gardener Brian Burke Launches Woodie's Budding Gardeners 2024

Renowned garden expert and RTÉ Super Garden Judge, Brian Burke, has launched Woodie's annual 'Budding Gardeners' competition for 2024.

Originally from Hawkfield, near Newbridge, Brian’s designs and works have won multiple medals at Bloom festivals over the years as well as being a familiar face on our screens for Super Garden.

This year's Budding Gardeners theme is 'The Power of Plants', which aims to educate children on the crucial role plants play in our world, supported by in-store events with Woodie's garden expert, Brian Burke. 

Speaking about this year’s campaign Brian says: "Woodie's Budding Gardeners is one of the highlights of my year and I always look forward to the bright floral gardens and innovative ideas from children across Ireland.

"I'm always so impressed by the level and standard of the projects! Woodie's Budding Gardeners is great fun and it's a brilliant way to encourage children to learn more about the power of plants."

Brian continued: "This year, I'll be looking out for patches from families at home and classes at schools that showcase the fun they had while planting their patch and learning all about this year's theme, 'The Power of Plants.'

"Best of luck to all the green-fingered Budding Gardeners, and I look forward to seeing all your amazing work!" he concluded.

Rachael Williams, Brand & Communications Manager at Woodie’s, also gave her thoughts on the campaign.

She said:

"Woodie's Budding Gardeners is one of our favourite campaigns because it ignites excitement and interest to the up-and-coming gardening enthusiasts of Ireland.

This campaign is about encouraging children to discover the joy of gardening but also plays a pivotal role in helping them understand the importance of flowers and plants to our environment."

Rachael continued: "It's easy to get involved at home or at school, and there will be eleven winners in total with one overall winner of €1,000 cash with ten runner-up prizes of €250 of a Woodie's gift card.

"We look forward to seeing the innovative and creative garden patches over the coming months!" she concluded.

Brian Burke pictured at Bloom 2023 by photographer Leon Farrell.

For 2024, both schools and families are being asked to Plant a Patch to be in with the chance of winning a cash prize of €1,000.

Woodie's garden expert, Brian Burke will choose the overall winner along with ten runners-up who will each take home a €250 Woodie's gift card.

Whether it's a salad garden in a schoolyard, a container garden for apartment living, a garden vegetable patch, or something uniquely yours, planting a patch can thrive in spaces both large and small.

Throughout the Woodie's Budding Gardeners campaign, children will be encouraged to learn about 'The Power of Plants' and unleash the superpowers that plants have, like supplying food and clean fresh air, or helping our pollinators with their important work.

To sign up for this year's Woodie's Budding Gardeners competition, see www.woodies.ie/budding-gardeners.