Bloom 2022

jaffa20

Hi all,

Is anyone going to bloom this year? It's pretty pricey and I have never been. I just want to go and appreciate the gardens and plants. I'm thinking of booking it for thurs 2nd June because i'm hoping that it would be the quietest day.

I'm worried this is going to be more of a family event, with lots of screaming children and therefore,i will hate it. Can anyone share their experiences of previous years? Thinking i might just be better off booking a trip to Mount Usher gardens or various other gardens instead.

Thanks :)

Jim_Hodge

My daughter bring her kids every year. Much as I love gardening, it's not for me.

looksee

Much as I love gardening, it's not for me.

That would be my reaction to the Chelsea show, and by association of the idea, Bloom. I don't entirely like the idea of creating artificial gardens with highly nurtured plants and pretending they are even remotely practical in a domestic garden. Though as art pieces/eye candy I am happy to look at them on tv or the internet. Trying to look at them in heaving crowds is a total turn-off.

jaffa20

Thanks, I've a feeling it's how I will feel about it too so might save my $$$. I must look into some gardens to visit instead during that week. There is some in Carlow that I haven't had chance to visit yet and it should be quieter on weekdays.

billyhead

I was going to bring my elderly mother to bloom this year but have reconsidered with the crowds and what's on offer

magicbastarder

i'm going to be there two, possibly three days.

jellybear

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119050354#Comment_119050354

We're not heading to Bloom ourselves this year.

Just on gardens to visit, Kilmacurragh Gardens in Wicklow were recommended to me this week. Could be one for the list if you haven't been already 🙂

jaffa20

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119058299#Comment_119058299

Oh yes, it's lovely there. Have visited a few times but must visit again. Beautiful rhododendrons.

magicbastarder

well, this tweet was a mistake. and they've chosen the wrong audience by going to bloom, i reckon.

https://twitter.com/thefakegrassman/status/1532121480934350848

jaffa20

Looks absolutely horrendous!

SnowyMuckish

🫣 did that really pass as a show garden…!

magicbastarder

i suspect it's not a show garden, probably in the retail area.

magicbastarder

i only had a quick scoot around yesterday, but if i'd paid in i'd have been annoyed. in the main marquee, i'd say barely 20% of the stands were related to gardening, they basically allowed any vendor in willing to stump up the cash. and there were far fewer nurseries (especially specialist ones) than in previous years (though i will caveat that by saying i may not have copped there was a section for them which i managed to miss)

fryup

^^^^^^^^^^^

how did you manage to get in for free?

magicbastarder

i was manning a stand, and had an exhibitor pass.

Muahahaha

I went to it for the first time. Had an enjoyable day but they could probably do with more gardens and less of the stands that are completely unrelated to gardening, Im looking at you Eircom Phone Watch and Currys. The nursery section wasnt very big either which surprised me given the amount of garden centres in the country.

magicbastarder

yeah, there used to be far more nurseries in attendance, and specialist ones too - ones that would specialise in ferns, etc.

it was a very noticeable difference this year.

Muahahaha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119190943#Comment_119190943

It was my first time attending so have nothing to compare it to, was the main difference that there was less actual gardening stalls & gardens and way more of everything else?

I did think it was a bit over populated with food trucks and felt sorry for the ones that appeared to be doing very little business. I know they can pay thousands for a pitch for the weekend but its not till they show up to the site that they find out how many competitors they have got. It doesnt help them either that the Bord Bia tents have loads of stalls handing out free samples of everything, it was those areas that were the most packed when we were there as everyone was crowding around for free food.

magicbastarder

yeah, a few years back, especially towards the end of the day, it would become kinda amusing to see people walking round with armfuls of plants. that was a rarity this year.

Muahahaha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119193079#Comment_119193079

yeah I saw very few people clutching plants at the end of the day. Shame the nursery section wasnt bigger as its a good opportunity to get all the specialist ones under one roof at it were