Breathing Space by Fingal County Council Bloom 2023

Each year, Fingal County Council funds the design, planting, and construction of a show garden at Bloom. The Covid-19 Pandemic prevented the construction of a Fingal garden in 2020, 2021 and 2022. This year however, the Fingal Parks Department are again planning to build a very exciting and innovative garden. Plans for the Fingal garden are well under way. This year a concept garden is planned which relies on creating a forest that expresses the theme ‘A breathing space for Fingal’. It is designed to highlight the Health & Wellbeing benefits of open space and outdoor activity and to showcase how well designed urban open space contributes positively to the “liveability” of our towns and cities. The team also aims to reduce reuse and recycle elements of the garden without sacrificing the quality of the design.

Jane McCorkell has designed an unique garden using mature trees and a vast selection of perennial plants with various heights to achieve realism of a wild forest. Carefully selected trees of multi-stem Cornus, Birch, Pine, bird Cherry, and Beech trees will create a dense canopy. Apart from the trees and plants, almost 100% of the construction materials used in the garden build are recycled or upcycled.

Explore the garden yourself in the virtual tour below

the Bloom plant inspection was carried out in Kilmurry Nursery. It was great to see Irish grown mature perennial stock in required speak ready for planting. Over 3300 plants among over 60 species are selected to create understory of amazing woodland of a breathing space.

One of the special features of a Bloom Garden is green wall. This wall was planted in March with mixture of young plant of ajuga, brunnera, ferns and lamium – Look now how fast the plants developed! Actually, the plants have been recently rimmed back to achieve desired density and flower for beginning of June.

Take a look at the making of ‘A breathing space for Fingal’ Bloom Garden 2023 in the videos below

Please see the full list of Bloom Plant List and Growing Conditions here

A breathing space for Fingal is designed to highlight the Health & Wellbeing benefits of open space and outdoor activity

Green spaces play a significant role in promoting both physical and mental health, as well as fostering social connections and community well-being. The presence of green spaces can contribute to a healthier and happier population by providing opportunities for physical activity, reducing stress, and enhancing social interactions.

• Lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Improved mental health.
• Increased physical activity.
• Social and community benefits
• Positive effects on individuals with disabilities.

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Upcycling and recycling

100% of the construction materials used in the garden build are recycled or upcycled

Upcycling and recycling are both important ways to reduce waste and conserve resources, but they differ in their approach and the outcomes they produce.

Upcycling is the process of transforming waste materials or unwanted products into something new and valuable. It involves taking an existing item and repurposing it in a creative way that adds value or functionality. For example, turning an old tire into a planter, or transforming a wooden pallet into a piece of furniture. Upcycling is a way to give new life to materials that might otherwise end up in the landfill or as waste.

Recycling, on the other hand, is the process of breaking down used or discarded materials into their raw form and using them to create new products. It involves collecting, sorting, cleaning, and processing waste materials like plastic, paper, glass, and metal, and then using these materials to make new products. Recycling conserves natural resources, reduces the need for new raw materials, and reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

While both upcycling and recycling are important strategies for reducing waste and conserving resources, they differ in their goals and outcomes. Upcycling focuses on creatively transforming waste materials into something new and valuable, while recycling aims to break down and reuse materials to create new products.

Forest Bathing

Forest bathing, also known as Shinrin-yoku, is a practice that originated in Japan and involves immersing oneself in nature, typically a forest, for therapeutic purposes. It involves taking a leisurely walk or simply spending time in nature, focusing on the sensory experience of being in the forest, and engaging all of your senses. The practice is rooted in the idea that spending time in nature can have a calming effect on the mind and body, reducing stress and promoting overall well-being. Forest bathing has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, improved immune system function, and improved mood and concentration. Forest bathing does not involve any strenuous exercise and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels. It is often done alone or with a guide, and typically involves slowing down and being fully present in the natural environment, taking time to observe, listen, smell, and touch the natural world around you