Bord Bia's Bloom returns for another year at the Phoenix Park tomorrow (Thursday, May 28), with a strong focus on biodiversity, sustainable food production, and climate awareness across this edition's show gardens.

Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Bloom 2026 will run until Monday, June 1, as the festival expects approximately 100,000 attendees come to view their 20 show gardens on display over the five days.

Several of this year's gardens highlight themes closely linked to the agri-food sector, including organic farming, weather resilience, and biodiversity.

Among them is the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's (DAFM's) 'Nature in Balance' garden, designed by Linda McKeown, which focuses on the relationship between farming and biodiversity.

Speaking to Agriland, McKeown outlined that the garden was inspired by organic farming. describing how its design embraces both traditional and modern farming practices.

She highlighted the contrast between the "feature" bull sculpture residing on the upper level of the garden and the "modern and robust" pergola canopying the lower "farmyard space".

"The garden is designed to showcase how traditional methods are being now being brought up to date by new organic farmers," the garden designer added.

Organic farming

George Ryan, who is the client and stakeholder manager for organics at Bord Bia, said that the organic farming sector continues to grow in market demand every year.

He commented: "Over the past couple of years, we're seeing year-on-year growth in consumer demands for organic produce here domestically in Ireland."

Ryan noted that Bloom provides an opportunity for DAFM and Bord Bia to engage both farmers and consumers on the future of organic production.

"We hope to engage with attendees who want to understand more about the benefits of organic farming from a sustainability perspective, a health perspective - whether that be personal health or soil health - and overall, the viability of it from a farming perspective," he stated.

Met Éireann

Met Éireann is also marking its 90th anniversary at Bloom with 'Past, Present and Future', a show garden designed by Paul Dunne and Padraic Woods.

The garden explores Ireland's changing climate and weather patterns through resilient planting, water features and reclaimed materials.

"The purpose of the garden is to celebrate Met Éireann's 90th anniversary, while also showing diverse and resilient planting as well," Dunne said.

In addition to the plants, a floating boat feature designed to respond to rainfall levels is also on display, reflecting the impact of climate change on Ireland's environment, but also the farming sector.

Met Éireann senior climatologist Pádraig Flattery recognised that farmers witness the impacts of climate change "more than anyone."

He told Agriland: "Farmers can see that the rainfall patterns are changing, spring is coming earlier and we're getting warmer winters than we are used to, which means longer grass growth.

"However, climate change also means crops are getting washed out of soil, it is much harder to plant crops and trafficability is down for cattle on the soil."

M&S

Marks and Spencer (M&S) has also sponsored a show garden at this year's Bloom festival, titled 'Where Trust Takes Root' and designed by Scott D. Renwick.

The garden focuses on the relationship between Irish growers, food production and consumers, with a range of crops planted throughout the space.

Renwick said: "This garden is based on the philosophy that M&S have where they utilise Irish growers to stock their shelves."

The garden features crops such as herbs, broccolli, kale, lettuce and berries, alongside apple trees supplied by Irish growers - all of which can be found on M&S shelves.

Bloom 2026

According to Bord Bia, more than 100 artisan food and drink producers are due to attend, alongside 25 live cookery demonstrations and over 300 performances and talks.

Smaller 'postcard' gardens will also be on display throughout the festival grounds, with plant nursery sessions also set to be hosted for attendees.

President Catherine Connolly is due to officially open this year's Bloom proceedings tomorrow morning, while Taoiseach Micheál Martin is expected to attend on Friday (May 29).

More information about Bloom 2026 can be found on Bord Bia's Bloom website.