It's nearly snowdrop time

It's nearly snowdrop time so wrap up warm, get outside and visit some of Ireland's prime snowdrop spots for your first glimpse of spring poking bravely through the frosty ground.

Snowdrops are at their very best from late January through February, and there are plenty of special events around the country to get you down on your knees with your nose in these diminutive little flowers.

Springhill, a 17th century plantation house in Co. Londonderry, and Argory in Co. Armagh are running a photo competition alongside their snowdrop walks throughout February with the winning image featured on the National Trust's website.

Altamont Gardens, in Tullow, Co Carlow, holds the second-largest collection of varieties in Ireland, holds its annual Snowdrop Week at the beginning of February. Nearby, the hotly-anticipated Galanthus Gala takes place at Ballykealy Manor on February 7th - the ideal chance to spot special specimens for your own garden.

If you missed out on planting snowdrops last autumn, lots of varieties will soon be available in our garden centre here in Co. Limerick sold 'in the green' - just after flowering, with leaves intact. This is believed to be the most successful stage of a snowdrop's life for transplanting, so invest now for dazzling displays this time next year.