Summer 2019 – Horticulture news

PROFESSIONAL GARDENERS GUILD PRESENTS LOYAL SERVICE AWARD TO STEPHEN BUTLER

With over 900 members across Britain and Ireland, the Professional Gardeners Guild (PGG) has been the meeting touchstone for professional gardeners employed in private gardens and estates for over 40 years. Promoting professional contact, sharing information and skills, and training the next generation of professional gardeners.

The Loyal Service Awards are presented normally at each AGM, but this year the award traveled to Bloom and was presented to Stephen Butler to mark his 37 years at Dublin Zoo, as first Head Gardener and then Curator of Horticulture. Stephen’s work is well known in the contribution he made to the incredible transformation of an old Victorian Zoo into a modern-themed landscape, creating naturalistic habitats that visitors can become immersed in while also providing the animals with different plant communities to reflect their natural habitat, and without risking any creature to poisonous plants. His training in England, first with the Royal Parks at Hampton Court Palace, then at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, gave him an excellent foundation to draw on. He also worked in Bangladesh, first as a volunteer as a horticulturalist at a newly formed government development academy, then as a horticultural administrator with a large aid organisation. This gave Stephen a very different perspective on plants, people’s pressure, and the need to conserve and protect the wonderful life of this planet.

Stephen talks about his experience as a PGG member, “I joined the PGG in 1996, seeing other past students from RBG Kew being involved was a great motivator. The next year the Irish Garden Plant Society held its AGM at Glenveagh Castle Gardens in Donegal, and while chatting to Sean O’Gaoithin Head Gardener, and mulling over a few past PGG Journals, we convinced each other to try for a PGG meeting in Dublin. That first meeting did indeed attract about 12 hardy gardeners to Dublin Zoo, and for the next few years Sean, the late Peter Hynes (Birr Castle), and myself (apologies if I’ve forgotten anyone!) pulled and pushed to keep a few meetings around the country, always well organised by the relevant host garden, and always interesting, always something learned, and great camaraderie. It is great to see the PGG still going strong, especially in Ireland. Social media may be useful, but there is nothing like meeting, walking, chatting, looking, and comparing with professional colleagues. Between the Journals, the meetings all over Ireland and Britain, the trainee scheme, and the collective knowledge, the Guild is, without doubt, one of the premier organisations for horticulture.”

For more information on the Professional Gardeners Guild (PGG) log onto www.pgg.org.uk or you can contact the Irish rep Brian O Donnell at 086-828 5915 ✽

IRISH SOCIAL, COMMUNITY AND THERAPEUTIC HORTICULTURE SYMPOSIUM 6TH SEPTEMBER AT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY DUBLIN

The Irish Social, Community and Therapeutic Horticulture Symposium is organised for Sept 6th at Technological University Dublin Blanchardstown. The theme for the event is ‘Therapeutic use of Horticulture: Research, Practice and the Future. The event is supported by TU Dublin.

Keynote speaker Dr. Joe Sempik, renowned Social and Therapeutic Horticulture researcher and author, talks to HC about the event, “This day-long symposium will focus on practice in STH and community settings in Ireland, highlighting evidence-based practice and practice evaluation (via Social Return on Investment). The event will demonstrate the array of practice ongoing in Ireland through practitioner presentations. Social and therapeutic horticulture is a niche yet growing area of horticulture practice in Ireland. Since 2015 I have written widely on the topics of STH and Community. On Feb 26 of this year a networking event for practitioners here in Blanchardstown, practitioners from all over Ireland attended and from this Social, Community and Therapeutic Horticulture Ireland (www.scthireland.com) was born. This practitioner network includes individuals practicing in this area, and organisations including GIY, Festene Lente with academic representatives in Horticulture from WIT, Teagasc KIildalton and TU Dublin. The organisation aims to enable connections and from practitioner networking, raising the profile of the work and ultimately in the future form a professional body.”

This will be their inaugural event. The conference fee is €45.00 inc lunch. Booking via Eventbrite. All welcome. Further details via www.itb.ie and www.scthireland.com ✽

SAP GROUP HELP PROMOTE HORTICULTURE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE CLASSROOM

By starting a real business in the classroom the Junior Entrepreneur Programme (JEP) has managed to engage students in horticulture. Going forward, this could be an excellent way for the wider sector to sponsor and encourage more young people into our industry. Taking this message on board already, as part of the company’s engagement with communities under their CSR programme, was the SAP GROUP who sponsored the ‘Bee Booster Boxes’ project to the tune of €750. Paul Giles of SAP tells HC, “We were delighted to be involved with this project as it’s really important for businesses like ours to influence and educate children at an early age about the benefits of a career in our sector. Also, the environmental message adopted and delivered by the children is really important, and as we too strive to develop more sustainable practices in our sector.”

Under the direction of Canalway Educate Together teacher Ciaran Mulhearn, and with the inspiration of local entrepreneurs, the children of the 5th and 6th class discovered their strengths as individuals and as part of a team. Together, they chose, invested in and produced their own product from scratch which in this case was the ‘Bee Booster Box’. It is a ready-made, environmentally friendly plant box made from FSC wood and filled with reduced peat compost and bee-friendly pollinator flowers to encourage bees. It was made available for sale at a school-hosted JEP Showcase Day and the children enjoyed donating their profits of €1300 at the end for their chosen charities (Focus Ireland, DSPCA and Friends of the Earth).

Ciaran Mulhearn told HC, “The children had a great learning experience and really enjoyed the project from start to finish. It is refreshing to see such passion for the environment and creative ideas from children so young. Thank you to everyone for supporting this great cause and for making such generous donations, especially SAP GROUP for the generous donation which allowed us to start our project.” More at www.beeboosterbox.com and www.juniorentrepreneur.ie ✽

PUPILS OF CANALWAY EDUCATE TOGETHER BLOSSOM AT BLOOM 2019

Once again pupils from Canalway Educate Together School returned to Bloom and were ably guided through the various education areas by Agriware staff. This year it was 1st class pupils who had lots of questions for the SEED area volunteers. The educational benefits of Bloom are often undervalued and over the course of the show, since its launch in 2007, there have been hundreds of classes and thousands of pupils who have benefited from their participation in the various learning initiatives across horticulture and agriculture. Class teacher, Wilma Browne told HC, “The benefits of children growing their own vegetables and fruits in our school garden are very worthwhile and that the Agriware and SEED areas are helpful in educating the children further in the benefits of growing and gardening.” More at agriaware.ie and seed.ie ✽

GREEN FITS ALL THEME FOR PLANTARIUM 2019

Plantarium is the leading international tree nursery trade fair. Participants from 15 different countries and trade visitors from 48 countries underline the international nature of the fair and make Plantarium the leading wholesale market for tree nursery products in Europe.

At Plantarium, around 300 exhibitors from various countries will be showcasing a huge range of tree nursery products for the consumer market in pots and containers and as bare-rooted products. Supplier companies will also be displaying the latest developments. Plantarium is an important platform for all the channels involved in the sale of tree nursery products. More at https://www.plantarium.nl ✽

O’DOWD NURSERIES SHOWCASING EXTENSIVE RANGE

O’ Dowd Nurseries was established in 1994 and is a family run Irish business situated in the centre of Ireland. They provide an outstanding selection of roses which consist of over 250 varieties (Inc. Hybrid Tea, Floribunda, Patio, Climbers, Shrub & Ground Cover). They also supply an extensive range of vegetable plants in 9 packs, stock Vegetables in 10.5cm pots, as well as a huge variety of tomatoes, strawberries, and high-quality bedding plants for all seasons throughout the year. Contact us on facebook.com/odowdnurseries, by email odowdroses@gmail.com or Call (090) 648 1455. GLAS STAND #G2 ✽

LITTLE ENTERPRISES IRELAND GEAR UP FOR CHRISTMAS TREE DELIVERIES

John Little, of Little Enterprises Ireland, has been in the Christmas tree business since 1995 marketing Irish grown Christmas Trees. Little started planting his own crops in 2003 in Co. Carlow. Since 2011 John has been planting trees in cooperation with his nephew Peter and they now have a selection of plantings and varieties of Christmas trees including the Noble Fir (which accounts for 75% of trees sold in Ireland), the Nordmann Fir, Fraser Fir and some Korean Fir. This season L.E.I. will be offering a single pallet delivery within Ireland and are offering a pallet of trees with a mix of sizes from 100cm to 250cm on a single pallet. For more information please contact: John Little 086-850 9644 littleentirl@gmail.com. GLAS STAND #I10 ✽

O’CONNOR NURSERIES BRING THEMED HERO STAND TO GLAS

O’Connor Nurseries are looking forward to making a strong return at Glas this year. Despite the major damage to their six acres of glasshouses in Storm Emma in 2018. The O’Connor Nurseries are back up and running at full steam for 2019. Having won the best plant stand Award at Glas in 2017, O’Connors are in full preparation with their themed ‘Hero’ stand this year and will be displaying a vast range of Summer plants with lots of colour. “Glas offers us a great opportunity to showcase our range and we always look forward to meeting our customers and suppliers there”, Jim O’Connor, Managing Director. For more information please contact Susan – susan@oconnornurseries.ie – 053-942 1217. GLAS STAND #F1 ✽

COLM WARREN POLYHOUSES IMPRESS AT BLOOM

Earlier this year, Colm Warren Polyhouses completed a wide span trellis structure for Country Crest in North County Dublin. The 15m x 32m structure was designed and manufactured by CWP for the storage of equipment on the farm. The 15m trellis structure is covered in a tough PVC material with intermittent clear panels for some natural light into the cover. The structure was built onto a preexisting concrete pad and the build time was in and around two weeks. Warren told HC, “We also built a similar structure for Bord Bia for the Bloom show, covered in multicoloured PVC sheet, the coloured panels represent the seven colours of the rainbow and eating your seven a day.” Find out more from the CWP stand at Glas or contact Deirdre Warren at dwarren@cwp.ie or on 046-954 6007. GLAS STAND #J4 ✽

SCHNEIDER YOUNGPLANTS EXPERTS ON HAND TO ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS

Schneider Youngplants specialises in the production of young plants from seeds and cuttings. The range includes annual, biennial and perennials; Cyclamen and (hobby) vegetable plants. Their range covers seeds, unrooted cuttings and young plants. The Schneider tray is a unique model that is well suited for automatic transplanting machines and is also suitable for long-distance transportation. The team consists of Youngplants specialists with years of experience. That specialism is transferred to you in the form of professional guidance and team members who will be on hand at their Glas stand to answer all of your questions. More at schneiderbv.nl. GLAS STAND #E11 ✽

YOUNG NURSERIES EXPAND RANGE AND LAUNCH NEW WEBSHOP

Last year Young Nurseries invested in a new greenhouse with automatic climate control, ebb and flood flooring, and water recycling, allowing them to produce crops that require specific growing conditions, expand their range and ensure consistent availability, especially at peak times. They have also launched a new webshop, showcasing their current looking good plants and core range. The plant list and images are updated weekly, giving near accurate stock levels as well as updating batches as they become ready for sale or sell out. With a simple format of a brief description of the plant, a facility to filter according to size and category, and an automatic shelf calculator to let you know your order size. Ordering is easy and can be done at any time by messaging sales@youngnurseries.com.

Young Nurseries told HC, “Our range of pollinator-friendly plants has been extended due to increased consumer demand and we expect this to continue. We have increased the varieties of Echinacea, Salvia and Nepeta specifically with this in mind, while also aware that there is a strong desire for long-lasting colour in the garden as well as wildlife!”. Another buying option if you are short of time is the ‘Looking Good’ trolley, hand-picked by Youngs from the current best sellers on any week (just let them know if there is anything you don’t want). Ordering can be done either through the webshop or via email. An attractive display can easily be achieved at retail with a trolley of colourful impulse plants. For more information visit the YN stand at Glas or contact: nuala@youngnurseries.com or by phone +353 87 237 1457. GLAS STAND #E1 ✽ 

SANCTUARY SYNTHETICS TEAM RETURN TO GLAS

Fresh from another successful Bloom the team from Sanctuary Synthetics returns to Glas to answer all of your professional and technical questions on the wide range of exclusive grass products now carried at its expansive Grassland headquarters in Nass Co. Kildare. Established in 2003 the business services the professional needs of designers, landscapers and local authorities across Ireland. So visit their hairy green caravan just beside the tea/coffee area or have a go on their putting green out by the BBQ! More at sanctuarysynthetics.ie. GLAS STAND #A1✽

WHITES AGRI SHOWCASING NEW PRODUCTS AT GLAS 2019

Whites Agri is a leading supplier to the Horticultural and Garden Centre Sectors. They supply a wide range of fertilisers, chemicals, PPE and equipment. All with excellent technical back-up. With a view to reduced pesticide use and environmental sustainability, Whites will be showcasing a wider range or organic fertilisers, soil amendments, Mycorrhizal Inoculants at Glás this year. Also on show will be their Zero lawn moss treatment, “The easy way to treat moss in your lawn”, along with their ever-popular, “Osmo Moss Remover”. Visit them at Glas or find out more at www.whitesagri.ie GLAS STAND #I14 ✽

ICL AT GLAS 2019

Leading the way in offering the very best in product innovation, visitors to the ICL stand (D9) at GLAS, which is held at Dublin’s Citywest Hotel on 18 July 2019, will get the chance to discover a wide range of new products and innovative technologies.

Not only does the GLAS exhibition offer visitors the chance to see some of Ireland’s leading horticulture growers but it also offers excellent networking and learning opportunities through a programme of advanced workshops and mentoring sessions.

This will be the first exhibition since ICL was announced as official suppliers of Ecoplug Max, the treatment for tree stumps to minimise root and stump sprouting, to the Republic of Ireland. ICL’s newly launched products include:

SYNERO
A new selective herbicide for use on woody weeds in amenity grassland – Synero is the ultimate tool for controlling invasive weeds on a commercial scale. Its large pack size and low application rate make it the most economical way of controlling tough weeds such as Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and other invasive weeds.

SIERRABLENPLUS WITH PEARL® TECHNOLOGY
A unique, recycled, slow-release phosphorus launched into 2 new analyses to provide significantly increased rooting and more efficient nutrient use over traditional phosphorus sources.

SEEKA
Vine Weevil Seeka contains Heterorhabditis bacteriophora beneficial nematodes (85%) and is recommended for use in soil or container-grown crops when soil temperatures are between 12°C – 30°C for at least two weeks after application. Vine Weevil Seeka is part of ICL’s new programmed IPM approach to vine weevil control featuring advice on cultural controls, plus beneficial nematode and compatible chemical controls such as Exemptor.

TRANSPORTER
To maximise the effectiveness of the Seeka range, ICL has launched Transporter – a superior blend of surfactants that optimises water, and hence nematode, distribution in the growing media. Rigorously tested, Transporter is guaranteed to be compatible with beneficial nematode species.

As well as showcasing their ever-evolving product ranges, the ICL technical team will be on hand to talk all things horticulture, turf and landscape. Please visit www.icl-sf.ie. For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf. GLAS
STAND #D9 ✽

NANGLE AND NIESEN CONTINUE TO BRING TREE EXCELLENCE TO IRISH GOLF COURSES

Nangle and Niesen have been supplying trees to Irish golf courses for over 40 years. Mount Juliet, Fota Island, West Waterford, The K Club and The Heritage, are to name a few. More recent times have also brought notable projects with the newly refurbished Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort and Douglas Golf Club, Cork amongst them. Ronan Nangle Owner and Managing Director at Nangle and Niesen talks about the Adare Manor project and growing trees for Irish conditions, “It has been very exciting and rewarding to be involved in one of the largest tree-planting projects undertaken in Ireland over the past decade. I don’t think there have ever been as many homegrown trees in excess of 60cm girth planted in any one project previously in Ireland. Every large specimen tree planted successfully established and grew. This 100% success rate was hugely satisfying and is something I am very proud of. When growing trees for golf courses we have gained a reputation for quality. As we are located on fertile pasture land 600 ft above sea level our trees need to develop a good root structure. At all stages of production, we pay particular attention to enhancing the development of this fibrous root system. This is key to the survival and successful establishment of the trees when they are planted out onto the course. Our trees take longer to get established and grow at a slower rate than on the continent. It can take us 4 or 5 years longer to produce a 20-25cm girth tree giving our mature trees a distinct advantage. Putting an emphasis on operations such as transplanting/undercutting, caning, tying, tree shelters, detailed head branch pruning and training of leaders all contribute to ensuring a healthy tree. These operations provide for a well-balanced crown with a dominant leader and an attractive form. We grow trees for Irish conditions.”

Nangle and Niesen have consistently been accredited with a “Quality Award” in recognition of standards achieved under the Bord Bia Nursery Quality Programme. More at nangleandniesen.ie ✽

SUCCESSFUL AWARDS DAY FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS AT CAFRE GREENMOUNT HORTICULTURE CAMPUS

Paul Mooney, Head of Horticulture at Greenmount Campus, welcomed special guests and students to this annual celebration of the achievements of students across a range of horticulture disciplines. At the event, Paul told the attending students “I congratulate all of you here and I’m sure that your families, friends and the CAFRE teaching staff are all immensely proud of your achievements. I would especially like to commend those who have returned to education after many years, those who traveled long distances to undertake courses and those who persisted and achieved despite difficult personal circumstances – well done to each one of you. Education is not a destination but a journey and many graduating today will choose to progress to further study, if not now, then later on in their careers.” He concluded the event by calling on the CAFRE graduands, as they graduated “I encourage you to set high professional standards for yourselves. Work hard to make a real difference within your industry. It is an industry that has so much to offer to you personally and to wider society. Be ambitious for that industry and be ambitious for yourself.” He also invited new prospective students to Greenmount’s next Careers Advice Event to be held at Greenmount Campus for all courses on Thursday 22nd August 2019, at 7pm. More at cafre.ac.uk ✽