Autumn/Winter 2018 – Horticulture News

GLDA INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR 2019 SPEAKER LINE-UP ANNOUNCED

The title of the 2019 event is ‘GARDENING ON THE EDGE’ – Rewilding green spaces. The statistics are stark – Wild animal populations have plummeted by 60% in 44 years – WWF Habitat loss, degradation and the resulting climate change are the main causes. In Ireland broadleaf woodland make up only 2% of our tree cover. Species-rich grasslands have declined by 97%. Two-thirds of the population is now living in urban areas. With urbanisation comes less green space and more concrete. We are living on the edge and it has become impossible to ignore. If we are living on the edge, then we are also gardening on the edge. Is there something more we could do on an individual level and collectively to help restore lost habitats and restore dwindling populations of animals, birds and insects. Do we really need a concrete driveway or a pristine mown lawn? Could we have species-rich grassland on our roofs where ground-dwelling birds might find refuge? Could we plant more native trees and plants in our gardens?

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

MONIQUE & THIERRY DRONET

Berchigranges garden, located in the Vosges mountains in eastern France, is the fruit of the complicity of two plant enthusiasts constantly learning from the observation of nature. Thierry, best described as a landscape architect, gave a new life to the site – a former quarry and spruce plantation. He set up a great variety of areas and of habitats in the garden, where he started to bring native plants from the surrounding mountains. He eventually brought in a local plantswoman, Monique, whose nursery ‘A Cottage Garden’ promoted old cultivars and wild plants alike. Both see gardens as a form of artistic expression, and together, they manage the little world they created like a theatre stage, where wild plants and straight species of perennials are given the lead role.

DUSTY GEDGE

Dusty Gedge has been instrumental in promoting green roofs in the UK. This grew out of work with the London Biodiversity Partnership and his work on conserving the black redstart. This work culminated in the formation of Livingroofs.org, the UK’s first independent green roof organisation. Livingroofs.org is the number one website on green roofs in the UK had has campaigned successfully for a distinct living roof policy in London.

KEVIN SLOAN

Kevin Sloan is a landscape architect, urban planner and writer with international scope, located in Dallas, Texas. He is the founder and director of Kevin Sloan Studio, a design studio principally concerned with the urban design and landscape architectural problems generated by the metropolitan city and its new and unprecedented formation. He has taught architecture, urban design and landscape architecture at a number of universities and colleges, including as a visiting professor at Syracuse University in Florence, Italy. He has contributed numerous journal articles and is a former columnist on architecture and design for Dallas Downtown Business News.

The event takes place on the 23 February in the Crowne Plaza Conference Centre, Santry, Dublin 9. More at glda.ie ✽

CONNECT WITH GARDEN RETAIL AND DIY SUPPLIER’S AT HARDWARE SHOW 2019

The Show has become the largest and most important event for the sector, both in Ireland and the wider UK/Ireland marketplace. The 2017 Show at the RDS Simmonscourt was the largest show ever with 163 exhibitors, over 3,800 sqm of space sold, and 2,000+ visitors during the course of the two-day event. With increased activity in both the commercial and residential building sectors as well as continued growth in the renovation, maintenance and improvement of buildings and homes, the 2019 Hardware Show will continue to be the leading show for retailers and merchants across Ireland. Among confirmed exhibitors targeting garden, retailers are Hygeia, NAD and Westland. The event takes place on the 17th to 18th of February 2019 at Citywest, Dublin. More at the hardwareshow.ie ✽

NANGLE AND NIESEN OPEN DAYS REPORT – RONAN NANGLE

We held a series of open days here at the nursery in Aherla, Co. Cork during September which proved very successful. Attendees were drawn from both the public and private sectors with local authorities, landscape architects, garden designers and landscape contractors all well represented. I led the nursery tours myself with visits to the fields to see the amenity ornamental stock, our multi-stems, newer plantations, and the mature specimens. Practical demonstrations included the process of lifting and rootballing trees, lifting of bare-root trees with an examination of the vitality important fibrous root systems and correct tree care techniques. Discussions centered on the importance of correct nursery practices like transplanting, effective pruning and overall crown development.

A key driver of the debate was the importance of correctly specifying trees and the merits of Irish grown trees for Irish conditions over European imports. Lunch each day was centered around the barbeque with venison burgers from our own deer stock with organic salad from nearby Robinsons organic farm, ToonsBridge mozzarella and local Mealagulla orchard apple juice and cider.

A short video of our open day can be viewed by accessing the following below. The lifting of our rootball and bare-root stock for sale has begun in earnest from the beginning of November and we welcome enquiries from both trade customers and the private sector. Search Nangle & Niesen on YouTube or by QR code. ✽

ENAGH FARRELL LAUNCHES ‘WINTER TREES’ RANGE OF CARDS FOR CHRISTMAS

The front cover of this edition of HC feature’s a drawing by Enagh Farrell. She works mostly in pencil, pen, watercolour and acrylic but has a preference/love for pencil. Her work is influenced by the natural world; trees, stars and plants and the magic that can be found in nature. Ena tells HC “This work started as drawings for Christmas cards. I wanted to create cards for everyone, regardless of their beliefs. In winter the trees are naked and stand like beautiful giant sculptures and we can see the winter constellations on crisp cold nights. Winter in the Northern hemisphere can be harsh but also inspiring and magical”. These are drawings to celebrate the Winter Solstice, mid-winter, the star the Magi followed in the Christmas story, or to send seasons greetings with a nod to the beauty of winter. More at enaghfarrell.com ✽

GEANEY AND O’NEILL OFFERING FULL RANGE OF EQUIPMENT FOR YEAR-ROUND TURFCARE

Geaney and O`Neill has been in business over 40 years experience in the sale and servicing of turf care equipment. Two products in the range are the Ecolawn’s Eco 250 Top Dresser is a walk-behind, self-propelled broadcast spreader and the Eco 250 designed for compost topdressing, sand topdressing, lawn restoration, renovation, soil amending, and overseeding. Also available is the Turbo Turf HS150 Hydroseeder for seeding and fertilizing machine which maximizes germination by mixing water, seed and fertilizer. This machine is ideal for golf course repair, cemeteries, schools, construction, smaller lawn repair and renovation. More at thelawnmowerman.ie ✽

DAFM HORTICULTURE NEWS

DAFM HIGHLIGHTING PLANT HEALTH & BIO-SECURITY WITH PUBLIC AWARENESS RAISING CAMPAIGN

As part of the Departments Plant Health Strategy, the “Don’t Risk it!” plant health and biosecurity awareness raising a campaign was launched at Bloom in the Park on June bank holiday weekend. Through the mediums of the internet, social media and attending key events, the Department’s objective of the campaign is to educate the general public about quarantine pests and diseases such as Xylella fastidiosa and Asian longhorn beetle and highlighting the social, environmental and economic impact of bringing home from abroad potentially infected plants, fruit, vegetables and wood products. The distinctive “red suitcase” campaign logo will also be visible at all airports and ports in Ireland reminding the public of their responsibilities when travelling abroad. ✽

DEADLINE FOR 2019 SCHEME OF INVESTMENT AID FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMERCIAL HORTICULTURE SECTOR APPROACHING

The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector grant aids capital investments in specialised plant and equipment in the horticulture sector. The scheme’s objectives are to: promote the diversification of on-farm activities; improve the quality of products; facilitate environmentally friendly practices and improve working conditions. More at agriculture.gov.ie/farmingsectors/horticulture/horticultureschemes ✽

GEOFFREY WRIGHT WINS ITB ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN HORTICULTURE AWARD SPONSORED BY WESTLAND HORTICULTURE

This award, consisting of a bog oak perpetual trophy, cash prize and certificate is presented to the student in the final year cohort, with the highest overall GPA in their year. This bog oak piece (‘High flyer’) is the work of sculptor Kevin Casey from Newtowncashel, Co. Longford. The piece has been carbon dated by the school of geosciences at Queen’s University Belfast and is approx. 5,600 years old.

The recipient, Geoffrey Wright completed his BSc Horticulture honours with ITB over the last four years, travelling from Longford through the week for classes. He was awarded his prize by Assumpta Meally (Westland Horticulture Ireland & UK Sales Manager) at the ITB graduation ceremony held on Friday 9th November. Geoff graduated with a first class honours degree and a 4.0 GPA (grade point average) and is currently working with Schram Plants, Moyvalley, Co. Westmeath. ✽

GROW OBSERVATORY MOBILISES COMMUNITIES AROUND EUROPE ON WORLD SOIL DAY FOR CLIMATE ACTION

In a changing climate, soil health matters. Communities across Europe involved in the GROW Observatory are highlighting the importance of this precious resource – through a range of innovative events and activities – for World Soil Day 2018.

At the Visual Contemporary Arts Centre in Carlow town on Saturday, 1st December between 1300 and 1700 hours, a citizens workshop will be taking place that features theatre, talks and facilitated conversations, as part of a series of events on soil health and citizen science taking place in different European countries celebrating World Soil Day. World Soil Day is held annually on 5th December as a means to focus attention on soil and on advocating for the sustainable management of soil resources. This year’s theme is soil pollution.

Citizen Science plays an important role in understanding soil health. GROW works with citizens across Europe, gathering data about soil and food growing, because Healthy Soils are key to a Healthy Future. More info from Dee Sewell dee@greensideup.ie ✽

CHRISTMASWORLD INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR FOR SEASONAL AND FESTIVE DECORATIONS

Christmasworld is the world’s biggest trend and order platform for the international seasonal and festive decoration sector – and therefore the perfect B2B trade fair for a great start to the new business season.

Christmasworld takes place in Frankfurt brings together manufacturers and retailers, as well as major commercial buyers from all over the world.

The event takes place from the 25 to 29 January 2019. More at christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com ✽

FLORALANDPLANTS INVESTS €200,000 IN TRUCK FLEET AND BRAND NEW WEBSHOP

Increasing levels of business have allowed the business to invest in new software for their already leading webshop. It offers various forms of buying including direct from the grower, auction and pre-auction, meaning that flower and plants buyers are always assured of getting the best value. Arjan Van Veen tells HC, “There are many online options out there, but how we differ is that our experienced staff are guardians of your flower and plants from the time of ordering right up to delivery at your retail shop or business premises. If there are issues with an order our staff are at hand and on the ground to assist you as we always carry extra supplies on our trucks to supplement your online ordering.” Allowing for efficient delivery of online orders is a new fleet of trucks that deliver throughout the north and south of Ireland. The company also specialise’s in sourcing rare, unusual and specimen plants or flowers. Arjan describes the team and himself as “Logistical experts with a passion for flower and plants”. To set up an account contact Arjan at 087 2415091 or email sales@floralandplants.ie. More at floralandplants.ie ✽