STUDY HORTICULTURE AT UCD
Our world faces immense global challenges and two of the greatest are climate change and biodiversity loss, compounded by people migrating from rural to urban areas, and the contrary conundrum of excess consumption and food waste on one side, and food shortage on the other. Horticulture is one solution to these global challenges. Horticulture is the sustainable cultivation of food plants for human health, ornamental plants for human wellbeing, habitat creation and restoration for wildlife, conservation of plant biodiversity and genetic resources, and protection of the environment. Horticulture can play a key role in solving the climate crisis by increasing plant carbon sequestration and reducing GHG emissions. Sustainable soil management using advanced technologies in Precision Horticulture reduces inputs and rebuilds soil function through nature-friendly planting to support biodiversity and pollinators. Nature-based planting mitigates flooding, cleans the air, and greens and cools cities using urban trees and green walls and roofs. Sustainable food production minimizes food waste; any remaining waste is converted into useful products, for example, plant starch or cellulose for packaging. Composted green waste provides an alternative growing medium to peat. Technologies such as micropropagation, vertical farming, and hydroponics improve crop efficiencies and quality. Landscape design and sustainably managed sports turf provide beautiful, healthy environments for human mental and physical wellbeing. Horticultural therapy provides structured interventions in controlled settings to improve mental health. Thus, Horticulture, with enormous potential to solve many of the world’s problems, requires high-calibre graduates with knowledge of sustainable global plant production for food and amenity use under current and future climate change scenarios to deliver those solutions.
University College Dublin’s science-based Horticulture degree is taught by a team of researchers active in the areas of soil science, climate, crop production, national and international plant trade, invasive species management, biodiversity, and conservation. UCD’s focus is on educating students for a wide range of careers, by becoming a competent, competitive, and confident leader who will excel nationally and internationally as a professional horticulturist or horticultural scientist, in diverse career roles.
If you are interested in human health, plant health, biology, environment, or business opportunities, this course provides in-depth knowledge on the sustainable production of field and protected crops, nursery stock, amenity horticulture, landscape design, plant identification and use, postharvest, sports turf and pest and disease control. A career in horticulture offers you vast possibilities and opportunities that will bring you both professional and personal satisfaction, giving you an exciting and fulfilling life.
For more information, see: myucd.ie/courses/agriculture-food-nutrition/horticulture. ✽
GARDEN SHOW IRELAND RETURNS TO ANTRIM CASTLE GARDENSThis three day festival will run from Friday 29 April to Sunday 1 May 2022 and capture the excitement of Spring with the stunning surroundings of Antrim Castle Gardens transformed into a floral spectacular blooming with colour. From keen gardeners and floral enthusiasts to families in search of a great day out, the festival of Flowers, Food and Fun will be awash with thousands of plants on display and an array of garden gurus, foodie experts, local craftspeople, delectable foodie delights and majestic live music for all ages to enjoy! The theme for this year’s show is ‘Grow Your Own’ which will showcase an increased focus on sustainability with spectacular seasonal displays and exhibitions from specialist nurseries, local community groups and schools. Not to be missed at this year’s Show is Food NI’s Foodie Feast. Celebrating NI heritage and showcasing local produce, visitors will be able to feast on local produce from artisan food stalls and purchase local foodie delights in the Food NI Pavilion. For more information and to book tickets visit: gardenshowireland.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news. ✽ |
NEW BOOK FROM MARK O’LOUGHLIN OF SANCTUARY SYNTHETICS
Announcing the imminent publication of: The Big Hairy Green Book All About Artificial Grass — and the adventures of the guy who made it big in the Emerald Isle (which already had lots of perfectly good real grass). Quite a title, but you’d expect no less from entrepreneur Mark O’Loughlin.
Mark has run his garden design and creation business, Sanctuary Synthetics, for more years than he cares to remember and, over the last decade or so, has become the go-to man for artificial grass in Ireland. Few new gardening books raise eyebrows, this one promises to. Part biography, part instruction manual, this is the first ever warts and all seminal guide from the ultimate insider, the Fakegrass man. Mark says, “This book includes a biting critique that exposes real lawns as the abomination. It’s important to understand both the pros and cons and environmental arguments and then decide for yourself.”Dive in and discover all the secrets, pitfalls and tricks of the trade. Learn how to properly measure, price, and install; avoiding costly mistakes and getting the best results.
The Big Hairy Green Book will be available online and in all good bookstores soon. https://www.sanctuarysynthetics.ie. ✽
WHITES AMENITY: INTRA HYDROCARE FOR THE PUREST WATER AND HEALTHIEST PRODUCTIVE CROPSGood water quality is essential for sustainable plant production and healthy crops. Pathogenic fungi, bacteria and viruses spread very easily through irrigation water. The risk to crops can be removed through the use of Intra Hydrocare.
Intra Hydrocare is a registered biocide for the use in water systems. For advice and enquiries about the application of Intra Hydrocare for your system, contact sales at Whites Amenity: Conor Hoey – 087-929 7491 / 01-843 8521, info@whitesamenity.ie. ✽ |
A continuous low dose (40ppm) of Intra Hydrocare, an ultra stabilised hydrogen peroxide product, guarantees clean irrigation water, removing biofilm in water lines and killing pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses. Intra Hydrocare offers a chlorine free water treatment option that is safe for humans, crops, equipment and the environment. This product offers improved root development as a result of 15% more oxygen in the water, improved plant health and increased yield per square metre.
COMMON KNOWLEDGE COURSES
This spring, Féidhlim Harty of FH Wetland Systems (see article on page 16) will be teaching on the new Common Knowledge courses, offering practical guidance on eco-friendly wastewater treatment systems as well as guidance on waterway repair and rewilding and holistic land use management for catchment protection and regeneration.
Common Knowledge is a non-profit social enterprise based near Ennistymon, Co. Clare, with a mission to empower people with the skills, resources and community for a more sustainable life. They have a selection of practical, handson learning courses in building, making and mending, growing and cooking and energy efficiency.
Visit wetlandsystems.ie/Training_Workshops.html for details of FH Wetland Systems training and workshops and ourcommonknowledge.org for up-to-date details on this exciting new social enterprise. ✽
