The two Teagasc horticulture colleges and the horticulture development department will be exhibiting over the next five days at the 10th annual Bloom event in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. Teagascare launching two new publications at this year’s show.
Teagasc’s two horticultural colleges, the College of Amenity Horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin and Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny play a major role in horticultural education and training in Ireland. This year the colleges have joined with the Teagasc Horticulture Development Department to highlight the value that Teagasc horticultural courses gain through research, advice and industry training supplied by the horticulture development department.
Teagasc are launching a publication ‘Stepping Stones to a Career in Horticulture’ specifically for this event, which is an easy to use guide describing clear pathways to a career in horticulture. Speaking at the launch, John Mulhern, Principal of the Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture said: “Both Teagasc colleges work closely with the horticultural sectors to ensure that the future of Teagasc graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the sector. This publication details testimonials from past students who attest to the quality and relevance of our courses.”
Speaking on the first day of Bloom 2016, Grainne McMahon, Assistant Principal Horticulture at Kildalton College said: “The wide range of horticulture equipment, facilities and the land base available to support the education programme puts Teagasc in the driving seat in terms of setting the standard for horticultural education in Ireland.”
Of interest to those green fingered enthusiasts who have a glasshouse or poly-tunnel, Teagasc Horticulture Development Department have also produced a useful guide for the home gardener to mark the 10th anniversary of Bloom. Greenhouse Salad Crops- A Guide for Home Gardeners has been launched as a free to download guide designed to give people the confidence to have a go at growing salad crops.
Speaking at the launch, Dermot Callaghan, Teagasc Head of Horticulture said: “Formal horticultural education and training is a priority requirement for a successful, competitive and sustainable Irish horticultural sector. With this publication and in the context of Bloom, I am delighted to encourage as many people as possible towards the benefits of pursuing horticulture as a pastime.”
Teagasc Horticulture staff will be available to answer your questions over the festival period on stand no. 31 in the Nursery & Floral pavilion. Both publications can be downloaded at www.teagasc.ie/publications.
Bloom 2016 will run for five days over the June bank holiday weekend in the Phoenix Park, Dublin from Thursday, 2nd to Monday 6th. The show continues to grow each year and is now widely regarded as Ireland’s largest garden, food and family festival, attracting over 100,000 visitors last year.
