11 minute read
Horticulture News
On Friday 6th of September, more than 70 people from across the island of Ireland gathered at TU Dublin Blanchardstown to hear an array of speakers address the symposium theme of ‘Therapeutic Horticulture; Research, Practice and The Future’. This was the inaugural symposium of the newly formed Irish Social, Community & Therapeutic Horticulture community, hosted by TU Dublin, and supported by Horticulture Connected, with organising committee members from GIY, Festina Lente, Airfield Trust, Teagasc Kildalton, WIT, Bradleys Horticulture and Greenside up.
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In his opening address, campus principal, Dr Diarmuid O’Callaghan, acknowledged the breadth of disciplines among those present and noted that ‘It is here in this space, in this intersect of disciplines, that the magic happens’. The symposium was a great success with guest speakers presenting on a variety of subjects and there was plenty of opportunities to network and share practice through the informal poster and networking session. The SCTH committee opened the floor to gain insight into what practitioners on the ground required of the network and there were three key messages, networking, education and professionalisation of the sector.
In summing up, TU Dublin, lecturer, researcher and educational leader in the field of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture, Rachel Freeman, noted the following, ‘It is clear from those present that they are looking around for recognised quality programmes of study to advance their practice in this field, this is something we are TU Dublin can provide. However, in addition to education, it is clear that they are seeking to be part of a group or network of support as many are working independently, they are seeking to network with other practitioners”. However, the question of professionalisation was less clear cut with Dr Joe Sempik cautioning the group to consider carefully how to proceed.
Throughout the event, the current global environment situation ran as an undercurrent to the day, and was foremost in the minds of attendees, and the day ended with practitioners encouraged and restored by the event and speaking of their intent to return to their respective places to try to impact those in their sphere of influence toward wellbeing with environmental care through the medium of therapeutic practice. More information visit SCTHIreland.com and queries can be forwarded to Rachel.freeman@TUDublin.ie ✽
HUGE RISE IN ENTRIES FOR ALCI AWARDS 2020
Entries for this year’s ALCI Awards are currently being judged by Awards judges Gary Graham and Kerrie Gardiner. Ross Carew, Executive Secretary of the ALCI reports that there was a bumper entry this year, with a total of 47 entries in 13 categories in categories from 21 members. Commenting on the most noticeable trends evident from this year’s entries, Ross commented that there are a number of themes worth highlighting. There are five different vale categories for private gardens ranging from under €10,000 to over €100,000. In the last few years, there has been a noticeable increase in the complete cost of the average private garden entry. That trend continues this year, with most private garden entries in the €50,000 €100,000 category and several in the over €100,000 category. Indeed, a few of these cost between €250,000 and €500,000. So, overall it is very evident that there is a lot more money being spent on private gardens compared to five or so years ago.
While the ALCI Awards are for projects completed by landscape contractors and indeed many of these would have been designed and built by ALCI members, it is noticeable that an increasing number of entries also feature the input of third party landscape designers and landscape architects. It’s good to see different disciplines within the landscaping industry collaborate to produce outstanding work.
There has also been a noticeable increase this year in entries in the Residential Development and Commercial Development categories. Again, this reflects a buoyant economy with a return of residential building after some quiet years and a marked increase in investment in landscaping by commercial property owners. Other trends evident from this year’s entries are the growing popularity of outdoor rooms and entertainment areas, the increased use of artificial grass and low maintenance gardens, and the integration of outdoor lighting into garden design. The winners of this year’s ALCI Awards will be announced at a luncheon in the Convention Centre Dublin on 6th March 2020. ✽
LITTLE ENTERPRISES COUNT DOWN TO CHRISTMAS
Little Enterprises are counting down to the Harvest which will begin in time to deliver the first Christmas trees to retailers starting on the 26th November. They still have some Nordmann fir available in most sizes and informed us that the labelling of trees has been done and the quality is good. John Little told HC, “We look forward to supplying our customers and wish to thank all of them who have ordered with us this year.” For more contact John on 086 8509644 or email littleentirl@gmail.com ✽
CHRISTMASWORLD: AN INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR
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 in Frankfurt am Main brings together manufacturers and retailers, as well as major commercial buyers from all over the world. The fair runs from 24-28 January 2020, Messe Frankfurt, Germany. More at Christmasworld.messefranfurt.com ✽
BLOOM 2020 NOW ACCEPTING SHOW GARDEN APPLICATIONS
Bord Bia has announced that the Bloom 2020 will take place over 5 days from 28th May to 1st June 2020 in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. Garden designers and exhibitors wishing to stage or sponsor a garden are invited to submit a design for consideration by our Garden Advisory Group (GAG). The final date for submission of applications to be included in the Garden Panel review is Friday, 15th November 2019. Applicants are strongly advised to submit their design for inclusion in this review which will take place the following week, as this will speed up the review process and facilitate better planning and scheduling for your garden. To find out more contact Kerrie Gardiner kerrie. gardiner@bloominthepark.com or call 086 130 4170 ✽
COLM WARREN POLYHOUSES WORK ON MULTISPAN GREENHOUSE STRUCTURE
Down on The Apple Farm (Cahir, Co. Tipperary), Colm Warren Polyhouses have been busy putting in a few weeks of hard work building a 28.8m x 49.5m long Multispan Greenhouse Structure. The MultiSpan Greenhouses frame is Galvanised CE marked steel, with a gothic style vaulted roof. The gutters and grip rails in the sides and roof are all a mill finished aluminium. The height of the supporting steel uprights to the gutters is 3.5m. The Greenhouse will be completed with automatic roof ventilation with accordion style insect-proof netting in the roof vents. The roof vent is a continuous 49.5m opening, driven by 400V De Gier 3 phase motors. The sides of the Greenhouse have side ventilation with the insect netting secured into aluminium grip rails. There is an all-weather station control unit installed that has wind, rain and temperature controls throughout the Greenhouse. CWP told HC, “We are nearing completion and after the 1000g polythene covers are on we will just have to finish closing in the sides and then install the doors before finishing off the undercover fitted Mypex ground cover.” More at cwp.ie ✽
GLDA UPCOMING EVENTS AND NEWS
The Garden and Landscape Designers Association have had an eventful 2019 thus far and the excitement is set to continue into the spring, with preparations already in full swing for their International Design Seminar 2020 on 29th February entitled, 'Seeds of Change - Planting Design for the 21st Century'.
Ask An Expert” Clinic at The Ideal Homes Show, RDS Simmonscourt, 25-28 October 2019. The GLDA has been invited to host a design clinic table at this 4-day event. The oneto-one 20-minute clinics will be run by a team of members of the GLDA, with voluntary donations from the public going to the Peter McVerry Trust.
GLDA would like to wish candidates applying for Full Membership Assessments this October every success and due to increased applications this year, a second portfolio preparation workshop is planned for November, to be followed by another assessment day in January 2020. The second GLDA Student & Graduate Design Awards competition launches this month with a theme of 'Communal Garden - A Design Challenge'. The competition welcomes student and graduate applicants from all over Ireland and full details, including a downloadable application form can be found on www.glda.ie.
GLDA New look Compass magazine will be published early November to provide members with another exciting and insightful read on garden and garden design-related topics, various GLDA ongoing activities, as well as expert perspectives and insights on local and international industry events of 2019 thus far.
Finally, the GLDA would like to take this opportunity to include a special mention and word of appreciation to their new Administrator, Caroline Martin, who since coming on board in the summer has embraced her role with gusto, professionalism and a high degree of efficiency, keeping everyone at GLDA on their toes! ✽ GLDA DIARY DATES
NOVEMBER 16th Portfolio prep workshop 22nd Publication of Compass magazine
AGM & Xmas dinner JANUARY 25th Full Membership Assessments FEBRUARY 29th 'Seeds of Change - Planting
Design for the 21st Century' Seminar
GLOBAL INK HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PRINT YOUR PLANT PASSPORTS
Global Ink have integrated their plant passport solution into their Brandsoft plant label software which also includes a barcoding system making it simple to produce bespoke plant labels. The system can be customised to each individual grower who can produce a single label with picture, description, logo, price, barcode and plant passport. As the main distributor of Flora labels in Ireland Global Ink have introduced new lines of adhesive labels, tags, thermal transfer labels and lots more. Their labels work with nearly all plant label software systems. In an exclusive offer to all HC readers, Global Ink are offering their new range of OKI C712dn printers at a special price until the 31st October 2019 (normally €928.00 ex vat now €673.00 ex vat - saving €255.00). Find out more at globalink.ie ✽
MULCH OPENS NEW FLAGSHIP STORE IN RATHFARNHAM
Mulch, the award-winning organic compost and garden waste recycling specialist, has announced the opening of a new flagship store on Nutgrove Avenue in Rathfarnham. The environmentally conscious business has been operating in Coolock for the last seven years. The move will double the footprint of the business and expand its reach right across the Greater Dublin Area. John McGuiness, former landscaper and Mulch Founder had this to say about the store, “Mulch offers a solution most people don’t even realise that they need – a convenient, environmentally conscious way to remove the garden waste they no longer need and recycle it into high-grade organic compost, which can then be used to nourish a garden. Since we began seven years ago, people’s awareness of the importance of living sustainably and choosing to buy products which are not damaging to our environment has sky-rocketed. This, coupled with an increased interest in GIY and DIY, has led to a demand for our service right across the Greater Dublin Area.” For further information visit www.mulch.ie ✽
ELITEFENCE’S SMARTFENCE SCOOPS AWARDS AT 2019 HARDWARE SHOW
The Hardware Show 2019 saw SmartFence, a simple DIY solution to replacing wooden panel fencing, from EliteFence win the award for Best Garden Product and the Over All Innovation Award. The innovative steel PVC coated SmartFence can be retrofitted to existing posts with no fuss or mess and eliminating the need to paint your fence. The flatpack system is available throughout Ireland from DIY stores nationwide and is maintenance-free and comes with a 25-year guarantee. Damien Keenan from EliteFence told HC, “We are delighted with the way the SmartFence has gone from strength to strength in such a short period of time. We’ve also recently added the optional extra of trellis panels that can give the SmartFence a warmer look and feel.” Find out more at www.elitefence.ie. ✽
NANGLE AND NIESEN 2019 OPEN DAY SUCCESS
Nangle and Niesen held their second annual open day at their nursery in Aherla, Co Cork on Wednesday, September 25th October which again proved to be very successful. Attendees were significantly up from last year and were drawn from both the public and private sectors with local authorities, landscape architects, garden designers and landscape contractors all well represented. Ronan Nangle led the nursery tour with visits to the fields to see the amenity and ornamental stock, their multistems and newer plantations, and the mature specimens. The tour also took in the extensive clearance, advanced soil improvement techniques and replanting works which are on-going in the nursery.
Practical demonstrations included the process of lifting and rootballing trees, lifting of bare root trees with an examination of the vitally important fibrous root systems and correct tree care techniques. Discussions centred on the importance of correct nursery practices like transplanting, effective pruning and overall crown development, and how this provides for a much stronger healthier tree well suited to Irish conditions. Lunch on the day was centred on the barbeque with venison burgers from our own deer stock and organic salad from nearby Robinson’s Organic Farm, Toons Bridge mozzarella and local Mealagulla Orchard apple juice and cider.
Lifting of their rootball and bare root stock for sale will begin in earnest from the beginning of November. Nangle and Niesen welcome enquiries from both trade customers and the private sector and visits to the nursery are always welcome by appointment. More at nangleandniesen.ie ✽
