Horticulture Connected Summer 2023

SOLUTION

RESULT

CLIMATE CHANGE THE ONLY SHOW IN TOWN

Increasingly it falls to the horticulture sector to temper the effects of climate change through thoughtful planning, planting, and biodiversity enhancement at every level.

Consumers are demanding solutions that allow them all of the benefits of their green spaces with minimal negative impacts on nature. But implementing such ideals can be easier said than done.

Professionals across our sector need to communicate the very real challenges involved in ‘green horticulture’ in a way that is practical and honest. No one benefits if we jump on the ‘green washing’ bandwagon. There is much work here to be done!

Across five days over the June bank holiday weekend, 100,000 people relished the cornucopia of gardens, plants, products, flowers, food, music, education, demonstration, inspiration and craic provided by Bord Bia Bloom in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. HC celebrates the occasion across multiple pages, and shouts “Bualadh bos!” for the festival’s increasing commitment to biodiversity and sustainability in horticulture.

Landscape plays a lead role in this issue of HC. Michal Slawski describes the award-winning Green Cities Parklet at Bloom, a concept streetscape to promote design and innovation that encourages greening in even the tightest spaces of our towns and inner cities…

…while in ‘What’s in Your 15-minute Landscape?’ Terry O’Regan urges us to get intimate with our locales, thereby empowering ourselves with the landscape knowledge and language to influence our environments for the better.

Turning to sustainability, Féidhlim Harty wows us with the potential of willow wastewater systems to make one-off homes in the countryside viable, whilst reducing pollution and boosting biodiversity.

HortiRecruit’s Patrick Hussey and Teagasc’s John Mulhern write respectively on the value of recruitment, and the exciting ‘apprenticeships in horticulture’ scheme. Together they provide readers with the hows and the whys of a thriving

horticultural workforce.

In research in this issue of HC, Paul Fitters and Dónall Flanagan analyse the results of Teagasc’s recent Spiraea quality trials, name the winners, and urge a new respect for these useful and attractive flowering plants.

Also from Teagasc, Alberto Ramos Luz assesses the most important physiological and environmental factors that impact apple size, in a piece providing great practical insight for apple-growers.

As the cessation of large-scale peat harvesting forces the compost industry to explore alternative materials, the race is on for peat compost replacements. UCD horticulturalists Zoe Valentine and Noeleen Smyth in ‘Bring Out Your Dead!’ describe compost research being carried out by Teagasc, and analyse investigations undertaken by Zoe into compost alternatives made from sustainable materials.

Meanwhile, Noeleen Smyth and Scott Drew’s article, ‘Can We Go Green?’ provides a timely and balanced analysis of the controversial glyphosate herbicide debate. The article describes the results of critical research, conducted by Scott, on the effectiveness of organic herbicides compared to those that are glyphosate-based.

When it comes to AI, if you’re feeling fear, bamboozlement, or a desire to pretend it’s not happening – or a combination of all three – then move swiftly to Mark O’Loughlin’s ‘The Future is Here’ article, where you’ll get a comprehensible summary of the implications of ChatGBT for the horticulture industry.

Filming for Home Grown series 2, sponsored by Bord Bia, is currently underway, due for broadcast in spring 2024 on RTE1. As our article here shows, Home Grown series 1 – through its celebration of horticulture in Ireland – has elevated public awareness of the sector to a whole new level.

And keeping with the celebratory mood, we at HC celebrate you – our sponsors, advertisers, writers and readers. Thank you for your continued support. ✽

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Cover Photo: “First 5 Garden of Wonder and Discovery” designed by Oliver & Liat Schurmann, Photo by Fennell Photography

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LANDSCAPE

24 WHAT’S IN YOUR 15-MINUTE LANDSCAPE? Now is the time to get cosy with your locales, urges Terry O’Regan TECHNOLOGY

27 THE FUTURE IS HERE Head in the sand? Wake up to ChatGPT in the horticulture sector with Mark O’Loughlin

URBAN DESIGN

30 URBAN GREENING

Michal Slawski on the significance of The Green Cities Parklet at Bord Bia Bloom RESEARCH

32 BRING OUT YOUR DEAD!

Zoe Valentine and Noeleen Smyth dig up alternatives to peat compost

36 RESPECT FOR SPIRAEA

Paul Fitters and Dónall Flanagan of Teagasc on recent Spiraea trial

38 SIZE MATTERS

Teagasc’s Alberto Ramos Luz on the physiological and environmental factors impacting apple size

SUSTAINABILITY

40 WILLOWS ARE A WIN-WIN Willow wastewater systems are the solution for one-off houses in the countryside, writes Féidhlim Harty

FRESH PRODUCE

43 ‘FRESH, LOCAL, IN SEASON’ Lorcan Bourke on Bord Bia promotions at Bloom and Body & Soul 2023

INSIGHT

38 CAN WE GO GREEN?

Getting to the heart of the glyphosate issue, Scott Drew and Noeleen Smyth research the effectiveness of organic herbicides

EDUCATION

48 ENTER THE INDUSTRY!

John Mulhern of Teagasc on the ‘apprenticeships in horticulture’ scheme

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PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY JOIN TOGETHER FOR FOOD DUDES PRESENTATION DAYS

The regional Food Dudes events celebrated the success of more than 500 schools, who completed their three-year participation in Food Dudes.

The three-year curriculum-linked programme includes a 16-day intervention in year one, with repeated fruit and veg tasting and rewards, followed by an in-school Food Dude week in each of year two and year three, aimed at promoting healthy eating habits amongst primary school children. The healthy eating programme encourages children to eat more fresh produce and is based on repeated tastings of fresh fruit and vegetables, rewards and positive role models.

The Food Dudes Presentation Days provide teachers with an opportunity to network and feel part of a community of change. Ideas about ways in which the Food Dudes programme can be integrated into the curriculum and daily routines are shared, and peer-to-peer support is encouraged.

A new and improved Food Dudes programme is currently being rolled out in schools. It includes new varieties of fruits and vegetables, additional tasting days, new eco-friendly rewards, and new teaching and learning materials such as videos, recipes and a range of bilingual activities.

There are currently 1,700 primary schools engaged in the three-year Food Dudes programme, creating a movement of life-long change. The goal is to embed healthy eating within the school and the wider community in a way that promotes healthy eating habits amongst children, helping

to reduce obesity rates and improve overall well being. Over the lifetime of Food Dudes, over 3,300 primary schools and more than one million pupils have taken part.

The Food Dudes Healthy Eating Programme is managed by Bord Bia in Ireland. It is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with support from the European Union under the School Fruit and Vegetables Scheme. The programme was first developed by the Food Activity Research Unit, School of Psychology at Bangor University, Wales.

More information about the Food Dudes Programme can be found at www.fooddudes.ie ✽

PHOTOS TOP RIGHT: TIPPERARY PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ATTENDING THE PRESENTATION DAYS. BOTTOM: PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS FROM PORTLAOISE AND LIMERICK. STRAWBERRIES SPONSORED BY KEELINGS.

GEPC PROMO LAUNCHES NEW EU CO-FUNDED MUSHROOM CAMPAIGN ACROSS EUROPE

The European Mushroom Growers Promo Group (GEPC Promo) will shortly be launching an EU co-funded €5 million promotion campaign entitled ‘European mushrooms, the Hidden Gem’ to promote the benefits of mushrooms around Europe.

The GEPC Promo, which represents ten national organisations, will be running a promotional campaign targeting millennials in nine European markets: Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain. The campaign aims to increase consumer awareness around the many advantages of European mushrooms for a healthy and balanced diet.

‘BEST IN SEASON’ FRESH PRODUCE CAMPAIGN CELEBRATE STRAWBERRY SEASON

The annual ‘Best In Season’ campaign continues to be Bord Bia’s ‘always on’ promotion of fresh, local and in-season produce, which is targeted at a broad consumer audience from 35-55 years old. The campaign seeks to complement our millennial fruit and vegetable campaign, ‘Life is Better with Fruit and Vegetables’, hosted on www.fruitnveg.ie

This strawberry season, Bord Bia developed an additional label with the sector for their own use, and to be used at their own discretion, to highlight local and in-season messages.

‘Celebrate Strawberry Season’ in itself is a focused promotion of the broader produce campaign, specifically promoting the availability of locally grown in-season strawberries. The Irish strawberry season was officially launched by Bord Bia in the first week of May this year; however, the main campaign commenced on 25 May to coincide

Millennials are the target audience for the campaign, as across Europe they consume less mushrooms than older cohorts. The campaign will have a central message, which will then be tailored to each of the nine countries. The activity in each country will consist of digital, social media, and work with influencers and campaign ambassadors, with a central website to tie the campaign together.

The campaign has a budget of €5 million of which €270,000 will be targeted directly in the Irish market. The website for the campaign has been under construction and goes live in July, followed shortly by the launch of the social media accounts.

Mushrooms are a source of vitamins B2, B3 and B5, and are high in B7 and B9, helping to maintain bones, teeth and muscles, reduce fatigue and contribute to the normal functioning of the nervous system. Specially treated mushrooms are a source of vitamin D.

Whether raw or cooked, table mushrooms are a source of potassium and are a good source of selenium. They are also low in sodium, making them ideal for low-salt diets. Better still, with their high levels of umami, table mushrooms serve as natural flavour enhancers, making them perfect for reducing salt consumption without sacrificing flavour.

Mushrooms are inexpensive, and can be used in a wide variety of dishes, adding taste with their meaty flavour. ✽

with the first major flush of strawberries on the market.

Activities commenced with strawberry recipe inspiration on Bord Bia social media channels, and native advertorials across Irishtimes.com and breakingnews.com, which promoted three strawberry recipes to suit all meal occasions.

There were also collaborations with TV cook Aisling Larkin, who created a delicious ‘Italian-inspired strawberry salad’, and food content creator Jennifer Fox, who created ‘strawberry toasts with whipped vanilla ricotta’.

Starting on the week of 5 June, Bord Bia also organised for strawberry growers to deliver strawberries to ‘influencers’ in their local areas eg North Dublin, Wexford, Kildare, etc. Burst 2 of the strawberry campaign commences on 21 August and follows on into September.

All social media and influencer communications are being directed to the Bord Bia website https://www. bordbia.ie/recipes-and-inspiration/ collections/strawberry-recipes, which hosts all Bord Bia strawberry-related recipes. The recipes are delicious and well worth a visit! ✽

BORD BIA /

UK MUSHROOM PROMOTION

A new campaign has been launched to promote Irish mushrooms in the UK, backed with funding from Brexit Adjustment Reserve funds provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The campaign is a collaboration between commercial mushroom producers Farm Fresh Produce, Northway Mushrooms Co-Operative Society, Monaghan Mushrooms and Walsh Mushrooms.

As part of the campaign, high impact activity is driving awareness of the nutrition and versatility credentials of mushrooms, specifically highlighting their abundance of B vitamins and their ability to boost energy levels during the active summer months.

The campaign is anchored around a central message –“B energised this summer with mushrooms” – developed by creative agency, Spinnaker. Spread across major broadcast, social and print platforms including out of home advertising, video on demand, Meta, YouTube, TikTok, Tesco magazine, and radio and influencer marketing, the fully-integrated 360 campaign is targeting grocery shoppers across the UK, with a skew towards engaging a younger consumer audience.

The campaign is focused around a hero film, fronted by a TV talent-led partnership with ITV’s top cooking expert and mushroom enthusiast, Juliet Sear. Juliet created four brand new recognisably summer-focused recipes to be placed across ITVX throughout July, timed around prime programming slots such as Love Island. The

EASY STEPS TO DREAM GARDENS AT BORD BIA BLOOM

Once again, Bord Bia brought the Dream Gardens designs to life at Bord Bia Bloom 2023. Easy Steps to Dream Gardens has proven a huge success with both the public and the industry alike.

The purpose of Dream Gardens is to give the public a sense of how the gardens look in real life, and to encourage people to recreate the Dream Garden looks in their own gardens.

The Coastal Garden by James Purdy took a prominent position in the show garden area, and garnered a great reaction from the public during the five days of the show. The consensus was that the Coastal Garden was achievable; the public could envision creating the planting scheme in their own gardens.

While The Coastal Garden was the focus in the public arena at the show, it also served to drive the public to the Easy Steps to Dream Gardens area on the Bord Bia Bloom website, bringing renewed attention to the other six gardens in the Dream Gardens suite.

recipes featured in this core film showcase the versatility of mushrooms, and aim to entice viewers to incorporate mushrooms into their summer recipe repertoires.

Harnessing the power of social media and digital, video taken from the campaign’s flagship film has been edited into further educational content that delves into the nutritional benefits of mushrooms, to be advertised across Meta and YouTube platforms. The video content is also being published on Juliet Sear’s own highly-engaged social channels, in partnership with @ morewithmushrooms.

Capitalising on viral food trends across social media platforms, Irish mushroom producers are enlisting nextgeneration influencers to spark a mushroom movement across Instagram and TikTok, tapping into this summer’s most exciting recipe content, with the aim to reach a combined audience of 4 million people.

As the chief brand ambassador for Ireland’s mushroom producers for the campaign, Juliet Sear is partnering with a nutritionist to speak on national and regional radio channels. They’ll deliver the campaign’s key messaging, aiming to broadcast to an audience of 10 million listeners in the UK.

Ensuring that grocery shoppers are also effectively targeted, eye-catching mushroom digital outdoor advertising panels are launching in proximity to two key retail chain supermarkets, Sainsburys and Tesco. They showcase the four new recipes, and will reach 3.5 million shoppers.

Additionally, two full-page print adverts with fresh, eyecatching imagery, make their mark in Tesco magazine over the summer months, delivering strong messaging and targeting a further 12.6 million shoppers across the UK. ✽

A full social media campaign –utilising the assets developed for virtual Bord Bia Bloom – alongside a PR campaign, took place in the lead up to and during Bord Bia Bloom. A suite of specially commissioned point-of-sale and social media assets was sent to and utilised by garden centres around the country, to focus attention on the plants featured in the garden.

As one part of the Bord Bia social media campaign, we collaborated with gardening enthusiast and YouTube blogger, Niall McCauley of Niall Gardens. For this collaboration, Niall highlighted crucial elements of creating your Easy Steps to Dream Gardens with Bord Bia’s resources in the lead up to Bord Bia Bloom.

Across his four-part video series, Niall takes the viewer on a step-by-step process to create their dream garden, whilst highlighting the success of James Purdy’s Coastal Garden. Alongside a consistent presence on his YouTube channel, Niall also shared all Dream Gardens content to various social channels, such as Facebook.

YOUTUBE RESULTS

Video views – 10,302

INSTAGRAM RESULTS

Reach – 14,300

Engagement - 609

TIKTOK RESULTS

Reach – 4,624

Niall utilised Instagram reels and stories to highlight the Dream Gardens content he created for his channels, and made a series of faceto-camera reels highlighting the runup to Bord Bia Bloom, whilst keeping focus on the downloadable resources for Dream Gardens on the Bord Bia Bloom website (bordbiabloom.com/ dreamgardens). ✽

Home Grown, the seven-part TV series sponsored by Bord Bia celebrating the Irish horticulture industry, aired on RTE1 for seven weeks from 7 November to 19 December 2022, and was repeated in its entirety during spring 2023. Feedback from the sector and the public was overwhelmingly positive, as demonstrated in the results of separate consumer and industry evaluations carried out following the airing of the series.

VIEWING FIGURES

Final viewing figures for the two broadcast runs of the series showed that two million viewers tuned in to watch Home Grown, despite stiff competition during the first run from the World Cup matches and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! These figures are for the live broadcast and do not reflect viewings on the RTE player, or on recording for watching later.

CONSUMER EVALUATION

A nationally representative online survey was carried out amongst 1,000 adults aged 18+, to understand awareness of Bord Bia sponsorship of the TV show, the reception of the content to viewers, and the impact on the brand.

KEY FINDINGS

16 per cent of regular viewers were able to spontaneously identify Bord Bia as the sponsor of Home Grown, with a significant uplift to 42 per cent when prompted. Respondents were asked: “To what extent do each of the following statements apply to this sponsorship for Irish horticulture? (By ‘Irish horticulture’ we mean fresh fruit and vegetables and ornamental plants grown in Ireland).”

The following scores were achieved for each statement:

● It made me realise that we have a vibrant Irish horticulture industry: 96 per cent

● It made me more aware of the Irish horticulture industry: 93 per cent

● It provides inspiration to choose Irish-grown fresh

HOME GROWN

TV SERIES GETS A RESOUNDING THUMBS UP

produce and ornamental plants: 93 per cent

● It clearly communicates the variety/breadth of the Irish horticulture industry: 93 per cent

● It really makes me understand that Irish horticulture produces fruit, vegetables and ornamental plants: 92 per cent

INDUSTRY EVALUATION

A survey was conducted amongst contacts in the horticulture industry at the end of December 2022.

● 94 per cent of respondents had heard of Home Grown

● 94 per cent of respondents who had heard of Home Grown, watched the series

● almost half watched all seven episodes, with 82 per cent watching four or more episodes

Feedback from the horticulture industry has been overwhelmingly positive, both via the evaluation survey and via direct contact following the individual episodes. There were high levels of agreement that Home Grown communicated the intended messages to consumers. Some comments about Home Grown from the survey:

● “Gives horticulture the voice it has needed for a very long time.”

● “Great series, great values and ideas…did not get to watch as many episodes as I would have liked due to work commitments...would like to see another series of it broadcast in the future! Well done!”

● “I was thrilled to be asked to be involved and the final production exceeded my expectations. It was very refreshing to see the new faces of Colm and Kitty do so well. I’m not sure if another series is in the pipeline, but I hope so. It really brought home the variety of areas covered by so many different people in horticulture. Well done to all those involved.”

● “A great series that showcased very well the breadth of the food and environmental production horticulture industry in Ireland. I hope the next series (if there is one) will demonstrate the depth of each sector, the science, technology and art behind each crop/product/service.”

● “Shows the Irish horticultural industry in a very positive light. Shows how vibrant and diverse an industry it is.”

Filming for Home Grown series 2 is currently underway and is due to be broadcast on RTE1 in the spring of 2024 ✽

HOME GROWN GARDENER-PRESENTERS KITTY SCULLY AND COLM O'DRISCOLL PLAYED A BLINDER RAISING AWARENESS OF HORTICULTURE IN IRELAND.

TEAGASC AT BLOOM 2023: A HAVEN OF HORTICULTURAL EXPERTISE

There was great support and interest in Bloom this year with over 100,000 visitors. Teagasc’s theme, 'Planting Knowledge, Cultivating Growth', showcased its substantial commitment to supporting the horticulture sector and various crop and plant-based industries. Visitors were invited to engage with Teagasc’s knowledgeable staff and explore the extensive plant displays of Irish-grown plants. Teagasc developed impressive plant displays around a tasteful marquee. The displays of vegetables, wildflower meadow, native hedging and pollinator-friendly perennials drew large numbers of visitors throughout the plant and food festival.

Across the five days, Teagasc advisors, lecturers and researchers presented talks on all things horticulture, from house plants to plant-based diets. These talks, and the six sub-stands within the marquee, generated tremendous public engagement.

The Horticulture Development Department showcased innovative research and advisory support for combatting pests and diseases in the horticulture sector. The Teagasc Education exhibit emphasised lifelong learning, offering personalised guidance for those interested in horticulture education. Teagasc addressed the pressing issue of food waste reduction through innovative packaging and planning strategies.

The value of preserving native flora and fauna for biodiversity conservation was highlighted by the Countryside Management exhibit. Additionally, visitors explored the benefits of trees and forests, gaining a deeper understanding of their role in the environment. And reflecting the growing demand for sustainable dietary options, Bloom 2023 also focussed on Teagasc’s work around plant-based protein. ✽

NEW SPECIALISED VEGETABLE ADVISOR

Teagasc have appointed William Deasy as Specialised Vegetable Advisor in the Horticulture Department. William is joining the existing team of specialised advisors. He will provide technical support, training and agronomic information related to conventional and organic production of vegetable crops. While based in the Ennis Advisory Office, he will be operating across the vegetable-growing region.

William is from a farming background and has worked in horticulture for over 14 years. He has a

PhD for research on integrated pest management in brassica vegetable crops and a BAgrSc in horticulture. He is a BASIS-qualified agronomist; and a Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) approved pesticide advisor with experience in crop walking, advisory, crop trials and compliance in both Ireland and the UK. He was lead research agronomist and project team member for the European Commission/ DAFM funded EIP-AGRI project, 'Maximising Organic Production Systems', and has worked in organic certification as an organic horticultural inspector.

William can be contacted by email at William.Deasy@ teagasc.ie and/or telephone +353 (0)65 686 2177 and mobile +353 (0)87 474 4942. ✽

For more information on any element of this e-zine, please contact: Dermot Callaghan, Teagasc Head of Horticulture Development Department. Email: dermot.callaghan@teagasc.ie; Dónall Flanagan, Teagasc Nursery Stock/Ornamentals Specialised Advisor. Email: Donall.Flanagan@teagasc.ie; teagasc.ie

TEAGASC WERE BUSY ENGAGING WITH THE PUBLIC AT BLOOM 2023 –PLANTING KNOWLEDGE AND CULTIVATING GROWTH.

FRUIT TREE PLANTING, OAK PARK

A research orchard has been established in Teagasc Oak Park, Pollerton Little, Co Carlow, to support the development of the Irish apple sector.

Planted in April 2023, one third of the orchard consists of a variety trial with 48 apple genotypes, including sports of Gala, Jonagold and Elstar, and several apple scab-resistant varieties. The other part of the orchard was planted with variations of modern two-dimensional training systems, rootstocks and planting densities, totalling 2,700 trees.

The Oak Park orchard represents an important step in developing the apple sector in Ireland. In a few years it will be possible to identify varieties suitable for the Irish climate, but also for consumer and market needs. The project will also help identify better forms of

DUTCH MUSHROOM DAYS

Teagasc researchers were out in force at the Dutch Mushroom Days exhibition held in Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands last May. The event draws a large international mushroom audience, with 3,000-plus attendees including growers, suppliers, engineering companies and researchers. The event presented Teagasc researchers the opportunity to network with both industry and academic contacts.

A major date in the mushroom calendar, Dutch Mushroom Days is normally held every two years. The COVID pandemic meant that the event was cancelled in 2021, so this year’s event was very much anticipated.

The organisers invited scientists involved in mushroom research to present their findings at one of two science hubs. Teagasc presented research posters on peat replacement in horticulture; biopesticides to control mushroom diseases; and using silica to improve mushroom quality.

Also at the exhibition, the EU project, SoftGrip –of which Teagasc is a partner – had a standalone demonstration display to show progress to date on the development of a soft robotic gripper for harvesting delicate produce. The SoftGrip demonstration produced lots of interest from the mushroom community.

For further information, contact Helen Grogan, senior research officer, at helen.grogan@teagasc.ie ✽

orchard management to promote maximum yield efficiency and fruit quality, alongside reductions in labour costs.

Alberto Ramos Luz – fruit research officer in Teagasc’s Horticulture Development Department – hopes that through the knowledge obtained in this experimental orchard, it will be possible to recommend a more efficient technological package than what’s generally practised in Ireland today. The goal is to make apple production more profitable and hence more attractive to Irish farmers, whilst offering higher quality fruits to consumers.

The 2,700 apple trees planted in Oak Park, Co Carlow, will inform on the best future choices of varieties and systems for apple production in Ireland. ✽

2,700 APPLE TREES WERE PLANTED IN OAK PARK, CO CARLOW, LAST SPRING. THEY WILL INFORM ON THE BEST FUTURE CHOICES OF VARIETIES AND SYSTEMS FOR APPLE PRODUCTION IN IRELAND.

TEAGASC FOLK AT THE DUTCH MUSHROOM DAYS EXHIBITION IN THE NETHERLANDS LAST MAY. L TO R: EOGHAN CORBETT, BRIAN MCGUINNESS, GABRIELLE YOUNG, ANDREA UCCELLO, DONAL GERNON AND HELEN GROGAN.

MEMBERS OF THE SOFTGRIP TEAM, L TO R: RADHAN PATHAN, HELEN GROGAN, NICCOLÓ PAGLIARANI, IRENE KALESI, AHMED HAROUN, ANDREA UCCELLO, ATHANASIOS MASTROGEORGIOU, PANAGIOTIS MAVRIDIS. (EU HORIZON 2020 CONTRACT NO. 101017054).

OAK PARK MECHANICAL WEED CONTROL DEMONSTRATION

A significant number of vegetable growers attended the mechanical weed control demonstration in field vegetables that took place on 21 June during the Teagasc Crops and Cover Crop Cultivation Open Day at Oak Park, Co Carlow.

Speaking at the Crops Open Day, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Pippa Hackett, said: “The vision in our recently launched National Strategy for Horticulture is to grow a more profitable, valueadded sector, driven by innovation and sustainability.

“A key action in the strategy is research and development for the horticulture industry. The mechanical weed control demonstration showcased the potential for increased productivity and enhanced competitiveness, while also improving our environmental credentials. Irish growers are committed to fostering innovation and recognise the role of integrated pest-management in Irish vegetable production.”

Co-organisers Eoin Sweetman and Andy Whelton – Teagasc specialised vegetable advisors – expressed their gratitude for the participation of specialist machinery companies from across Europe. Eoin underlined what an opportunity it was to witness these machines in action under Irish conditions, and shared his excitement about observing the latest solutions for sustainable vegetable crop production.

Stephen Robb from the Irish Farmers Journal emphasised the significant demands placed on Irish producers to address the need for efficient and nutritious food production, while reducing dependence on chemical inputs. He expressed delight in presenting the unique field vegetable weed control demonstration as part of the Crops and Cover Crops Cultivations event in Oak Park.

A collaboration between the Teagasc horticulture team and the Irish Farmers Journal, the demonstration showcased the latest advancements in cultural weed control methods.

There is a growing need for non-chemical weed management tools for sustainable crop production. Significant developments are taking place in the technology of weed control systems among some of the leading manufacturers internationally. The event at Oak Park provided attendees with the opportunity to witness live demonstrations on vegetable crops.

In addition to the more conventional row-crop cultivators – including hoes, tines and finger weeders – SMART weeding technology has been advancing rapidly. The Oak Park event featured robotic and camera-guided systems, which were of particular interest to vegetable producers operating conventional and organic production systems.

Specialised manufacturers – including Steketee, FarmDroid, Treffler, Einböck, Pöttinger and Ferrari – demonstrated their equipment at the event. These machines were tractor-mounted, with the exception of the FarmDroid, a solar-powered unit steered using RTK-GPS. Fruithill Farm demonstrated some Terrateck wheeled weeders, which are especially well suited to weed control in polytunnels or small scale field production systems. The company also had a Terratek manual flame weeder on display.

Some of the technology demonstrated is used more and more in Europe, the UK and further afield. The Garford hoe has been used by vegetable farmer Emmett Dunne for several seasons already in a range of crops including carrots, brassicas and leeks. During his demonstration, Emmett spoke of the benefits of the hoe’s early use during crop development, before weeds become established and crops close in.

Further information and videos of the machines in action, as well as interviews with some of the machinery agents, can be found here: https://www.teagasc.ie/crops/horticulture/ vegetables/vegetable-publications ✽

ABOVE: THE GARFORD ROBOCROP DEMONSTRATED WEED CONTROL IN A CABBAGE CROP. IT USES A FRONT-MOUNTED CAMERA VIDEO IMAGE ANALYSIS TO DETECT WEEDS BETWEEN THE CROP PLANTS. BELOW: VEGETABLE FARMER EMMETT DUNNE (HOLDING MICROPHONE) ADDRESSES ATTENDEES AT THE MECHANICAL WEED CONTROL DEMO. EMMET PROVIDED

THE GARFORD ROBOCROP FOR DEMO ON THE DAY.

LEFT: ANDY WHELTON, STEPHEN ROBB AND EOIN SWEETMAN KEPT VISITORS ENTHRALLED WITH DEMOS OF NEW LABOUR-SAVING WEED CONTROL OPTIONS.

RIGHT: STEPHEN ROBB (IRISH FARMERS JOURNAL) IS SEEN HERE WITH A STEKETEE MODEL, WHICH HAD A COLOUR DISPLAY OF THE CAMERA OUTPUT MOUNTED OUTSIDE FOR DISPLAY PURPOSES DURING THE DEMO.

UNLOCKING THE POWER OF RECRUITMENT

Recruitment is a crucial process for any business seeking to thrive in today's competitive landscape. The ability to attract and select top talent can significantly impact an organisation’s success.

Effective recruitment brings numerous benefits to businesses. By examining the advantages across various areas, we can better understand how recruitment can fuel growth, enhance productivity, foster innovation, and build a strong organisational culture.

ACQUIRING TOP TALENT

One of the primary benefits of effective recruitment is the acquisition of top talent. In a talent-driven market, attracting skilled individuals who possess the right expertise, knowledge, and attitude is crucial for a business’s success.

By carefully identifying and selecting the best candidates, organisations gain a competitive edge. Exceptional employees bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a drive to excel, elevating the overall performance of the company.

ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE

Recruiting the right talent positively impacts productivity and performance within an organisation. When employees are well-suited to their roles, they are more likely to excel and contribute effectively to the company’s objectives.

Proper recruitment processes ensure that candidates possess the necessary skills, experience, and motivation to thrive in their positions. By aligning employee skills with job requirements, businesses can maximise efficiency, reduce errors, and streamline workflows. This, in turn, leads to improved productivity, higher quality outputs, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

CULTIVATING INNOVATION

A well-executed recruitment strategy plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation within an organisation. Diverse

perspectives and experiences can drive creativity and problem-solving. By actively seeking candidates from different backgrounds and skill sets, businesses create a talent pool that fuels innovation and pushes boundaries.

A diverse workforce brings fresh ideas, alternative approaches, and new ways of thinking, enabling companies to adapt to evolving market dynamics and gain a competitive advantage.

BUILDING A STRONG ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE

Recruitment also plays a vital role in shaping and nurturing a strong organisational culture. Hiring individuals who align with the company's values, vision, and mission fosters a sense of belonging and shared purpose.

Employees who resonate with the organisation’s culture are more likely to be engaged, committed, and motivated, resulting in higher retention rates and reduced turnover. Moreover, a cohesive culture enhances teamwork, communication, and collaboration, creating a positive work environment that attracts and retains top talent.

LONG-TERM GROWTH AND SUCCESS

The benefits of effective recruitment extend beyond immediate gains, contributing to long-term growth and success. By investing time and resources into attracting and selecting exceptional candidates, businesses build a strong foundation for sustainable growth.

Hiring individuals with high potential and a growth mindset ensures that the organisation can adapt to future challenges

A cohesive culture enhances teamwork, communication, and collaboration, creating a positive work environment that attracts and retains top talent

Patrick Hussey on the benefits of recruitment for businesses

and capitalise on emerging opportunities. Additionally, successful recruitment practices often lead to positive employer branding, attracting more qualified candidates in the future and further strengthening the talent pipeline.

CONCLUSION

Effective recruitment is a vital strategic process that offers numerous benefits for businesses. From acquiring top talent and enhancing productivity, to cultivating innovation and building a strong organisational culture, recruiting the right individuals has a profound impact on an organisation's success. By recognising the importance of investing in recruitment, companies can position themselves for long-term growth, remain competitive in the market, and create an environment where talented individuals can thrive. It is imperative for businesses to prioritise recruitment as a key driver of their overall success.

OUR TEAM AT HORTIRECRUIT:

PATRICK HUSSEY

Head Recruiter for Edible, Garden Retail, Enviroment

Phone: 089-2557543; E-mail: patrick@recruited.ie

JOLEEN O’DONNELL

Recruiter for Amenity, Land Based Skills, Phone: 089-4067712; E-mail: joleen@recruited.ie

VALERIE DEERING

Recruiter for Craft & Head Gardeners, Design

Phone: 089-4068694; E-mail: valerie@recruited.ie

JOSEPH BLAIR

Recruiter for Climate, Sustainability, Enviroment

Phone: 087-9212044; E-mail: joseph@recruited.ie

WHY HORTIRECRUIT?:

Businesses

Ireland’s only specialist niche horticulture and land based skills recruiter, utilising the network power of HorticultureConnected.ie and Horticulture.Jobs

Candidates

We can help you to get the best out of each role on your career path by aligning you with employers who will appreciate and reward you for your qualifications, knowledge and experience. Your assigned recruiter can assist you to make all of the right decisions on your career journey. ✽

CURRENT HORTIRECRUIT ROLES

● Business development manager

● Retail horticulturist

● Nursery salespeople

● Horticulture B2B sales manager

● Tree surgeon

● Greenkeeper

● Soft landscape gardener

PATRICK HUSSEY is the lead recruitment consultant at HortiRecruit. Contact: patrick@recruited.ie

By carefully identifying and selecting the best candidates, organisations gain a competitive edge

BUALADH BOS!

SUN SETS ON ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL BORD BIA BLOOM

Dublin’s Phoenix Park was a-buzz over the June bank holiday weekend as over 100,000 visitors attended Bord Bia Bloom 2023. Business boomed and spirits were high, aided by the warm summer weather.

Speaking on the final day of the 2023 festival, Jim O’Toole, Bord Bia’s Chief Executive, said:

“In its seventeenth year, Bord Bia Bloom remains a firm favourite with the Irish public.

“In addition to creating an enjoyable visitor experience, Bord Bia Bloom provides an important commercial

opportunity for Bord Bia’s client companies. We work with Ireland’s leading garden designers, nurseries and horticulture businesses, and more than 100 food and drink producers, all at Bord Bia Bloom to showcase their work.

“Their focus is not just to impress the public onsite, but also to fill their order books for the year ahead. Bord Bia Bloom has become an integral part of the summer calendar for consumers and businesses alike, and that is something Bord Bia is very proud of.”

BUSINESS WAS BLOOMIN’

Many exhibitors reported strong sales at

Bord Bia Bloom this year.

Jack Cunnane of Western Plant Nurseries in Skreen, Co Sligo, exhibited in the outdoor Nursery Village and won a gold medal for the display.

“We’ve been participating at Bord Bia Bloom for eight or nine years now, and this has been our best yet in terms of sales. We are low on stock now, but that’s a good sign – we don’t want to bring it home!”

Phytaphix, an award-winning functional food company based in Dundalk, was new to Bord Bia Bloom this year. Founder Dr Conor Kerley said, “This was our first time at Bord Bia Bloom and

the response has been nothing short of phenomenal.”

SUSTAINABLE GARDENS

With the focus on sustainability and waste reduction at Bord Bia Bloom, many elements of the show and feature gardens are in the process of being relocated post event. For example:

The Rise Garden, designed by Eugene Higgins in collaboration with the young people at Oberstown Children Detention Campus, will become the focus of the new horticulture programme for young people at Oberstown premises in Lusk, Co Dublin, where they will learn and develop new skills.

The Coastal Garden: Easy Steps to Dream Gardens, designed by James Purdy and sponsored by Bord Bia, was donated to the As Darragh Did charity in Newcastle, Co Wicklow.

Green Cities Europe Parklet, designed by Daibhí MacDomhnaill, and sponsored by EU Green Cities on behalf of the Irish Hardy Nursery Stock Association, is being relocated within Dublin city centre to support its message of greening urban spaces.

Planting from The Raising Amazing Garden by Tusla Fostering is being used to create four sensory gardens at Tusla Fostering residential homes.

FINAL DAY AWARDS

The final day of the festival marked the announcement of a number of awards, including The People’s Choice Award, awarded to First 5 Garden of Wonder and Discovery, designed by Liat and Oliver Schurmann of Mount Venus Nursery, Dublin.

The Bord Bia Bloom 2023 garden designers select the Designers’ Choice Award. This year the accolade was presented to Nicola Haines, who designed the Citröen Power of One Garden.

Bord Bia also presented food awards this year for the first time. The Best Taste Award went to Kinara Kitchen, an Indian restaurant in Dublin that has wowed Bord Bia Bloom attendees over the years for its authentic charcoalgrilled delicacies. ✽

Information on all the award winners at Bord Bia Bloom is available at www.bordbiabloom. com/2023winners.

Bord Bia has confirmed that Bord Bia Bloom 2024 will take place from Thursday 30 May to Monday 3 June next year.

Bord Bia BLOOM 2023

by numbers

22

This year’s show featured 22 show and feature gardens, nine postcard gardens, 15 nursery displays, and over 100 food and drink producers.

15

The prestigious judging panel consisted of 15 Irish and international horticultural experts, who awarded more than 78 awards to show garden designers, amateur postcard garden designers, plant nurseries and floral artists.

5

Five new garden designers exhibited for the first time at Bord Bia Bloom.

760

760 exhibitors featured across all areas of the show.

30,000

Over 30,000 people availed of Bord Bia’s free shuttle bus to and from Bord Bia Bloom across its five days.

250

Over 250 retail and food service buyers met with 100-plus Irish food and drink companies at the Bord Bia trade breakfast on Friday morning.

3,800

A total of 3,800 people worked onsite over the five days, including 100 Bord Bia staff volunteers.

14

It took 14 days to clear the Bord Bia Bloom site.

BORD BIA BLOOM /

BEST IN CATEGORY MEDIUM GARDEN, DEISGNER NICOLA HAINES

KERRIE GARDINER, BORD BIA BLOOM SHOW GARDEN MANAGER PRESENTS THE DESIGNERS CHOICE AWARD TO NICOLA HAINES, DESIGNER OF “CITROËN POWER OF ONE”, SPONSORED BY CITROËN IRELAND.

JIM O'TOOLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE BORD BIA PRESENTS THE AWARDS TO OLIVER SCHURMANN.

GOLD MEDAL WINNER JANE MCCORKELL

“MARIE KEATING FOUNDATION’S ‘CATCHING CANCER EARLY’ GARDEN” DESIGNED BY ROBERT MOORE, SPONSORED BY ASTRA ZENECA AND MSD

CEO BORD BIA JIM O'TOOLE WITH MINISTERS MARTIN HEYDON, CHARLIE MCCONALOGUE AND PIPPA HACKET

NURSERY VILLAGE MARY DORAN, IRISH PLANTS, DORAN NURSERIES, DONADEA, KILDARE - SILVER MEDAL WINNER

NURSERY VILLAGE HAZEL WOODS, KILMURRY NURSERY, GOREY, CO WEXFORD- GOLD MEDAL WINNER

PLANT NURSERIES AWARDS KERRIE GARDINER, BLOOM SHOW GARDEN MANAGER PRESENTS BEST IN SHOW TO PAT KEVILLE, PLANTSTORE.IE

BEST OVERALL SMALL GARDEN WENT TO KATHRYN FEELEY, FROM BLACKROCK, CO. DUBLIN FOR THE FOREST BALCONY

“GOAL’S GLOBAL GARDEN” DESIGNED BY TÜNDE PERRY, SPONSORED BY GOAL GLOBAL

GARDEN, GOLD MEDAL WINNER

BILLY ALEXANDER, KELLS BAY HOUSE AND GARDEN - GOLD MEDAL WINNER

NURSERY VILLAGE AILEEN MULDOONBYRNE, BOYNE GARDEN CENTRE & NURSERY, BOYNE - SILVER GILT MEDAL WINNER

“CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY THE MUSICAL GARDEN” DESIGNED BY TOM LEAVY, SPONSORED BY BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE

CHRISTOPHER WHITE, THREE GATES GARDEN CENTRE AND FLORIST, NAUL, CO DUBLINBRONZE MEDAL WINNER

NURSERY VILLAGE LEONIE MEEHAN, IRISH FUCHSIA NURSERY, GOREY, CO WEXFORDGOLD MEDAL WINNER

“THE NEXT STEP” DESIGNED BY JOSEPH EUSTACE, SPONSORED BY CULTIVATING TALENT INITIATIVE - BORD BIA

BLOOM 2023 GARDENS

'AS I LIVE AND BREATHE', DESIGNED BY BRIAN BURKE AND SPONSORED BY WOODIE'S.

“SAVILLS SANCTUARY” DESIGNED BY ALAN RUDDEN, SPONSORED BY SAVILLS

'LOOMS & BLOOMS-300 YEARS OF AVOCA', DESIGNED BY KEVIN DENNIS AND SPONSORED BY AVOCA.

BBB

'THE FOREST BALCONY', DESIGNED BY DAVID GALLAGHER.

BORD BIA SUPER GARDEN 'DAWN TO DUSK', DESIGNED BY COLM CARTY.

“CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY THE MUSICAL GARDEN” DESIGNED BY TOM LEAVY, SPONSORED BY BORD GÁIS ENERGY THEATRE

“MARIE KEATING FOUNDATION’S ‘CATCHING CANCER EARLY’ GARDEN” DESIGNED BY ROBERT MOORE, SPONSORED BY ASTRA ZENECA AND MSD

FEATURE GARDEN, 'SCULPTURE IN THE PARK', DESIGNED BY RUTH LIDDLE AND SPONSORED BY CURRYS.

National Strategy for HORTICULTURE 2023-2027

The collective vision for the Horticulture industry: “To grow a more profitable value-added sector driven by sustainability and innovation.”

About this strategy

benefits include employing workers in local communities, producing healthy produce for a healthy diet, and positively impacting wellbeing through the positive mental and health benefits of gardening and recreation including for those with special needs.

System is profitable throughout (economic sustainability), has broad-based benefits for society (social sustainability) and has a positive or neutral impact on the natural environment (environmental sustainability).

If all the actions in the Strategy are carried out, the future for horticulture in Ireland is positive, with anticipated growth of 30% in farmgate value from €529 million in 2022 to €688 million by the end of 2027.

Horticulture is one of the most carbon efficient sectors in Irish Agriculture and can have a further positive environmental impact by expanding environmentally sound practices and adapting developing technologies. Economic viability is threatened due to tight margins and increasing input costs –for the horticulture industry to be enduring, it must be financially viable. Finally, the sector’s social

Food Vision 2030 called for a new National Strategy for Horticulture to leverage its potential for growth and contribution to climate change mitigation. Building on the independent report commissioned by Minister Hackett and produced by KPMG on Opportunities for the Irish horticulture Sector , and KPMG’s subsequent Prioritisation analysis , this Strategy addresses the cross-cutting factors faced by the horticulture industry to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by sustainability and innovation. The strategy’s approach is driven by the belief that the source of increased sustainable output can only be market-led and as a result of increased collaboration, with growers and related businesses, ably supported and assisted by Government and State Agencies. This new National Horticulture Strategy is closely aligned with the over-arching agri-food industry strategy –Food Vision 2030.

Three distinct areas of sustainability underpin Food Vision 2030: environmental, economic and social, in keeping with the UN FAO model for sustainable food systems. A Sustainable Food

National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027

The development of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027

A climate smart, environmentally sustainable agri-food sector.

1.

Viable and resilient primary producers with enhanced wellbeing.

2.

Food which is safe, nutritious and appealing: Trusted and valued at home and abroad.

3.

An innovative, competitive and resilient agrifood sector, driven by technology and talent.

4.

Eight cross-cutting Key Strategic Actions (KSA) will drive change and growth across all the horticulture industry’s sub sectors leading to environmental, economic and social sustainability. These eight Strategic Actions have been distilled from the 80 plus actions KPMG initially identified in their report Opportunities for the Irish Horticulture Sector. This distillation, and subsequent ranking in order of effectiveness and cost, is a result of extensive public and stakeholder consultation (July-December 2022) and a multi criteria analysis by KPMG (completed April 2023).

8 Support innovation and diversification

7 I ntegrate Horticulture back into Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation System AKIS

6 Better data and information for better insights

5 Research and Development for the industry

3 Establish the framework for a permanent non-EEA seasonal workers’ scheme for the horticulture industry to ensure a reliable supply of skilled seasonal workers in the short to medium term while innovation and research into automation is intensified

4 Review horticulture course availability and suitability for a modern dynamic sector, enabling the educational platforms to attract talent that will drive the horticulture sector to realise its true potential

1 Strengthen the position of the grower in the marketplace

2 Develop a written charter between growers, consolidators and retailers, and increase consumer demand for local, in season, fresh, quality fruit, vegetables and plants

6 National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027

WHAT’S IN YOUR 15-MINUTE LANDSCAPE /

In 1968, pop art leader Andy Warhol was credited with the prediction: “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.”

The quirky observation, coined not by Warhol but by others close to him, anticipated today’s social media phenomenon, whereby everyone might aspire to short-lived fame.

Personally, I could give the glare of such fleeting publicity a miss. I do suggest, however, that ‘landscape’ –which enjoyed a brief place in the sun in the noughties – is once again in urgent need of some highprofile exposure.

I’m hoping that my ‘15-minute landscape’ proposition will help reenergise landscape-awareness and strategic action. The idea draws on the ‘15-minute city’ concept that has gained much traction recently (as well as criticism – sparked by covid lockdowns – that it’s a dystopian form

of social control).

In fact the 15-minute city idea was first mooted in 2010 by Carlos Moreno, esteemed professor at the PanthéonSorbonne in Paris. It implies having all essential amenities/services within a short walk, bike ride, or public transit trip from one’s home.

Unsurprisingly, the 15-minute city has caught the imagination of environmentalists across the globe. However, it’s not a particularly new idea. My own generation growing up in the towns and cities of 1950s Ireland will remember walking no more than 15 minutes to the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker – as well as to most other trades, professions and public services. We walked and shopped often daily, because few had cars or refrigerators.

My 15-minute landscape concept is a more accessible version of A Guide to Undertaking a Landscape Circle Study,

In the lead up to the National Landscape Forum 2023, it’s time to get curious about our locales, urges Terry O’Regan.

which I wrote and published in 2008 with the support of The Heritage Council.

This guide aimed to make the European Landscape Convention (ELC) of the Council of Europe – which opened for signature in 2000 – accessible for nonacademics or light academics like myself. (The ELC is the first international treaty to be exclusively devoted to all aspects of European landscape, and provides an integrated framework for landscape protection, planning and management.)

Your own 15-minute landscape is defined by a 15-minute walk from your home in all accessible compass directions. The invitation is that you ‘read’ the natural and cultural landscapes you traverse including trees, shrubs, flowers, birds, insects, buildings old and new, artefacts, curiosities, views and prospects, shopfronts, bridges, water courses, water bodies etc. You can record the landscape photographically or in rough sketches, and/or write your own narrative in prose, poetry, song or rap. You can even record four seasonal versions.

In the process, you will equip yourself with the landscape knowledge and language to engage with the National Landscape Strategy (NLS), the Irish government’s response to the ELC, launched in 2015.

EXCELLENT ROAD MAPS

Unlike the 15-minute city, the 15-minute landscape has little risk of being targeted by ‘conspiracy theorists’. Yet the many active citizens who engaged with the process that resulted in the NLS in 2015, concerned with the subsequent lack of progress, could be forgiven for suspecting a conspiracy.

Much of the blame for planning and development delays seems to be directed at concerned citizens’ challenges to the planning process. However, the blame may in fact lie with the failure of successive administrations to build a robust, adequately resourced, integrated planning infrastructure based on research, enforced regulation, best practice identification, and citizen involvement throughout the process – not merely in desperate rear-guard action.

This is the kind of well-rounded planning process with regard to holistic landscape that the ELC/NLS are intended to deliver. They are not magic potions, just excellent road maps demanding sustained hard work involving all players. Not only will such work incrementally deliver a healthier cultural/natural landscape; it will also achieve a more streamlined planning process, with resultant savings.

My own generation growing up in the towns and cities of 1950s Ireland will remember walking no more than 15 minutes to the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker … We walked and shopped often daily, because few had cars or refrigerators

LOVING OUR LANDSCAPE

We in Ireland have been very adept at commodifying landscape as a leisure/tourism product, best epitomised by the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ and its offspring. But successful landscape commodification involves landscape ‘wear and tear’. This heightens the need for active strategic landscape protection, management and planning.

Where the return might be less tangible than tourism income, our management of the wider urban/rural/upland/ coastal/water body landscape has been patchy at times.

Since the ELC came into force in 2004, the committed multidisciplinary work of most Council of Europe member states that underpins it has continued through regular workshops and conferences, including the ‘Third Meeting of the Workshops for the Implementation of the European Landscape Convention’, facilitated by Landscape Alliance Ireland in Cork, 2005.

Ireland’s National Landscape Strategy is central to our implementation of the ELC and compliance with relevant EU environmental directives. Yet this crucial high-level policy framework, whose aim is to support and protect the Irish landscape, appears to have stalled in 2018.

As part of the drive to remobilise around our landscape, I will launch the ‘15-Minute Landscape’ at this autumn’s National Landscape Forum. The launch will be one of some 30 wide-ranging presentations by international, national and local speakers, who together will give landscape a lot more than 15 minutes of fame.

The quality of our shared landscape is decided by past actions and future plans – be they draft or in progress. The 12th National Landscape Forum has the broad theme of ‘Landscape Past; Landscape Future’. ‘Landscape Present’ is excluded because today, change as never before characterises our landscape.

The pace of landscape change almost paralyses us. Even when we cry ‘stop and reflect,’ it’s often too late for effective corrective input. This, despite the fact that when managed creatively and sustainably, our natural/cultural landscape enriches our lives; whilst a degraded, ill-treated landscape inflicts harm on humans and all planetary biodiversity.

The few landscapes that have largely avoided rapid change include Waterford’s Mount Congreve House and Gardens, the site hosting National Landscape Forum 2023 on 28/29 September.

Whilst this gracious Georgian estate – a landscape of select privilege in its time and now a ‘living museum’ courtesy of state investment – might seem remote from our everyday landscapes, it illustrates, with its rich blend of nature, culture and peace, landscape characteristics to aspire to.

Even so, the landscape of Mount Congreve generated controversy in recent years, in association with the routing of the ‘new’ Waterford bypass, which makes this year’s forum venue a good starting point for a landscape strategy conversation!

My hope is that National Landscape Forum 2023 will witness the relaunch of a generously-resourced National Landscape Strategy, primed to deliver on all its aims and objectives. ✽

NATIONAL LANDSCAPE FORUM 2023 TAKES PLACE 28/29 SEPTEMBER IN MOUNT CONGREVE HOUSE, CO WATERFORD.

Convened by Landscape Alliance Ireland (LAI) in partnership with the local Waterford community, the forum brings together interested players/stakeholders to constructively explore landscape evolution, legislation and management in Ireland and Europe.

Focussing on successful best practice, and lessons from failed measures and missed opportunities, the National Landscape Forum aims to clearly identify the most effective and strategic way forward.

Presentations/discussions will consider how best to manage the landscape changes involved as we respond responsibly to climate change, carbon sequestration, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, cultural diversity, urban density, food security and more.

Waterford – with its sweeping mountains to the rivers/sea topography, urban/rural cultural landscapes, dynamic creativity, and experience of many landscape challenges – is the perfect setting for what promises to be a landmark forum.

The National Landscape Forum is dependent on funding to ensure access and diversity. As of mid-June, vital support had been committed by Bioregional Weaving Lab Waterford, Bord Bia, Waterford City and County Council, and MKO Planning & Environmental Consultants Galway.

Check the LAI website (lai-ireland.com) for booking information and forum updates, or contact terryjoregan@gmail.com.

TERRY O’REGAN pursued a career in the Irish landscape sector for some 50 years as a contractor and consultant, before retiring recently. For much of that time, he was also an active advocate of ‘bigger picture’ and ‘outside the box’ thinking. He can be contacted at 087 240 7618 and terryjoregan@gmail.com.

THE FUTURE IS HERE

Mark O'Loughlin of Sanctuary Synthetics explains ChatGPT and its ramifications for the Irish horticultural industry.

My web guy introduced me to AI, ironically enough, on April Fool’s Day. This super impressive tech has the potential to revolutionise how we communicate and do business in all fields, including horticulture. Let’s have a look at the implications, possibilities, commercial opportunities, potential threats, and the reality of change that ChatGPT brings to the horticultural world.

A QUICK GLIMPSE AT CHATGPT

ChatGPT, based on the GPT-4 architecture, is an AI language model designed by OpenAI. It's smart enough to understand and generate human-like text, making it super useful across various industries. For the horticultural sector, ChatGPT offers multiple opportunities to streamline operations, enhance communications, and improve the customer experience.

ChatGPT 3.5 version is free, while the latest, 4.0, costs a few euros a month. I urge readers to look up ‘Open AI’ and play around with it. You can easily use it on your smartphone. Warning – as rabbit holes go, this one is deep.

IMPLICATIONS AND POSSIBILITIES

CUSTOMER SERVICE LEVEL UP

Integrating ChatGPT into customer service platforms can help businesses provide faster, more accurate, and personalised responses to clients. Imagine using chatbots (virtual assistants) to answer customer queries about products, installation, maintenance, and more. In my own artificial grass realm, ChatGPT can be a game-changer for answering FAQs, guiding product selection, and even offering DIY installation advice. Had it existed when I was writing my book – The Big Hairy Green Book: All About Artificial Grass (available on Amazon) – I'd have saved a LOT of time.

COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION BOOST

ChatGPT can help improve communication and collaboration within the horticultural industry. By using this tech, businesses can speed up internal communication, reducing time spent on repetitive tasks (for example, ‘Write me a professional but firm reminder letter to debtor X…’), whilst ensuring that crucial information is shared quickly and accurately. Plus, ChatGPT can help with translating documents and facilitating communication between international partners, making global collaboration much more straightforward.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS OPTIMISATION

Adopting ChatGPT in analysing and optimising business processes can lead to increased efficiency and reduced costs. For example, AI-driven analysis of sales data can spot patterns and trends, helping businesses make better decisions about product offerings, pricing, and promotional strategies. This can help businesses stay competitive and quickly adapt to ever-changing market demands.

CREATIVE CONTENT GENERATION

For those in marketing and content creation within the horticultural sector, ChatGPT can be an incredible asset. The AI can generate engaging and informative content such

as blog posts, articles and social media updates. This can help businesses build their online presence and establish themselves as leaders in the industry.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

ChatGPT can be utilised to develop training materials and resources, making it easier for businesses to upskill their workforce. AI-generated content can help create interactive and engaging training modules, ensuring employees have access to the most up-to-date information and best practices in the industry.

AI AND GARDEN DESIGN

AI can be a game-changer here. In 2004, I bought an expensive package which promised lots. I said I'd set aside some time to explore it the next time it snowed. It's still lying unopened in a box on my shelf.

Advanced algorithms can analyse factors such as soil type, available sunlight, climate conditions, and plant preferences to create customised garden layouts that maximise aesthetic appeal and plant health. These AI-driven garden designs can also incorporate factors such as colour schemes, seasonal interest, and maintenance requirements, to ensure the final design aligns with the client's vision and needs.

Additionally, AI can be employed in 3D modelling and visualisation tools, allowing clients to explore their garden designs in a virtual environment before committing to the final plan. This not only enables clients to make more informed decisions, but also streamlines the design process by reducing the need for multiple revisions and back-andforth communication.

ChatGPT offers multiple opportunities to streamline operations, enhance communications, and improve the customer experience

AI IN PLANT GROWING AND PRODUCTION

AI has the potential to revolutionise plant growing and production in the horticultural industry. By employing sophisticated algorithms, AI can analyse vast amounts of data to optimise growth conditions, such as light, temperature, humidity, and nutrient levels. This ensures that plants are grown in the most efficient and sustainable manner possible, reducing resource waste and promoting healthier plant growth.

Furthermore, AI-driven systems can monitor plant health in real-time, detecting early signs of pests, diseases, or nutrient deficiencies. By providing early warnings and recommendations for remedial actions, these systems can help growers address issues proactively, reducing the risk of crop loss and ensuring consistent, high-quality plant production.

The integration of AI in garden design and plant growing/production processes demonstrates the potential for technology to significantly enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and quality of the horticultural industry. As we continue to explore and adopt these AI-driven solutions, we can expect to see even more innovative and transformative applications in the world of horticulture.

COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES

Embracing ChatGPT in the horticultural industry opens up new commercial opportunities for businesses. Improved customer service experiences, streamlined communication, and optimised business operations can lead to increased sales and happier clients. Furthermore, businesses can use AI-generated content to boost their marketing efforts and reach new customers.

Online marketing wise, Google and others have their own versions and there's more to come. Our ad spend has reduced significantly by virtue of using Google's AI to better target key words and phrases and getting the right people to the most appropriate landing page. Get your web people on the case asap.

THREATS

Despite the many benefits, there are potential threats that come with adopting ChatGPT technology in the industry:

JOB DISPLACEMENT

The automation of some tasks and processes using AI could lead to job displacement for those working in customer service, data analysis, and content creation. I once did a final year college project on setting up a translation services company to serve the then developing IFSC in Dublin’s docklands. That translation service would have been wiped out overnight by ChatGPT. As the industry evolves, it's essential to consider the workforce’s impact and provide opportunities for retraining and upskilling.

ETHICAL CONCERNS

The use of AI-generated content raises ethical concerns, especially regarding data privacy and the potential for manipulation or misuse. It's crucial for businesses to establish transparent and responsible practices when using AI technology to ensure the protection of customer data and to maintain trust within the industry. Not to mention that, worst-

case scenario, AI could evolve into ‘Skynet’ (remember the Terminator films?) and attempt to destroy all of humanity.

OVERRELIANCE ON AI

As businesses increasingly rely on AI technologies like ChatGPT, there's a risk of becoming overdependent on these tools. Human expertise and creativity remain vital to the horticultural industry, and it's essential to strike a balance between the use of AI and the value of human input.

TECHNOLOGICAL BARRIERS

I imagine we can expect to be inundated with specific packages and offerings built to help with all of the above in due course. Successfully integrating ChatGPT and other AI technologies requires investment in infrastructure, software, and employee training. For smaller businesses, these costs may be prohibitive, creating a barrier to entry and, if we're not careful, potentially widening the divide between large and small enterprises within the industry.

THE REALITY OF CHANGE

The advancement of AI technologies like ChatGPT is inevitable, and the horticultural industry simply must adapt and evolve to stay competitive in this rapidly changing landscape. While there are undoubtedly challenges and risks associated with the advent of AI, the potential benefits in terms of increased efficiency, improved customer service, and enhanced communication are too significant to ignore.

As a grey-haired veteran in the industry and certainly no whizz kid, I'm excited to see the potential of ChatGPT and other AI technologies unfold. Yes, it can be daunting to get one’s head around the concept but I, for one, don't want to be an April fool and get left behind. It's our responsibility as industry professionals to embrace this change, be proactive in addressing potential threats, and harness the power of AI to drive growth and success within the horticultural sector.

By acknowledging the reality of change the Irish horticultural industry can harness the power of AI to shape a more efficient, responsive, and innovative future. As we continue to explore the possibilities of ChatGPT and other AI technologies, we must remain committed to balancing the benefits of automation with the value of human expertise, creativity, and ingenuity that has driven our industry.

By the way, although I’m just a novice, this entire article was produced using ChatGPT with just a few prompts, a bit of editing and in a matter of minutes. It’s an almost disconcerting testament to the power and potential of AI in transforming the way we approach content creation and communication. Don’t get left behind! ✽

MARK O’LOUGHLIN is a 54-year-old mostly office-bound landscaper with grey hair who loves transforming spaces using artificial grass. He is the owner and director of Sanctuary Synthetics. Winner of five Bloom medals, Mark previously risked ridicule with his HidBin invention on Dragon’s Den. He is the author of The Big Hairy Green Book: All About Artificial Grass (available on Amazon).

URBAN GREENING

The Green Cities Europe campaign, co-funded by the European Union, actively encourages Irish local authorities, developers, planners and architects to work with local growers to incorporate as much green space as possible into building projects and redevelopments.

As part of Bord Bia Bloom 2023, the campaign collaborated on The Green Cities Parklet, a concept streetscape to promote design and innovation which encourages greening in even the tightest spaces of our towns and inner cities. The designed parklet used repurposed materials. After the Bord Bia Bloom festival it was recycled and incorporated into active inner-city green projects by Dublin City Council.

The concept for The Green Cities Parklet was devised by Daibhí MacDomhnaill of Áit Urbanism + Landscape. Daibhí is a landscape architect and urban designer with a specialist interest in urban greening, nature-based solutions and future-proofing cities for climate change.

Daibhí was joined on the design team by Deirdre Prince, landscape architect with Dublin City Council Parks, Biodiversity and Landscape Services; Gary Graham, interim manager of the Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland; and Barry Lupton, business development manager at O’Brien Landscaping.

Michal Slawski, a sector manager in horticulture at Bord Bia, commented: “Our vision is for nature to share space with the built environment. Density in our towns and cities demands that we step up to the challenges to embrace green spaces as integral parts of urban life – for people and for biodiversity.

“Urbanisation and climate change call for new solutions to maintain and improve the quality of life in our cities. Public green space has a positive effect on biodiversity, climate, wellness and air quality. Urban greening will ensure that our towns and cities are better places to live and work.

“The Green Cities Parklet is not what you would normally expect from a show garden at Bord Bia Bloom. We’ve taken a regular street with paving and a bus stop, and crafted a space meant to be enjoyed by commuters, local families and bees alike.

“Bord Bia is delighted to be working on this campaign in Ireland on behalf of the Irish Hardy Nursery Stock Association (IHNSA), and would like to thank the Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland (ALCI) for their collaboration on the parklet, Daibhí MacDomhnaill of Áit Urbanism + Landscape for the design, Dublin City Council for their crucial support, O’Briens Landscaping for the installation, and finally Tully Nurseries, Annaveigh Plants, and Summerhill Lawns for the plants.”

Val Farrell, President of IHNSA, welcomed the opportunity

Michal Slawski on the importance of The Green Cities Parklet at Bord Bia Bloom

to highlight local growers and Irish-produced plants, saying:

“I grew up on a small farm myself, and was always in the ground as a kid. As someone with a passion for plants, it has been my life’s work to ensure that everyone has access to green spaces, whether they live out in the country or in the middle of Dublin city.

“It is vital that we embrace greening of the places where people live as well as go to work, and as chair of the IHNSA, I am very proud to say that the quality of the plants available through our network of growers in Ireland is second to none for every scale of building project. It’s important that we embed Irish planting into all building developments from a liveability and tourism point of view, and also because it economically supports local growers in rural areas across Ireland.”

Deirdre Prince, landscape architect with Dublin City Council Parks, Biodiversity and Landscape Services, welcomed the streetscape style design at Bord Bia Bloom 2023, saying: “A green city is a healthy city! Creating green spaces for both biodiversity and recreational use has benefits for the city’s sustainability and attractiveness as a place to live, work and visit. As Dublin city intensifies and consolidates, some natural assets, open spaces and recreational areas may come under increased pressure.”

Gary Graham, interim manager of ALCI, said: “This parklet showcases how we can create, manage, and grow green spaces in our towns and cities. It is a space for biodiversity with a safe, accessible and inclusive design and layout that serves to connect the community with horticulture. ALCI members are responsible for the creation and care of many of the great and important green spaces across the country: public realm, commercial and private/domestic gardens.” ✽

MICHAL SLAWSKI is sector manager of horticulture at Bord Bia, with responsibility for mushrooms and export development. He has been with Bord Bia for more than ten years. He has a Masters in Project Finance and Venture Management from National University of Ireland, Maynooth.

Public green space has a positive effect on biodiversity, climate, wellness and air quality.

Green Cities Europe aims to combat the consequences of climate change and improve living conditions by encouraging the inclusion of green spaces in new building projects and by adding them to existing projects.

Nominate your project for a Green Cities Award before 5.30pm 24th July 2023

BRING OUT YOUR DEAD!

UCD horticulturists Zoe Valentine and Noeleen Smyth share their views on some alternatives to peat compost – and a link between coffins and sustainable materials.

As many in horticulture are aware, the cessation of large-scale peat harvesting is forcing the industry to explore alternative materials as growing media, such as coir (coconut

IN THE RACE TO FIND PEAT COMPOST ALTERNATIVES, UCD HORTICULTURIST ZOE VALENTINE RESEARCHES SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES.

fibre), wood fibre, and composted bark.

Estimates of current use highlight that over 50 per cent of the Irish horticultural sector is still reliant on peat; hence the cessation of supply is having a major impact.

A survey of growers was carried out by UCD horticulture student Zoe Valentine, at the Irish Hardy Nursery Stock Association trade show at Whites Agri Premises in Lusk, Co Dublin, on 21 February 2023.

According to the survey, wood fibre was the most popular alternative material to peat, with over 50 per cent usage in the sector among the growers surveyed. Four out of eight companies solely use wood fibre as an alternative material.

All those surveyed agreed that one of the impacts of switching to peat alternatives is the high cost and limited availability of the substitute materials.

But peat is also rising in cost: one of the growers reported an almost doubling in production costs associated with peat compost in one year. The cost of peat for one participant surveyed grew from €140K in 2022 to €260K in 2023. Growers are being forced to switch to alternative materials as a matter of both economic and environmental urgency.

THE QUEST FOR PEAT COMPOST REPLACEMENTS

One clearly observed negative effect of growing in wood fibre and barkdominated composts is

water regulation. Herbaceous plants in particular suffer in the drier conditions of bark-dominated composts, and are often seen wilting and drying, as bark and wood fibre composts struggle to retain any moisture and are extremely prone to drying out.

With the race on to find suitable compost alternatives, Teagasc’s Ashtown Food Research Centre in Dublin 15 have been carrying out some impressive largescale trials using various ratios of coir, wood fibre and peat.

WHAT ARE SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES TO PEAT?

The Revolution Farm & Kitchen, a saucemaking and mushroom-growing business project based on campus at University College Dublin, uses various compost mixes that contain bark shavings and

spent coffee grounds. They also grow their mushrooms in wheelie-bins.

Inspired by the projects at Teagasc Ashtown and Revolution Farm, Zoe carried out an experiment to build a novel compost using only locally-sourced materials which are widely available.

The first material Zoe selected was oak bark shavings, a renewable resource rich in carbon and organic matter. The oak shavings used for the experiment were re-purposed from the spent mushroom composts of Revolution Farm & Kitchen.

Oak is a fairly high-end timber material, but the oak bark shavings Zoe used are a byproduct of an industry that we’ll all have to avail of eventually – the funeral industry. Many coffin manufacturers in Ireland use oak.

The second material Zoe picked

RESEARCHING MOSS, SAWDUST AND COFFEE AS SUSTAINABLE COMPOST MATERIALS

AT REVOLUTION FARM & KITCHEN ON UCD CAMPUS, MUSHROOMS ARE GROWN IN WHEELIE BINS, IN COMPOSTS CONTAINING OAK BARK SHAVINGS AND USED COFFEE GROUNDS.

T e a g a s c C o l l e g e o f A m e n i t y H o r t i c u l t u r e

Situated in the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, the Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture offers a wide range of training courses

This wonderful location provides our students with a unique training experience; blending the finest park setting in the Capital with the invaluable experience of OPW staff of the gardens and the Teagasc College faculty All students can avail of work experience in the Botanic Gardens as well as in parks & gardens around the city and other placements further afield

Graduates of the college are leaders in the field of Horticulture and develop clear career pathways Careers in landscape design and construction, garden & parks, garden centres & plant nurseries and organic food production are all followed by our graduates

QQI Level 5 Certificate in Horticulture

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BOTANIC COLLEGE@TEAGASC IE 01 804 02 01

Kildalton College

Piltown, Co. Kilkenny

Helping people grow careers in horticulture for over 50 years

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QQI Level 5 Certificate in Horticulture

QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture

QQI Level 7 Bachelor of Science in Horticulture (in conjunction with South East Technological University)

Part-time Component Awards at Levels 5 & 6

QQI Level 6 Higher Certificate in Sportsturf Management - Apprenticeship

Kildalton College has an extensive horticultural unit for student training, including a commercial nursery, fruit and vegetable production unit, protected crops and sportsturf units, as well as 16 hectares of established gardens and woodlands.

For further information:

Email: Kildalton.college@teagasc.ie

Website:www.teagasc.ie/education/teagasc-colleges/kildalton/horticulture

Facebook: Teagasc Kildalton College

Telephone: 051 644407

@kc_horticulture

for her experiment was spent coffee grounds, a well-known viable addition to compost. Coffee contains high amounts of nitrogen and other beneficial compounds that can improve the nutrient profile and texture of compost. Ground coffee is a rich source of nitrogen, which is essential for plant growth. In addition to nitrogen, coffee also contains other beneficial compounds such as potassium, magnesium and calcium.

According to a study by Ana Cervera-Mata called ‘Spent coffee grounds by-products and their influence on soil C-N dynamics’ – published in 2022 in the Journal of Environmental Management – increasing N, P, K content enhances structural stability of soil aggregates, water-holding capacity, soil hydrophobicity and decreasing bulk density.

Given that improving water-holding capacity of novel composts is a key issue with bark and wood fibre composts, the water-holding capacity of coffee grounds is significant.

The use of coffee grounds has other environmental benefits through diverting coffee waste from landfill. The International Coffee Organisation estimated global coffee production in 2018 at 159.66 million bags, and that 1.4 billion cups of coffee are prepared each day.

For the purposes of Zoe’s research, the chosen ground coffee was Coffea arabica medium roast coffee from McCabe's Coffee on UCD campus.

The third locally-sourced ingredient for Zoe’s novel compost mix was common lawn moss (Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus), a readily-available species from most Irish lawns that is easily harvested and very renewable.

As with coffee, moss was added to assist with texture and to help with water retention.

THE EXPERIMENT AND ITS RESULTS

The novel compost mixes were combined by hand and placed into one litre, 100 per cent compostable bags within the Joraform Compost Tumbler JK270 ‘Big Pig’. This was turned every seven days during the active composting period.

As we write, the novel mixes continue to compost. However, the experiment is sufficiently advanced to be able to test for pH. Tests were carried out to determine and compare the pH of the novel composts that Zoe created in comparison to current commercial peat composts and peat-free alternatives.

extremely high or low in a compost, the plants growing can suffer either from deficiency or toxicity, so getting the pH balance right of any new compost is key.

Mixing materials such as coffee and moss – which have high pH – with the lower pH material of oak shavings, resulted in lowering the pH. Coffee and oak shavings combined had a pH of 5.6, a move in the right direction. While the figure is nowhere near the lows of solely peat-based composts (4.5-5), it is comparable to current peat alternatives with their pH of 5.7. The coffee, moss and oak mix had a higher pH of 6.

Initial lab results are in. To give an idea of the range of values: Shamrock Multi-Purpose Compost had an average pH of 4.5; current peat alternatives had an average of 5.7; and at the higher end of the scale, both coffee and moss individually had a pH of 5.9. Most of the wood-fibre alternative composts on the market had a pH in the range of 5.7.

PH is very relevant to nutrient-uptake for plants. When it’s

PLANT PERSPECTIVES

What does all this mean to a growing plant? The mix with coffee and oak was the most successful, with 25 per cent cress seed germination after 5 days, compared to standard peat compost at 70 per cent.

The results of the research show that we still have a long way to travel in developing alternative composts suited to industry. While there is no quick fix on this journey towards sustainability, there are plenty more novel and fun local materials to explore as potential substitutes for peat compost.

Waste food products like tea – which in Ireland we drink by the gallon – and potato peel (which we create a lot of), alongside seaweeds and invasive species, are waiting to be analysed for their potential as compost materials.

So it’s back to the lab for us! ✽

Zoe Valentine has just completed her honours degree with UCD Horticulture. This article is based on Zoe’s research, which was led and supervised by Noeleen Smyth, Assistant Professor in Environmental Horticulture at UCD.

NOVEL COMPOST MIX DEVELOPED WITH MOSS AND COFFEE TO AID WATER RETENTION

ZOE VALENTINE RESEARCHING COMPOST ALTERNATIVES

RESPECT FOR SPIRAEA

Paul Fitters and Dónall Flanagan update on results of Teagasc’s Spiraea quality trials and announce the worthy winners.

Teagasc have been running Spiraea quality trials in Teagasc Ashtown Research Centre, Dublin 15, for the last few years.

41 varieties were assessed between spring 2020 and autumn 2022. The same range was planted in eight other European countries as part of the Eurotrials network. The Eurotrials programme in Ireland has been led by Dr Paul Fitters and has previously assessed Weigela, Hibiscus and Physocarpus

The other countries participating in the Spiraea quality trials were France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, UK, Finland, Iceland and Austria. The geographic range allowed for the impacts of local climate on the varieties to be observed.

Spiraea japonica are small deciduous shrubs growing to not much more than 1.5m tall. The foliage is dark green. Flowers are generally shades of pink, held in flat terminal panicles measuring up to 15cm across. The flowers appear on new season’s growth in early summer, and flowers repeat occasionally until autumn.

Spiraea aren’t fussy about soil type once it is not overly wet and when established, they can tolerate drought. They are very hardy – many survive to -30oC – however, they can be susceptible to late frost scorches and to powdery mildew. They have the additional benefit of rarely being damaged by deer and rabbits.

Spiraea japonica is the most common species seen in the nursery trade, ‘Firelight’ and ‘Goldmound’ being popular varieties with coloured foliage. Spiraea ‘Anthony Waterer’ have been traded for over 100 years.

Spiraea was widely planted in the ’80s and ’90s and was rightly popular for its good spring and autumn colours and attractive flowers. As fashions have changed, they have become less popular.

Breeding in the last number of years has delivered selections that have greater interest, with better foliage and flower colour. They are more compact and have much better resistance to mildew. Much of the breeding success has come from the USA, Japan and France. Of benefit has been the hybridising between Spiraea japonica and Spiraea fritschiana, which has delivered benefits of pink flowers and coloured foliage.

TRIAL DETAILS

Our trial included 29 S. japonica varieties. The remainder were lowgrowing species, including: Spiraea betulifolia 'Tor Gold', Spiraea betulifolia var. aemiliana, Spiraea decumbens, Spiraea densiflora, Spiraea hayatana and Spiraea watsoniana 'Kruunu'. These lowgrowing selections were included as potential ground cover plants. They are very popular in continental cemetery planting due to their low maintenance. The trial site selected in Teagasc Research Centre Ashtown was south facing, receives sun all day, and had been in grassland for a number of years before the trial.

Each selection was planted from 9cm liners as a solitary plant in a 1m2 plot, and four plants in a 1m2 plot. They received a light top dressing of 7-6-17 each spring. The plots were covered in a weed barrier, and additionally covered with mulch for improved aesthetics. Irrigation was not applied at any point after planting. Assessments were carried out a number of

SPIRAEA PLANTS IN PEAK FLOWER IN MID-JUNE. 41 VARIETIES WERE TESTED IN THE QUALITY TRIALS IN ASHTOWN AND OTHER EUROTRIAL LOCATIONS

times a year between 2020 and 2022. Each selection was assessed for overall quality under the headings of flowers, foliage, ground cover and pest and disease incidences. Pollinator flower visits were assessed by some members of Eurotrials, however they were not completed in Ashtown.

The solitary plants were left untrimmed for the entire trial, allowing growth and height to be assessed. The four plants per 1m2 were cut back to 15-20cm each winter and used to assess level of groundcover. A number of judges helped to assess the plants so as to give a broader range of opinions.

RESULTS

Overall the plants in the Ashtown trial faired very well. One species died in the first year of the trial (Spiraea bulata), and it also failed in six of the other eight trial sites. The remainder thrived, including during the drought experienced in the summer of 2020.

Establishment in 2019 may have been helped by the very wet spring of that year. Late frost did cause damage to new growth in 2020, with all plants recovering from this. There was significant mildew pressure during wet weather over the summer of 2021, which helped to identify more resilient species.

Results from other trials partners showed a wide range of performance variance. Mildew in particular was less of an issue in drier countries. Many of our two star performers did very well with other trial sites, suggesting that hotter drier climates are even more favourable than ours.

Six varieties were seen as being of superior quality and received three stars. Eight varieties were of merit and received two stars, with the remaining 27 receiving one or no stars.

WINNERS

• Spiraea japonica 'Albiflora' is an old established variety. It is compact with white flowers, a novelty for Spiraea japonica.

• Spiraea japonica 'Eiríkur Rauði' aka ‘Eric the Red’ is mid-sized, 80-100cm, with abundant bright pink flowers in summer followed by red autumn foliage. Bred in Iceland, it is very hardy.

• Spiraea japonica 'Galen' (‘Double Play Artist’) forms a compact mound 60-80cm in height with red new foliage in the spring followed by masses of purple flowers in the summer. It requires very little maintenance. The ‘Double Play’ Spiraea series are promoted by Proven Winners (a US website that looks for the best plants based on research), as they have both colourful foliage and flowers.

• Spiraea japonica 'Oddi' is compact 50-60cm in height with characteristic oblong-lanceolate leaves that are longer than in most other cultivars. Striking reddish-brown leaves in late spring are followed by pink flowers in the summer and excellent autumn leaf colour.

• Spiraea japonica 'Óli' is mid-sized at 80-100cm with abundant bright pink flowers in summer followed by red autumn foliage, similar to 'Eiríkur Rauði'.

• Spiraea ‘Tracy’ was bred in America by plant breeder Timothy Wood, who named it after his wife. The spring flush of foliage is a vibrant orange. As the foliage matures it turns bright yellow with contrasting red new growth. The Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society trials committee in the Netherlands awarded the KVBC-Award Gold Medal to Spiraea ‘Double Play

TIME FOR A NEW APPRECIATION?

The trial demonstrated that Spiraea plants are of value and have particular uses in a garden or landscape environment. They showed seasonal interest with good flower colour, excellent spring and autumn foliage, and attractiveness to pollinators. The plants need little attention, with an annual trimming being helpful to keep them to the desired size.

The selection of varieties available has grown since the trial was launched. ‘Double Play Blue Kazoo’ (blue foliage), ‘Double Play® Doozie’ Spiraea (sterile and reblooming), and 2023’s introduction ‘Double Play Candy Corn’ (foliage colour change from red to orange to yellow) are worth investigating.

As current plant trends demand multifunctional plants that help the environment, our trial results suggest that it is time to look again at Spiraea. ✽

DÓNALL FLANAGAN is a nursery stock/ornamentals specialised advisor working with the Teagasc Horticulture Development Department in Ashtown, Dublin 15. He has been working with Teagasc since 2007 and in his current role since 2016.

PAUL FITTERS is a lecturer in the Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture in the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin. He is a member of the Eurotrial group and coordinator of the Spiraea trials in Ireland.

Big Bang® Tracy’ in 2020.

SPIRAEA 'TRACY DOUBLE PLAY BIG BANG' SHOWING COLOURFUL RED NEW FOLIAGE, MATURING TO YELLOW WITH PINK FLOWERS PHOTO COURTESY PROVEN WINNERS

SPIRAEA TRACEY DOUBLE PLAY BIG BANG. PHOTO COURTESY PROVEN WINNERS

SPIRAEA JAPONICA 'GALEN DOUBLE PLAY ARTIST' HAS RED-FLUSHED FOLIAGE IN THE SPRING FOLLOWED BY MASSES OF PINK FLOWERS IN THE SUMMER

SIZE

MATTERS

Apple fruit size is an important factor from a commercial point of view. Medium and large fruits are usually more valued than small fruits.

There are several factors that influence the growth and development of fruits, including genetic, cultural and environmental factors. Aspects of these can be altered to favour fruit growth. Therefore, it is important to understand how fruit growth occurs physiologically, as well as the factors that can interfere in this process.

PHYSIOLOGY OF FRUIT GROWTH

Fruit growth occurs from the time of fruit set until fruit harvest. Physiologically, the fruit grows in two ways, by increasing the

number of cells, and by increasing the size of the cells.

In general, apples grow through cell division in the first 40-50 days after full bloom, this moment being essential for determining the final growth potential of the fruit.

In cases of stress in this first phase of growth, a reduced number of cells are formed and, even with later optimal development conditions, the fruit does not reach its full size potential.

The first phase of growth is commonly impaired by water stress, and by crop-load excess due to lack of thinning, inadequate thinning or late thinning (see photos on this page).

The second phase of growth occurs by cell expansion. While cell division occurs predominantly by the action of the plant

Alberto

Ramos

Luz assesses the most important physiological and environmental factors impacting apple size.

hormone cytokinin, cell expansion occurs predominantly by gibberellins. This phase is longer, and if the fruit has a high number of cells, the delay in growth due to some stress in the cell expansion phase can be compensated for later. This does not occur in the cell division phase.

FACTORS THAT INTERFERE WITH FRUIT GROWTH

There are several factors that interfere with the division and cellular expansion of the fruits. Three factors of particular note are the genetic characteristics of the cultivars, the crop load, and the interception and distribution of solar radiation in the canopy of the tree.

The number of seeds, rootstock, position of the fruit in the inflorescence, and type of productive structure also have an effect on fruit growth. The greater the number of seeds, the greater the potential for fruit growth; therefore, pollination plays an important role in fruit set and fruit growth.

The fruit in the central position of the cluster, coming from the ‘queen flower’, has greater growth potential compared to the others. Terminal fruits have greater growth potential than spur fruits, as they have a larger leaf area and, consequently, greater photosynthetic capacity.

Fruit growth can be limited by the availability of water and nutrients, and by any factors that affect photosynthesis, such as low temperatures, high cloud cover, and leaf injuries by insects and/or diseases, amongst other risks.

Higher temperatures, and higher thermal amplitudes and solar radiation, favour fruit growth.

PLANT-GROWTH REGULATORS (PGRs) TO MAXIMISE FRUIT GROWTH

The application of plant-growth regulators (PGRs) – based on growth-promoting hormones, as well as photosynthetic inhibitors – has been studied, with the aim of managing the crop load by fruit thinning, thereby increasing fruit size through an increase in the supply of carbohydrates to the remaining fruits.

Some of the same PGRs used for chemical thinning in apples can be used in smaller doses without a thinning effect, but with the potential to modify the cellular composition of the fruits, enhancing fruit growth.

In a study conducted by Pereira (2020) on ‘Maxi Gala’ apple trees in Southern Brazil, it was found that the application of the cytokinins benzyladenine (6BA) and thidiazuron (TDZ) provides a greater number of cells and smaller intercellular spaces when applied at pink bud (BBCH57) and full bloom (BBCH65) stages.

TDZ 20mg/L-1 at pink bud and full bloom induces greater cell division in the fruits, providing a greater number of smaller cells. The application of 6BA 10mg/L-1 at pink bud and full bloom forms larger cells, in sufficient amounts to reduce the intercellular spaces.

FRUIT CELLULAR BEHAVIOUR AND STORAGE POTENTIAL

The number and size of cells are not only important in de-

termining the final size of the fruit, but also in determining its post-harvest storage potential.

Fruits with a greater number of cells, smaller intercellular spaces and small cell size are desirable, as they have greater flesh firmness. They also have lower risk of physiological disorders due to calcium deficiency, and greater storage potential due to reduced flesh-firmness loss during refrigerated storage, as found by Pereira (2020) in the study mentioned above.

In the images above, it is possible to observe different cellular behaviour in young ‘Maxi Gala’ apple fruits. The fruit in the upper image has greater potential for growth and superior quality compared to the fruit in the lower image.

FINAL REMARKS

Fruit growth is influenced by several factors, such as cultural practices that alter the source/sink relationship; that prioritise the carbohydrate partition for the fruits; and that alter the hormonal balance (mainly the cytokinin base applied in the cell division phase).

The best tools that fruit growers can use to obtain the best possible economic outcome are the following: precision crop-load management through precision pruning, leaving the right amount of flower buds per tree; chemical thinning and hand thinning, leaving the right amount of fruits per tree; and the use of PGRs to increase fruit size, or even to increase the return bloom.

The use of an irrigation system is also a great tool to avoid reduced fruit growth due to water deficit. ✽

ALBERTO RAMOS LUZ is a research officer in the Horticulture Development Department in Teagasc, based in Oak Park, Co Carlow. Alberto is leading research projects to support the development of the apple-growing industry in Ireland. He can be contacted at Horticulture Development Department, Teagasc Oak Park, Co Carlow or alberto.ramosluz@teagasc.ie

Physiologically, the fruit grows in two ways, by increasing the number of cells, and by increasing the size of the cells

COMPARE THE UPPER AND LOWER IMAGES TO OBSERVE DIFFERENT CELLULAR BEHAVIOUR IN YOUNG 'MAXI GALA' APPLE FRUITS.

WILLOWS ARE A WIN-WIN

Mopping up sewage pollution, sequestering carbon and promoting biodiversity – willow wastewater systems are the solution we need for one-off houses in the countryside. WORDS: Féidhlim Harty

We seem to be on a whole suite of collision courses, including housing, climate, biodiversity and water pollution. Many young people in rural areas are looking at family land, with no prospect of being allowed to build due to poor soil percolation characteristics.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Code of Practice: Domestic Waste Water Treatment Systems is a government guidance document. It outlines methods and technologies for protection of groundwater and surface waters from pollution by domestic sewage from one-off houses in the countryside.

The document was updated in June 2021. However, a fundamental omission remains, namely: how do we address

pollution in existing problem sites, or find practical solutions on suboptimal soils?

For ‘problem sites’, read heavy clays and peat subsoils where the infiltration rate is limited. Under the EPA’s Code, these are conditions in which septic tanks – or indeed any domestic wastewater treatment system – should not be used. In other words, sites with these conditions are deemed unsuitable for the construction of domestic dwellings.

Yet many people already live in one-off houses in the countryside with just these soil conditions. So what can be done?

Readers of this magazine will be familiar with an inevitable trend that runs through these pages: the solution is to be found in plants. Planted wastewater systems have actually been includ-

ed in the EPA wastewater treatment manuals since 1999, in the form of reed bed systems and constructed wetlands. Sized and built appropriately, these can provide high quality secondary or tertiary treatment (the next grades of treatment up from primary treatment in septic tanks), with little or no electricity inputs.

Bear in mind that the reed bed or constructed wetland is a treatment system: a fully sealed black box (although green when in full leaf), with water in and water out. Thus while these systems can provide good protection of the environment from pollution, they will not get rid of the effluent. This still requires an infiltration area for final disposal to ground.

Discharging to surface waters (a river or stream) is listed in the EPA’s Code, but in reality local authorities will generally not grant a discharge licence for this option. When under-resourced and overstretched, it’s easier to say no to a new planning application than to play catch-up on potential pollution for ever more.

What then is the solution for sites without good infiltration characteristics – the widespread heavy clays and peat soils of the country?

WILLING WILLOWS

A Danish solution developed in the mid-1990s is to use willows. The Danes use fully-lined basins of about 1.5m deep x 6m wide x c. 45m long (depending on water use, local rainfall and evapotranspiration rates). These basins are backfilled with soil and sand in layers, so that they are slightly domed up over the existing ground level; and they are pump-fed with septic tank effluent right along the length of the willow basin.

The willow system is designed to hold rainwater and effluent over the winter months, and to provide 100 per cent evapotranspiration through the leaves of the willows during the growing season.

Quick-growing biomass willow cultivars have already been bred for agricultural applications for use as a bioenergy crop. These are hybrids of Salix viminalis and other varieties, selected for their rapid biomass production. They are excellent varieties to use in the zero-discharge willow systems, being hungry and thirsty to fuel their phenomenal growth rates.

Wexford County Council and the EPA have both carried out studies of willow systems in the Irish context. Of the 13 systems assessed by Trinity College, all overflowed at some point during the monitoring process.

The effluent was sampled and deemed to be essentially rainfall runoff. On one site there was overflow present even though the septic tank was not connected: a symptom of high rainfall and low nutrient input, which outpaced the available storage/willow uptake balance.

What is interesting to note is that the effluent from all systems tested was of a very high quality. Also, there was no discharge for much of the year – including at that crucial time of year when the volume of water in nearby field drains or streams is low.

All of this means that for existing properties with a pollution problem, willows are an excellent plant to partner with in protecting local watercourses, whether some winter overflow occurs or not.

A SUITE OF SOLUTIONS

Willow systems are now in the 2021 EPA Code – but they still require either a follow-on infiltration area or a discharge licence. Also, the large sizing required (187.5m2 per person compared with Denmark's c. 40m2) makes willow systems uneconomical for all but the rare exception.

That said, if we look at the potentials here from the plant’s point of view, a solution starts to emerge. As a willow plant, my requirements are for moist growing conditions with abundant nutrients. I am not fussy about overly engineered surroundings, nor a plastic liner, nor even a specific size of bed in which to grow. I just want the nutrients and moisture.

In parallel with this, we have an existing pollution problem in many watercourses throughout the country, due in no small part to sewage inputs – which happen to be an excellent source of moisture and nutrients. Happily, human urine and faeces have the perfect mix of N, P and K for willow trees to thrive. Millions of years of co-evolution of plants and mammals was not wasted.

Thus, rather than asking whether willow systems are zero discharge in the Irish context or not, we could ask how to incorporate willows into every infiltration area that gets built from here on in; and into existing sites, where there are already pollution problems.

The EPA Code infiltration area sizes vary from as low as 3.75m2/person (for tertiary treated effluent on free-draining soils), upward to 54m2/person (for secondary treated effluent with a drip dispersal system on relatively heavy soils).

HUMAN URINE AND FAECES HAVE THE PERFECT MIX OF N, P AND K FOR WILLOW TREES TO THRIVE.

THE SOLUTION IS IN OUR HANDS

These measurements are still considerably lower than the Irish EPA willow system size of 187.5m2/person. Even though a larger system will mop up more nutrients, any tree will mop up nitrates and phosphates better than a lawn, the standard percolation area cover plant. Whether the willow system is large or small, any nutrients locked into willow biomass are nutrients not showing up as pollution in nearby soils and waterways.

What I would love to see for Ireland is a general reliance on plants – and willows in particular – in the normal run of events for new and existing percolation areas and sewage discharges alike.

EXPANDING WHAT’S ALREADY HERE

We’re already getting biomass electricity from Edenderry Power Station in Co Offaly, which is co-fired with willows. That would be easy to expand upon, ramping up willow biomass growing, and ensuring that all nutrient inputs for willow crops are met from sewage rather than artificial fertilisers.

The proposed sewage outfall at Portmarnock in Co Dublin would dump c. 550T of nitrogen and almost 70T of phosphorus into Dublin Bay each year – enough to fertilise 240km2 of willow plantation as a biomass crop!

Resource-use can be minimised for willow-planted percolation areas by relying on infiltration and evapotranspiration combined, and omitting the plastic liner. On free-draining soils, willow trees capture the nitrates that otherwise migrate into the groundwater. On poorly-draining soils, the trees capture the phosphates that otherwise flow overground into rivers and streams.

A new set of guidelines on willow-planted percolation areas will be needed – specifically modifications to the piping set-up to avoid willow roots blocking the standard 4” percolation pipe runs. While pumping of effluent is the Danish standard distribution method to ensure even feeding of the full run of willows, gravity

distribution systems are possible using modern splitter units or flush box applications.

These measures further improve the carbon balance; not only mopping up atmospheric carbon dioxide in the growing trees, but minimising or designing out electricity inputs in the operation of the system. Standard EPA percolation area depths to bedrock or water table should still apply where possible, but the beauty of these planted systems is that where the code requirements cannot be met for some reason, the trees still help to create a safer ecological solution by compensating for the limitations of the site.

At a time when climate and biodiversity are both at crisis levels, plants are so often the answer, providing a suite of solutions: less pollution, more renewable electricity generation, improved habitat (willows are second only to oak trees in the number of species they support), and carbon sequestration.

To quote Bill Mollison, grandfather of permaculture: “We are surrounded by insurmountable opportunities.” Let's grasp them and move into a greener, plant-rich future! ✽

FÉIDHLIM HARTY is director of FH Wetland Systems and a writer. FHWS offers specialised courses and seminars on ecosystem repair and eco-friendly sewage treatment, and consultancy on habitat creation and regeneration. Harty is the author of Septic Tank Options and Alternatives, Permaculture Guide to Reed Beds, and other books on practical environmental solutions. www.wetlandsystems.ie

WILLOWS ARE SECOND ONLY TO OAK TREES IN THE NUMBER OF SPECIES THEY SUPPORT.

We are surrounded by insurmountable opportunities. Let's grasp them and move into a greener, plant-rich future

Bord Bia promoted fresh produce at Bord Bia Bloom and the Body & Soul Festival. WORDS: Lorcan Bourke

‘FRESH, LOCAL, IN SEASON’

Each year at Bord Bia Bloom, an Eat Well Garden features horticultural food crops. This garden is constructed to showcase the very best of Irishgrown, in-season fresh produce.

The Eat Well Garden at Bord Bia Bloom is an annual reminder of the structural beauty and variety of fruit and vegetable crops grown in Ireland. The garden seeks to inspire the public to check out Bord Bia’s online best in season calendar of availability of Irish-grown crops and to base their meal choices around these.

Given the time of the year, strawberries and salad crops are the key fruit and vegetables on consumers’ minds. What the Bord Bia best in season online calendar shows is just how much else is on offer, in this season and every season. New season crops are profiled each month, with a reminder of what’s available from last season’s crops coming from storage.

Each year the Eat Well Garden hosts a series of chef demonstrations and talks about kitchen gardening, to help the public increase their knowledge of fruit, vegetables and potatoes. With a theme this year of organic home gardening, John Hogan, Harold Lawlor, and organic growers Padraig and Una Fahy from Ballinasloe gave gardening talks.

Many chefs and social media influencers were invited to cook up fruit, vegetables and potato recipes from Bord Bia’s two EU-funded millennial promotional campaigns: ‘Life is

Better with Fruit and Vegetables’ (www.fruitnveg.ie) and ‘Potatoes: Prepare to be Surprised’ (www.potato.ie).

The public saw a range of seasonal crops, enjoyed cookery demonstrations using fresh local fruit and vegetables and watched practical organic gardening demonstrations. 1,000 participating primary school pupils on the ‘Incredible Edibles’ programme were brought through the garden over the first two days of this year’s show.

The Eat Well Garden was just one part of a two-part horticultural feature in the Food Village in Bord Bia Bloom, with the connected exhibit being the Healthy Plants, Healthy Planet display. This featured, for the first time, the broader communication of the ongoing horticulture work of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Bord Bia. It was organised in close co-operation with the DAFM plant health department.

Two weekends after Bord Bia Bloom, the Bord Bia horticulture team were out promoting fruit and vegetables again at Ireland’s most prominent millennial music festival, Body & Soul, at Ballinlough, Co Westmeath. The team encouraged festival goers to take part in ‘smoothie bike races’ while fresh, local, in-season strawberries were used as the big draw to the colourful EU campaign ‘Life is Better with Fruit and Vegetables’ stand.

For the Bord Bia best in season calendar, visit: https:// www.bordbia.ie/whats-in-season/best-in-season/calendar ✽

EU CAMPAIGN 'LIFE IS BETTER WITH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES' STAND, MANNED BY BORD BIA AT THE BODY & SOUL FESTIVAL. BOTTOM RIGHT INSET: INFLUENCERS EOIN SHEEHAN AND KWANGI CHAN TAKE THE SMOOTHIE BIKE RACE CHALLENGE.

CAN WE GO GREEN?

With increasing discussion on glyphosate and Roundup products for use in horticulture, Scott Drew for his final year thesis in horticulture at UCD looked to investigate the effectiveness of alternative herbicides currently available on the Irish market.

Scott Drew and Noeleen Smyth, UCD Horticulture, look at the effectiveness and current options for environmentally-friendly weed control.

Herbicides are the largest component of all the chemicals and pesticides used in gardens and landscaping.

Figures from Ross Cameron and James Hitchmough’s book, Environmental Horticulture: Science and Management of Green Landscapes, highlight that over 50 per cent of European and 70 per cent of American homeowners use herbicides for weed control.

In 2018, the license for one of the most widely-used herbicides, glyphosate, was renewed for five years by the European Commission. This was a very controversial decision, as the World Health Organisation had classified glyphosate a probable carcinogen in 2015, and cases have been successfully tried in the USA linking it to cancer. In 2018 the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) and the

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in their review said there was not enough evidence to link glyphosate to cancer

The debate on glyphosate licensing will be opening again soon. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in over 750 products, including Roundup.

OUR EXPERIMENT

With increasing discussion on glyphosate and Roundup products for use in horticulture, Scott Drew for his final year thesis in horticulture at UCD looked to investigate the effectiveness of alternative herbicides currently available in Ireland.

Field experiments were carried out to evaluate the range of organic herbicides on the Irish market. (By ‘organic herbicides’, we mean herbicides developed from naturally occurring organic processes, or from plants and their oils. We were guided in our choice by the ‘List of active substances approved for use in EU organic agriculture under EU Regulation (EC) No 889/2008’.)

The products we chose were all purchased from off the shelf and are available from the major chain store, Woodies. The active ingredient of each organic herbicide is in italics below, with abbreviations in brackets:

Hytrol: acetic acid (AA); No Glyphosate Roundup: pelargonic acid (PA); and Neudorff Weedfree Plus: pelargonic acid + maleic

hydrazide, a synthetic, ie lab-generated, growth regulator (PAM).

These organic ingredients were compared against a control of glyphosate (G), from Fast Action Roundup. Three different plant species for the four different treatments were also selected to represent some of the most commonly-encountered weed species in gardens and landscapes.

Wild petty spurge (Euphorbia peplus) is a small annual plant, flowering from April to November. Each plant can produce over 260 seeds, allowing it to become very invasive in the correct conditions.

The second species selected was a perennial bulb, wild garlic (Allium ursinum), also known as wild ramson. The third species selected was ornamental bellis (Bellis perennis ‘Pomponette’), as a proxy species for lawn daisy. It is one of the most common broadleaf weeds or wildflowers found in Ireland, and is also in the same plant family as dandelions (Taraxacum officinale agg.), though without the deep taproot.

Each of the tests were replicated three times on each species. For the test, the organic herbicide products were added to standardized spray bottles with the same pressure. Three tests were done on the spray bottles to find the average release rate. This was 100ml/66 sprays (1.5ml/1 spray).

(See Table 1 below.)

CHEMICAL

ACETIC ACID (AA)

PELARGONIC ACID (PA)

COVERAGE

100ml/m2

525ml/11m2

PELARGONIC ACID + MALEIC HYDRAZIDE (PAM) 100ml/m2

GLYPHOSATE (G)

250ml/7.5m2

TABLE 1 SPRAY RATES USED

The results were recorded 14 days after the tests were carried out. (In many published papers on this subject, effectiveness was recorded after just two days, which does not give time for glyphosate to work, and is not an accurate reflection of efficacy.)

Before testing, pictures were taken and chlorophyll readings with a chlorophyll meter (spad 502dl) were carried out. After 14 days, the following results were recorded:

ACETIC ACID (AA)

As highlighted in Table 2, AA controlled the spurge and daisy to great effect. Results could be clearly seen within three days after spraying, when nearly all foliage the AA had touched had died. The visual observation of mortality was clear when using AA. The results were similar to other research on AA at 80-100 per cent control.

Some regrowth was noticeable on the daisies at inspection on day 14.

Two of the three tests using AA on daisies showed small new green shoots emerging from the centre of what looked to be a dead plant. AA had the least effect on the wild garlic when compared to the other weed controls. On average, less than 50 per cent of wild garlic showed any signs of mortality.

PELARGONIC ACID (PA)

Similar results were seen in PA to AA. These two completely organic herbicides struggled to get a high percentage in the visual observations of mortality when testing on wild garlic. This could have been expected from pelargonic acid, as labelled instructions state that it is “most effective on young weeds,’’ and the wild garlic was mature stand.

The PA showed visible effects on all the plants in less than a day, which seems to be common, as other researchers noticed results with this naturally occurring acid within hours after application. On inspection under the dead daisy foliage on day 14, some smaller leaves showed signs of regrowth, similar to AA.

PELARGONIC ACID + MALEIC HYDRAZIDE (PAM)

The results in the visual observation test provided in Table 2 show that PAM had similar effectiveness to AA and PA. The synthetic addition of maleic hydrazide (MH) stopped any signs of regrowth, which is a major factor in the effectiveness of this herbicide.

The chlorophyll reading of the PAM again showed similar data to the results of the visual test. Although MH is proven

We still need glyphosate, but only as a ‘silver bullet’ for species that are difficult to control, such as invasive species.

to have little effect on the most sensitive microorganisms below the ground, it is still not classed as an organic herbicide.

ANALYSIS

The overall outcome of this short research project provided some insights into the effectiveness of naturalbased herbicides.

While the organic herbicides showed some promising results, the research highlights that many applications would be needed to achieve full mortality of the weeds. The addition of synthetic base chemicals to organic herbicides, as with PAM, can improve the effectiveness.

As expected, the most herbicide-resilient species was wild garlic. Other research has also shown that contact herbicides are not known to eradicate wild garlic, as the bulbs below ground remain unaffected.

Organic herbicides have poor effectiveness on perennial and bulbous weeds, as they only damage or ‘burn’ the green part above ground.

GLYPHOSATE IN OUR FOOD AND OUR BODIES

Later this year, the EU will decide once again on the licensing for glyphosate.

Scientists in the University of Galway found low levels of glyphosate in the urine of one quarter of the people they tested, which is a concern. The people tested had low levels both of glyphosate and its main human metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA).

Dr Alison Connolly, who conducted the research at Galway, said: “This study produced important results on human exposures to a chemical of public concern, and is particularly timely with the European Commission currently re-evaluating glyphosate.” (NUIG 2023 - https://www.universityofgalway. ie/about-us/news-and-events/news-archive/2023/january/ university-of-galway-investigates-glyphosate-exposureamong-families.html )

Galway researchers also highlighted that the higher detection frequency for AMPA in the population may be due to dietary exposure, ie, from residues in food and water. This is where the real issue lies for our usage of glyphosate going forward.

The most concerning and very often overlooked aspect to our usage of glyphosate, is that it is widely sprayed as a preharvest drying treatment on many cereal and food crops –such as oilseed rape, wheat, barley, soy and oats – especially in wet climates like Ireland and Scotland.

WHAT NATURE TELLS US

The Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) do not support an outright blanket ban on glyphosate, though they advocate for tighter regulation on the use of herbicides and pesticides which would prohibit ‘over the counter’ sale.

IWT also highlights very widely that we still need glyphosate as the most effective herbicide in the fight against alien invasive plant species, such as Japanese knotweed and rhododendron.

The results of Scott's experiments with organic and synthetic alternatives show that while they are still a long

way from achieving the same control effects as glyphosate, we really do not need to be using so much glyphosate in our home gardens and landscapes.

Recent studies from Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University and University College Dublin also highlight how impacting glyphosate is to other animals. Bees are particularly impacted, as glyphosate affects their gut microbiome, the development of their eggs and larvae, and their ability to memorise.

Bees digest glyphosate the same way we do: as a contaminate of their food, the plant pollen of non-target species. If we look at glyphosate’s effects on bees and consider our own relationship to this herbicide, it becomes clear that we are all likely to be ingesting glyphosate on a daily basis.

Scott Drew’s experiment showed that glyphosate is still the best herbicide for dealing with tough herbaceous and bulbous weeds such as wild garlic. However, the organic alternatives are suitable for annual species. We still need glyphosate, but only as a ‘silver bullet’ for species that are difficult to control, such as invasive species.

The more worrying aspect of our use of glyphosate is the fact that we are consuming it in cereals and food products every day. ✽

SCOTT DREW, a UCD honours degree horticulture student, recently emigrated to the USA to work as a junior project manager in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, for Schumacher Landscapes. Through the pandemic years, Scott set up his own garden maintenance company and was awarded a number of annual contracts in the Wicklow and South Dublin area.

NOELEEN SMYTH

This article is based on Scott’s research, which was led and supervised by NOELEEN SMYTH, Assistant Professor in Environmental Horticulture at UCD.

ENTER THE INDUSTRY!

Teagasc as an organisation is strongly invested in the training needs of the horticulture sector, through the formal QQI courses that we offer in our two horticultural colleges in the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin, and Kildalton in Co Kilkenny.

Both colleges offer full and part-time engagement for people who want to enter the industry or are already employed therein. Each year we train people from all aspects of the sector in both amenity and commercial horticulture.

Readers will be aware of the breadth of the horticulture sector and the challenges it faces in terms of recruiting and retaining staff. In the second half of 2023, Teagasc will be involved, along with the horticulture sector, in rolling out and promoting the new apprenticeships in horticulture scheme, which has been in the works for the last few years. This scheme marks a new opportunity for all stakeholders, be they employers, current employees, or new applicants to the sector.

Apprenticeships are big news these days in lots of employment arenas, as the fundamental model of ‘earning while you learn’ becomes a practical alternative for people entering the workforce and gaining valuable training while employed.

We in Teagasc have been informing interested parties from across all sectors of horticulture that apprenticeships are coming down the line. Teagasc has been actively gathering and collating data from interested applicants and employers as expressions of interest. Safe to say that interest is substantial and growing.

LOW-DOWN ON THE SCHEME

In summary, our proposed apprenticeship model is a two-year paid apprenticeship

leading to a Level 6 QQI Higher Certificate in either Sportsturf Management or Applied Horticulture, with the latter having streams available in landscaping, nursery, garden and parks management, garden centres, vegetables and fruit.

Progression routes to the Bachelor of Science Level 7 degree in Horticulture with our university partner, South East Technological University (SETU), will also be possible for suitably-qualified apprentices when they successfully complete their training.

Apprentices will spend 80 per cent of their time across the two years of their apprenticeship in what we term ‘onthe-job’ training (with their employer), and 20 per cent of their time in what we term ‘off-the-job’ training (with the training provider, Teagasc).

Specific syllabi for different subjects across the streams have been developed. Students will be offered block and day release for the off-the-job elements with Teagasc. This will involve face to face learning and online delivery in certain circumstances.

Normal assessment of all modules will apply. Apprentices will have the opportunity to complete projects and reflective diaries; carry out skills assessments; and complete end of stage exams to fulfil the requirements of the award.

The on-the job-elements of the programme will be supervised by the employer, who will be responsible for training and mentoring the apprentice in their business.

For entry to the scheme, applicants should be over 17 years of age and have either a leaving cert or a minimum QQI level 5 in Horticulture. Experience working in the horticulture sector will be taken into account also.

If you’re interested in horticulture as a

career option and are contemplating an apprenticeship in horticulture, but have no prior relevant experience, the following are some considerations:

● Do you have a good level of fitness, and do you enjoy physical activity in your work?

● Are you interested in horticulture and all things plant-related in the outside environment?

● Do you have good literacy, verbal and numeracy skills?

● Do you have good computer skills?

● Do you have good interpersonal skills, and are you happy to work as part of a team?

To take on apprentices, employers who wish to be part of the new apprenticeship scheme need to be registered with SOLAS, the state agency that oversees the Irish further education and training sector. SOLAS will conduct site visits to assess suitability for training apprentices.

The Generation Apprenticeship website (www.apprenticeship.ie) will be the go-to portal for providing information to both apprenticeship-seekers and employers on how to get started.

Expressions of interest can still be sent to the Teagasc national apprenticeship specialist, Marcella Phelan, at marcella. phelan@teagasc.ie. ✽

JOHN MULHERN has worked with Teagasc for almost 30 years, primarily in an educational capacity. He is the current principal of the College of Amenity Horticulture, National Botanic Gardens, Dublin.

John Mulhern describes the exciting ‘apprenticeships in horticulture’ scheme being rolled out by Teagasc and collaborators in the sector.

NATIONAL LANDSCAPE FORUM 2023

MOUNT CONGREVE HOUSE & GARDENS, KILMEADEN, CO. WATERFORD

THURSDAY/FRIDAY 28TH & 29TH SEPTEMBER 2023

We have talked the talk about landscape for so long we have forgotten what it means! We even wrote it down in a national strategy in 2015 and then forgot what that means!

This year’s action-driven landmark forum in the stunning restored landscape setting of Mount Congreve aims to ‘Talk the Walk’ with 30 international, national and local speakers and 100 engaged participants.

“As Never Before Your Landscape Needs You!”