CDEnviro Manufacturing Facility Opens

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has officially opened a new manufacturing facility at CDEnviro, following a £2.7m expansion by the Cookstown firm. CDEnviro manufactures a range of equipment for the sewage and waste water treatment industries. The company recently trebled its manufacturing capacity with the construction of a new state of the art facility in Co. Tyrone. Invest Northern Ireland offered CDEnviro assistance towards the build to enable it to expand into lucrative markets in Western Europe and Latin America.

Read more: CDEnviro Manufacturing Facility Opens

HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - June 21st

Flourishing Trade in the Horticulture Sector Between Ireland and the Netherlands is an event being hosted by the Dutch embassy looking at opportunities for both Irish and Dutch companies. It's their expertise in trading via the auction house clock system, who's use is now in decline, which led to 71% of FloraHolland Members Favour New Structure. Direct B2B sales are in growth and this is a pro-active approach by the embassy in Dublin to make sure that their people continue to get a big piece of the pie.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - June 21st

McCausland Officially Opens “The ‘Coole Garden”

The community garden project, branded locally as “the ‘Coole Garden’, has been developed as a result of funding of £28,141 by the Northern Ireland Executive, through the Department for Social Development’s Neighbourhood Renewal strategy. The project which contains visual and sensory elements, aims to increase the integration of people with disabilities with the wider community.

Read more: McCausland Officially Opens “The ‘Coole Garden”

HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - June 10th

On holidays for a week and enjoying the sunshine while it lasts. Back to a full editorial next week. All the news headlines below and also we have a new button so that you can submit news and events directly.  Submit News 

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - June 10th

Ministers Showcase Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and Announce Details of Improved New Service for Micro and Small Enterprises

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, and the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, together with the Minister of State for Small Business John Perry TD recently showcased a Local Enterprise Office (LEO) in Fingal County Council, and announced details of the improved new support service for micro and small enterprises to be provided.

Read more: Ministers Showcase Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and Announce Details of Improved New Service...

Bloom 2013 - People’s Choice Award

The final award of Bloom 2013, the People’s Choice Award, was presented to The Hospice Garden – ‘Journey on Earth’ designed by Eileen Nolan, Dr Mary Toomey and Adrian Eggers. The winner of this coveted award is voted for by visitors to the show over the 5 days.

Read more: Bloom 2013 - People’s Choice Award

New Nepeta Launched at 100th Chelsea Flower Show - Shortlisted for Award

Plant breeder, Malcolm Spencer, this week came close to winning a prestigious award at the centenary Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show.His new plant, Nepeta grandiflora Summer Magic, bred by him at his nursery in Barnham, West Sussex, England, was selected for the shortlist of new plants eligible for the Chelsea Best New Plant Award.

Read more: New Nepeta Launched at 100th Chelsea Flower Show - Shortlisted for Award

HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - May 17th

In Irish Plants for an Irish Climate - Paul Kirwan is passionate about Irish grown plants versus imported and he appeals to plant buyer's to support Irish Grower's. Niamh Tully also gives a good few reasons why they should.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - May 17th

New UK National Minimum Wage Rates

The following National Minimum Wage rates will come into effect on 1 October 2013:

• the adult rate will increase by 12p to £6.31 an hour
• the rate for 18-20 year olds will increase by 5p to £5.03 an hour
• the rate for 16-17 year olds will increase by 4p to £3.72 an hour
• the apprentice rate will increase by 3p to £2.68 an hour.
• the accommodation offset increases from the current £4.82 to £4.91

Source: HTA News - New UK National Minimum Wage Rates

Rare & Special Plant Fair – Russborough House, Sunday 12th May

This Sunday Russborough House will host the annual Rare & Special Plant Fair from 10:00am to 5:00pm. For details on who will be participating, please visit Rare and Special Plant Fair.

Source: ISNA - Rare & Special Plant Fair – Russborough House, Sunday 12th May

€2 Billion Programme to Strengthen EU SMEs – Bruton

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton recently announced that the Irish Presidency has secured agreement with the European Parliament to improve access to finance for SMEs under the Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs (COSME) 2014 – 2020. The Programme proposes to allocate more than €2 billion over the lifetime of the Programme to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of the EU’s SMEs.

Read more: €2 Billion Programme to Strengthen EU SMEs – Bruton

Horticulture in the Dail - Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
441. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made on the matter of mitigating effects that arise regarding greenhouse gas emissions due to our agricultural industry and open grassland farming since September 2011 when both he and Minister Hogan met with the Commissioner for Climate Change on the matter.

Read more: Horticulture in the Dail - Greenhouse Gas Emissions

HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - June 17th

In Irish Thoughts - John Stanley talks about the importance of category management and price points, which was one of the topics at the recent Retail Excellence Ireland Seminar and workshop.

Another warning in Resistance to Online Retail Will Close 1 in 5 Stores that it needs to be an integral part of the your business plan. Before you rush out and spend lots of money be sure to do your homework. Online is not just about sales, more importantly it's about getting your business found.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - June 17th

HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - Horticulture Goes from Gloom to Bloom - Phoenix Park Location Under Evaluation - June 4th

Where do you start? Of course with the positive but as the headline above reveals, the horticulture trade will have to act fast, along with the general public to make sure Bloom in the Park stays in the PARK! While the official response below tells us that evaluation is an ongoing thing, the fact that exhibitors were being polled may tell us that this evaluation if a little more serious. The official response from Bord Bia is "There is no plan to move Bloom from the Phoenix Park. Bord Bia will continue to evaluate the show and each of the elements, including location, to ensure we deliver value for money to our stakeholders and Bloom visitors."  The horticulture sector is an important stakeholder and will need to make its voice heard in this or any future evaluation which should always start at 'Don't Fix It if it's Not Broken'.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - Horticulture Goes from Gloom to Bloom - Phoenix Park...

O'Neill Opens Lettershandoney Play Park

The play-park was developed by Derry City Council with financial assistance of £136,510 from Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme through assisting rural communities, North West (ARC NW).

Read more: O'Neill Opens Lettershandoney Play Park

HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - May 24th

Chelsea celebrated its 100th birthday in style this week. The mother-ship of gardening shows, it has spawned a garden show industry worldwide that many in the horticulture sector, depend on to make their living. In Awards for 2013 RHS Chelsea Flower Show a win brings your brand or business into the public domain and make's it centre stage for that period of time. Speaking to various show garden designers and developers, they question is it worth the effort and apart from the accolade's, is there a financial payback? That said they always come back for more! Its the turn of Ireland's designers and related industries next week who are fervently working to meet their deadlines. There are many worthy causes who will benefit from better public awareness including Journey on Earth - The Hospice Garden | Large Gardens | Bloom 2013. These regional shows are now happening all over Ireland.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - May 24th

Dublin Horse Show

The Horse Show is a Dublin institution. A celebration of Ireland's affinity with the horse, the Dublin Horse Show has the best show horses and the best international show jumpers compete for honours. It is one of Ireland's largest events, a highlight of the summer, each year welcoming tens of thousands of people from Ireland and all over the world.

Read more: Dublin Horse Show

HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - May 10th

Just like you we are always looking for signs to be optimistic, that there is some kind of recovery in the making. We do see some signs, such as more jobs being posted on www.JobsInHorticulture.ie Speaking as we do, with various people in the trade daily, there is a growing consensus that apart form the nightmare that has been the spring garden centre season, there is more activity in the overall market, that is horticulture. This is also being reaffirmed in Irish Retail Fresh Produce Market in Growth - Mike Neary.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - May 10th

Oliver Rackham OBE to Speak at UK Plant Biosecurity Conference

Oliver will present his thoughts on the importance of trees within the environment, their current health status and why protecting this matters so much at our UK Plant Biosecurity Conference which takes place on 30 May. A Life Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and an acknowledged authority on the British countryside, especially trees, woodlands and wood pasture, Rackham has written a number of well-known books, including The History of the Countryside and one on Hatfield Forest.

Read more: Oliver Rackham OBE to Speak at UK Plant Biosecurity Conference

GIY Profile of Paddy Gleeson

Paddy Gleeson is the Woodie’s DIY resident Horticultural consultant. Formerly of Teagasc, Paddy is also a judge on the popular RTE Gardening Series "Super Garden".
Paddy qualified in Horticulture from the National Botanic Gardens over 40 years ago, Glasnevin and has a degree from UCD. He was the Teagasc national nursery stock advisor for over 25 years, during which time he lead the development of the modern Irish nursery stock industry.

Read more: GIY Profile of Paddy Gleeson