29March2024

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HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - May 6th

The recent Glasshouse Conference Signals Quantum Leap in Engineering and Plant Science Technology will have been an inspiration for those currently involved in the sector and more importantly those considering entering it.

In The Battle of the Sexes - John Stanley gives more fascinating insights into the habits of your potential customers.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - May 6th

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HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - April 26th

Negative because if ever the sector needs ongoing investment to even stand still competitively against imports from Europe, it is now. 
Horticulture in the Dail: Will There be a Continuation of the Grant Scheme for Horticulture?

Positive as it re-enforces a message that we harp on about often, which is, don't miss a sale from a customer who walks through your door just because you are connecting with your customers or pretend friends on facebook.
Looking After the Bird in the Hand - Liam Kelly

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - April 26th

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HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - April 19th

For anyone who has time on their hands then the Spring Lecture by Walter Jansen is a good time to spend it. Not only will it be an interesting event but I am always amazed at the amount of horticulture shakers and movers who are in attendence. They have a wealth of knowledge and more importantly good contacts that they can put to work for your business. We are currently putting together a mentor panel of experts in various areas that businesses will be able to avail of. More on that soon.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - April 19th

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HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - April 15th

Its been a busy week or so for us here at HortiTrends. Starting with the GLDA Seminar (See Report) which included inspiring talks from some of Ireland's and Europe's leading design influencers. Attendance was good but not as high as has been expected, which is a pity as the day overall, was a great learning and networking opportunity. You begin to realise the amount of work that a few committed members put in to the organisation for the advantage of the many. Without these people putting their time and energy into it, these events will just not happen in the future and we will then have more than the weather to lament. Invest in your own future by investing in the future of your trade association. You need them and they need you. You can also see photos of the day HERE.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - April 15th

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Horticulture Careers Day at Kildalton College

  • New Level 5 and Level 6 programmes
  • Progression to/from other Horticultural courses
  • Fruit and Vegetable Crop Production
  • Landscape Construction 

Read more: Horticulture Careers Day at Kildalton College

Pete Mullin Appointed LI’s Northern Ireland Policy Officer

Pete Mullin CMLI, practice principal at the Belfast office of Mullin Design Associates, has been appointed Northern Ireland Policy Officer for the Landscape Institute. An LI policy representative for several years, Mullin says his new role will enable him to prioritise his LI commitments.

Read more: Pete Mullin Appointed LI’s Northern Ireland Policy Officer

Tulip Festival takes Place at Powerscourt

The Annual Tulip Festival will take place at Powerscourt Estate from 10 to 24 April. Displays of tulips will be located throughout the gardens, from the Italian Gardens to the herbaceous border. Head gardener Michael Byrne will give a guided walk of the festival on the 12 April at 11.30am and introduce visitors to the many unusual blooms in the gardens. No booking is necessary.

Bernice Barrington

Source: Business and Leadership - Tulip Festival takes Place at Powerscourt

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HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - March 25th

It can be hard to remember sometimes just how enthused you were, by all things horticulture as a fresh faced student. In Irish Final of the Young Horticulturist of the Year, 2013 Results the competitive streak remains strong between the colleges in Ireland and the UK. Its part of some of the important work of carried out by the IOH. The competition is currently under the stewardship of Dr Paul Fitters at the College of Amenity Horticulture at the Botanic Gardens. Keeping it real, they took the competition out to the workplace with the finals held at Johnstown Garden Centre. A good practical move that will invigorate the competition for the future.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - March 25th

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HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - March 18th

Congratulations to Dee Sewell in Greensideup Shortlisted for Green Awards 2013. There are a number of companies representing the horticulture sector including Supernemos who are taking on Microsoft in the Green Awards Shortlists. It is sometimes hard for our sector to get the recognition it truly deserves as the marketeers in all sectors of the economy make a big deal of their green credentials, whether authentic or not. The innovation and environmental developments that have taken place in the last few years has resulted in a leaner meaner horticulture and definitely more environmentally friendly sector. We are the Green Economy.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - March 18th

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HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - March 11th

There was a good turn out for the Bord Bia Amenity Horticulture Awards 2013Despite the ongoing difficulties the mood of the sector is now one of 'lets just get on with it'. The response to the awards by the various sectors is in general positive and the awarding system is really being embraced by staff as it gives real targets to meet and improve on. Definitely the noisiest tables by far were the the three co-ops groups Glanbia, Connaught Gold and Dairygold. The DIY/Garden Centre chains have really embraced the awards judging by their numbers present on the night. There is going to be lots more competition in the future, not only between the individual centres but also between the bigger co-op stores who will be hot on the heels of the old guard 5 stars, who also did well on the night.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - March 11th

The Battle of the Sexes - John Stanley

A Garden Centre, a place where you can take the family and enjoy selecting plants at your leisure, a truly family experience. This may be the image many people still have of their local garden centre, but the garden retailer of today may have other ideas.

Read more: The Battle of the Sexes - John Stanley

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The Sodshow – Your Garden Radio Show

The SodShow, Dublin's only garden radio show. Live every Friday @ 3pm – or after tea-time in podcast.

Read more: The Sodshow – Your Garden Radio Show

Announcing ‘Low Cost, High Impact’ Gardens at RHS Hampton Court Show

After the fantastic response to the category last year the RHS and the APL are delighted to announce the entries selected for this year's 'Low Cost, High Impact' gardens at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (9-14 July 2013). The 'Low Cost, High Impact' category, introduced for the first time last year, allows APL members to demonstrate their skills. The category aims to provide visitors with ideas for achievable and believable gardens with a wow factor, based on a fixed budget for hard landscaping, plant material and labour.

Read more: Announcing ‘Low Cost, High Impact’ Gardens at RHS Hampton Court Show

New IFG level 2 and 3 City and Guilds Floristry Qualifications

The Irish Florist Guild are delighted to announce that in conjunction with the South West Dungannon Exam Centre we are now able to offer both level 2 and 3 City and Guilds Floristry Qualification. Please see below for details on cost and course curriculum . Please note that as this is newly available it is required that all student begin at level 2. Costs are based on each course lasting 1 year to take into account time away from the course for busy industry times.

Read more: New IFG level 2 and 3 City and Guilds Floristry Qualifications

Events Across the US to Promote Ireland as A Location for Green Investment

President of Ireland's International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) John Bruton has announced a series of events across the US, targeting asset managers, private equity and venture capitalists, and promoting Ireland as a key location for green investment. Making the announcement in New York City, Bruton revealed the US roadshow will hit Chicago, Boston and New York in June.

Read more: Events Across the US to Promote Ireland as A Location for Green Investment

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HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - April 8th

As an on-line business trade fairs are our lifeblood and events like Meet 30 Nurseries @ Trolley Fairs on Tuesday, April 9th and last Saturdays GLDA Seminar give us the opportunity to meet with the professionals who are at the coalface of Horticulture. Whether its meeting with advertisers or sourcing news from attendees or visitors, its that face to face contact that is all important.

The nurseries exhibiting at tomorrows fair are in a conundrum of sorts. If its a good day they will be busy at the actual nurseries and will have itchy feet to get back to base. Also if the sun shines the attendance will be lower as Garden Centres and Landscapers will be wary of taking time of off to attend.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - April 8th

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HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - April 2nd

A new report states that DIY Staff 'are Best at Explaining Products'. Whether true or not its part of an ongoing struggle to be recognised as the flag carrier for being the 'Knowledge Centre for Gardening'. It will always be a matter of opinion between the various parties but the public are there to be influenced. Its important that the people on the ground are trained equally in the art of selling and imparting relevant information.

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment and News Digest - April 2nd

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The Sodshow Meets Triona O’Connell

The SodShow, Dublin's only garden radio show. Live every Friday @ 3pm – or after tea-time in podcast.

Read more: The Sodshow Meets Triona O’Connell

Climate Change Legislation Gives Agri-Sector a Realkistic Chamce of Achieving Food Harvest Targets

IFA President John Bryan has described the legislation on climate change recently announced by the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan as a 'realistic set of proposals that can allow the agri-food sector to achieve the targets set down in Food Harvest 2020'.

Read more: Climate Change Legislation Gives Agri-Sector a Realkistic Chamce of Achieving Food Harvest Targets

GAA President Marks Tree Week at Bray Emmets

Pictured at a tree planting ceremony to celebrate National Tree Week are Gerard Murphy Managing Director Coillte Forest, Mary Keenan, Director of the Tree Council of Ireland, Dermot O'Brien, Chairman, Bray Emmets GAA Club, and Liam O'Neill, President of the GAA.

Read more: GAA President Marks Tree Week at Bray Emmets