Autumn Planting for Greenmount Students

Students studying on higher education programmes in agriculture at CAFRE undertake a practical based enterprise management module during their course. This module is delivered through four Student Learning Projects; CREAM, UPLANDS, Red Meat and CROPS.

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HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest November 9th

Today's articles:

• The Willow this Winter by Rónán Ó Snodaigh
• Does New Technology mean We Can Sell More Plants? - by John Stanley
• 'Miscanthus Grass' by John Lord
• Enhanced Ash Wood Ban Announced

Read more: HortiTrends Weekly Comment & News Digest November 9th

Does New Technology mean We Can Sell More Plants? - by John Stanley

The revolution started with the Smart phone, the fastest developing marketing tool ever invented, this has now been quickly followed by the development of the tablet. They are being used for all sorts of functions. When I present at a conference these days there are more people making notes on tablets than those with a pen or pencil in their hand.

Read more: Does New Technology mean We Can Sell More Plants? - by John Stanley

Enhanced Ash Wood Ban Announced

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for forestry, Shane McEntee TD, today introduced important legislation regarding the importation of ash wood into the country. Similar measures are also being introduced today in Northern Ireland. Under the new Regulations, ash wood will be allowed into the country but only if it is from areas known to be free of the Chalara Ash Die Back disease or kiln dried or with the outer round surface (including bark) removed.

Read more: Enhanced Ash Wood Ban Announced

Pat Spillane To Be New Chairman of CEDRA

The Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, has announced that Pat Spillane will be the Chairman of the new Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA). Minister Hogan said: "Getting people back to work remains this Government's number one objective. Building on the Action Plan for Jobs, Jobsbridge and the new initiatives I announced in Putting People First which empowers Local Government to drive economic development and create jobs at a local level, I am now establishing a new Commission that will generate a jobs strategy for rural Ireland.

Read more: Pat Spillane To Be New Chairman of CEDRA

Horti Fair Gets Positive Reactions About Moving to Aalsmeer

The organizers of Horti Fair 2012 in the Netherlands look back on a successful trade show this year. High points included the successful HortiSeminars, a convivial atmosphere, an international crowd, the presentation of many new products and services and, above all, the positive reactions regarding the future move to Aalsmeer in 2013.

Read more: Horti Fair Gets Positive Reactions About Moving to Aalsmeer

Wheelbarrow Booster Scoops First Million Despite Dragons Den Rejection

A product which increases the capacity of a wheelbarrow by up to 300% has made its inventors more than £1.3m in its first year on the market, despite the entrepreneurs rejecting an offer from two Dragons' Den millionaires. 

Read more: Wheelbarrow Booster Scoops First Million Despite Dragons Den Rejection

HTA Encourage Growers to Complete Ash Survey

The HTA have invited all growers to complete a survey in order to capture more accurately the potential costs to growers of the Chalara fraxinea outbreak. The survey can be accessed at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/chalara

Read more: HTA Encourage Growers to Complete Ash Survey

2012 RHS Photography Competition Winners

Congratulations go to Josie Elias for winning RHS Photographer of the Year 2012 for her image (pictured above) entered into the 'Gardens through the Season category'. She receives the coveted title and wins £1,000.

Read more: 2012 RHS Photography Competition Winners

Ireland Steps Up Ash Dieback Campaign

Forestry Minister Michelle O'Neill's 'Fortress Ireland' approach to the ash dieback problem affecting the UK is to step up its campaign. She is currently working with Dáil Forestry Minister Shane McEntee to prevent the fungal disease from reaching Ireland.

Read more: Ireland Steps Up Ash Dieback Campaign

Olearia ‘Moondance’: New Variegated Evergreen Shrub by Graham Rice

Olearia arborescens is a shrub not seen much in Britain but this New Zealand native is often grown in its home country, as a hedge and for its large heads of white flowers. Now there's a new variegated form.

Read more: Olearia ‘Moondance’: New Variegated Evergreen Shrub by Graham Rice

The Willow this Winter by Rónán Ó Snodaigh

That willow isn't going to sleep anytime soon
He likes the glow of the winter moon
Looks like he'll be staying up late with the lads again,
Playing cards and counting the stars

Read more: The Willow this Winter by Rónán Ó Snodaigh

'Miscanthus Grass' by John Lord

Pampas grass was once the only common ornamental grass in Ireland and it certainly stood out – some would say like a sore thumb! Always big and spectacular when in flower, it is difficult to place in most garden situations. It can so easily look out of scale, and that applies even to the shorter and very reliable variety ‘Pumila’.

Read more: 'Miscanthus Grass' by John Lord

Teagasc Offer Advice to Farmers on Traditional Orchards

Teagasc in association with Irish Seed Savers Association are holding Five Hour Countryside Management Courses on Traditional Orchards throughout the country over the next two weeks. Over 2,000 farmers have planted approximately 30,000 traditional apple trees under recent agri-environment schemes.

Read more: Teagasc Offer Advice to Farmers on Traditional Orchards

Chrysanthemums: Flower Focus

Rona Wheeldon is the author of the popular flower-inspired blog, Flowerona. In this guest post she talks about the beauty of Chrysanthemums... Did you know that Chrysanthemums are one of the oldest known flowers? In fact, they had already been cultivated in Chinese gardens for more than 2,500 years before they were first exhibited in London in 1795.

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Greenmount Students Visit National Botanic Gardens in Dublin

Horticulture Foundation Degree student Mary Doris (Ardboe) and Alison Seymour, Horticulture Lecturer from CAFRE met Leigh Morris, the new President of The Institute of Horticulture at the Bord Bia Annual College Lecture in Dublin recently after he had given an inspirational lecture entitled 'Horticulture is Cool'.

Read more: Greenmount Students Visit National Botanic Gardens in Dublin

Greenest Garden Centre Goes to 'The Secret Garden' at Garden Retail Awards 2012

Winners 2012

Best Themed Promotion

Plants for Wildlife and Gardeners

New Hopetoun Gardens

Read more: Greenest Garden Centre Goes to 'The Secret Garden' at Garden Retail Awards 2012

Tomato ‘Black Opal’: New Black Cherry Tomato from Dobies and Suttons

More veg growers are now taking an interest in "black" tomatoes. Their flavour is distinctive and they add to the colour palette of summer salads, but the texture can be poor and the skins can be prone to cracking.

Read more: Tomato ‘Black Opal’: New Black Cherry Tomato from Dobies and Suttons

Chalara Fraxinea - Life Cycle and Symptoms

Read more: Chalara Fraxinea - Life Cycle and Symptoms

Interflora Florist of the Year and Florist of the Future Heats

 
A number of Interflora florists up and down the country are preparing to compete in our Florist of the Year and Florist of the Future regional heats. Following the success of our prestigious Grand Final at last year's RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, next month will see the start of a new set of competition heats to find our 2013 finalists.

Read more: Interflora Florist of the Year and Florist of the Future Heats