Here at Dundrum College of Further Education, we make sure that students receive sufficient hands on training in all aspects of horticulture and that is why two out of five days, we spend the day out and about.
From general garden maintenance to planting displays, garden restoration, plant propagation to landscape construction, we make all the course work fit into the required skills to achieve a good standard at QQI level 5 in Horticulture.
In chronological order, we first make sure that theory is covered, followed by a demonstration, then practice and finally students are confident to put the skills together.
Becoming horticulturalists does not come only by reading and listening to interesting gardening stories, but mainly by applying the necessary knowledge practically.
Here is what we cover at CFE Dundrum:
1. Lectures presented by professional teachers who are also involved in the horticultural industry.
2. Visits by specialized lectures, e.g. doctor in geology, specialized tree surgeon, re-known garden designers, etc.
3. Routine Garden maintenance carried out with tutor in public and private gardens to include:
- Garden clearance
- Weeding and mulching
- Specialized pruning
- Planting
- Surveying and Designing
4. One to one demonstrations on design, drawing, soil and plant science, propagation and much more.
5. Participation on Garden design competition with Diarmut Gavin andbKilsaran
6. Participation on building gardens in Bloom
7. A great team spirit is built up throughout the year.
8. And finally, very happy clients that freely get our help in exchange of a “garden challenge”
