ITB Horticulture Department Students to begin Bloom 2011 garden build on May 16th.
Rachel Freeman of the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown horticulture department took a minute out of a hectic schedule to give us an update on what’s going on in her department. Why so hectic? One word. BLOOM. Its the only show in town and a group of their students will be gaining real life experience in the building of a show garden at the upcoming show this June Bank Holiday weekend. Do they know what they are letting themselves in for?
Rachel says “It has always been and remains an important goal of the overall delivery of our various modules and courses in horticulture that we are able to give students real life experiences of what is really involved in actually designing, creating and presenting a finished project to a client. A show garden is not so dissimilar to the normal process that is carried out between a landscaper/designer and a client although yes, it is; a more intense engagement.” She goes on to say “The selection process for exhibiting at Bloom is very detailed. Design is important but the selection committee also look at budgets, logistics and the candidates own credentials to deliver on the finished proposal. Also the client, in this case the judging panel and the 60,000 people expected to attend this event will be hard taskmasters and for us it very much about preparing students for the real competitive working environment that they will find themselves in when they graduate.” At HortiTrends we will be following their progress throughout the build and the Bloom event itself and will be updating you regularly.
More about Horticulture at ITB.
A career in horticulture should be considered by anybody who enjoys working with their hands and in the outdoors; working with plants and in green spaces , or has a general interest in the quality of our environment. The horticulture sector in Ireland has grown significantly in recent years, resulting in a variety of careers available to those with an interest in this wide – ranging discipline.
Food production is a very significant sector of the horticulture industry. ITB’s location in North West Dublin is right beside one of the largest concentrations of production for fruit and vegetables in Ireland. This is an increasingly sophisticated industry, with a strong demand for graduates with knowledge of modern food production processes and techniques, scientific knowledge such as post harvest physiology, supply chain management skills, logistics and business management skills.
http://www.itb.ie/StudyatITB/horticulture.html
Summary of garden concept, design elements and purpose
The staff of the Institute of Technology Blanchardstown Horticulture Department, along with their students bring many years of experience, to bear on this unique garden space. The Institutes’ trades staff in the areas of Plumbing, Carpentry Electrics and Brick and Stone have been key in the design and construction of this garden.
Our concept arose late last autumn from the ‘unrelenting cloud that was Ireland’s bleak economic state’. The name ‘Out of the Ruins, a garden springs forth’, aimed to offer hope and inspiration. Beautiful gardens need not be costly; we began to think recycled!
Old fashioned reuse and the ‘Make do and mend’ attitude is something Ireland lost sight of in recent years; most of us now think twice, new is not always necessary.
Historically materials were always recycled, as society grew more affluent increasing quantities of waste were cast off. Aside from the obvious economic need to review our approach, change came about fuelled by signs in nature, of the effect we are having on our environment, and on the world’s diminishing natural resources.
Materials used in the design are not exclusively recycled, that was not our aim, in so far as was possible we have sourced and treated, modified or used waste creatively, offering inspiration. The garden incorporates a relaxation deck, water feature, gravel pathways and planted beds. It also includes a unique insect Hotel, designed by student Eamonn Doyle, devoting space in this garden for nature to share.
