On Saturday morning February 22nd 2020 we held our TRY Horticulture event in the Teagasc College National Botanic Gardens. The aim of this event was to introduce applicants directly to the practical nature of the Science of Horticulture as experienced day to day by our own full and part time students in the college. Applicants prebooked the morning with us through Eventbrite and were exposed to the wonderful science and art that is Horticulture in the National Botanic Gardens Glasnevin Dublin.
The event was hosted by Teagasc Staff Deirdre Walsh , James Brady and John Mulhern. Participants were firstly exposed to the wonderful plant collection that is in the curvilinear range of glasshouses. Plants of economic importance like coffee , tea , olives were observed along with the vast array of cacti. Then it was on to a special treat where a walk through the upper gantry in the great palm house was facilitated. This allowed the participants to walk among the aerial parts of the “rain forest” and observe palm trees and banana plants at a point that is rarely seen by too many people. Next up was a walk through the family beds in the open grounds and up to the nursery area where the participants got involved in some nursery work. This involved potting on some seedling oaks into larger pots and attaching a cane and fasteners to the plant.
Also students were exposed to an array of power tools that are used by students including battery operated blowers , strimmers , hedge cutters. The college also had its Kubota RTV on show which is a universal utility vehicle that would be used in a variety of different horticultural environments.
The morning was finished off with a series of videos on different students profiled in the college and different enterprises that are operated in Teagasc Ashtown where more of our practical horticulture is carried out. Overall the attendees had an excellent practical exposure to the world of Horticulture in the Teagasc College in the National Botanic Gardens.
The College will be hosting future events similar to this one and If anyone would like to register for TRY Hort events then you can e mail [email protected] directly and your request will be facilitated.
