L and s c ap e, garden retail & e dible hor ticulture new s , anal ysis and trend s
Summer 2022 Volume 9 Issue 2
Biodiversity
Conservation
ENERGY OPTIONS IN HORTICULTURE
Environment
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01 / EDITORIAL
Back in
Sustainability
Environment
IRELANDS TRADE MAGAZINE
HorticultureConnected.ie for daily news updates
BORD BIA BLOOM 2022 REVIEW
ENERGY OPTIONS IN HORTICULTURE
THOUGHTS ON GREENER RETAILING
Fumbally Exchange, Argus House, Blackpitts, Dublin 8, D08 Y273, Ireland Editorial Team editor@horticulture.ie Peter McNally Joseph Blair Barry Lupton Creative Director Tanya Gilsenan - tanya@horticulture.ie Recruitment Sam Barrett - +353 (0)89 476 7424 sam@recruited.ie Advertising & Horticulture.jobs sales@horticulture.ie Accounts & Subscriptions Geraldine O'Neill - +353 (0)89 477 0492 geraldine@horticulture.ie Cover Photo: Dublin City Bloom by Kate Power - katepower1@hotmail.com Instagram @katepower1 Printers: Azure Communications Print Run: 4,000 copies Distribution: Readership of 12,000 across Ireland to businesses and professionals in the following sectors: Landscape / Garden Retail /Florists / Nurseries / Greenkeepers /Sports Surfaces / Local Authorities & Parks Departments / Machinery / Education / Edible Horticulture & more... L and
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While the past few years have seen the horticulture industry affected by issues relating to the pandemic, including continued supply chain issues, and attempt to traverse the increasingly tricky terrain of Brexit, it is the building energy crisis that is foremost on our mind in this issue. Exacerbated by the hostilities in Ukraine, the energy crisis has highlighted the importance of renewable energy research, to both increase energy independence, and to ease our reliance on fossil fuel imports. In this issue, we present well researched articles from Teagasc and the AIPH that delve into the energy issues affecting the horticulture industry, and present the data on alternatives that could replace or augment our outdated energy systems going forward. In particular, the Teagasc article ‘Energy Options in Horticulture’ is an invaluable resource for those in the Irish market interested in alternative energies like Solar PV, biomass heating systems, and heat pumps. The article lays out very clear data on the benefits and the grant aids that are making a move towards more environmentally friendly energy sources more attractive. Environmental concerns are also pervasive in the retail sector. In this issue, Liam Kelly returns to encourage retailers to be more conscious about the environmental impact of the products they stock; Féidhlim Harty provides some timely guidance on tackling waste in your business, and TU Dublin student Aideen Loftus argues that there are more opportunities than challenges facing the Horticulture retail sector as a result of climate change. Thank you to our sponsors, advertises, writers and most importantly to you our readers for your continued support. ✽
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Volume 9 Issue 2
Conservation
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hat a great start to the summer! Bord Bia Bloom returned to its rightful home at the heart of the Phoenix Park for the first time since 2019. In his opening speech at Ireland’s largest gardening festival, President Michael D. Higgins was effusive with admiration for the horticulture industry. "When I look around the audience today, I see engaged citizens still full of wonder who are biodiversity’s greatest allies. As gardeners, horticulturalists and lovers of plants, you have an expertise we need, one that should be given more attention. It is you who will have witnessed how climate change and biodiversity loss are happening at an alarming rate." Horticulture Connected was in attendance, marveling at the stunning show gardens, reveling in the chance to meet friends old and new, and taking the time to browse the many products on sale and display. In this issue, Patricia Tyrell reports back from what was undoubtedly a grand return for Bloom, and we celebrate the magnificent show gardens with a festival photo gallery. Celebrating the wild in our gardens was a central feature of both Bloom 2022 and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. At both events, top prizes were awarded to gardens that encouraged biodiversity and a move away from the more highly manicured winners of past years. At Chelsea, it was the ‘A Rewilding Britain Landscape’ garden that took the top prize, while at Bloom, the ‘National Dairy Council Sustainable Dairy Farm Garden’, and the ‘ALDI Sustainable For-est Garden’ took home gold and silver respectively in the medium sized garden categories. This transition to a more environmentally harmonious approach to gardening is celebrated by Patricia in her Bloom review, and by Noeleen Smyth in her article ‘Wild Inside’, which argues that we should just let it grow!
LEFT: ANDREW DUNNE WINS BEST IN CATEGORY FOR HIT PAUSE, THE CARAGH NURSERIES GARDEN; RIGHT: PRESIDENT MICHAEL D HIGGINS PICTURED AT THE ENABLE IRELAND RESPITE GARDEN WITH DESIGNER ROBERT MOORE (PHOTOS: FENNELL PHOTOGRAPHY)
Summer 2022
Biodiversity
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BLOOM W
L and s c ap e, garden retail & e dible hor ticulture new s , anal y sis and trend s
Publishers: Horticulture Connected Ltd
w w w. H o r t i c u l t u r e C o n n e c t e d . i e
Summer 2022 / HC
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CONTENTS
HC OUTLINE NEWS 03
Horticulture News
BORD BIA
05
All the latest news from Bord Bia
TEAGASC 08
All the latest news from Teagasc
INTERVIEW
10 LANDSCAPE FABRIC Barry Lupton interviews Sarah Prosser, Collective Impact Weaver at GIY
DESIGN
14 BORD BIA BLOOM 2022 Patricia Tyrell makes a welcome return to Ireland’s largest gardening festival
INSIGHT
18 TIME TO THINK LIKE A TREE? Terry O’Regan issues a call for urban landscapers to rethink current tree planting guidelines
BLOOM PHOTO GALLERY 20
All the wonderful show gardens and sights from this year’s event…
JOBS & EVENTS 24
The Latest Horticulture Jobs from Horticulture.jobs and Horticulture Events
28 NO TIME TO WASTE Féidhlim Harty provides some timely guidance on tackling waste in your business
WORLD VIEW
30 LONG-TERM ENERGY OUTLOOK AIPH FloraCulture International horticultural energy consultants Tim Pratt and John Swain ask what should horticulture prepare for?
RESEARCH
33 ENERGY OPTIONS IN HORTICULTURE
RETAIL
43 WHY CLIMATE CHANGE MIGHT NOT BE A CRISIS FOR THE HORTICULTURE SECTOR TU Dublin student Aideen Loftus sees more opportunities than challenges facing the Horticulture retail sector as a result of climate change
45 CHANGING YOUR TUNE Leading garden retail consultant, Liam Kelly, shares some thoughts on greener retailing
LANDSCAPE
In the face of what is quickly becoming an energy crisis, Teagasc advisors take a look at solutions that could safeguard the future of the horticulture industry
38 THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF FOOD
48 LESS RISKY BUSINESS Landscape architect, Colm Kenny, casts his expert eye over Government changes to Public Works Contracts designed to address continued inflation and fuel insecurity
Teagasc’s Dr Lael Walsh and Loren Lane ask what do we know about the environmental footprint of local and imported fruit and vegetables?
40 EUCALYPTUS: A FAVOURED FILLER Leading researchers at Teagasc look at ways to improve the quality of Eucalyptus trees grown for the cut foliage sector
P26
OPINION
25 DIRTY DIESEL Mark O’Loughlin casts an eye over the ecological and economic issues facing fleet management
26 WILD INSIDE Noeleen Smyth thinks we should take the Chelsea Flower Show’s lead and just let it grow!
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02 / HC NEWS
HORTICULTURE NEWS GLAS EVENT RETURNS JULY 21ST AFTER TWO-YEAR HIATUS
Landmark event has something for every sector of the horticulture trade
GLAS – the Garden Landscape and Amenity Sportsturf trade show – is set to return next month after a two-year hiatus and is proudly supported by Bord Bia. Taking place July 21st in a new venue, The National Basketball Arena in Dublin, the one-day trade show will be a key focal point in terms of sales, networking and learning opportunities, under the theme ‘Your industry. Your event.’ Featuring the Bord Bia Thinking House, Teagasc Careers Hub and New Product New Plant Awards, GLAS is an unbeatable opportunity for visitors across the garden, landscape, amenity and sportsturf trade. Key topics this year include assuring sustainable practice, the future of growing media, tackling the millennial & Gen Z gardener, the changing face of retail and ecommerce, green city initiatives, smart technology, career development, upskilling and more. Featuring over 70 of some of the leading suppliers exhibiting under one roof, GLAS is open to everyone from landscape contractors to garden centre and retail nursery buyers, local authorities, sportsturf professionals, landscapers and garden designers, arborists & tree surgeons and more. Supported by Bord Bia, attendance is free and you can pre register now at: glasireland.ie/glas-mainshow-visitor-pre-registration. ✽
10-DAY PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSE AT CLOUGHJORDAN ECOVILLAGE This year once again Cultivate is running its Permaculture Design Course, from July 29th to August 7th. The formula hasn't changed, 9 full days mixing theoretical and practical sessions on permaculture. Whether your interest is in community, horticulture or engineering, designing a homestead or sustainable community, or how to best navigate the transition to a resilient and low carbon society, the principles of permaculture and regenerative design will be helpful. Course participants will have online lectures with international tutors while also engaging with local tutors through outdoor classes, hands on experience and project-based explorations of permaculture design. Topics include: regenerative agriculture, green and natural building, local economics, forest gardening, renewable energy, work and livelihoods, ecovillage design along with tools and technologies including digital fabrication and open source distribution and production. Please apply to PDC@cultivate.ie or visit cultivate.ie for more information. ✽
Summer 2022 / HC
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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ARENA, DUBLIN 21 JULY 2022
2022 PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
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VISIT GLASIRELAND.IE / Summer 2022 FHCO R MORE INFORMATION
BORD BIA / 03
DREAM GARDENS AT BLOOM For virtual Bloom 2021, Bord Bia worked with seven Bloom award-winning show garden designers to create seven designs that the public could implement in their own gardens. Easy Steps to Dream Gardens included a full suite of plans, planting plans, and hints and tips available on the Bord Bia Bloom website. The initiative was supported by a concerted social media campaign, and with point of sale in 103 garden centres nationwide. All of the plants listed were readily available from Irish nurseries. To demonstrate how the designs work in reality, how they would suit the average sized garden, and to encourage the public to engage with their gardens at home, Bord Bia brought two of the Dream Gardens to life at Bloom 2022: The Nature Enthusiast’s Garden by Jane McCorkell, and The Shared Spaces Family Garden by Nicola Haines. They were not judged as show gardens. This campaign has proven to be a huge success, with both the industry and the public. It resulted in more than 19,383 visits to the Dream Gardens section of the website alone, and over 18,500 downloads of the garden designs and planting plans in the 12 months from June 2021 to June 2022. ✽
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GREEN CITIES AT BLOOM Bord Bia sponsored a large Green Cities garden at the 2022 Bloom Show, as part of the three-year EU cofunded Green Cities for a Sustainable Europe campaign. The garden was a visual representation of the type of green landscaping it would be ideal to include as part of new construction projects around Ireland, using Irish grown plants. It was manned throughout the show, to answer queries from the public, to explain the rationale behind the garden, and to emphasize the environmental, health, biodiversity, and economic benefits of green spaces in cities, as well the importance of using local plants. The garden, designed by James Purdy and
installed by Silverstream Landscapes, generated significant interest from the public due to the flowing lines and naturalistic look. The garden partnered with Dublin and Limerick city councils, who used the opportunity to showcase their own green initiatives. The garden was well received by the public, and achieved substantial coverage in the press, in online media, and in video media. Further regional coverage is expected in the coming weeks. Several useful contacts have also been made with county councils, including those who would have liked to take part, but were unable to due to staffing issues. ✽
MUSHROOM PROMOTION IN THE UK Bord Bia has been working with CMP, Monaghan Mushrooms, Walsh Mushrooms, and producer organisations to deliver a promotion in the UK, to boost mushroom sales in this important market for Irish mushrooms. The Irish mushroom industry relies on the UK export market for 85% of its sales. Annually, 60,000 tonnes of mushrooms are exported to
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the UK, worth approximately €151 million in 2021. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, and Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity with special responsibility for horticulture, Senator Pippa Hackett, secured €210,000 of funding from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) fund to support the Irish mushroom sector. This BAR funding of €210,000 supports a sectoral promotional campaign that seeks to ensure that UK consumers are dynamically reminded of the nutritional and taste benefits of cooking with mushrooms. This exciting campaign of TV ads (June), social media activity (July-December), and outdoor activity (October) is designed to increase consumption of Irish mushrooms in the UK this summer/autumn. ✽
03 / BORD BIA ezine BODY AND SOUL EVENT 17TH-19TH JUNE 2022 BORD BIA BLOOM 2022 IN NUMBERS ●O ver 110,000 visitors, including
15,000 children attended the festival. ●T he prestigious judging panel
comprised of 15 Irish and international horticultural experts, who awarded more than 78 awards to show garden designers, amateur postcard garden designers; nurseries and floral artists. ABOVE: LORCAN BOURKE AND AOIFE KENNEDY FROM BORD BIA PICTURED BESIDE CAMPAIGN AMBASSADORS EOIN SHEEHAN AND KWANGHI CHAN AT THE BODY AND SOUL FESTIVAL IN BALLINLOUGH CASTLE, CO. WESTMEATH.
EU FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CAMPAIGN – 12TH MAY 2022
●T hree new garden designers struck
gold for the first time at Bord Bia Bloom. ●T here were over 1,200 potato
plants in the Eat Well Garden. ●S even new products were
launched in the Bord Bia Food Village. ●O ver 10,000 Irish plants were sold
in the Quality Mark Plant Village. ●T his year’s show featured 19 show
gardens, nine postcard gardens and 17 nursery displays, over 80 food and drink producers and 130 retailers. ●A lmost 17,000 people availed of
ABOVE: CATHERINE KLIMOVA, MICHAL SLAWSKI, LORCAN BOURKE, AOIFE KENNEDY AND MIKE NEARY FROM BORD BIA LAUNCHED THE LIFE IS BETTER WITH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES CAMPAIGN IN BITES BY KWANGHI'S RESTAURANT IN MAY 2022.
WORLD POTATO CONGRESS
Bord Bia’s free Shuttle Bus to and from Bord Bia Bloom. ●M ore than 5,000 plants were left
for safe keeping in the Plant Créche while their owners explored the festival. ●O ver 250 retail and foodservice
buyers with a combined buying power of €20 billion met with 80plus Irish food and drink companies at the Bord Bia trade breakfast. ●2 3 children took part in the
first ‘Learn to Cook with Neven’ demonstration at the Quality Kitchen Stage. ●A total of 3,800 people worked on
site over the five days, including 100 Bord Bia staff volunteers. ABOVE: TARA MC CARTHY CEO BORD BIA, MICHAEL HOEY FROM COUNTRY CREST AND MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND THE MARINE CHARLIE MCCONALOGUE LAUNCHED THE WORLD POTATO CONGRESS IN DUBLIN WHICH TOOK PLACE FROM 30TH MAY UNTIL 1ST JUNE 2022.
● I t takes 14 days to clear the Bord
Bia Bloom site.
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TEAGASC ezine / 04
ONGOING INPUT COST INCREASES SEEN ACROSS ALL SECTORS OF HORTICULTURE
Various external macroeconomic factors and world events have meant that grower’s input prices have risen sharply since March 2021. Brexit, Covid-19 and the continuing Ukrainian crisis have all contributed to a turbulent outlook when it comes to input costs associated with energy, labour, fertiliser, crop protection products, packaging and growth media.
Growers are often left to absorb the cost incurred by such a rapidly changing economic environment. The knock-on effects of rising input price inflation and supply of goods and labour force, make planning and managing crops and produce increasingly risky. Through direct contact with primary horticultural producers, and from the available data, Teagasc have revised input costings for producers across each horticultural sector in Ireland for the 12 months up to March 2022, citing specific examples of factors influencing the rising cost of production. The full report can be found at the following link: https://www.teagasc. ie/publications/2022/horticulturecrop-input-price-inflation-2022.php. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine has developed a support scheme for growers specifically impacted by the war in Ukraine. The scheme is open to glasshouse growers of high-wire tomato, cucumber, and peppers; and growers of mushrooms, field vegetables, and apples for the dessert, culinary and processing markets. ✽
NEW GROWING MEDIA RESEARCH OFFICER APPOINTED Teagasc recently appointed Eoghan Corbett as Research Officer in the Horticulture Development Department at Ashtown, Dublin. Eoghan will be conducting research as part of the Beyond Peat project. The project aims to identify, characterise, and assess the agronomic performance of peat-alternative growth and casing materials across the five key subsectors of horticulture in Ireland. This research will also encompass transformative processes and emerging technologies that can
convert low-value waste, or sidestream materials of indigenous industries or land-management practices, into value-added growth media materials. Eoghan completed his PhD in analytical geochronology and geochemistry at Trinity College Dublin in 2020. During this research, he has been involved in projects focussed on developing
novel techniques used in the geochronological analysis of minerals, in addition to contributing to a greater understanding of the fundamental physicochemical characteristics of geo-materials. Eoghan is also an avid gardener and has worked in both landscaping and arboriculture. Added to this experience, his background in geo-material characterisation and analysis, will bring a new perspective to the challenges of developing peatalternative growth media. ✽
For more information on any element of this e-zine, please contact: Dermot Callaghan, Teagasc Head of Horticulture Development Department. Email: dermot.callaghan@teagasc.ie; Dónall Flanagan, Teagasc Nursery Stock/Ornamentals Specialised Advisor. Email: Donall.Flanagan@teagasc.ie; teagasc.ie
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04 /TEAGASC ezine MILDER WINTERS CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE ARE IMPACTING SOME FRUIT PRODUCTION This year, insufficient winter chilling is causing poor and uneven bud break in new raspberry canes. This is especially the case with new ‘long cane’, 'Tulameen', and 'Glen Ample' varieties, both grown and imported from the Netherlands. The vast majority of canes, used in commercial raspberry production in Ireland, are propagated in the Netherlands. On some of the raspberry canes, the buds broke very poorly or didn’t break at all. It’s highly likely down to a lack of winter chilling. Even though the canes are put in a cold store after harvest in late November, they still need a certain amount of cold units before going into the freezer. If they don't get
enough chilling, you get uneven bud break and thus lower yields. This phenomenon was recently discussed on a Teagasc webinar with Dr. Nikki Jennings (raspberry breeder) from the James Hutton Institute, in Scotland. She
CARBON FOOTPRINTS AND SUSTAINABILITY IN HORTICULTURE ENTERPRISES WEBINAR Teagasc Horticulture Development Department held a webinar on March 31 2022. Two speakers provided talks on floriculture and food horticulture. Dr David Bek’s presentation ‘Meeting the Sustainability Challenge in Ornamental Horticulture’ focused on the drivers of sustainable reporting, including regulation and consumer sentiment, threats facing horticulture from climate change, and the forthcoming EUrecognized FloriPEFCR standards for cut flowers and potted plants, expected in 2023. The second speaker, Islam Abdel-Aziz, delivered a presentation on ‘Carbon Accounting in Horticulture and Opportunities for Mitigation’, highlighting the benefits of accounting for carbon, methodologies and standards, and typical hotspots in production. The webinar is available to view on the Teagasc horticulture events web-page. Upcoming event: As part of the Sustainable Cut-flowers Project co-led by Dr Bek, a workshop for stakeholders from the floriculture industry is due to take place in Holland in September 2022. Further details will be available on the project webpage in mid-June 2022. For further details and updates contact: David.Bek@coventry.ac.uk ✽
discussed how she is now trying to use less cold demanding varieties in her raspberry breeding programme. The issue is becoming more serious now, due to climate change. The webinar can be found at the following link https://www.teagasc.ie/ publications/2022/new-raspberryvarieties-from-the-scottish-raspberrybreeding-programme.php. ✽
TEAGASC HORTICULTURE ‘HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY PLANET’ EXHIBIT AT BLOOM 2022
Teagasc returned to Bloom this year with a significant increase in their presence that was very well received by the public and professional growers alike. The exhibit reflected on sustainability as a major theme in the horticulture sector. The Teagasc horticulture exhibit ‘Healthy People, Healthy Planet’ set out to inspire people and create awareness about Irish fruits and vegetables and their positive impact on personal health, in terms of consumption, and the positive climate impact in choosing fresh produce, plants and trees. The concept of personal health and a diet including fruit and vegetables was emphasised, while the sustainability credentials of fruit and vegetables were also to the fore. Fruit and vegetables have the smallest area of land use and the lowest greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of food product. Speaking at the event, Director of Teagasc, Professor Frank O Mara reiterated Teagasc’s commitment to supporting sustainable food production systems. Prof O’Mara noted “We encourage and support growers and farmers to be sustainable from an economic, social and environmental perspective. The theme of the Teagasc stand at Bloom – ‘Healthy People, Healthy Planet’ reflects the importance of the food we eat, not just to our own wellbeing, but to the natural environment we live in.” ✽
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INTERVIEW / 05
LANDSCAPE Barry Lupton interviews Sarah Prosser, Collective Impact Weaver at GIY
S
arah Prosser has recently moved from Norway to take up an exciting new project post connected to GIY in Waterford. The project, centred on the development of a bioregional weaving lab, will seek to weave together the related but often disparate activities of communities and individuals who are seeking to give back to the landscape. I got a chance to chat with Sarah recently about what led her to Ireland and the project, and how the wider horticulture community might engage in this significant endeavour.
CAN YOU PROVIDE A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON YOUR WORK PRIOR TO ENGAGING WITH THE BIOREGIONAL WEAVING LAB PROJECT? It’s a bit of a mad mixture of things, but there is a common thread through it all to do with really seeing, believing and supporting people that want to make change for the common good. Immediately before the BWL project, I was working in Norway (where I lived for over 20 years) supporting community-driven social enterprises, affordable housing policy and an initiative called Partnership for Radical Innovation, which is about how the public sector can work for real long-term systems change. A jazz/oil/ geology art performance and the importance of sitting on doorsteps also featured.
YOU’VE HAD A VARIED AND INTERESTING CAREER TO DATE. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS? Probably the network of neighbourhood incubators, under the umbrella of Norway Unlimited, that proves what can happen if residents are provided with long-term support to start local initiatives and social enterprises based on their own experiences and passions. This work also influenced the whole field of social entrepreneurship and public participation in Norway. I’m also quite proud of the Human Rights Human Wrongs film festival I started that is now pretty impressive, and of an academic article I once wrote about ‘syn-rift sequences’ that has held its own over
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the years and become a key reference for geologists!
YOU’RE TAKING A BRAVE STEP IN TAKING UP THE POST AND MOVING TO IRELAND. WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO DO SO? It doesn’t feel so brave, more like exciting. What motivated me was the chance to work in, and get joy from, the direct contact with a beautiful landscape and the lovely people that live within that, and yet at the same time be linked to a wide international network I knew from before and have real respect for. A second aspect was a desire to get a break after so long in Norway and to move to a country that is perhaps a closer emotional home to Scotland, where I grew up. Finally, I had looked around my flat in Norway and realised that if the time had come when my two children could move out, then so could I.
WHERE WILL YOU BE BASED WHEN YOU MAKE THE MOVE TO IRELAND? So far I have been incredibly lucky to have lived with two of the best views in Ireland. First, in a remote cabin near Graiguenamanagh looking out at the Blackstairs Mountains and, as I write, I’m in a ‘homestay’ flat overlooking the mesmerising Tramore Bay and strand. What comes next (July onwards) I don’t know – accommodation is a hard nut to crack in this country. I dream, maybe naively, of a tiny rural cabin turning up somewhere with some contact with nature.
A TOUGH CALL, BUT CAN YOU BRIEFLY EXPLAIN THE INTENTION OF THE PROJECT? This project looks at bioregions in different settings across Europe, and what it would mean to ‘weave’ local people, projects and places into a kind of movement that gives back to the landscapes and communities. Our vision is a biodiverse and climate positive future with healthy ecosystems, regenerative economies and thriving communities, where solutions that work with nature and communities in landscapes are the norm and scale widely. The mission of the overall project is to mobilise 1 million
05/ INTERVIEW changemakers by 2025 to overcome systemic barriers and restore, protect and regenerate 1 million ha of Europe’s land and sea, with significant impact on four returns (social, economic, nature and inspiration), by 2030. The intention would be to weave a tapestry of people and projects across each bioregion, all working collectively to give back to the soil, to society, and to nature, that together generates a kind of collective impact for a positive regenerative future. GIY knows that food empathy and a resilient food system are at the heart of so many aspects of our bioregion and the impact we have on the world beyond, so seeing long-term change through a food lens will be core to our approach. The BWL also builds on recent trends that acknowledge the most important kind of positive change can emerge when we build ecosystems that support what happens between people and social/eco-projects and innovations: i.e. relationships, trust, and the sense of a common purpose, combined with the absolute necessity to work through local and place-based communities with their own cultural and contextual wisdom.
attempt to connect dots – in our bioregion and with our international network partners. The project uses a framework of four primary returns: Inspiration, Natural, Social and Financial. My role is also to identify, in partnership with key stakeholders, what these might look like and how we will know we are making the change we believe is both possible and urgently necessary.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE PROJECT BEING ROLLED OUT?
The earliest stages are described as a ‘co-sensing’ phase – basically enquiring, actively listening, learning and feeling what might be relevant to introduce into conversations with farmers, officials, schools, parents, policymakers, volunteer groups and professional bodies. Then we invite stakeholders to join us in deeper dives to visualise their positions in a complex system and visualise how systemic barriers might be overcome and new solutions emerge. Pragmatically, we see a need to have local supporters and funding to match international support, and then we can release more local potential, for example through financing dedicated time from co-weavers. The idea CAN YOU PROVIDE A LITTLE INSIGHT INTO HOW would be to also attract other forms of in-kind support to build a good ‘backbone organisation’, essential in any THE PROJECT EVOLVED? collective movement. We are simultaneously focussed on Mick Kelly at GIY has been working towards a food system that is more resilient, fair, and sustainable for over a decade how nature-based solutions and social innovations might now. He is also an Ashoka Fellow – part of a network of over be supported to replicate and scale within the bioregion, or between the different Bioregional Weaving Labs 3,600 such Fellows making a huge social and ecological across Europe. impact globally. A gathering of Ashoka Fellows working on themes related to climate and biodiversity was brought together at an event called ‘Weaving for a Thriving Planet’. The concept of Bioregional Weaving Labs grew out of this, as a pragmatic way to link locally-driven change with knowledge and learning networks on a European scale.
WHO ARE THE MAIN PARTNERS OF THE PROJECT? The main partners will be the co-weavers and changemaker community of the Waterford bioregion: in particular farmers and local communities. In Europe, the coordinating partners are Ashoka, Commonland, The Presencing Institute, and others. There are local partners in each Bioregion: we currently have four Labs in different settings, from an arid setting in Spain, a forest area in Romania, and the reindeer and forests of Sweden. Waterford BWL is an agricultural setting with the potential for more regenerative practices on several levels.
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN THE PROJECT AND HOW DO YOU SEE IT BEING ARTICULATED IN IRELAND? My role is called a ‘weaver’, a word that is gaining some traction in the world of social innovation. A weaver is someone who has the skill-set (practical tools, knowledge, and relational) to support the emergence of new collective ways of making an impact – in a way that is truly rooted in local communities and bioregions, and at the same time linking to decision-makers and national policies so that we can make systemic long term change. My days are filled with individual conversations with farmers or officials or residents, with nature explorations and with a lot of analysis and
The intention would be to weave a tapestry of people and projects across the region
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PRIMARY CHALLENGES IN SUCCESSFULLY DELIVERING THE PROJECT?
It isn’t the easiest project to explain, even if people often cheer enthusiastically about the overall ambitions. It depends on trust-building and that takes time. Some people are worried about the time and resources they are being asked to give up – and if it is worth it. A shift in focus from inventing tangible solutions to problems to one where the relationships between projects and people are key is something that can take time to bring people on board.
YOU MENTIONED THE CHALLENGE OF FRAGMENTATION IN A RECENT LECTURE. CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW IT IS NEGATIVELY IMPACTING POSITIVE CHANGE AND HOW THE PROJECT MIGHT SERVE TO ADDRESS IT? Fragmentation, societal and professional silos, unconnected dots and fragile, distributed ecosystems - exist everywhere, and they are talked about often as one of the major hindrances to working in ways that give joined-up and relevant solutions we need for the complex Summer 2022 / HC
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05 / INTERVIEW crises we face today. I have been plotting the locality of nature-based solutions, organic farmers, farmers' markets, school projects, social entrepreneurs and other relevant actors on a big map in the GIY office. There are a fair few out there, but they are strikingly tiny compared to the blank areas between. Visualisation of this kind might help us address it with more urgency. The empirical insights from our international partners and the other Bioregional Weaving Labs regarding how to pragmatically co-create fair and inclusive collective impact initiatives are also at the heart of how we hope to go about this. We are lucky enough to be working with global leaders on these topics – and I hope we can pass that knowledge on to local communities in the Waterford bioregion in a way that isn’t at all about telling them what to do, but which rather supports them to make more out of what they are already passionate about and already engaging with.
WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FOR THE PROJECT? An initial phase of six months, until October 2022. After that, if funding is secured, four years of an established bioregional weaving lab with an associated social/ eco-innovation fund to help good initiatives grow. We are hopeful of a co-financed solution – partly from international partners who are interested in the synergy effects of the wider European BWL network, and local Irish funders who are keen to see Ireland and Waterford at the forefront of exploring the potential of collaborative innovation for better bioregion in which everyone thrives and the ecology flourishes.
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES EXIST FOR PEOPLE TO ENGAGE WITH THE PROJECT? A weaving project depends on engagement in many different ways – knowledge and funding might seem the most obvious, but even more critical is the willingness of local existing projects and people to be open to being part of something bigger – something with a common intent for all the people and places involved. They can then engage in ways that make whatever it is they are already doing be woven into a more robust whole. This might involve a common way of monitoring social/eco change or attending enough collective gatherings to build a sense of solidarity and motivation to work around a series of coordinated milestones.
IN MANY WAYS, THE WIDER HORTICULTURE COMMUNITY VIEW THEMSELVES AS CUSTODIANS OF THE LANDSCAPE AND THE PROJECT WILL RESONATE DEEPLY WITH THEM. DO YOU SEE A ROLE FOR THE COMMUNITY, EITHER COLLECTIVELY OR AS INDIVIDUALS? The horticulture community has access to many of the key elements that will get us where we will need to go – and where so many people are now interested in going. I was speaking to a farmer couple whose son has returned from abroad and is keen to transfer their small family farm from beef and dairy to horticulture. The parents
are super-supportive and they are currently in the first year of testing what is possible. They want to learn how they can do it in ways that follow regenerative practices and are keen to learn from others that have gone before or have ideas about how to do it. We might be at a tipping point in seeing a shift from different sectors into regenerative horticulture practices – and your community is right there at the heart of it.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR HORTICULTURE PROFESSIONALS WISHING TO ENGAGE WITH YOU AND THE PROJECT? We are establishing ‘BWL Support Circles’ at the European and local levels. These aspire to be global and local community respectively of committed leaders and individuals who specialize in place-based systemic change for planet and climate, catalyzed by the Bioregional Weaving Labs around Europe. There will be opportunities to join meetings, field-trips, peer-peer learning and access to knowledge, stories and inspiration. Future impact investing opportunities in nature-based solutions and social innovations are another possibility. If anyone would like to join these Support Cirlces I can happily share more information about how it works. If you are in the Waterford bioregion – the boundaries of which we have made a first pass attempt at mapping through overlays of soil types, water catchments, and human habitations, meaning the bioregion area spills out of the county boundaries and into East Cork and West Wexford – then please get in touch directly and we can talk (co-sense) about what kind of engagement would be most exciting and interesting – we’d would love to have you in the collective and learn from what you are doing. If you live outside of the bioregion, but want to be part of making this kind of collective change happen and/ or learn from what we are doing concerning your work or bioregion, then again get in touch and join our wider learning community. If you have access to funds and want to be at the forefront of innovation through food, collaboration and collective impact – you know where to find us (at GIY).
IF YOU COULD WAVE A MAGIC WAND, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR MOST ASPIRATIONAL AND IDEALISTIC OUTCOMES OF THE PROJECT? A sense of belonging, identity, agency and pride in every single citizen in the bioregion – both in terms of loving the nature they are connected to and knowing it is being looked after in ways that are in harmony with the planet. To have a public-social infrastructure that supports this through buy-in from every institution, and a commitment that they will work together so that every child grows up a changemaker. To see spaces such as community kitchens, rural food distribution hubs, truly inclusive job opportunities and meeting places with support structures for small enterprises and public participation. All of this nestling in landscapes that glow with nature in a way that makes people realise that it will be regenerating our soils and seas for generations to come. ✽ Summer 2022 / HC
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DESIGN / 06
Patricia Tyrell makes a welcome return to Ireland’s largest gardening festival…
I
t is so exciting to see that Bloom is back and normality has returned. It’s been a strange and stressful few years for everyone, and even though garden designers have been unusually busy, the combination of being overly busy and coping with a pandemic has had its own stresses. A very necessary response to this has been learning how to say ‘no’, and this was in evidence, both at Chelsea and Bloom, when it came to the number of designers involved in the gardens. Those designers who did get involved are to be admired for their courage in creating impressive show gardens and committing time and investment in a period of extreme uncertainty. The pandemic has brought radical change in consumer attitudes to their gardens. The Irish consumer now values garden design in a way they didn’t before. Being confined to your house and garden brings every detail into sharp focus and afforded many the time to look at social media, browsing the wonderful garden spaces that are possible. So, with such a huge sea-change in our attitudes, what is it now that garden owners are looking for, and can a garden show like Bloom deliver? People continue to work from home. They want a garden they can enjoy throughout the day and to share in the evening with family and friends. They want to grow and cook more food outdoors. As houses get smaller and bicycles are more in use, storage becomes a priority. However, more than anything, they want a space where they can reconnect with, and be immersed in, nature – a sanctuary or contemplative space. Chelsea had a lovely category this year called the sanctuary gardens. Most were simple, peaceful gardens, with an emphasis on planting, natural materials and water. They were some of my favourite gardens at the show. At Bloom, the Eureka Garden by Niall
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Deacon, described as a sanctuary garden, certainly had its finger on the pulse. A sustainable sanctuary of native stone and beautiful planting. It was a masterclass in how to create mystery and atmosphere in a small space. The sound of the Japanese sozu added to the feeling of meditation and serenity. Also in this vein was The Pathways to Home garden, by first time Bloom designers, Seán O’Malley and Oisín Griffin. Very much on point with its concept for The Peter McVerry Trust, it
provided a sanctuary space surrounded by a simple palette of contrasting textures and calm greens. The pathways and the wooden furniture were made by Francie O’Toole from recycled timber. Mark Hoeys supergarden Reflections was also designed as a calm space to retreat to. Green roofs and walls, and reflections created by long rills of water gave this sanctuary space a lot of depth. Apart from a space in nature, what about the more practical things that people want in this post-pandemic
The pandemic has brought radical change in consumer attitudes to their gardens
BORD BIA
2022
Patricia Tyrell makes a welcome return to Ireland’s largest gardening festival…
period, such as growing-your-own, cooking and entertaining outdoors, play areas, and the all important storage? Most visitors’ gardens are compact and the addition of a balcony garden, nicely detailed by Kathryn Feeley, must be encouraging to the many people to whom this is their only outdoor space. The two Bord Bia sponsored ‘Easy Steps to Dream Gardens’ filled a very necessary niche. Gardens like Jane McCorkell's The Nature Enthusiat's Garden, and Nicola Haines' Shared Spaces Family Garden, proved really important in conveying take-home ideas on how to fit the many requirements of a family into a garden space. Nicola’s
vegetable area was particularly sweet, with a bed of herbs and chives as ornamental as any planting, and a background of espalier fruit that also served to divide the garden. Jane’s garden integrated the storage areas for bicycles and tools with bold colours and green roofs, and demonstrated that you can have both lawn and wildflower areas within a small space. In addition to gardens that fulfil our practical requirements, we also need to have some fun. I loved Benny Magennis’ Minions Garden. It was vibrant, fun, and if kids could have a ‘favourite garden’ vote, they would have voted for this one.
There is no doubt that people’s interest in gardens is expanding. With that comes the need for new take home ideas that can be applied to their own garden. Some accessible ideas include the use of arts and crafts in a garden. There is no doubt that arts and crafts are closely intertwined. When the two come together they have a synergy. Daisy, the wire sculpture cow by Emma Jane Rushworth, demonstrated how sculpture can transform a space. The National Dairy Council Garden by Sean Russell harkened back to a time of subsistence farming, when two or three cows would have been Summer 2022 / HC
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DESIGN / 06
It was a masterclass in how to create mystery and atmosphere in a small space
PATHWAYS TO HOME PETER MCVERRY TRUST DESIGNERS: SEÁN O’MALLEY AND OISÍN GRIFFIN
the norm and each, like Daisy, had a name. The traditional crafts also add much interest to the garden: the stone walls, the forged gate and seat. In the case of Alan Rudden’s steel pergola in the Savills Garden, the crafts are given a modern feel. The ‘Human Landscape’ sculpture by Orla deBri is particularly striking, and very appropriate, juxtaposed with the clean steel in its setting at the end of a long rill. A great take-home idea that could be used in a garden of any size. Sculpture was also a feature in Andrew Christopher Dunne’s garden, Press Pause. Dainius Varnelis created copper sculptures that linked nicely with the other copper elements in the garden: copper lines through the paving, and the copper lined water spouts. Admirable attention to detail showed how a repeated material can unify a garden. Planting is what Bloom is all about. No matter how bright and clear one’s vision for future trends, they can lie in the dust if the plants you want are not available. Native trees such as hawthorn were scarce. There was a certain ubiquity to some plants, foxgloves particularly. As all good designers know, vertical elements catch the eye and foxgloves are nothing if not vertical. It was a difficult year and I’m sure many designers
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committed quite late to the process because of Covid uncertainty. Many visitors go to see the plants and flowers and to purchase. Some of the nurseries had lovely displays in their own right, but it does serve to underline a small disconnect here where more and earlier collaboration might benefit all. Bloom has had a two-year hiatus and is just finding its feet again. Hopefully the sponsorship will be there for next year, and also, too, more designers. Though only a small part of the Bord Bia/Bloom experience, the gardens are central. I am excited for next year. I think designers will have found a balance to
this incredible interest in garden design that has blossomed during lockdown, and they will want to get out there and show off what they can do. ✽ PATRICIA TYRELL is an awardwinning garden designer with two gold medals and a Best in Category award from Bloom. She holds an honours degree in Landscape horticulture from UCD and also holds a Masters from the School of Landscape architecture at UCD.
SUSTAINABLE DAIRY FARM GARDEN NATIONAL DAIRY COUNCIL DESIGNER: SEAN RUSSELL
INSIGHT / 07
‘TIME TO THINK LIKE A TREE?’ Terry O’Regan issues a call for urban landscapers to rethink current tree planting guidelines…
A
recent post from MEP Ciarán Cuffe of the Green Party on LinkedIn provided the stimulus for this article. It featured an urban Brussels street scene. Ciarán highlighted the low-key, unobtrusive traffic-calming measures compared to often over-engineered Irish traffic-calming measures. I wholeheartedly agree with Ciarán, but my brief comment drew attention to the miniscule planter space allocated to the 4 trees in the scene. It set me thinking, again, about the whole issue of urban trees, their roots, and a ‘1,000-word’ image. As a landscape horticulturist I have constantly faced questions about trees - how close to existing mature trees could excavations take place? What size planting hole would be needed in a 1.2m wide car-park ‘island bed’ with concrete-haunched kerbs? My throat would go dry trying to explain the needs and nature of tree roots. Daily, we fought hand-to-hand for both tree retention and new tree planting; nowadays there is a more receptive audience, albeit thanks to fears about global warming and carbon sequestration. Today I am the one asking questions about how well informed we are for what may be the ‘last stand’ for humanity. A century ago, Frederick R. Barnard, writing in the journal Printer's Ink, coined the phrase about images: "One look is worth a thousand words".
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NIAB EAST MALLING
Fifty years ago, in The International Book of Trees (1973) by Hugh Johnson, I spotted a 3-inch x 2-inch image that was worth a thousand words and more for me throughout the years. It featured an apple tree unearthed by the renowned East Malling Research Station in Kent. I used it to explain tree roots to architects and engineers when they wanted to excavate in the vicinity of trees. A similar apple tree, grown on a Malling 26 rootstock, was featured at the East Malling Research Station centenary exhibit at the 2013 Chelsea Flower Show (see main image). Each of you will come across ‘1,000-word’ images that you will refer to again and again over subsequent years. Readers with any involvement with trees might store the above images. That tiny image clearly demonstrated that the spread of the tree root system is double the spread of its crown and not an underground mirror-image of the crown, as was the vague understanding of so many
construction sector professionals. I knew where the tree roots were, but the standard rule of thumb (influenced by the mirror-image myth?) for tree surveys was the ‘dripline’, which only marked the extent of the crown and the summer rainwater cascade! It was recommended that roots should not be damaged within this ‘drip-line’. It was a rough guide that did not take account of different growth habits and site conditions, and as can be seen from the Malling trees, it was well within the actual root area. The ‘drip-line’ was replaced in the late 1900s by the Root Protection Area. Here, the radius was calculated at 12 times the tree trunk diameter 1.5 ms above ground level; this was incorporated into BS 5837 (2012) – Trees in Relation to Design, Demolition and Construction. That improved the situation for trees with upright crowns, but crucially, in my experience, the radius usually only extended as far as the old ‘drip-line’ limit for wider tree canopies. Trees don’t do maths, so roots grow in any direction parallel with the soil surface in the top one metre, or less, and typically radiate out a
©RHS - ANNABELLE TAYLOR
07 / INSIGHT
distance equivalent to at least the height of the tree. There are two excellent articles about tree root zones on the internet that I recommend: one by The Ancient Tree Forum, the other in the Arboricultural Journal 2019, Vol. 41, No. 3, 141–152 by Henry Andrews, Louis Pearson, James McGill, and Jim Mullholland. Both support the view of the root area being much wider than that suggested by BS 5837. The latter article describes a measurement methodology, The Derived Root-System Radius (DRSR) calculation for the buffer zone, which could result in a radius double that indicated by the BS 5837 RPA. Both articles refer to the Standing Advice (from the Forestry Commission and Natural England), and the latter article notes that the current recommendation is a minimum 15 m buffer zone for ancient semi-natural woodland. It recommends at least 15 times larger than the diameter of a veteran or ancient tree, or 5 m from the edge of its canopy if that is greater. I realise that these articles are concerned with specific tree categories, but I suggest that it equally
applies to all trees. Tree crowns and roots are in balance and any serious loss of root mass can precipitate the decline and death of mature trees. You don’t have to be a genius to realise that a tree in decline is not doing much for carbon capture and storage! Patently the BS 5837 RPA is not intended to protect all the tree roots; it is a convenient compromise between the needs of the tree and the needs of development. The problem is that we all too often find ourselves starting the battle at the RPA line when we can now prove that it should be much further out. To ensure that we have the maximum urban canopy cover of healthy mature trees we must adopt stronger criteria than BS 5837 – closer to the Standing Advice above – based on at least 15 times the trunk diameter of important retained trees, or 5 m from the edge of their canopy if that is greater. There may have to be some compromises, but the compromise should not be the starting point, as it often is with the current BS 5837. Further compromise solutions should involve far more
‘root bridging’ – tunneling under retained/protected roots. I would avoid the terms ‘veteran or ancient’ and adopt a classification related to the local census-counted tree population. If the only mature tree in a defined urban landscape circle is a 50-year-old Sycamore, then that is as valuable as a rare 150-year-old tree in Fota Arboretum! It’s time for all of us to think like a tree and fight for our allies – the abused tree roots toiling in underground bunkers! ✽ TERRY O’REGAN pursued a career in the Irish landscape sector for some 50 years as a contractor and consultant, before “retiring” recently. For much of that time, he was also an advocate of ‘bigger picture’ and ‘outside the box’ thinking. He continues with the latter and also provides a mentoring service for landscapers, he can be contacted at 087 240 7618 and terryjoregan@gmail.com.
Summer 2022 / HC
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BLOOM IN PHOTOS
BLOOM
2022 DESIGNERS
ANDREW CHRISTOPHER DUNNE, 'HIT PAUSE', CARAGH NURSERIES GARDEN
MARY ANNE FARENDEN, DESIGNER, THE ENCHANTED PLAYGROUND GARDEN (SUPERGARDEN 2021)
NIALL DEACON, DESIGNER, EUREKA GARDEN
NICOLA HAINES, DESIGNER, THE SHARED SPACES FAMILY GARDEN EASY STEPS TO DREAM GARDENS
HC / Summer 2022
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HC / Summer 2022
©FENNELL PHOTOGRAPHY
ALDI'S SUSTAINABLE FOREST GARDENDESIGNER TUNDE PERRY
SEAN RUSSELL, NATIONAL DAIRY COUNCIL, SUSTAINABLE DAIRY FARM GARDEN
PATHWAYS TO HOME
ROBERT MOORE, GARDEN DESIGNER ENABLE IRELAND RESPITE GARDEN
ALAN RUDDEN, DESIGNER SAVILLS URBAN ESCAPE GARDEN
KATHRYN FEELEY, DESIGNER, THE GREEN BALCONY
Spring 2022 / HC
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BLOOM
BLOOM/ 09
2022
GOLD LARGE
GARDENS
HIT PAUSE, THE CARAGH NURSERIES GARDEN
BEST IN CATEGORY WINNER
WOODIES SEOMRA EILE
THE ORGANIC EDIBLE GARDEN
SAVILLS URBAN OASIS GARDEN
GOLD MEDIUM
SIGHTSAVERS-SENSORY GARDEN
PATHWAYS TO HOME SIGHTSAVERS-SENSORYGARDEN
SHARED SPACES FAMILY GARDEN
Summer 2022 / HC
THE GREEN BALCONY GARDEN
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EVENTS
05 - 07 OCTOBER
DIARY 21 JULY GLAS
GROOTGROEN PLUS International trade fair for tree nurseries. grootgroenplus.nl ✽
DON'T MISS
With the full support of Bord Bia, GLAS offers a unique networking opportunity for both buyers and sellers in Ireland’s horticulture, sportsturf and related industries. VENUE: National Basketball Arena, Dublin; glasireland.ie
✽
22 - 22 SEPTEMBER
NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS Europe’s largest outdoor event, it is widely viewed as the gig of the year highlighting all that is great about Irish companies, food, farming and culture; npa.ie ✽
06 - 07 SEPTEMBER
07 OCTOBER
TEAGASC OPEN DAY Teagasc are holding series of events for prospective applicants to its full-time Level 5 agriculture, horticulture, equine and forestry courses. VENUE: Piltown, Co. Kilkenny teagasc.ie ✽
13 OCTOBER
TEAGASC OPEN DAY Teagasc are holding series of events for prospective applicants to its full-time Level 5 agriculture, horticulture, equine and forestry courses. VENUE: National Botanic Gardens, Dublin teagasc.ie ✽
FOUR OAKS TRADE SHOW Commerical Ornamental Horticulture Trade Show fouroaks-tradeshow.com ✽ To advertise your event or event details email paul@horticulture.ie
02 - 03 NOVEMBER SALTEX
Leading Turf Management trade show VENUE: NEC, Birmingham, UK gmasaltex.co.uk ✽
HIRING BUSY BEE GARDEN CENTRE t Garden Centre Retail Assistant Manager INCHYDONEY HOUSE & GARDENS t Senior Gardener KHS LANDSCAPING t Soft Landscaping Professional t Hard Landscaping Professional DAMIEN KEANE GARDEN DESIGN t General Landscape Operative
HORTIRECRUIT t Head Horticulturist t Landscape Gardener Dublin t General Operative Dublin DAMIEN KEANE GARDEN DESIGN t General Landscape Operative JOHNSTOWN ESTATE t Gardener
DIRTY DIESEL
08 / OPINION
Mark O’Loughlin casts an eye over the ecological and economic issues facing fleet management
I
was down the yard the other day when all of a sudden, out of nowhere, I heard: ‘here you go Mark’. It was the postman delivering a bunch of letters. His new electric van had snuck up behind me, and he nearly gave me a heart attack! I think one of the envelopes was brown with a harp on it, so that didn't help either. Fair play to An Post for upgrading their fleet. I bet there are plenty of electric car owners out there who are feeling pretty smug, especially given the worsening fuel prices. Sadly for many of us, our hands are tied. A big diesel van, or jeep, is a necessity rather than a luxury for most landscapers and nursery owners. Much like, say, the use of peat or plastic grass (I’ll happily debate that another day), it's a challenge and a dilemma. All readers with involvement in horticulture/agriculture will have, to put it broadly, a love of nature. Another thing we have in common is the need for transport. Flicking through recent issues of Horticulture Connected one is struck by the emphasis on sustainability and our collective duty to lead the way in reducing carbon emissions. Yet we are largely snookered when it comes to getting around. My daily commute takes six minutes. Eight with traffic. Once in a blue moon, I even cycle. So far, so guilt-free. However
when it comes to visiting prospects, site surveys, deliveries, and executing garden projects — more often than not involving bulk materials — we’ve no choice but to roll out our fleet of lorries and vans. I heartily welcome the advent of electric cars, robotic lawnmowers and battery-driven power tools (lighter, safer and less maintenance), but I fear battery-powered Grab trucks are far from imminent. Meanwhile, our 5000 ltr tank gets refilled far more often than I'd prefer. The massive price increases either wipe out margins or must be painfully passed on to customers. Hence, inflation. Yet the Government decided it was okay to increase toll charges recently. Far from the joys of motoring, it's now taking a heavy toll on business owners from all sectors. Since the spring edition of this publication, I was involved in a threevehicle pile-up (no comment on who was at fault), one of my young workers ploughed into someone's rear end, and we've had several breakdowns. Our mechanics must love us. I shudder to think, along with scheduled maintenance, how many tens of thousands this has cost. All for the privilege of keeping the show on the road. I never skimp on tyres and brakes. Next week is our annual CVRT inspection, which, although a very
necessary evil, necessitates lots of paperwork and administration. Fleet management is a full-time job in itself. What to do? I once signed up for a biodiesel trial, which unfortunately fizzled out. The world was not quite ready to divert crop production away from food. A more enlightened government would be pushing hard for offshore wind and wave energy production, all the better to produce hydrogen, the cleanest, technologically feasible, prospective fuel alternative. In the absence of immediate solutions, I'd simply call for more understanding from critics. More cycle lanes won't help our industry. We are the people who deliver nourishing food and beautiful gardens. ‘Deliver’ is the operative word. ✽ MARK O’LOUGHLIN is a 53-year-old mostly officebound landscaper with grey hair who loves transforming spaces using artificial grass. Winner of five Bloom medals, he previously risked ridicule with his HidBin invention on Dragons Den. He is the author of The Big Hairy Green Book All About Artificial Grass, which will be out soon.
Summer 2022 / HC
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OPINION / 08
Noeleen Smyth thinks we should take the Chelsea Flower Show’s lead and just let it grow!
H
aving trained in both horticulture at Teagasc National Botanic Gardens and the RHS UK, and in botany at TCD Dublin, sometimes reconciling both parts of myself and my overall worldview regarding plants can be challenging. I’ve discovered that when I’m in a garden, I’m drawn towards the more exotic. I am loving the new fern and flowerless plants displayed at the National Botanic Gardens. They bring very exotic Cycads from the great palm house out for a bit of an Irish summer holiday. However, when I’m out in wilder places, on the fringes of our urban and rural gardens - such as the Special Area of Conservation on Howth Head or walking by the road verge - I hate seeing garden exotics and exotic hardy annuals, often sold as “wildflower mixes”, mingling in. I am clear in how I feel about garden plants in the wild, but how do I feel about the wild in the garden? The wild is a big trend, and not unsurprisingly, as along with other countries we have declared a biodiversity emergency. Our plants and animals are under increasing threat of extinction along with our wild habitats and landscapes. Pollinators, in particular, and the shocking demise of our bee species have raised our concerns into action. Indeed, plenty of excellent guidance for managing and planting in various situations exists on the All Ireland Pollinator Plan Website (pollinators.ie).
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to humans, a neatly manicured lawn looks tidy, but … to our wildlife it must look like the apocalypse!
WILD
INSIDE That bastion of horticultural excellence, The Chelsea Flower Show encouraged us to embrace the wild side this year with the winning garden A Rewilding Britain Landscape, designed by Urquhart & Hunt. Here was an interpretation of the wild countryside of South West England, a landscape with beavers at the centre as ecological engineers. Here in Ireland, we had our own rustic landscape gold winner at Bloom: the Sustainable Dairy Farm Garden by Sean Russell. Instead of the beaver at the centre we have a dairy cow. Both are interesting interpretations of a wilder theme. Often, our vision of a wild landscape is in reality unindustrialised farmland. This farmland and its species rich grassland supports a large number of rare Irish species. It is one of our
rarest Irish habitats. We have lost over 30% in just 6 years, known more formally as our EU annexed calcareous grassland and lowland hay meadows. Every piece of natural or semi-natural grassland with Irish wildflowers is precious to us and our pollinators, including the bees. ‘Control’ is at the centre of our definition of a garden. The rewilding garden at Chelsea left our gardening guru from the BBC, Monty Don, pondering the question, “Rewilding Britain was beautifully done, but was it a garden?” The wild inside sits a little funny with all of us. Are we afraid of that ‘loss of control’?
HOW WE CAN EMBRACE THE WILD AND NOT LOSE THE RUN OF OURSELVES Managing our lawns and amenity
08 / OPINION
grassland is a key place to start if we want to ‘go wild’. We can tend to our household, urban and suburban grasslands in ways that support Irish wild species and wildflowers, through reduced mowing. One of my favourite lines from a recent AIPP blog reads: “to humans, a neatly manicured lawn looks tidy, but … to our wildlife it must look like the apocalypse!” There are two main ways to do this, depending on how wild you want to go. The wildest approach is to let the grass grow, mowing once in September and removing all the ‘hay’. It may not look great for the first few years, but it will build naturally and evermore wild flowers will appear. This is akin to how a farmer would have managed a hay meadow of old. An alternative version is a short flower meadow, which can be encouraged by mowing every six weeks and removing the grass. I take this approach with my very tiny patch of grass and am up to over 20 species of wild plants. Clovers, Daisys, dandelions, and buttercups all thrive and it looks and smells great on a sunny day. Growing and planting Irish native trees is another way to go wild, and it’s great to see this happening and being encouraged more often in landscape schemes. One issue to be careful with here is ‘provenance’. Often, the species itself may be native, but the source for the propagation material may not be. The biggest example of this becoming a problem is Ash dieback. You can buy Ash
Fraxinus excelsior anywhere and it is a lovely Irish tree species. A few years ago, when Irish nurseries ran out of Irish provenanced Ash, they imported a lot of Ash Fraxinus excelsior. The ash from abroad came with ash dieback and the devastating results can be seen clearly in our landscape on a daily basis. To encourage Irish wildflowers in the garden, I do a version of leaving some space and ‘controlled weeding’. This means I stop anything that tries to overrun my favourites, but I happily leave most of them be. This might be a hard sell for lots of you, but look at the pictures, it’s not too bad eh?
As you can see, I have had some lovely plant combinations appear in small raised beds this year. I’ll seed and save the ones I like, to sprinkle again next year. One of my favourites that popped up this year was wild mustard, Sinapsis arvensis, which put on a spectacular display for most of April. I also love the crazy sprawling fumitory Fumaria capreolata with its fern-like and delicate foliage that can be seen threading through other flowers and foliage here with Heuchera and Argyranthemum. I’m very excited by a nice looking `rough poppy’ that has emerged. I’m hoping it’s the rare Papaver hybridium! We are facing a future of managed landscapes. These places need to be managed to maintain life on our planet and the species diversity we need to survive, both plants and animals. We need large landscape sized seed stocks, rewilding of our native habitats, and we should also encourage supporting wild plants in our urban and managed environments through reduced mowing, reduced chemical and herbicide use, and relaxing our weeding styles. A new category is emerging, maybe it’s not a garden monty, or a wild landscape, but a new place in between where we can just “let it grow”, a managed ecoscape, or seminatural garden. ✽
NOELEEN SMYTH is an Assistant Professor in Environmental Horticulture at University College Dublin. She holds a PhD. and Hons Degree in Botany from Trinity College Dublin and diplomas in Horticulture from Teagasc and RHS. She is a Biodiversity and conservation specialist. As part of her current role, she acts as the CITES Scientific Authority for Ireland, advising the government on rare plant imports.
Summer 2022 / HC
27
OPINION / 08
NO TIME TO
WASTE PERMACULTURE HOLDS ZERO WASTE AS ONE OF ITS CORE PRINCIPLES. IT IS A HOLISTIC DESIGN PROCESS THAT CAN BE APPLIED AT GARDEN OR FARM SCALE OR ANY AREA OF LIFE OR BUSINESS TO MEET HUMAN NEEDS.
Féidhlim Harty provides some timely guidance on tackling waste in your business
H
as anybody noticed the price of materials lately? I've been renovating an old cottage and the refrain from each tradesman is of the spiralling costs of materials needed to finish the job. It's cheaper to buy new materials than for a tradesman to strip old ones for reuse. How can that be? I've got free timber on-site, from old partitioning upstairs. It just needs the nails removed and cut to size to build the kitchen unit frame. This is the case for glass, plywood, plumbing fittings, and the works. Yet, to ask any tradesman to work with these is to meet a placating laugh. At the same time, we know that resource consumption has a huge carbon footprint. It's frustratingly
28
HC / Summer 2022
©CREDIT KATE HARTY
So one issue is economies of scale, but the other is the scale of economies; specifically the disparity of global income bands and the structures that ensure that those stay in our favour. Charles Eisenstein writes far more eloquently than I can about this so look him up; or visit the Irish think tank Feasta (Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability). Another factor in this subject is low-cost energy used to produce new materials and transport them from forest to factory, to fitted kitchen. How low are fossil fuel costs really? Not low enough, it seems, for fossil fuel companies to pay their way. Globally, public money pays a staggering $5.2tn in THERE IS AMPLE direct and OPPORTUNITY FOR PLANT BASED SOLUTIONS TO indirect EXISTING WASTE PROBLEMS subsidies to THROUGHOUT OUR ECONOMY AND SOCIETY. support fossil fuels. Imagine what that sort of cash could do to build healthy, local, and ecologically regenerative industries, supplying goods and services of the highest standard! Closer to home is the phrasing of our Waste Management Act. According to Rachel Loughrey of the Irish Green Building Council, the Act provides serious obstructions clear that the more local a resource is to the recovery and reuse of viable grown, produced, and processed, the materials. With the stroke of a pen, lower the cost, carbon, and ecological this could be changed, allowing footprint involved. So why do we have for a whole new industry in the a situation where the cost of reusing existing resources is more than the cost regeneration and revitalisation of unused products and materials. of buying new, even as the cost of new While my focus is unapologetically spirals unrelentingly upwards? construction-related these months, Economies of scale certainly come this waste issue also relates directly into the equation. It's fiddly work getting old materials to the point where to the horticulture industry. Waste is always a double-sided process: they can be reused. Where automation what we buy to support our business is possible, it's almost universally and what we put on the market will cheaper to buy a machine to do a job eventually become waste. On the than to pay a person to do the same purchasing side we have compost or work; or to outsource the repetitive other growing media; pots; packing tasks of stitching our clothes or materials like crates, pallets, trays, assembling electronics components to bags, etc.; machinery; and often countries with lower wages, ecological office equipment, buildings, and regulation and social protections.
08 / OPINION
COMPOSTING IS ONE AREA WHERE THE HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY CAN BOTH PURCHASE WITH CARE AND OFFER SOLUTIONS TO CUSTOMERS. BY USING AND/OR MAKING AND PROVIDING 100% LOCALLY-GENERATED WASTE-BIOMASS BASED COMPOST WE CAN ACHIEVE MULTIPLE BENEFITS, INCLUDING RETURN OF WASTE BIOMASS TO SOIL; HUMUS BUILDING WITHIN OUR SOILS FOR ENHANCED MOISTURE RETENTION AND CATCHMENT HYDROLOGY REGULATION; REDUCED IMPORTS OR HABITAT ENCROACHMENT; AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION.
other infrastructure. On the sales side, the packing materials make their way out to the retailers and/ or customers again, as do pots, compost, and the food and plants that they contain. So the questions that present themselves are: How do I minimise the waste inherent in what I buy; and how do I minimise the waste inherent in what I sell? Let's look at the area that I know best, which is my plant supply work. I sell wetland plants and willow cuttings for use in reed beds and zero discharge willow systems. Vis a vis purchases: chemical and fertiliser inputs are nil unless you count an occasional discreet application of urine along the willow rows for added N and P. The growing area is a wet field, which does not need supplementary compost or containers. Most species I use regenerate naturally, and so my plant costs and product miles are modest, except common reed (Phragmites australis), which I buy from a wholesaler of native seedlings. I return the pots and delivery bags when they're empty for reuse. On the sales side, I supply wetland plants in reusable plastic trays (robust own-branded fish boxes) if I am doing the planting work or cardboard boxes for courier delivery. Willow cuttings are held with rubber bands in 100s and posted in cardboard boxes with paper packing tape. The waste inherent in those elements is minimal, given that the cardboard boxes are ex-
supermarket “waste” in themselves. Garden tools, office stationery, electronic equipment, etc., all get reviewed for waste input and output on a case-by-case basis. The three Rs, much beloved of government information campaigns that urge us to reduce, reuse and recycle, leave a lot of space for both guidance and improvement – particularly since most emphasis and funding goes towards supporting the least desirable of the three options, recycling. Here's an alternative set of Rs (and some not Rs) that may help to guide the supply chains and product outputs of your own business: 1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
Reduce the intake of items that are difficult to reuse, return, or compost; and items that have high embodied energy, transport miles, or resources. Research the lowest-impact alternatives for the items that you need. Refuse to take into your home or business what you cannot easily reuse, repair, or reroute. Reuse things that can be reused. Return packaging items for reuse
where possible. 6. Repair things that are broken but essentially fixable. 7. Reroute unwanted materials to become raw material in another supply chain. 8. Compost all plant/food waste. 9. Recoup energy from clean paper and clean timber. (Do not burn wood composites, plastics, laminated, coloured or glossy paper, or treated wood). 10. Recycle (Glass, metal, and card via local authority or collection company). 11. Down-cycle (via the above routes, such as timber into fibreboard, most plastics into lower grade products, etc). 12. Request change and offer constructive feedback to your suppliers and manufacturers and to governments whose policies impact your businesses, local area, and the wider world. 13. Reflect on where true contentment lies and practice voluntary simplicity. Remember the bounceback of nature when we all paused in the early lockdown days? Doing less has ecological merits. 14. Remember that life isn't perfect. There will inevitably be some waste left over. If you've reduced your waste enough to cancel your bin collection service, then just enjoy the anthropological experience of an occasional trip to the dump. While there are the limitations of national and international fossil fuel subsidies and waste management act obstacles, we can do a lot in our own homes and businesses by being mindful of what we buy and finding ways to seek suitable alternatives where appropriate. Enjoy the process. Better to happily move 80% of the way towards a zero-waste business than miserably fail to achieve 100%. ✽
FÉIDHLIM HARTY is an environmental consultant, teacher, and writer. His most recent book is Towards Zero Waste – How to Live a Circular Life, published by Permanent Publications. www.wetlandsystems.ie
Summer 2022 / HC
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LONG-TERM ENERGY OUTLOOK:
WHAT SHOULD HORTICULTURE PREPARE FOR? In a feature published in FloraCulture International in June 2022, Horticultural energy consultants Tim Pratt and John Swain try to predict how fuel prices will look in the coming years
A
30
t a time when the economy is still reeling from the global health crisis, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the EU’s dependence on Russian natural gas are situations that urge us to diversify energy supplies.
As a result, he says the carbon price on the European emissions trading scheme hit record highs for nine months on the trot, with the knock-on effect of adding further to the cost of using fossil fuels and the electricity generated from them.
KEY REMARKS ON GLOBAL ENERGY MARKETS
DEMAND RISING FASTER THAN PRODUCTION COULD RESTART
UK horticultural energy consultant, Tim Pratt, comments on how much gas costs have increased and the speed at which it has occurred. “We’ve just not seen anything like it before,” he says. “Volatility was greatest following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February. Still, growers in the UK and across Europe had found gas and electricity prices sharply climbing since economies began to reboot after the pandemic.” Jon Swain, director of the UK National Farmers’ Union’s energy consultancy, NFU Energy, points to the emergence of world economies from Covid lockdowns coinciding in Europe with new carbon reduction targets.
“With some energy supply facilities mothballed during the pandemic, the economic recovery saw demand rising faster than production could restart,” says Pratt. “By July last year traders had
HC / Summer 2022
started to worry about potential gas shortages going into winter.” Consequently, the gas spot price reached more than £4 per therm by December in the UK, but halved again in January this year as traders realised they had passed the brink, though it was still four times the level 12 months earlier. Then, just as energy markets were regaining stability, Russian troops crossed into Ukraine. Up to that point, Russia had been the source of 40% of the EU’s gas and 26% of its oil imports, so the sanctions imposed on it as a consequence of the invasion were
09 / WORLD-VIEW new gas or oil fields opening up any time soon either, even though some are looking to North Africa and the Middle East to plug the gaps. Libya has enormous reserves, but internal political issues prevent their exploitation while outputs from, for example, existing gas pipelines between Algeria and Spain are dwindling. Nigeria, Tanzania and Mozambique all have gas reserves. Still, the time and investment it will take to develop them mean supplies are five to 10 years away. In contrast, Europe’s transition to renewables means it may never be economically exploited for export. Even if other sources can be pinned down, liquid gas ships and terminals have never been so busy, and increasing their capacity to accept new supplies would also take years. Some governments in Europe, including the UK, are investing heavily in hydrogen as at least a partial replacement for gas. Still, again it’s going to be several years before it impacts the market. Solar energy has the potential to be a massive earner for North Africa, but home demand there is likely to take priority. Access to geothermal energy is limited to regions with suitable geology. bound to stir volatility in world energy markets as countries began competing for supplies from elsewhere. That saw the gas price triple across Europe.
HOW FAR AHEAD TO BUY GAS AND ELECTRICITY
“Markets started to calm down as we headed into summer, with short-term prices falling but long-term trends are still up,” says Swain, adding: “Any idea that we are going to be returning to pre-2020 price levels is unrealistic. We are going to have to learn to live with higher prices.” Both analysts suggest there will be no let-up even if the war in Ukraine ends tomorrow. Many countries want to phase coal out, so it will no longer be an option for those seeking cheaper alternatives to gas, says Pratt. “And as coal goes, gas demand will rise and I can’t see western nations buying Russian gas again for quite some time, whatever happens in Ukraine,” he adds.
A key question for growers now is how far ahead to buy gas and electricity. “The speed and scale of the volatility we’ve seen has tested the notion that if you are completely flexible then you will always come out on top,” says Pratt. “What I’m hearing [in the UK] is that the big retailers know they can’t hide from these price pressures and are agreeing forward prices with growers that reflect forward energy prices.” Given that their highest energy use is over winter for most growers, a trend now is to fix winter prices and flex them in summer, Swain adds. Growers who have the capacity to substitute fuels are also somewhat better placed. In the UK, some who had retained older oil-burning boilers returned them to use, as oil price rises lagged behind gas until the Ukraine war started.
NEW GAS OR OIL FIELDS?
RENEWABLES
LONG-TERM TRENDS ARE STILL UP
Don’t expect much in the way of
For most ornamental crops where
there’s no requirement for a CO2 supply from the gas boiler, interest has been renewed in biomass fuels, even though the price differential compared with fossil fuels and the impact of subsidies can be inconsistent. “In terms of broad risk management, even if you have to mothball your biomass for a few years, greater fuel flexibility opens up more choices,” says Pratt. Some biomass fuels in Europe have run short, such as wood pellets caused by reduced timber harvests in Scandinavia, but although biomass has risen in price, it remains far cheaper than gas, says Swain. Electricity costs have been particularly painful for those buying it for lit crops, so a sustained high electricity price will improve the attractiveness of switching to LEDs. For example, it has also driven interest in solar panel installations for businesses with the room, including on packhouse roofs. In the Netherlands, growers try to achieve a high level of sustainability (and thus a minimal footprint on the environment) through integrated pest management and solar electricity production in combination with geothermal heat. However, geothermal heat only offers growers protection from rocketing gas prices if Government support is secured. “Longer term, as more of Europe’s power supply is sourced from offshore wind or solar, we might start to see some decoupling of electricity prices from gas,” suggests Swain. Waste energy is another source of heat that Swain believes growers should consider more seriously for both economic and environmental reasons. “Growers can use heat at considerably lower temperatures than we are used to from boilers, which are possible from industrial waste heat,” he says. “Economically, so far, it hasn’t been necessary to do anything with that waste heat. Sustained high gas prices might mean it becomes economically more worthwhile, and should be encouraged, for example through planning legislation.” A version of this article, written by Tim Pratt and John Swain, originally appeared in the June 2022 edition of Floraculture International Magazine. ✽ Summer 2022 / HC
31
Kildalton College
Piltown, Co. Kilkenny
Helping people grow careers in horticulture for 50 years
• • • •
QQI Level 5 Certificate in Horticulture QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Horticulture QQI Level 7 Bachelor of Science in Horticulture Now ta (in conjunction with Waterford Institute of Technology)
Part-time Component Awards at Levels 5 & 6
king applica tions for 202 1
Kildalton College has an extensive horticultural unit for student training, including a commercial nursery, fruit and vegetable production unit, protected crops and sportsturf units, as well as 16 hectares of established gardens and woodlands.
For further information: Email: Kildalton.college@teagasc.ie
Website:www.teagasc.ie/education/teagasc-colleges/ kildalton/horticulture
Facebook: Teagasc Kildalton College Telephone: 051 644400 or 051 644407 @kc_horticulture
FH Wetland Systems Ltd.
Ballough, Lusk, Co. Dublin l Tel: 01 843 8521 www.whitesamenity.com l info@whitesamenity.com
• • • • • •
Environmental Consultancy and Design
AMENITY SEEDS FERTILISERS SPRAYS HARDWARE WORK WEAR PITCH CARE Féidhlim Harty I
n
t
e
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t
i
Osmo int logo.indd 4
ContaCt noel Walsh Mob: 086-049 4836 andy Robinson Mob: 086-045 3135 32
HC / Summer 2022
o
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30-10-2006 10:34:15
Lahinch, Co. Clare (065) 679 7355
www.wetlandsystems.ie reeds@wetlandsystems.ie
10 / RESEARCH
ENERGY OPTIONS IN HORTICULTURE In the face of what is quickly becoming an energy crisis, Teagasc advisors take a look at solutions that could safeguard the future of the horticulture industry
E
nergy costs have increased significantly due to external macroeconomic factors, but more recently due to the invasion of Ukraine. The horticulture sector has for some years been moving away from fossil fuels and micro generation by wind turbines has fallen out of favour. Solar, biomass and heat pumps are likely to dominate in the future.
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) Investing in Solar PV is becoming more and more attractive for horticulture producers. Solar PV panels generate electricity from daylight, although they produce most in direct sunlight. Solar PV can be supplied as panels or tiles and can be built into the fabric of a building, bolted on afterwards or built on a frame on the ground. An inverter is needed to convert the direct current (DC) electricity output of the PV panels to alternating current (AC) for immediate use or to charge batteries. In general, solar PV needs 7-8m² per
kilowatt (kW) of installed capacity. A 50kW roof mounted array would need approximately 400 square meters. This 50kW unit could generate as much as 45,000kWh of energy per annum. By offsetting 45,000kWh of electricity, this is a potential electricity saving of €15,750 per year for a producer (based on current estimated average electricity unit rate of €0.35/kWh). This varies depending on the site location (the South East receives the highest levels of solar radiation in Ireland) and direction the roof is facing. Approximately three quarters of the energy will be produced from April to September. PV panels have very low regular maintenance requirements; a visual check for debris by the owner on an annual basis is usually sufficient. Donal Gernon (Teagasc Mushroom Advisor) spoke to Peader McGee, who is owner of Cornacrieve Mushrooms regarding their investment in Solar PV: “We installed 50kW of Solar PV in 2018 and an additional 35kW in 2020. It works perfectly on my farm, as the PV
generates the bulk of electricity at times of the year when we need it the most for cooling purposes. I intend to invest in more solar PV next year to ease the burden of rising electricity costs.” If you are generating more energy than you are using and your PV system is connected to the grid, the balance will be exported but you will not receive payment at present, although this is expected to change. It is worth noting that displacing your own energy use is worth more to you than exporting. Therefore, solar energy systems work best if you have a daily energy use to balance your generation so that you can consume the energy you generate. Horticulture growers in producer organisations can avail of 50% grant aid on a solar PV investment through the On Farm Investment (OFI) scheme. Growers who are not in a producer organisation can get a 40% grant through the Horticulture Grant Scheme. With this level of grant aid, producers can have a relatively short return on investment (under 3.5 years) which makes this renewable technology very attractive. There are also some tax advantages with Accelerated Capital Allowance reliefs. Solar PV will certainly ease the burden of rising electricity costs and ultimately reduce the cost of production for producers.
SOLAR ARRAY ON AN IRISH MUSHROOM FARM. PV PANELS ARE QUICK TO INSTALL AND CAN PAY BACK QUICKLY ON THEIR COST OVER A FEW YEARS.
Summer 2022 / HC
33
RESEARCH / 10 BIOMASS HEATING SYSTEMS Many horticulture producers have adopted biomass as their main source of fuel for heating their production units. Biomass fuel material can consist of wood chip, wood pellet, straw or waste organic material. Wood chip and pellets are more commonly used in large boilers (50kw-1MW). Biomass boilers have been successfully used for heating for many decades and are a proven technology. Biomass heating systems can be used for space heating, hot water production, steam production, or a combination of these uses. There are still many horticulture enterprises who are still using a fossil fuel source for heating. The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) is a scheme that provides operational support for biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems. The objective of the scheme is to replace fossil fuel heating systems with renewable heating technologies to contribute to meeting Ireland’s renewable energy targets whilst also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This scheme is of huge interest to the many horticulture protected crop producers as there are large heating requirements on these units. Unfortunately, this scheme will only apply to businesses converting from oil/gas to biomass. Many farms and nurseries are already heating with biomass and will not qualify for the scheme. Growers who are expanding or growers who are using oil in combination with biomass will be considered for the scheme as there is the opportunity to displace the use of oil or gas. For successful applicants who are accepted into the scheme, a quarterly tariff payment is paid to growers based on heat output. For many mushroom growers, applying for the scheme and converting to renewable technologies is an easy decision given the significant savings to be made through SSRH operational payment. There is also likely to be a fuel cost saving as oil and gas prices have increased sharply over the past 12 months. For example, at current fuel prices, a typical mushroom unit using 60,000 litres of Kerosene per annum has the potential to save over €21,889 34
HC / Summer 2022
each year on fuel costs by switching to biomass wood pellets. The farm would also be entitled to an SSRH operational payment of €25,141 per annum based on heat output for the farm of 570MWh. In total the farm would save €47,030 per annum by switching from an oil boiler to biomass heating boiler. Investing in a biomass boiler would result in a relatively short return on investment that makes the scheme a no brainer for many horticulture producers. In terms of carbon footprint, businesses will significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. For the mushroom unit displacing 60,000 litres of kerosene per year, this reduces CO₂ emissions produced by 140 tonnes. Actions like this will substantiate your farm’s sustainable credentials. Gareth McKenna (Director of McKenna Mushrooms) said: “The SSRH application was an extensive and lengthy process, however when we received our first quarterly payment we saw the financial benefits of the scheme and how it will be a huge saving for us in the future.’’ The supply of biomass in Ireland has developed in the last ten years. The Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) scheme was started by the Irish Bioenergy Association in 2009. They certify their members for compliance with ISO 1722. There are currently 35 members in the scheme. An alternative approach that some growers use is to pay for the heat that the wood generates so there is no requirement to monitor the moisture content etc. of each delivery. All these factors make the SSRH scheme more attractive and sensible from a commercial point of view. For those interested in applying for the scheme, you can start the application process by submitting an online application form on the SEAI website.
HEAT PUMPS Heat pump technology at its simplest takes heat from one source and uses an electric powered pump to extract it and send it to another area. This basic model can be used to cool, similar to a fridge, or to heat a domestic home. There has been a large push towards these systems for domestic use as they can be powered by sustainable sources of energy at relatively low cost.
DATA FROM GSI ILLUSTRATES AREAS THAT ARE HIGHLY SUITABLE IN IRELAND FOR GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS
Open Loop Commercial Suitability Open loop (Larger Commercial & Industrial Processes suitability map) Highly Suitable Suitable Probably Suitable (unless proved otherwise/site assessement required) Possibly Unsuitable (site assessement required) Generally Unsuitable (site assessement required) Water
At commercial scale, heat can be drawn from the ground, water sources including lakes, deep wells, and air. Multifunctional Heat Pumps are newer technologies becoming common in buildings where they can cool one area and heat another using heat pumps and buffer tanks. Some of the most substantial developments in horticulture make use of waste heat from data centres to heat glasshouses. The Netherlands, as the main innovator of horticulture in Europe, have developed numerous deep ground source heat pumps. Geothermal heat is reported to provide about twelve percent of their annual heat requirements for horticulture. These deep wells are tapping into temperatures of over 750C at a depth of 2km. In Ireland we have suitable sites with warm water closer to the surface e.g. Mallow and Leixlip. The Geological Society of Ireland are developing resources for the sector. Growers and home owners can view maps of the
10 / RESEARCH suitability of their locality for ground source heat pumps. See www.gsi.ie.
HORTICULTURAL APPLICATIONS The heat generated by the pumps is commonly used in hot pipe systems. The water temperature is typically low, in the region of 2030°C, but can achieve 50-60°C. New technologies can see much higher temperatures and can be topped up using an electric immersion if higher temperatures are required e.g. for washing. Common uses of the heat are for heated glasshouse crops and underfloor heating for propagation and bedding plant production. As mushroom crops are staggered to provide ongoing harvesting the sites often require heating and cooling at the same time. The image below shows the installation of underfloor heating at Swantons Nursery, West Cork, that is heated using an air source heat pump. Trevor Swanton says “The system really comes into its own once day length increases after St. Patrick’s day. We find crops are turned over much more quickly and root growth is great.” Trevor is happy with the system and quality of the plants grown on it and believes there could be more fine tuning done to refine it.
INSTALLATION OF UNDERFLOOR HEATING AT SWANTONS NURSERY. IMAGE THANKS TO ALTERNATIVE HEATING AND COOLING LTD.
MEASURING THE SUITABILITY OF HEAT PUMPS FOR HORTICULTURAL USE - COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMANCE The process requires energy to drive it (typically electricity to run the compressor). However, for each unit of energy to drive the process, more units are captured and delivered. The ratio of energy delivered to energy
input is referred to as the coefficient of performance (COP). Some typical values for the different sources are shown in the table. The COP of heat pumps is greater if the temperature difference between source and delivery temperatures is less. This explains why a ground source heat pump is more efficient over a heating season than an air source heat pump, which extracts energy from the air that is often at lower temperatures than the ground. A COP of 4 represents a production of 4kWh of heat at the condenser for an input of 1kWh of electricity at the compressor. Typical COP of sources are; air 3.5, ground 4 and water 4.5. Sizing of systems to match demand is essential. The more closely this can be matched the better, as capital costs tend to go up pro rata with size (unlike gas or oil boilers for example). The size of the collector has to be calculated accurately also to ensure that the system performs well – too small and it won’t work efficiently and too big will lead to unnecessary capital spend. The nature of ground type will impact costs and sizing also – wetter soil/rock types in general have higher heat reserves and require less pipe work resulting in cost savings.
SUPPORTS FOR RETROFITS OR NEW SYSTEMS The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) installation grant for heat pumps supports ground, air, and watersource electric heat pump installations, with grant aid up to thirty percent of the capital outlay. The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector offers forty percent grant aid for capital investments, which include energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies. When calculating financial viability, it is important to factor in the offset cost of an alternative heating system, such as a gas boiler (and possibly the laying of a gas supply or installation of an oil tank – if the alternative is oil) see table above. Heat pumps look much more viable where there is a cooling demand and their capital cost can be spread over the heating and cooling savings. As experience and skills of installation
Cost of gas boiler
€2,000
Cost of heat pump
€10,000
Grant for heat pump (30%)
€3,000
Price of gas kWh
5 cent
Price of electricity (c/kWh night rate) Heat requirement (kWh)
7 cent 22,000
Gas boiler efficiency
85%
Gas input (kWh)
25,882
Heat Pump COP
4.0
Electricity input (kWh)
5,500
Boiler energy costs (25,882 x 0.05)
€1,294
Heat pump energy costs
€385
Heat pump additional costs less SSRH grant
€5,000
Heat pump annual heat savings Simple payback (years)
€989 5.1
FINANCIAL SAVING REPLACING A GAS BOILER WITH A HEAT PUMP
develop and conventional energy costs continue to grow, the case for sustainable sources of energy and heat will become more compelling. Nationally we are committed to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. The technology identified here already appears to make financial sense and is good for the environment too. See the Teagasc website for webinars and factsheets on energy options. ✽
DÓNALL FLANAGAN is a nursery stock/ ornamentals specialised Advisor working with the Teagasc Horticulture Development Department in Ashtown. He has been working with Teagasc since 2007 and in his current role since 2016. DONAL GERNON is a Specialist Mushroom Advisor with Teagasc. Donal provides technical assistance to all mushroom growers in Ireland and keeps growers updated on new mushroom picking technologies. BARRY CASLIN has been the Teagasc Energy and Rural Development Specialist since 1998.
Summer 2022 / HC
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OPINION RESEARCH / 07 / 11
THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF FOOD Teagasc’s Dr Lael Walsh and Loren Lane ask what do we know about the environmental footprint of local and imported fruit and vegetables
W
ith increasingly sophisticated diets and demand for value, locally produced food no longer meets all of our food requirements. Understandably, imported food makes up a significant proportion of the food we eat. The food system generates about 35% of total global man-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through production alone, and GHG emissions from plantbased food for human consumption make up the lowest proportion of all food emissions at 29%. GHG emissions of food should also consider transport emissions due to imports. Transport emission data is not yet readily available or reliable as the complexity in calculations stem from multiple modes of transport, each with varied carbon footprints. The carbon footprint is a concept used to quantify the impact of an activity or a product on climate change. It is quantified as the total amount of GHG (including carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane) generated, expressed in terms of equivalence to carbon (kg CO2 equivalence). Consuming local food,
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HC / Summer 2022
eating seasonal products, avoiding food waste and reusing and recycling products can all reduce the carbon footprint and improve the sustainability profile of food. Understanding the sustainability profile of plant-based food production and transport requires deeper analysis to compare locally produced food with imported food, even before GHG emissions associated with transport are factored in. An opportunity exists to improve GHG emissions in the food system by decreasing reliance on plant-based imports. Recent analysis by Teagasc, using 2019 data, indicates that there is significant potential to increase local fruit and vegetable production. It assessed fresh food imports into Ireland and showed that: 19% of potatoes, 95% of apples, 80% of onions, 37% of carrots, 89% of tomatoes, 50% of cabbage, 90% of lettuce and 53% of soft fruit are imported, yet many of these foods can be grown in Ireland. Food production also has a significant impact on water resources. Everything we use and eat takes water to make. The water footprint measures
the amount of water used to make the foods we eat. The water footprint concept helps us understand for what purpose we use water resources. This is particularly useful to know if we rely on imported food from low rainfall or water scarce places. Food production can divert freshwater away from other uses towards irrigation, and freshwater supply (and therefore food supply) may be jeopardised if water supply is reduced under extreme weather events like drought. The water footprint has three components; green, blue and grey water. ‘Green water’ relates to rainfall/soil moisture which crops access naturally. ‘Blue water’ relates to surface or groundwater typically extracted for irrigation and diverted away from other uses. ‘Grey water’ refers to the volume of fresh water required to absorb pollutants, and used in the processing and washing of food. Using the concepts of carbon footprint and water footprint to understand the sustainability profile of the fresh foods we eat can promote awareness and drive a sustainable transition towards fairer and more efficient resource use. For researchers,
11 / RESEARCH this data may also be useful to highlight risk and vulnerability to food supply and standardise metrics to compare locally produced food to imported food. For industry, data on carbon and water footprints of food production will help local growers highlight the environmental and resilience benefits of local food production to their customers.
RESEARCH APPROACH Irish food import data showed the origin of two of Ireland’s main imported foods: potatoes and tomatoes. Ireland imports most of its potatoes from Britain while tomatoes produced in glasshouse environments are imported from both Britain and Spain.
CARBON FOOTPRINT DATA The carbon footprint of British potatoes ranges from 0.16 to 0.26 kgCO2 equivalence. As tomato production relies on heated glasshouses to create optimal conditions, Britain’s temperate climate requires additional energy at certain times of the year for indoor heating, which in turn increases the carbon footprint of production. The carbon footprints of British tomatoes were therefore higher, and ranged from 2.3 to 3.8 kgCO2 equivalence while data reported from Spanish and Italian production were a lot lower ranging from 0.18 to 0.86 kgCO2 equivalence. Less use of heating and agricultural inputs result in lower GHG emissions. There is not yet data availability to compare this to Irish production.
CARBON FOOTPRINT DATA
WATER FOOTPRINT DATA The water footprint data focused on reporting blue water, which is the use of freshwater for irrigation. The blue water footprint of British and Spanish potatoes ranges from 15.0-21.0 m3 /ton (UK) and 63 m3 / ton (Spain) while the water footprint of British tomatoes is 13.0 m3/ton, considerably less than Spanish tomato production that ranged from 23.0-34.5 m3/ton. In comparison, Irish potato and tomato production has a lower blue water footprint of 4.0 and 6.0 m3/ton. Several of the data sources are more than a decade old, unlikely reflecting the reality of an increasing need for irrigation under changing climate conditions (i.e. warmer, drier summers).
WATER FOOTPRINT DATA BRITISH POTATO 15.0-21.0 m3 /ton
SPANISH POTATO 63 m3 /ton
BRITISH POTATO
BRITISH TOMATO
0.16 to 0.26 kgCO2 equivalence
13.0 m /ton
BRITISH TOMATO
SPANISH TOMATO
from 2.3 to 3.8 kgCO2 equivalence
23.0-34.5 m3/ton
SPANISH AND ITALIAN 0.18 to 0.86 kgCO2 equivalence
IRISH POTATO AND TOMATO
3
4.0 and 6.0 m3/ton
BUILDING AN IRISH SUSTAINABILITY ADVANTAGE Our research identified the need to produce up to date Carbon and Water footprint data for Irish food production. This will enable a comparison of the sustainability of local versus imported food. Producing this data may unlock both local and export markets for Irish growers by allowing them to present products in which they have a ‘sustainability advantage’ as ‘more sustainable’. However, data availability improvements are not only required in Ireland. Data in countries from which Ireland imports significant quantities of food were similarly inaccessible. Further, there are inconsistencies across published research in quantification efforts and in data reporting which makes comparison between countries and food systems more challenging. This presents an opportunity to develop a standardised dataset that supports Irish food production and efficient use of natural resources. ✽
This article was compiled by LAEL WALSH (Pictured) and LOREN LANE in the Horticulture Development Department at Teagasc Ashtown Research Centre. Dr Lael Walsh is a researcher at Teagasc in sustainable horticulture. Loren Lane is a student at Maynooth University.
Summer 2022 / HC
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RESEARCH / 11
EUCALYPTUS: A FAVOURED FILLER Demand for Eucalyptus within the cut foliage sector has increased, leading researchers at Teagasc to look at ways to improve the quality of Eucalyptus trees grown specifically for this purpose
E
ucalyptus trees are native to certain southern hemisphere countries, such as Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia, but they are widely cultivated throughout the world. There are over 500 species of Eucalyptus, many of which grow well in the mild temperate climate of Ireland.
MICROPROPAGATION GENERATES GENETICALLY IDENTICAL PLANTLETS UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS
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HC / Summer 2022
HORTICULTURE TECHNICIAN DAVID WALLACE AT TEAGASC’S TRIAL PLOT IN KILDALTON
Eucalyptus trees have attractive silvery, blue-grey, and green foliage all year round, and as such Eucalyptus has become a much-desired element of cut foliage (vegetation that acts as a source of decoration) in mixed flower bouquets. While especially popular during holidays like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day, Eucalyptus’ popularity also garners a year-round demand as it’s one of the most popular decorations for events such as weddings. In Ireland, several species are cultivated commercially, specifically for use as cut foliage, and there are currently over 100 hectares of Eucalyptus in commercial cut foliage production. Four species dominate – Eucalyptus parvula, Eucalyptus cinerea, Eucalyptus glaucescens, and Eucalyptus subcrenulata – but there is always demand for new and interesting foliage with novel
characteristics. The cut foliage sector has to be able to respond to these demands, so researchers at Teagasc’s Horticulture Development Department have screened 15 Eucalyptus species to evaluate potential new species for foliage as part of the New Leaves project.
THE CHALLENGES OF REPRODUCING HIGHQUALITY TREES Eucalyptus plantations are currently established from seed-raised plants, using seed that has been collected from good quality plantations in Australasia. However, as each seed is unique, there can be considerable variation in the quality characteristics of each tree from the same seed lot. High-quality trees with exceptional characteristics can be identified in plantations from time to time, and it would be very useful to be able
11 / RESEARCH FINDING A SOLUTION IN THE LAB
to propagate these to bulk up the numbers of plants with the most desirable traits. The technique of vegetative propagation (asexual plant reproduction) is used regularly to produce large numbers of identical trees. However, it’s difficult to do this with most Eucalyptus species. One way to improve vegetative propagation is to grow juvenile plants close together like a hedge, from which new shoots of Eucalyptus can develop and be taken. Work undertaken by the New Leaves project team showed that most of the tested Eucalyptus species were capable of growing well this way, producing between four and ten stems after coppicing (a pruning technique where a tree or shrub is cut to promote re-growth). However, the shoots themselves did not respond well when the cuttings were taken for vegetative propagation.
As vegetative propagation was proving difficult, the project team turned to another form of propagation – micropropagation. Typically used to bulk up the numbers of hard-topropagate species and endangered species, this technique generates genetically identical plantlets of a single plant under laboratory conditions. Working with Eucalyptus seedlings, project team member Farhana Afroze developed a micropropagation technique that successfully micropropagated hundreds of identical young Eucalyptus plantlets from the four main species cultivated in Ireland, with multi-stems and good root systems. This technique is now ready to be applied to unique Eucalyptus trees identified in commercial stands that have highly desirable traits for the cut foliage sector, such as those with significantly higher stem yield and quality. Micropropagation from established trees is more challenging than using seedlings or young plants as older trees lose the ability to form roots as they mature. However, it only needs a small number of successfully micropropagated plants to be produced initially, which would then serve as the source material for further micropropagation. Key stakeholders in the cut foliage sector have expressed interest in pursuing this line of experimentation, in the hope that a bank of elite trees
A CUT ABOVE THE REST Cut foliage can be used as decoration on its own, or to complement flower arrangements. But not all vegetation has what it takes to be used in this way. Key attributes of good cut foliage include: • Interesting leaf shape and colour • Long and short stems • Plenty of leaves in the upper portion of the stem (to provide a good ‘fill’ in a bouquet or display).
can be established that will enhance the efficiency of Eucalyptus foliage production.
50% Due to increasing demand, the area of land used to plant Eucalyptus has expanded by 50% in the past three years.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would like to acknowledge the technical support of Danielle Boland, David Wallace, Leo Finn, and Liam Foy, all of whom work in Teagasc’s Horticulture Development Department.
FUNDING The New Leaves project was funded through the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine Competitive Research Call 2015. Project number 15/S/759. This article first appeared in Teagasc’s TResearch magazine. ✽ FARHANA AFROZE Post-Doctoral Researcher, Horticulture Development Department Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin. GERRY DOUGLAS Principal Research Officer (retired) Forestry Development Department Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin. ANDY WHELTON Specialist Advisor Horticulture Development Department Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin. HELEN GROGAN Senior Research Officer Horticulture Development Department Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin.
Summer 2022 / HC
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WHY CLIMATE CHANGE MIGHT NOT BE A CRISIS FOR THE HORTICULTURE SECTOR
TU Dublin student Aideen Loftus sees more opportunities than challenges facing the Horticulture retail sector as a result of climate change
T
here is no escaping the issue of the climate crisis in Ireland. Met Éireann statistics show that our weather, or what the WHO refers to as ‘the day-to-day face of the Climate Emergency’, is slowly changing. Our winters are getting wetter, summers are warmer and dryer. We constantly hear of new government initiatives to decrease carbon dioxide outputs,
cut down on plastic use, improve biodiversity and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Next to farmers, Irish gardeners are confronted with the reality of climate change more than most of the general public. Research undertaken in the UK has shown that gardening practices will have to be adjusted. As the direct link to the gardening public, the horticulture sector has the choice to lead the charge towards climate-adjusted gardening or to adopt the “not-until-we-have-to” approach. The All Ireland Pollinator Plan has captured the public’s imagination. Bug hotels, wildflower meadows, "No Mow May" – these are notions that would never have been considered proper gardening only a few years ago. Yet, sales of wildflower mixes are up, plants are being marketed as “pollinator-friendly” and even pesticides are being labelled “organic”. However, in my research, undertaken as part of the BSc Horticulture (Hons) at Technological University Dublin, I found a notable anomaly. 96% of gardeners in the survey said they actively grow plants to attract pollinators, yet almost a quarter of these use both herbicides and pesticides in the garden, missing the connection between chemical use, and its detrimental effects on pollinators and overall environmental damage. The research, conducted in spring of 2022, confirmed that garden centres are very aware of who their traditional customer is; predominantly female and over 50. This is borne out both by data from Bord Bia in Ireland and similar RHS figures in the UK. Gardening retail soared during the pandemic bringing in new customers. These are the “Gardeners of the Future” referred to in Bord Bia’s 2017 report; younger, more environmentally aware and
Summer 2022 / HC
43
RETAIL / 12 interested in sustainable gardening. The challenge is now to retain this customer and cater for a shift away from gardener vs. nature to gardening with nature. Sustainable gardening is a way for the individual citizen to be an active player in the national climate action programme. Gardens are an important part of Ireland’s Green Infrastructure and have a mitigating role to play; soaking up rainfall, and providing habitat and haven for wildlife. Given that Irish urban developers are encouraged to include nature-based sustainable urban drainage systems (SUD), such as green roofs, swales and rain gardens in their plans; perhaps urban gardeners also need to be encouraged to retain permeable surfaces and planting as part of the suite of treatment systems available? Garden centres with lifestyle departments are already seeing a shift towards “greener” products; vegan offerings in cafes, organic cotton clothing or plastic-free packaging. Good quality, innovative but eco-friendly products are coming on the market in all sectors and the horticulture trade is no exception. Manufacturers such as Elho are making a virtue of their wind-powered production and recycled raw materials, but are still producing a highend, very saleable (and recyclable) product. This type of product story matters to the younger consumer and could be the key to retaining the Covid customer and driving sales for the future. This research observed that peat is a much more emotive issue in Ireland than in the UK, and this was borne out by reports of low sales of peat-free compost. The Irish government’s policy on removing peat from horticulture has grouped amateur gardeners into the same space as professional growers. It will take more time for nurseries to transition away from peat, since their growing media requirements are different to the hobby gardener. For domestic use, peat-reduced and peat-free compost are perfectly adequate for most applications. 40% of the gardeners surveyed said they bought peat-based compost because there was no alternative available locally. Yet, 67% of the peat-free buyers were specifically avoiding peat products. The latest review on the use of peat in horticulture (Jan 2022) recommends withdrawing peat composts from the Irish domestic market before finding a solution for commercial growers. It suggests that peat could be almost eliminated from the retail market by 2025. The retail sector can address this inevitability by actively promoting peatreduced and peat-free options. Consumers, especially newer gardeners, need to be weaned off the “multipurpose” mentality that sells peat as the ideal solution to all their needs. Alternatives using worm casts or wood fibre are available and with the right advice will produce equally good results for the garden centre customer. Plastic is a major topic for all manufacturing. Nurseries are recognising and beginning to address the issue by using recyclable plant pots. There is some effort being made towards a closed-loop system, mainly with plant trays. However, it remains that very few items are currently reusable. The research suggested that the lack of standardisation in plant pot shapes and sizes, in addition to hygiene concerns, are the stumbling blocks. Surely this
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HC / Summer 2022
is a business opportunity for the circular economy of the future? Dobbies Garden Centres in the UK have partnered with Dutch firm Elho to provide plastic recycling bins across their stores. In the garden centre, a separate bin is available for customers to recycle polythene compost bags. This is the kind of innovative thinking that provides a win for the Garden Centre, its customers, and the environment. Here in Ireland, the current National Waste Action calls for a “significant reduction” to single-use plastics by 2026, and for 55% of plastic packaging to be reusable or recyclable by 2030. Yet the disposal of garden packaging, labels, compost bags, feeds, and sprays is solely the responsibility of the consumer. Climate change in Irish gardens is not only about peat alternatives, water butts and plastic recycling. It also presents opportunities for retail trade. As summers get warmer, the outdoor growing season will extend, leading to extra plant sales. More time spent in the garden creates the need for more tools, furniture, and other garden accessories. I am not suggesting that it is solely the role of the horticulture sector to re-educate the gardening community. Local and national government can support the public with training and information initiatives in the style of the hugely successful All Ireland Pollinator Plan. Many garden centres already have programmes to support local pollinator projects, school gardens or Tidy Towns competitions. Having a cohesive, climate-positive approach with these groups supports and reinforces the messages of biodiversity, reducing carbon emissions, gardening for climate mitigation, and ultimately increasing sales for the businesses focused on providing for climate change. ✽ A sabbatical from the tourism industry led AIDEEN LOFTUS to study horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens. Her continued studies, and work in horticulture, have seen her spend time at RHS Wisley and Great Dixter in the UK, and work in a large Dublin garden centre and as assistant gardener in a private estate. She recently completed an Honours Degree in Horticulture Science at TU Dublin in Blanchardstown and is hoping to work in the area of climate and biodiversity. This article is taken from her thesis Climate Change in the Irish Garden. RACHEL FREEMAN (Thesis supervisor) is a lecturer in horticulture at Technological University Dublin, Blanchardstown Campus.
12 / RETAIL
CHANGING YOUR
TUNE
Leading garden retail consultant, Liam Kelly, shares some thoughts on greener retailing
B
ack in the late 70s and early 80s, the musical world was besieged by angry young men and women full of attitude and urgent agendas. We were just exiting the Punk explosion and about to fall, heavily made-up face first, into the flamboyant New Romantic era of big hair and questionable dress sense. These were my formative musical years, and I was drawn to fast songs with fast lyrics, full of message and meaning, just like every teenager since music began. The British singer, Joe Jackson, was at the top of my list. He had plenty of that latent arrogance that resonated with my own feelings, and songs full of clever, meaningful lyrics that told a tale or made a point about the world we were living in. One song that I played repeatedly was ‘I’m the Man’.
The song’s lyrics appealed to me as much as the attitude and backbeat. The words related to a dodgy dealer, who sold whatever was the new trendy item to consumers who had little care for where the products they bought may have come from, or how they were made. It was protesting against commercialism and people’s need to jump on The Next Big Thing. In a way it predicted fast-fashion and the sell-anythingregardless-of-the-consequences approach that was to come. The irony is that, looking back now at my own career in garden-focussed retail, in the past it was I who was buying and selling product lines with no thought about where they came from or where they would be used. From chemicals to peat and plastic, to plants transported from the far side of the world – I did it all without much
thought of the consequences. I had forgotten the message of that song from my early teenage years. I was The Man… I was not alone. There were plenty of retailers in our industry doing the same, men and women! None of the product lines we bought or sold came from disreputable or illegal sources, but we thought of the stock as ‘Things’ to be sold at a certain price, to make a certain profit – this is what retailing is about surely? Even when I moved on to my current profession of advising garden centres, the same thought process ruled my philosophy of retail; buy what is popular at the best price and sell as much of it as you can at the highest margin you can. That was an easy message to communicate and teach. Over the last few years, I have certainly begun to change my ways, Summer 2022 / HC
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12 / RETAIL
at least where practically possible. I will not pretend to be any sort of environmental guru or hyper-ethical being - I am clearly not - but the first mind-shift was to realise there may be a problem with certain lines and products within the core ranges of what is sold in garden centres. Some of the issues have been brought to my attention by public opinion, others are products that prick at the conscience I never knew I had. I am not alone in this conversion. Over the last decade, and particularly the last few years, this issue has become evident to most people in our sector of retail. In the old days, a retailer’s shelves were groaning with chemicals for controlling every disease and pest that could exist on plants. Those who say we should ‘grow food like our grandparents did’ should question their mantra, as I am acutely aware of what their granddad used on his cabbage! I have no expertise in how these chemicals interacted with our environment or our bodies, but there were certainly a few I was glad to see removed from our shelves and replaced by ‘safer’ alternatives. Some – including myself – might question their effectiveness, but they are what
many in the public now demand. The same is true of peat-free composts. There is certainly a demand for them, and their quality has improved in the last few years. Unlike chemicals – and fertilisers – where there is a much higher demand for alternatives, peatfree composts are still far behind peat composts. They should still be stocked and promoted by retailers as, even from a purely mercenary retail point of view, they are an important revenue stream. It is good to see the move to peat-free composts by some growers too. This should help improve the product via professional feedback. It should also be noted that many who use these products are the most vocal on social media. Plastic use by nurseries has changed too. Certain growers are moving towards a more recyclable pot, which – in theory at least – can be recycled more easily by the end customer. Retail pots are also changing, with more suppliers claiming to produce recycled and recyclable products. Although I am no expert in the use and cost – in every sense of the word - of recycled plastics, there seems to be a more ethical angle in these manufacturers' approach to
their products. Plastics seem to be disappearing from the packaging used by other wholesale garden centre suppliers also, with cardboard replacing polystyrene and acetate in some cases. The cynics among us might think that there is a degree of green-washing with some of these initiatives. Perhaps there is, but it is still a step in the right direction. Retailers should both work with and support those that are trying to improve, albeit with a small degree of healthy scepticism! There are other topics we need to discuss, such as the rise of the instant-gardening attitude akin to fast-fashion. Other seldom discussed issues are the ethics of retail, and we need to look at how we treat those who work in the industry – mental health being a crucial concern. These are all considerations for another time, but they show that there is more to retailing than just The Art of the Sale - there are more complex and contentious issues to be broached. In this interesting sector of gardenbased retail, we need to be realistic – of course – and we still need to be profitable entities, but we can do this and still question what we do and how we do it. Retail is changing and it should be driven by what is perceived as a green and considerate business we do sell gardens after all. I certainly no longer want to be The Man, or at least not that man… ✽
Since establishing Retail Services & Solutions in 2007, Liam has become one of the most effective people within the retail side of Irish horticulture. His knowledge of the mindset and ethos of those in this sector, combined with his problemsolving ability, experience and handson work ethic make him uniquely placed to offer advice and help to those who need it. Key to his success is his knowledge of purchasing, pricing and sales, combined with his understanding of layout, signage and merchandising, and how the interaction of these can lead to increased sales and profits. Contact: 086 822 1494 - retailsands@gmail.com
Summer 2022 / HC
47
LANDSCAPE / 13
LESS RISKY
BUSINESS
Landscape architect, Colm Kenny, casts his expert eye over Government changes to Public Works Contracts designed to address continued inflation and fuel insecurity…
T
he construction industry returned to a very different landscape upon re-opening in May 2021 following the Covid-19-related lockdowns. In addition to changes to on-site work practices, the Covid-19 pandemic led to worldwide supply shortages that resulted in an increase of as much as 30% in the cost of key raw materials used in construction and landscape projects. Add Brexit supply-chain issues to the equation and you have an industry facing significant challenges and inevitable cost increases that affect the viability of projects as margins become even tighter. While some industry commentators assumed that the impact of these issues would dissipate in 2022, other global events ensured that they have only worsened. Contractors and employers are still struggling to deal with the subject of materials inflation. This issue is exacerbated in public works contracts, where public bodies and contractors are typically restricted from amending the contract or increasing the lump sum payable, save in very limited circumstances. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform attempted to address these issues last November and again in January of this year; before the war in Ukraine magnified the inflationary pressures and knock-on effects upon the supply chain. However, the proposed changes did not address the issues on existing projects, instead focussing on new tender procedures for the award of future contracts.
48
HC / Summer 2022
Following recent industry discussions, the Department has announced a voluntary inflation cooperation framework to allow public bodies to risk-share with contractors on existing projects and absorb up to 70% of the “additional inflationary related costs” incurred by contractors. Four key items of the Inflation cooperation framework are set out as follows: • The State will accept the majority of “additional inflationary related costs” incurred on projects that commenced prior to 1 January 2022. • The State will permit for the recovery of increased costs in energy and fuel in all contracts (even those commencing after 1 January 2022) – this is recoverable for the first time under the price variation clause used in public works contracts and certainly applies in a fuel heavy landscape sector. • The State will allow for backdated claims (from 1 January 2022) from contractors for inflationary increases, with 50% paid up-front to the contractor and the remainder spread over future payments. • The penalty of liquidated damages, otherwise payable by the contractor if unavoidable delays arose due to supply chain disruption, are to be waived. Contractors that have tendered for contracts since January 2022 will
not be entitled to further recovery of materials inflation. They will only be entitled to recover increased costs via the existing tender inflation and price variation clauses, which are only ever applicable in rare circumstances where a project is on-site longer than 24 months, plus a degree of inflation for increased energy/fuel increases and protection from liquidated damages for supply chain delays. Landscape contractors who are carrying out works both directly and indirectly for government bodies should familiarise themselves with the mechanisms which were recently published by The Office of Government Procurement (OGP). Guidance notes and worked examples can be found at constructionprocurement.gov.ie. Any amendments that allow public bodies the ability to risk-share with contractors should be welcomed to ensure projects and contractors remain viable and in business. Landscape contractors, carrying out works on behalf of a main contractor under Public Works Contracts, should let it be known that you will be seeking inflation costs where they apply. While you are more than likely working within a subcontract agreement, you can be certain that the main contractor is applying for the inflation uplift on your costs from their Client, but may not be passing these additional monies onto you. ✽ Colm Kenny, MSCSI MRICS MILI, is unique in Ireland as he is both a chartered quantity surveyor and a Landscape Architect. He provides cost consultancy services to landscape industry professionals, technical advisors, contractors and facility management companies. He can be contacted on 086 874 4300 or by email info@landscapeqs.ie
MACHINERY / 13
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Cumhacht an Treánn
Coinníonn Leathann
Oibreán ardchaighdeáin fliuchta agus caomhnú uisce. Vitalnova Stressbuster is aagus specially formulated Oibreán ardchaighdeáin fliuchta caomhnú uisce é H2Pro TriSmart. Táirge sainfhoirmle é le trí liquid treatment to help condition turf against theicneolaíocht rialú uisce dromchlach. Tugann TriSmart treá uisce den scoth, go fiú uisce a leathann stress and also aid recovery from stress.coinneála taiseachais na bhféamhacha. tríd na fréamhacha agus feabhasaíonn sé acmhainn www.icl-sf.com
Imscrúdaithe, forbartha agus táirgthe intí ag ICL 49
HC / Summer 2022
Summer 2022 / HC
49
CALL SAM
(089) 476 7424
RECRUITMENT SPECIALISTS IN LANDSCAPE, GARDEN RETAIL & HORTICULTURE
HORTIRECRUIT www.recruited.ie
EDIBLE HORTICULTURE ROLES Fruit / Vegetable Grower Logistics Manager Machinery Operator / Mechanic Plant Grower Propagation Scientist
AMENITY HORTICULTURE ROLES Landscapers, Pavers & Grounds staff Retail & General Horticulturists Head, Craft & Assistant Gardeners
Prodution Operatives Orchard Manager
Designers & Architects Nursery Specialists & Operatives Sales, Marketing & Management Maintenance Specialists
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT RECRUITMENT MANAGER SAM BARRETT ON 089 476 7424 sam@recruited.ie