ITB horticulture department set to bloom

THE ITB (Institute of Technology Blanchardstown) stand at this year’s Bloom in the Phoenix Park attracted plenty of interest from budding horticulturaists.

The institute used the stand to launch new plans for growth in its horticulture department, including a new

?¬1 million on-campus facility set on a 0.67 hectare site.

The state of the art facility will include glasshouses, poly-tunnels and workshops as well as a range of outdoor practical work areas for fruit and vegetable production and sports turf management.

Planning permission has been granted for the facility, which will be constructed by Felix O’Hare and Co Ltd, and it’s envisaged that construction will commence in late summer with an expected completion date set for March 2014.

Richard Gallery, Head of Department at ITB, said the new facility demonstrated a continued commitment to the development of horticulture education for full time, part time and work based students.

“These new facilities, coupled with our recent successes at Bloom and increasing links with the horticulture industry through our work placement programmes, bodes well for the future of horticulture at ITB and in this region,

? he said.

ITB’s hands-on, practical horticulture courses are designed to help develop the knowledge, skills and practical experience needed to work in the dynamic and expanding horticulture sector.

Courses immerse students in the science, technology and business involved in food cultivation, sportsturf expertise and plant and landscape management.

Students are encouraged to engage with the local community on real life practical projects, designed and built by themselves, to a budget, allowing them to practice team-building and collaborative skills.

ITB offers Horticulture degree programmes at level 6, 7 & 8 in addition to a part-time course in plant studies. For more information call 01-8851000 or email info@itb.ie.