Horticulture

The study of horticulture is based upon the development of fruits, plants, flowers and vegetables. These are all valuable commodities and are hugely interesting in the variety of uses they have; it may be obvious that Forget-me-nots symbolise remembrance but did you know that white chrysanthemums stand for truth while the red variety are attributed to love? So if you’d like to learn how to say it with flowers, read on…

Current Climate
Horticulture is a growth industry in Ireland at the moment, and there are opportunities for graduates in landscape design and construction, green keeping, sports-turf management, gardening, market gardening, garden centres and many other related fields.

Know Your Place
Horticultural managers work in commercial or amenity horticulture. Managers are in charge of the day-to-day running of their establishment's activities, including deciding which crops to plant, using computers to monitor costs, and staff recruitment and supervision.

Horticultural scientists study the science and technology of plant cultivation. They research and advise on techniques of crop growing such as improving plants and developing/testing fungicides and herbicides.

Garden centre assistants sell plants and garden equipment. The work involves taking care of plants, arranging displays, keeping check of stock, retail duties and advising customers.

Landscape managers manage, maintain and develop landscapes such as parks, gardens, nature reserves or industrial estates. They have an advisory role which involves the planning of future landscapes and planning for future problems which may arise.

Show Me The Money
Horticulture managers and scientists both earn somewhere in the region of €30,000 to €50,000 while garden assistants usually start off on the National Minimum Wage which will rise with experience. Landscape managers have an initial wage of €23,000 to €27,000 however self-employed professionals can often command a much higher amount.

Top Tip
A certain amount of creativity is called for in designing and landscaping environments; however you will also need to think analytically and solve problems, so a certain amount of ability in maths and science subjects would be beneficial to potential entrants to this industry.

Further Resources
Bord Bia
Dublin Head Office  
Clanwilliam Court,
Lower Mount Street,
Dublin 2, Ireland
Phone: 01 6685155
Web: www.bordbia.ie  
Email: info@bordbia.ie 

Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland
Cabinteely House
The Park
Cabinteely
Co. Dublin
Phone: 01 235 3912
Web: www.rhsi.ie
Email: info@rhsi.ie  

Department of Agriculture and Food
Agriculture House
Kildare Street
Dublin 2
Phone: 01 607 2000
Web: www.agriculture.gov.ie
Email: info@agriculture.gov.ie
 
Teagasc Head Office
Oak Park
Carlow
Phone: 059 917 0200
Web: www.teagasc.ie
Email: dcarey@kinsealy.teagasc.ie 

National Botanic Gardens
Glasnevin
Dublin 9
Phone: 01 804 0300
Web: www.botanicgardens.ie