5 Apr 2011

Business Opportunity for Grower in Northern Ireland - 3/4 Acre of Well Maintained Unheated Glasshouses to Lease. Call 00353(0)879212044

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5 Apr 2011

New Trade Show called GLAS will take place in Citywest in July. Details to be Released Soon.

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5 Apr 2011

Next IHNSA Trolley Fair Show will Take Place in May of 2011. Venue TBA

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4 Apr 2011

Horticulture Ireland Business Directory - Horticulture Suppliers - Aqua Flor Direct

http://hortitrends.com/component/sobi2/?sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=12&sobi2...


Regards
Joseph Blair
HorticultureTrends

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4 Apr 2011

Latest Horticulture EVENTS & TRADE SHOWS

4 Apr 2011

HortiTrends Latest Jobs in Horticulture Ireland

4 Apr 2011

Feeling Feverish?

4 Apr 2011

'Doing Business in Europe' - Horticulture Opportunity for Exports

1 Apr 2011

‘New Positivity Around Irish Agriculture and Food, Sector has Major Role to Play in Driving Economic Recovery’ - Coveney

1 Apr 2011

GLDA Axonometric Drawing Workshop

1 Apr 2011

Gardening Fatigue by Rónán Ó Snodaigh

1 Apr 2011

This Weeks Horticultural Jobs

1 Apr 2011

This Weeks Horticultural Tenders

1 Apr 2011

Irish Forestry & Woodland & Bio Energy Show 2011

1 Apr 2011

The Mobile Phone...Your Marketing Tool of the Future

1 Apr 2011

Weekly News & Comment

1 Apr 2011

Calling all Horticulture ITB Horticulture Graduates 2011! Get Together Tonight Friday

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1 Apr 2011

Container Centralen Reduces the CC Container license fee to € 12.

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1 Apr 2011

Interflora vs. Marks & Spencer court action: UPDATE

1 Apr 2011

Gardening Workshop 16.04.11

1 Apr 2011

Multihog Fills Opening in Gardening Industry-Latest Developments for Start-Ups – Bizstartup.ie

30 Mar 2011

What's the Consumers Issues? Product Trials from Which.co.uk/Gardening

http://www.hortitrends.com/hortitrends-news/1035-whats-the-consumers-issues-p...


Regards
Joseph Blair
HorticultureTrends

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29 Mar 2011

HortiTrends Latest News

29 Mar 2011

RX-3 Trash to Cash Event on the 6th April 2011

29 Mar 2011

New Floral Sundries Cash & Carry in Sandyford

29 Mar 2011

Harvard Mathematicians Video Reveals Delicate Process of Flowering Lily

29 Mar 2011

Garden Show Ireland on the 20-22 May 2011

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28 Mar 2011

HortiTrends Latest News

28 Mar 2011

Irish Horticultural Logistics Launches New Website - www.ihlireland.com

28 Mar 2011

Mad Flowers Sell Over 1000 Flower Vouchers on City Deals

28 Mar 2011

Maximize Design Sell 56 Design Consultations on City Deals.

28 Mar 2011

Ian Price “One for the Journey” at Garden Show Ireland 2011. Can You Help?

28 Mar 2011

Pot Recycling Scheme for UK Garden Centre Group Shut Down

28 Mar 2011

Doylescapes Establishes a New Business on Site of Former 1970s Family Plant Nursery

28 Mar 2011

The Secret Garden versus IKEA in the Green Retailer Awards 2011. Bring it On!

28 Mar 2011

John Deere Tractor Now in Two-Wheel Drive

28 Mar 2011

Does Horticulture Need it? New Funding Available for Training Networks

28 Mar 2011

Love Parks Week Celebrates their 5th Birthday with a Million Others!

28 Mar 2011

Horticulture Code of Practice: Invasive Species Ireland

28 Mar 2011

ITB Horticulture Department. Rachel Freeman Catches her Breath to Tell Us What's Going On.

28 Mar 2011

Two Funding Opportunities for Your Business from Bord Bia

28 Mar 2011

€10million Loan Fund for Start-Up Businesses

28 Mar 2011

5,000 Places for Internship Programme to Help Your Business Grow!

28 Mar 2011

Horticulture Open Evening - ITB

28 Mar 2011

Save Our Forests! - The Woodland League

28 Mar 2011

Young Nurseries Continues growing and GROWING!

25 Mar 2011

5,000 Places for Internship Programme to Help Your Business Grow!

25 Mar 2011

This Weeks Tenders from HortiTrends

25 Mar 2011

Irish Government Must Not Lose Out on the Green Agenda

25 Mar 2011

€10million Loan Fund for Start-Up Businesses

24 Mar 2011

Horticulture Code of Practice: Invasive Species Ireland

23 Mar 2011

New Ideas for Your Business? Clifton Nurseries Launches Pop-Up Shop

23 Mar 2011

Harvard Mathematicians Video Reveals Delicate Process of Flowering Lily

While we may know a lot about how flowers work, we are still unclear as to how some of them bloom. This was the case with the beautiful, white lily, until Harvard mathematicians recently went to work to better find out how this particular bud blossoms. 


They found that a delicate process of ruffling that occurs along the edges of each individual petal may be the key to the process. This is contrary to earlier studies that have hypothesized that some growth takes place within the flower.

One theory speculated that growth in the midribs of the flower could provide enough stress within the flower so that the petals would burst open. Another claimed that there were different growth rates for the internal and external parts of the bud.

"That differences in planar growth strains can lead to shape changes has been known for some time," said principal investigator L. Mahadevan. "But showing that it is at work and dominant in lily blooming is new, as our measurements and simple theory show."

Some expect that these findings will have an immediate impact on the field of materials science, where thin films and elastic sheets are used. Additionally, scientists may use them to create sensors and other devices that can successfully replicate the process of blooming. The experiment found that lily petals grow in a similar way to leaves.

"In particular, leaves have rippled edges due to gradients in growth in the plane that lead to the edge growing more than the middle," Mahadevan said. "[Lilies use a similar mechanism to] leaf growth, except that the petals are curved objects."

Those who love lilies may be inspired to buy flowers and watch the blooming unfold themselves, particularly as Spring begins to warm up weather across the country. These buds can also make romantic gifts, because they represent patience, innocence and affection, according to The Virginian-Pilot and are often used to symbolize love at first sight.

Two videos of the lilies blooming are available - one is in black and white and the other is animated.

Other films have featured blooming flowers as well. Paul Kuehnel used a Motorola Droid X in order to record the blossoming of a single amaryllis bulb for a month, according to The York Daily Record. He took a detailed and beautiful picture of the bud each day so one can see the full lifespan of the flower.

 

This article is brought to you by Teleflora - a leader in the flower delivery service for over 75 years. Teleflora helps its customers buy flowers online and specializes in bringing the freshest available flowers for a variety of holidays and occasions - all hand-delivered in keepsake vases by the best local florists. 

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23 Mar 2011

Don't Miss GLDA Design Workshop this Weekend!

23 Mar 2011

HortiTrends Latest News for March

22 Mar 2011

AquaFlor Direct Seeking Cut Flower & Plants Van Salesperson. Apply Now!

The Company:
AquaFlor Flowers Direct specialises in the sourcing and supply of cut flowers and plants to the florist and plant retail sectors in both the north & south of Ireland. We give our customers the widest choice of fresh, quality and best value flowers and plants along with outstanding customers service. We are growing and are now hiring. Are you the right person?

The Role:
Its for a cut flowers and plants van  delivery/sales person position. You will maintain existing  and develop new  sales relationships in the floristry and retail plant sector all over Ireland. The role will be a satisfying one for the right person who can earn a good living from the base salary and commission opportunities while further developing their career in the horticulture sector in ireland. 

The person:
If you have a lorry driving licence plus sales skills and experience in the horticulture sector and consider yourself a peoples person then this might be for you. Its hard work with early starts and is for a person who has initiative and can problem solve for themselves to always keep the show on the road. Get in touch to find out more by sending your CV to jobs@hortitrends.com 

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22 Mar 2011

Does Horticulture Need it? New Funding Available for Training Networks

Skillnets are inviting applications to establish new training networks. Successful networks will be funded until the end of 2011.

There are two options:

  1. If you are already an established network or group of private sector companies you can submit a full network application NOW – click here to find out more
  2. If you have the potential to develop a new network you can apply for a development grant prior to making a full application – click here to find out more

For more information on Skillnets click here.

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21 Mar 2011

List of ISNA Nurseries who will be at St Annes Park Plant Fair

The complete list is as follows:
  • MOUNT VENUS NURSERY
  • SYDNEY CONNEFF PERENNIAL PLANTS
  • LIAM MULHALL OBELISKS
  • HARRINGTON EXOTICS
  • SHADY PLANTS
  • KILMURRY NURSERY
  • LEAMORE NURSERY
  • RARE PLANTS IRELAND
  • FIELD OF BLOOMS
  • CAHERHURLEY PLANTS
  • TWO LIONS NURSERY
  • GORTKELLY CASTLE NURSERY
  • PEPPERMINT FARM
  • MOONWAVE NURSERY
  • PENINSULA PRIMULAS
  • HERBS ON THYME
  • IRISH WATER PLANTS
  • THREE GATES NURSERY
  • CAMOLIN POTTING SHED

More Info from http://isna.ie/

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19 Mar 2011

Can he do it? Yes he can! Pat Fitzgerald Supplies a Kennedy Irish Primrose in a Gifting to the Obama's.

The gifting of a Kennedy Irish Primrose


It isn't often one of our plants gets such a wonderful first outing that they are given as a gift from our country to the first Lady of the United States of America. So I felt I must share this news with everyone.

I am honoured to announce that on 17th of March, St Patricks Day, a special basket of our new Kennedy Irish Primrose variety Drumcliff was chosen as a gift to Mrs Obama. The Primrose basket was given to Mrs Obama during the recent visit of An Taoiseach Mr Enda Kenny T.D and his wife Mrs Fionnuala Kenny to the White House, Washington D.C. This is the first time these Primroses have been seen in full flower in the USA and we at FitzGerald Nurseries are delighted that they were chosen for such an auspicious occasion.

The Primroses were propagated in County Wexford, Ireland and grown to flowering size in County Kilkenny, Ireland. Plants were inspected and certified in accordance with United States Department of Agriculture import regulations and shipped to special facilities of Herronswood Nurseries in Pennsylvania USA where plants were acclimatized and prepared for the final presentation.

The Kennedy Irish Primroses were launched this January coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of the inauguration of John F Kennedy as President of United States of America. Primula Drumcliffe is named after the final resting place of the famous Irish poet W.B Yeats. The second variety released in 2011 is named Innisfree after the poem Lake Isle of Innisfree. Further varieties will be released over the coming years.

Pat FitzGerald.

Plants are now currently available to the public in Ireland from most good Garden Centres and in USA by mail order http://www.heronswood.com/perennials_perennials-p-to-r_primula/ .
You can find more information on the Kennedy Irish Primroses by clicking here.

http://fitzgeraldnurseries.blogspot.com/2011/03/gifting-of-kennedy-irish-primrose.html
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16 Mar 2011

Current Nursery Exhibitors for Next Trolley Fair on March the 22nd Dublin.

 

B & V Nurseries

O'Dowd Nurseries

Springfield Nurseries

Youngs Nurseries Ltd.

Abbey Nurseries

SAP Nurseries

Rentes Plants Ltd.

Freestyle Nurseries

Easter Island Alpines

Yellow Furze Nurseries Ltd.

Stam’s Bamboo Nursery Ltd.

Dunne's Nurseries

Glenbrook Nurseries

Springfield Nurseries

Woodview Nurseries

Kelly's Nursery Ltd.

Schram Plants Ltd.

Amour Nurseries

Doran Nurseries

O'Connor Nurseries

K&M Nurseries

M & M Nursery

Tully Nurseries

15 Mar 2011

Excellent Environment & Sustainability Resource from NUI Galway

ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

You will find the following information on this page:

Upcoming papers/Conferences

  • The focus for the 2008 Trocaire Development Review is Climate Change and Development. Trocaire are now calling for papers for next year's publication. The deadline is the 4th December 2007. Click here for more information.
  • Sustainable Irrigation Conference, 11th-13th June, 2008 in Alicante, Spain. Now calling for papers.

DERN outputs

  • DERN recently made a submission to the Department of Education to inform the development of a National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development. View DERN's submission

    In June 2007, Carol Healy gave a presentation on the linkages between the Environment and Development at the Environmental Change Institute's research day. In her presentation, Carol examined the relationship between development cooperation and environmental justice and discussed how environmental research and education creates synergy with development education through the “Education for Sustainable Development” framework. She also gave a brief synopsis of the work of DERN and highlighted some pertinent questions in relation to the integration of development education into the broader curriculum. ViewCarol Healy's presentation. 

    Below is a list of useful reports and websites relating to the Environment and Sustainability.

Reports

Websites 

NGOs/Non-Profit Organisations/Campaigns/Government Agencies 

Irish Issues
  • Comhar is a forum for national consultation on issues relating to Sustainable Development issues in Ireland. Research reports commissioned on  Education for Sustainabble Development, and National Sustainable Development Strategies can be found on their website, as well as upcoming events and information about their work.
  • Cultivate Centre This is a centre which promotes sustainable living. They have a number of educational programmes and run workshops and events related to environmental sustainability. They are based in Temple Bar, in Dublin.
  • ECO-UNESCO is Ireland's Environmental Education and Youth Organisation. Their website provides information on their upcoming events, workshops and courses as well as their publications on sustainability.
  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) The EPA is an independent public body charged with protecting the environment through licensing, enforcing, monitoring and assessment activities. Their website also highlights their research and education activities.  
  • Garden Organic Carries out research on organic gardening, farming and food. Their website provides information on their work and organic growing both locally and globally.
  • Irish Seed Savers This organisation is dedicated to the preservation of traditional varieties of fruits and vegetables. Their website has information on their education and research activities in this area.
  • Plan Organic provides information on organic farming news, information on where to buy Organic products, references to publications on organic and sustainable food and farming issues and articles on sustainable/organic farming and related subjects. 
  • The Organic Centre provides public education, training and information about organic growing and sustainable living
  • The Power of One is an initiative by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to make people aware of the amount of energy they use in their daily lives and suggests ways of becoming more energy efficient.
International Issues
  • Greenpeace This is an independent global campaigning organisation that aims to change attitudes and behaviour to protect and conserve the environment.
  • Just Forests works on global poverty related tropical forest/timber issues from a local development perspective 
  • One World.Net This is an online civil society network, with numerous news report on environment and development issues
  • Stop Climate Chaos  This is a broad coalition of Irish organisations concerned about environmental and development issues.
  • The Access Initiative is a global coalition of public interest groups to promote national level implementation of commitments to access to information, participation and justice in environmental decision-making.
  • Tropical Rainforest Coalition is a non profit organisation building coalitions between individuals, corporations, businesses, learning institutions and NGOs seeking to reverse the unsustainable use of rainforests.
  • Trocaire is currently developing a new coampaign  that focusses on Environmental Justice and focussed on climate Change during their Lenten Campaign
Research Institutes and Think Tanks
  • Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) This global alliance focuses on scientific research on agriculture, forestry, fisheries, policy and environment to reduce poverty in developing countries. Their website provides a number of publications related to these themes.  
  • European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes. Aims to promote quality in research and education in development studies. Their website has information on upcoming events, the activities of their numerous working groups, links to publications and information on their research.
  • FEASTA - The Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability is an international network, with a HQ in Ireland. They are looking at ways of making more sustainable economic systems.  There are a number of working groups within FEASTA discusing various sustainability topics.
  • International Institute for Environment and Development This is an international policy research institute and non-governmental body working for more sustainable and equitable global development. IIED have numerous publications in relation to environment and development.
  • Institute for Development Studies, Sussex. One of the research areas of IDS is Vulnerability and Poverty Reduction, which includes the effects of Climate Change
  • New Economics Foundation NEF is an independent think-and-do tank that inspires and demonstrates real economic well being
  • Schumacher College runs a number of short term courses in sustainability
  • United Nations University ESD Programme This Environment and Sustainable Development Programme run by the UNU focuses on 4 broad themes: 
    1. Natural Resources Management 
    2. Water crisis and disaster 
    3. Environment Governance and Information 
    4. Sustainable Urbanisation and Industry
  • World Resources Institute This is an environmental think tank  that goes beyond research to find practical ways to protect the earth and improve people's lives.
Multilateral Agencies
  • Food and Agriculture Organisation the UN FAO leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Their website provides global information on agriculture, economic and social development, natural resources management as well as links to a number of their publications.
  • Poverty Environment Partnership This is an informal network of development agencies, which seeks to improve the coordination of work on poverty reduction and the environment within the framework internationally agreed principles and processes for sustainable development. 
  • Poverty and Environment Initiative This is an initiative led by the UNDP and UNEP to improve the linkages between environment and development.
  • UNEP The United Nations Environment Programme website includes numerous publications on the effects development has had on the environment worldwide.
  • UNESCO UNESCO are currently leading the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, which is to run from 2005-2014. Their ESD website highlights some of the key activities for the decade and gives a comprehensive background to the rationale of ESD.
Gateways
  • Development Gateway This is an online resource providing information on development issues, including issues such as climate change in Africa.
  • Eldis This site contains over 22,000 documents on a range of topics including Environment. It is one of many "knowledge services" from the Institute of Development Studies in Sussex, UK.
  • Irish Eco Politics This website hosts the Irish Ecopolitics Online Journal, a peer reviewed, online academic journal, which explores themes of environment, sustainability, and environmental politics.
  • Sustainable Development Gateway This site provides over 1,200 documents on sustainable development topics, as well as a calendar of events, job listings, mailing lists and news sites dealing with sustainable development issues.
News sites
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15 Mar 2011

John Murphy of Annaveigh Plants Reports Busy Bareroot Season.

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15 Mar 2011

Garden Designers Beware - the Allianz Schools' Challenge is back at Garden Show Ireland

The Allianz Schools' challenge was launched this week and we are expecting some very ambitious garden plans. This year's competition will once again see schools throughout Northern Ireland compete against each other to design and build the best garden on the theme of 'A Dream Garden'.

Last year's winners were Laurelhill Community College, Lisburn. Their teacher, Moss Newnham said: "It was brilliant to be involved in the garden challenge last year. We had no budget so we used unwanted or discarded materials and lots of donated plants that we grew on in our greenhouse. The team were delighted with what could be achieved with teamwork and effort. We thoroughly enjoyed the whole process"!

The School's Challenge Gardens will be opened to the public during the show. We would encourage all second-level schools to take part. Full details (including rules and deadlines) can be downloaded in the schools section.

Last year's winning Garden - Laurelhill Community College, Lisburn 

  

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14 Mar 2011

New 'Ur Dream Garden Magazine' Launching.

UR Dream garden is an exciting new addition to Ireland’s newsagent
stands. Not only will it feature the usual high quality writing and
photography by Ciarán Burke as usually found in ur dream home, but
it will feature additional articles and information about gardening and
related information. There will be the usual garden visit, an article on
plants in garden design and lots more.

The focus of the garden articles will always be to focus on
environmentally friendly practices and organic gardening. This will be the
first of its kind.

The new and additional content of the magazine is not just an expanded
garden section, it is a new magazine as part of an established
publication. With its own cover an editorial it will be sold as part of ur
dream home magazine, Ireland’s fastest growing interiors magazine. Not
just another garden magazine, UR DREAM GARDEN.

Features in the new UR Dream Garden

1. Sponsor’s highlight - seasonal offer/product article. A pictorial and
text article featuring sponsors product(s).
2. Garden Visit Article-
3. Garden Design Article –
4. Practical gardening – Sowing vegetable seeds
5. Plant Profile – seasonal shrub, tree or hardy perennial
6. Handy Tip – making newspaper pots
7. Garden recipe – Chickweed soup
8. Garden Jobs to do – highlight important tasks over the coming weeks
9. Bloom- preview and look back at last year’s highlights.

To advertise or be the primary sponsor phone ur dream editor Olga
on 087 2380754

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14 Mar 2011

Liberty Florist will be back at Bloom 2011 After Successful 2010 Show

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14 Mar 2011

The Secret Garden now Stocking GroWise Due to Environmental Considerations.

The Secret Garden have altered their primary compost supplier having been recently looking to find a product which lessens the impact on the environment. For that reason they have chosen to use Bord na Mona’s Growise and Peat Free products.

The Peat Free range speaks for itself and includes the Peat Free Organic Vegetable compost and the Peat Free Multi Purpose both in a 56 ltr size, and both are rich in organic matter and nutrients to ensure healhy growth the natural way without artificial fertilisers. The Growise range will replace their current peat based products and has the following advantages. In keeping with Bord Na Móna’s ‘New Contract With Nature’ the success of Growise is based on matching sustainable green compost containing a natural blend of macro and micronutrients. The range contains a minimum of 20% green compost derived from grass cuttings, hedge clippings and other green organics composted at their state of the art facility at Kilberry, Co. Kildare. This is blended with the superb Irish peat which is recognised as having the best organic structure in the world, for plant growth. Growise is the only Irish compost diluted with 20% sustainable green compost in the Irish Market and all of the range carry the Guaranteed Irish logo.

http://www.thesecretgardener.com

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14 Mar 2011

Next Dates for IHNSA Trolley Fair Tuesday 22nd March 2011

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11 Mar 2011

Driver for on Trial for Drugs Import of over €5million Hidden in Consignment of Tulips

The Irish Times reports that A Dutch truck driver has gone on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for importing €5.6 million of heroin hidden in a shipment of flowers.

Jan Stuurmann (41), Curran Ard, Athy, Co Kildare, has pleaded not guilty to five counts of possessing and importing the drugs with another truck driver at a Customs warehouse on Castleforbes Road, Dublin, on December 16th, 2008.

Opening the case, Paul Greene SC, prosecuting, told the jury that Mr Stuurmann and another man Thomas Van Son, were both driving large 40ft trucks for a transport company, Van Dongen.

He said the jury would hear evidence that both trucks entered Dublin Port carrying large consignments of fresh tulips from the Netherlands.

The trucks had arrived in Ireland at about 5pm after crossing the Irish Sea on the Stena Adventurer ship. Both trucks and drivers were taken to a separate area where a search was carried out.

Several blocks of heroin were allegedly found in Mr Van Son’s truck among the racks of flowers. Mr Greene said the trial would also hear Garda evidence that the drugs were worth €5,600,360.

The jury was told it did not have to concern itself with Mr Van Son’s case and that he was not before the courts. The trial continues.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0310/1224291778996.html

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10 Mar 2011

Is Your Business Being Found? Welcome to Mary Murray of Glenora Nurseries Our Latest Addition to Our Business Directory for Horticulture. Grow Your Trade NOW?

Glenora Nurseries

Betaghstown
 Clane

Kildare
 Ireland
Email: Email
Contact Person: Mary Murray
Phone: 086 8517859
Fax: 045 861182
Wholesale producer of shrubs, grasses, perennials and alpines.

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10 Mar 2011

'Its Garden Time' National Radio Campaign. Are Yo On It?

Bord Bia are currently launching the Garden Time consumer promotion campaign, this will involve both press releases and radio advertising to encourage people to get out into their gardens and drive them to the Garden Time website.

 

If you have any events / offers coming up that you wish to be included on the Garden Time site contact Jenny with the necessary details.

 

Contact:

 

Jenny Abbott | Horticultural Division

 

Tel: 01 614 2286 | Email: jenny.abbott@bordbia.ie

http://www.bordbia.ie/industryservices/igt/pages/default.aspx

The 'It's Garden Time!' initiative is designed to assist the Irish gardening industry to promote the core benefits of gardening, both DIY and DFM (Do It For Me) and in turn, to increase sales for all associated businesses.

Within this website are a number of opportunities to promote your business through a gardening directory and an Events Calendar.  There are also some marketing and PR tips and a Marketing Toolkit with templates for advertising, display and printed matter available on request to bone fide businesses within the sector.

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10 Mar 2011

Self Biography of New Minister with Responsibility for Food and Horticulture Shane McEntee

Shane McEntee’s Biography:

  • Shane was the winning candidate in the Meath Bye-Election in 2005.
  • He was re-elected to Dáil Éireann in May, 2007 and was Deputy Spokesperson on Transport with Special Responsibility for Road Safety until October 2010.
  • He is a former farmer and agricultural sales representative, and a Fine Gael member since the age of 15.

Some other facts about Shane:

  • Shane lives in Nobber in Co. Meath with his wife and three children.
  • He is involved in numerous voluntary organisations, in particular the GAA.
  • He has trained a number of football teams over the last few years, including the Meath Minors, and has had success at county level on six occasions.
  • He owns and runs 'Dee Local' Bar and is joint owner of "The Works"Restaurant.
  • He wants to bring a new face and a fresh approach to politics to ensure Meath gets the opportunities it deserves.
10 Mar 2011

TD Shane McEntee Wins the Food and Horticulture Brief.

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10 Mar 2011

How to Attract New Customers - Neville Stein

How to Attract New Customers

http://www.ovationbusiness.co.uk/how-to-attract-new-customers/

That old business adage which suggests that ‘it costs five times more to get a new customer than it does to keep an old one’ certainly rings true when you analyse just how much companies spend on advertising in a year. Typically on average businesses spend 1.5 to 3 per cent of sales on advertising, depending of course upon the stage of the business One naturally would expect that at the start up stage a young business would spend a high proportion of the sales on advertising in an attempt to build market share, whilst a mature business with a strong market share would spend less.


Alan Sugar, star of the UK TV series ‘The Apprentice’ famously remarked that he had written books on advertising – that is, ‘cheque books’. Sugar was making the point that he knew all to well that advertising is an expensive yet necessary element in any marketing plan. Faced however with the fact that advertising is an expensive and a complicated discipline requiring a high degree of expertise, many small businesses shy away from doing anything at all, or at best take a half hearted unplanned approach to the subject.


Many of us would indeed be critical of the advertising industry. However good advertising does work. Correctly planned advertising can reach a large number of people with a particular message. On the flip side however, there is a lot of wastage with advertising, which means that there are an enormous amount of people who will see the advert yet not be interested in what is on offer. The other problem is that consumers are becoming a more critical and perhaps cynical audience. An advertising campaign that impressed or grabbed attention five years ago may now be seen as manipulative or devoid of truth or ethics. (Take for example the use of women or ‘sexual symbolism’ in adverts for the motor industry.)


Is there a better tool than advertising to attract customers to a business? Singularly no, but publicity as a marketing tool if used in conjunction with advertising and other promotional tools is a very powerful way of attracting new customers to a business.  What then do we mean by ‘publicity’? It is simply the act of promoting a company or its products and services by planting favourable news stories in the media, which are not paid for by the company involved. The important point to note here is that the public have a high degree of belief and respect for news stories. They carry a lot of credibility as the public believe they are a neutral body so do not feel manipulated or ‘sold to’ in the way they might should the message be coming straight from the business featured Because of this publicity is a marketing tool that should be more widely embraced by the business community. It also has a high persuasive impact and can enhance a company’s image but used in isolation it is not as effective as when it is used to support, enhance or augment other forms of communication. It can be described as very broad marketing tool essentially involving press releases, press conferences, photographs (which often speak volumes!), letters to papers and of course editorials.


The good news about publicity is that it is often free. Granted, there may be management costs in planning publicity and hiring the relevant experts to carry out your publicity campaign but aside to all that it is incredibly easy to get some press coverage in a local paper.


How then can you get some local press coverage and thereby raise awareness of your business which in turn should attract new customers? The first thing to do is to scan the local press and identify the kind of news stories that they frequently run. Having done that inevitably a news story will get published if it depicts new or unusual events, innovations, improvements in working conditions, new store openings – anything that is important to the local community. If a news story is dramatic, emotional and has a human-interest element then it stands a good chance of being published. ‘Dog Bites Man’ may not be a very interesting story whereas ‘Man Bites Dog’ hints at an unusual event that has a high degree of human interest. Secondly a news story is more likely to get published if it adheres to the guidelines of the local paper. Invariably the news story should be directed to a specific person in writing. It is also important to know the copy deadlines and of course to include contact details and any other relevant information. The inclusion of professional photographs should also help ensure publication of a good news story.


Many people choose to organise their own publicity rather than hiring a professional PR company. If that is the case then it is essential that the basic rules of setting out a news story are adhered too. A good news story will include details of who is involved, what are they doing, where and when did (or will) the story occur, why did it happen and how did it happen. In order to encourage journalists to read the story and indeed publish it, there needs to be an eye catching ‘hook’ in the first paragraph. Ensuring that the news story is on headed paper and that contact details are included at the end will help to maximise the chance of it being published.  Subtlety and restraint however should be exercise in the wording and description of the event. If you describe your business in rapturous tones, and your event akin to a Red Cross parcel drop you risk loosing the newspapers credibility and they may not publish. They cannot be seen to be unconditionally endorsing a business just because it involves and event of interest.


In many instances news stories just do not exist when they are needed. Hence It is often the case that a news story is created as apart of an overall marketing plan. For example, the organising of a charity collection point for old gardening tools destined for the third world at a garden centre is a marketing campaign that has merit as a news story, and something that can be timed to suit the business involved. It contains human interest, appeals to the emotions and of course presents the owner of the business in a good light.  Coverage in the newspaper, plus the need to donate old tools at the site should result in increase foot all. Do not however submit a press release like this every week or month. Over exposure can lead to over familiarity and cynicism about your motives

Look at any local paper or magazine and one can quickly see that publicity works. The beauty is that it is often free, carries with it a high degree of respect amongst consumers and can present the business in a good light. These factors alone surely mean that as a marketing tool it should be more widely used to support other marketing strategies. One only has to witness the growth of the PR industry to see how effective publicity has and can be.

Publicity Guidelines…

  1. Know the print deadlines for the papers and magazines
  2. Generally write, dont call
  3. Direct the news story to a specific person
  4. Make personal contact after you have sent the story
  5. Dont badger jouralists or editors
  6. Use the word excusive sparingly

News Story Ideas…

  1. Sponsor a “why i love my garen” creative writing contest with your local school. Arrange certificates and “sought after” prizes for the winners and runners up and ask your local papers to print photographs of the winners.
  2. Host an “after hours” behind the scnenes tour of your garden center to show what happens outside of the public gaze. Finish the tour with a free “give away” and refreshments.

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10 Mar 2011

Eat your Greens, You’re Growing Them! Agri Aware Initiative Launched.

1,000 primary schools to receive free raised garden beds.

Children all around the country are getting ready to roll up their sleeves and raise some roots in their very own garden. This week, 1,000 primary schools will receive raised garden beds from the Incredible Edibles to start an outdoor classroom. The initiative developed by Agri Aware, the agri-food educational body, allows schools to grow a variety of fruit and vegetables with the aim of increasing their consumption among young people. Now in its third year, the programme has evolved from pots in the classroom to plots on the school grounds, enabling children to grow potatoes, lettuce, carrots, turnips and strawberries. When assembled, the raised beds are 1.5 by 1.7 metres and have a plastic cover to protect the crops. The packs are supplied by Sligo based company Quickcrop.

Commenting at the launch of the initiative committee chairman, Mike Neary said, “The Incredible Edibles programme has proven to be an ideal vehicle to engage children in a fun way about the origin of their fruit and vegetables, what is involved in the production of quality produce and the role it plays in a healthy and balanced diet”.

Supported by Bord Bia and the fruit and vegetable industry, registration to the Incredible Edibles was open to every school. The first 1,000 registered schools currently without a school garden were eligible to receive a flat pack. The remaining registered schools will receive a growing pack which includes, seeds, germination pots, grow bags and educational resources.
Participating schools are asked to keep a log book of various tasks they can undertake as part of the programme. These include taking on a healthy eating action, learning about food origin or even just keeping a photo record of their plants as they grow. At the end of the academic year, schools will be deemed a gold, sliver or bronze school, depending on how many tasks they accomplish.

Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Agri Aware chairman Bernard Donohue commented, “Involving children in the process of growing, consuming and even buying fruit and vegetables are simple ways to get them excited about what they eat. We are encouraging parents to compliment the work done in schools and to actively encourage children to eat what they are growing. Cheap and unhealthy food choices are some of the current challenges we face as consumers but we must be mindful of the growing levels of obesity among Irish children.”

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9 Mar 2011

Latest Headlines - New Minister of Agriculture Named - Simon Coveney.

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9 Mar 2011

Self Bio from www.simoncoveney.ie for Simon Coveney the Newly Appointed Minister for Agriculture

Some general info about the next Minister for Agriculture and also his contact details to start the process of telling him what our sector wants rather than being told what we are getting and what is good for us! 

Simon Coveney was re Elected to Dáil Eireann in May 2007 for Cork South Central.
He is was the Fine Gael Front Bench Spokesperson for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. He is Chairperson of Fine Gael’s policy team, and has produced Fine Gael’s policy on stimulus and economic recovery policy titled 'New ERA'.
Simon Coveney

Simon was first elected to the Dáil in 1998 as one of Fine Gael’s youngest TD’s aged 26. He replaced his father Hugh Coveney TD following his untimely death.

He has held numerous positions within the party including Spokesperson on Drugs and Youth Issues, assistant Chief Whip and Secretary of the Parliamentary Party and Spokesperson for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

He was also a member of Cork County Council from 1999 to 2003 representating the Carrigaline electoral area.

Simon was elected to the European Parliament in 2004 for Fine Gael with over 120,000 votes. He was a member of the EPP-ED group and was the author of the European Parliament's Annual Report on Human Rights in the World 2004. A member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, in June 2005 he was appointed the Co-ordinator for Human Rights for the EPP-ED Group.

Simon holds a B.Sc. in Agriculture and Land Management from Royal Agriculture College, Gloucestershire. He was also educated at Clongowes Wood College, County Kildare; University College Cork, and Gurteen Agricultural College, County Tipperary.

A keen fan of all competitive sport from Gaelic Football and Hurling to Rugby to Soccer, he played Rugby for Garryowen, Cork Constitution and Crosshaven Rugby Club. In 1997/8 he led the "Sail Chernobyl Project" which involved sailing a boat 30,000 miles around the world and raising €650,000 for charity.

More info from:

Contact :

Tel:

021 4374200 (Constituency Office)

01 6183753 (Leinster House)

Fax:

021 4374862

Email:

simon.coveney@oir.ie

Address:

Simon Coveney TD,

Main St,

Carrigaline,

Co. Cork.

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9 Mar 2011

Sap Group Offering a Full Range of Services to The Horticulture Sectors in Holland & Ireland

Why Use SAP Holland?

  • Market information: through our international network of over 700 suppliers, we can source and supply any available plant at the quality to meet your specification and the price to meet your budget.
  • Quotations: We guarantee the return of quotations within two hours of receipt.
  • 24/7 Pricing: Where customers require pricing information out of normal business hours or on weekends, e-SAP provides real-time availabilities and pricing information for all your needs.
  • Supply Chain Management: At SAP Holland, we use Wintree software for all quotations, order management, labeling and deliveries.
  • Logistic facilities: We have the space, equipment, packaging and experience to be able to handle any order from 1 pallet to 50 lorry loads for all EU countries.
  • Efficient shipments: We minimize the transportation charges through professional packaging, daily deliveries, route planning and through the scale of our operations. We pass these savings to our customers through our competitive pricing.
  • Wide range: Together with our logistic base in Zundert, we have a second dispatch facility in Boskoop to enable us to provide our customers with the full range for the entire amenity market.
  • Quality control: All our systems and controls are performed in accordance with ISO9002. We manage a unique system of supplier approval and control to ensure our customers always receive exactly what they order, when they want it.
  • Contract growing: With the largest supplier network in Europe, SAP Holland can manage and coordinate the contract growing of any plant or tree requirements, whether they be for your annual needs or specific projects.

Meet The Team

An Experienced Team.

Fons van Wezel

Managing Director

Purchasing.

Sales for Germany and Eastern Europe 

fons@sapholland.nl
Tel. +31(0) 612525319

Kevin van Praat

Sales Manager

Sales for Great Britain

kevin@sapholland.nl
Tel. +31(0) 765978568

9 Mar 2011

Latest News - Caragh Nurseries Successful Dual Retail/Wholesale Strategy Continues with the Launch of a New Retail Website Coming Soon

9 Mar 2011

Farmers will get €300k for growing flowers in the Burren


 
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The Burren in Co Clare.
The Burren in Co Clare.

A GOVERNMENT SCHEME will give farmers who grow rare and wild flowers in the Burren, Co Clare almost €300,000 in support of the project.

According to a report in today’s Irish Times the money has been approved for the 117 participating farmers who will grow “species-rich grassland” which will contain the flowers.

One farmer said that the ”cacophony of colour” in the Burren will be “even louder” this year as a result of the programme which is being jointly funded by the environment and agriculture departments.

Read more from Gordon Deegan in today’s Irish Times >

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8 Mar 2011

B&Q Ireland Plead Guilty to Workplace Safety Offense in Garden Centre

B&Q Ireland pleaded guilty on Monday to a workplace safety offense as reported by the Irish Times.

Ronald Metcaffe pleaded guilty on behalf of B&Q Ireland, Fitzwilton House, Wilton Place, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to failing to ensure a safe workplace. It centers around the fact that a bundle of lap panel fencing was stored at an unsafe height resulting in the personal injury and death of an employee.

Michael O’Rourke died following the incident at the B&Q garden centre on the Belgard Road, Tallaght, on March 29th, 2009.

Sentencing in the case was adjourned by judge Tony Hunt until July.

3 Mar 2011

CWP Supporting Irish Jobs with Range of Polytunnels and Greenhouses Manufactured for Irish Businesses & Gardens!

100% Irish Owned Supporting Irish Jobs - Colm Warren Polytunnels (CWP)has been successfully manufacturing and building polytunnels, greenhouses and canopied steel structures in Ireland for over 36 years.

C.W.P. Ltd has been in business for over 30 plus years now. They manufacture, supply and build curved roof buildings. Initially supplying into the horticultural and agricultural industry and more recently into Garden Centres, DIY stores and leisure industry. The strength, adaptability and ease of construction of our structures is very much appreciated and the structures can be seen in other industries for example on archaeological sites, waste packaging, mushroom industry, fish industry, store sheds, aircraft and boat storage, over swimming pools etc, in fact anywhere that a low cost, durable structure is required. 

Their structures have been specially designed to meet specific customer needs. They are easy to assemble, a pleasure to work in and simple to maintain and they use materials of the best quality when manufacturing the structures. 

In addition to a wide range of greenhouses and buildings, CWP also supplies long life water-tight aluminium benching for Garden centres as well as commercial benching directly to the Horticultural industry. As part of the package, they also supply irrigation, heating, ventilation systems, shade structures, windbreaks and moving roof greenhouses.

Manufacturing in Ireland:

C.W.P. Ltd has the latest in computer aided bending machine, which controls the manufacturing process so you have greater accuracy and consistency in the curvature of the roof. They have also invested in ironworkers, press breaks, guillotine and welding equipment and are able to react quickly to customer needs at competitive prices. By keeping the manufacturing in house it allows then to develop their products and give the customer one off designs or full fill unusual projects.

To find out more go to www.CWP.ie

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3 Mar 2011

Why 45% of Food Producers in Dublin Area have Failed in the Past Year.

The Dublin Food Chain Launch and survey findings reveals why 45% of food producers in Dublin area have failed in the past year


LtoR;  Karl Heffernan, General Manager, AIB Bank Centre, John Whelan, Chief Executive, IEA
Lord Mayor, Councillor Gerry Breen, Michael Johnson, Chief Executive, Dun Laoighre CEB 
sampling some of the Dublin Food presented at the launch last Friday at AIB Bank 
Centre, Ballsbridge.

The Dublin Food Chain was launched by Lord Mayor of Dublin Gerry Breen. The Dublin Food Chain is an initiative of the Irish Exporters Association, the four Dublin and City County Enterprise Boards and is supported by AIB Bank and Bord Bia. The initiative is in response to the rapid decline of food producers in the Dublin region, who have lost out due to the rapid decline of hotel and restaurants, the replacement of local produce with imports on supermarket shelves, and the low level of brand development necessary for export entry. A survey carried out amongst food producers, distributors and retailers (the Dublin Food Chain) in the Dublin area was released at the launch and revealed:
  • 45% of businesses saw sales fall last year (2010), with 20% stating sales static, and 35% with sales increase.
  • Labour costs stated to be main problem for business by 56% of respondents. This the organiser’s state points to the need for the minimum wage reduction to be maintained.
  • Raw material costs the second major concern (54% of respondents), followed by major concerns because of Local Government charges (51% of respondents).
  • Energy was in fourth cause of business difficulty, with inflation concerns in 5th place.Surprisingly, bank access and interest rates were rated as the 6 the cause of business concern.

The Dublin Food Chain was created to research and pinpoint the key challenges facing the small producers, distributors and retailers in the food sector in the Dublin region and to develop a support network where the various players can work together to develop a sustainable local economy, and build capacity to export . 

About the Project:
Who is involved in this Network Project? 
The project is a joint initiative of The Irish Exporters Association, the four County and City Enterprise Boards in the Dublin Region - Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin , AIB Bank and Bord Bia.

Industry needs that the establishment of this network could satisfy:

  • Networking and knowledge sharing
  • Coaching on business skills
  • Facilitated discussions on industry challenges
  • How to trade with large supermarket chains
  • Category Management
  • Statistical information / Market analysis data
  • Best practice models
  • Funding and Grants information
  • Training & Mentoring

Perceived benefits of the network
  • Greater influence and identity as a part of a group:
  • Group buying power
  • Establish lobby group
  • Collaborations and synergies
  • Joint marketing and promotion initiatives
  • Logistics and distribution channels
  • IEA and City & County Enterprise Boards influence government channels
  • Group Attendance at International Food Fairs

For further information contact;

Sinead Branigan, 
Irish Exporters Association
Email: SineadBranigan@irishexporters.org  
Tel: 01 661 2182

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3 Mar 2011

Latest News Articles from HortiTrends

3 Mar 2011

ScottsMiracle-Gro Announces Closing of Global Professional Business Sale


The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG) announced today the closing of the previously announced sale of its Global Professional business to ICL (TASE: ICL) for US$270 million in an all-cash transaction. After agreed upon adjustments at closing for pension liabilities and working capital, the effective purchase price is approximately US$255 million, which may be further adjusted pursuant to the terms of the purchase and sale agreement.

ScottsMiracle-Gro plans to apply net proceeds of the sale toward capital investments and debt retirement.

The sale is in keeping with the Company's stated goal of focusing more intently on its core consumer businesses.

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3 Mar 2011

Campaign to Save Kinsealy Gaining Momentum Through Facebook.

To support, comment and to keep up to date on the campaign go to http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001864291267


A campaign is underway to try to prevent the closure of the Teagasc research and advisory centre at Kinsealy in north county Dublin, which has played a key role in the development of Irish horticulture for almost half a century. The 90-plus staff at the centre have been told it is being closed as part of a reorganisation of the state agency’s facilities, at a time of economic cutbacks. There has been a promise that there will be no forced redundancies and that the displaced staff will be offered jobs at other Teagasc centres across the Republic. But that assurance has done nothing to assuage the shock and anger in the north county Dublin area, where horticulture and the Kinsealy centre have long been synonymous.

 

Research at the centre is credited with laying the foundations for the success of the Republic’s mushroom industry, and field trials have also yielded important results over the years on fruit and vegetable production, on amenity crops and in disease control. The planned closure is a major embarrassment for horticulture minister Trevor Sargent, the former Green Party leader, who represents the north county Dublin constituency.

 

An opposition party member, Labour’s Tommy Broughan, who also represents the area, has accused him of “betraying” local growers and farmers. “The Kinsealy centre has a key mandate to develop the long-term competitiveness of Irish horticulture and liaises closely with research staff at Dublin’s Botanic Gardens,” said Broughan. “I find the decision to close it down astonishing. The minister should explain publicly why it is being closed and say how the staff are to be deployed across the country, when many of them have homes and families in Dublin.”

 

In response, Sargent said the decision had been taken by the board of Teagasc, the farm research and advisory agency, and not by him. He was involved in discussions behind the scenes and was hopeful the decision could be reversed. “I’m not giving up on it,” he added.

 

Staff are holding protest meetings and lobbying politicians in a bid to save the centre. One member of staff said: “It’s an incredibly short-sighted decision, given Kinsealy’s research reputation and the contacts we have established with hundreds of growers and farmers. In addition, young researchers who would be attracted here will now be lost to the industry. It could be disastrous.” A spokesman for Teagasc confirmed that a decision to close the centre had been taken, but said discussions with staff on implementing the decision “are only beginning”.


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3 Mar 2011

The Irish Wildlife Trust host Premier Screening of “PLAY AGAIN"


The Irish Wildlife Trust host Premier Screening of “PLAY AGAIN”

Thursday 10th March 2011 | 6.30pm | The Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield | Admission is €9 for adults / €7.50 concession | Contact the Light House Cinema Box Office at 01- 8797601 to reserve your ticket

This includes a reception on arrival and discussion panel after the film with renowned educator Paddy Madden M.A., (Marino Institute), Wildlife Artist Gordon D’Arcy and Sarah O’Malley B.A. (Environmental Education Researcher, UCG).

To launch their Primary School Adventure Programme, Irish Wildlife Trust have brought the award winning film “PLAY AGAIN” to Ireland. This will be the first time this unique film has been shown in Ireland. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in education, nature or our society in general to understand some of the challenges facing today’s youth.


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3 Mar 2011

Play Alliance Urges Politicians ‘Put Play on Your Agenda

Play is vitally important for the healthy development of all children and young people. Play is seriously on a child’s agenda and that of their parents. Play Alliance believes play needs to be on our current and prospective politicians’ agenda also.

Children’s opportunities for free play have become restricted in recent years by various factors including planning, traffic, parental safety concerns and the level of structured activities.

Play Alliance encourages voters to support this cause by encouraging their local politician to make quality play provision an important part of their campaign.

A new National Play Policy to focus attention and resources on providing better play opportunities is of vital importance, and the establishment of an information centre to assist play providers in local authorities is badly needed.

“There are over 800,000 children in Ireland. One in four of these children are either overweight or obese. It is crucial that in all places where children gather we provide opportunities for a wide range of play activities, to ensure their well-being. By far the most serious constraint to children’s free-play globally, is the lack of appreciation of its value by many adults”, said Anne O’Brien, Play Development Officer in Dublin City Council.

Play Alliance urges all  politicians to support the development, maintenance and protection of play environments and the creation of imaginative new initiatives. Let our children learn about the world, how its works, and their place in it, through play.

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3 Mar 2011

EPA Climate Change Lecture Series Continues in March

Subject: EPA Climate Change Lecture - March 15th 2010
The successful EPA climate change lecture series continues in March, with the second lecture of 2011.
The next lecture will be given by Mr. Alexandre MeybeckFood &
Agriculture Organisation, U.N.
Lecture Topic: Climate Change & Agriculture: ensuring food production is not threatened.
Attendance is free, but advance booking is essential.

Bookings and enquiries to:
Clara Clark Tel: 01- 289 8533 Email: 
clara@claraclark.ie

Date: Tuesday 15th March 2011, 6.30 – 8.00p.m
Venue: The Round Room, The Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2
 
The lecture series is chaired by Dr. John Bowman.
Time: 6.00 pm Refreshments and Registration
6.30 pm Lecture
7.30 pm Questions & Answers Session
8.00 pm Ends

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3 Mar 2011

Reduced Price for your Extra CC Containers


The introduction of RFID on the CC Container has had a good start, and thousands of extra containers have been accepted in the pool! The peak season is getting closer and CC now gives you the opportunity to secure that you have enough CC Containers.


If you have more CC Containers in stock than shown in your CC contracts, you can bring the containers into the pool system. 

From February 28 through to March 11, the license fee is temporarily reduced from GBP 15 to only GBP 8.50 per CC Container. 

If you have already brought CC Containers into the system after January 10, 2011 at a price of GBP 15, we will automatically refund the price difference for you. 

If you need additional CC Containers for the peak season, please contact Container Centralen Ltd. for information on Short Term Hire.

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3 Mar 2011

Minister Warns of the Dangers of Burning Vegetation and the Inherent Risk to Life and Property

Minister of State Connick welcomes recommendations from the Working Group on Land and Forest Fires


Last year was one of the worst on record for land and forest fires in Ireland. A Working Group, with representatives from a broad spectrum of interested stakeholders, including farmers, the forest industry, the Fire Service, the Gardai, the Defence Forces, Coillte, Teagasc and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, was established by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and charged with making recommendations to the Minister, with a view to tackling the problem of illegal and uncontrolled burning.

Minister Connick said “Burning vegetation is extremely dangerous and uncontrolled burning of vegetation poses a grave and unacceptable risk to the lives and livelihoods of farmers and forest owners throughout the country.”

“Spring is generally unsuitable for burning vegetation, due to dry conditions, strong winds and the presence of dead and dry vegetation, especially in upland areas, which makes burning particularly dangerous and poses a real threat to the safety of people, forests and other property. For example, the Coillte estate alone suffered over 1,900 acres of damage during 2010, which is approximately three times the annual average recorded by that organisation”.

The Minister continued “I welcome the 10 Recommendations of the Working Group, which I fully support and which will make the Irish countryside a safer place for all who live in and earn their living from it” He added “In particular, I welcome the main recommendation which will, in the coming days, see my Department commencing an extensive nationwide publicity campaign with the aim of changing the burning methods in traditional agricultural practices to prioritise safety and reduce unnecessary risk.”

The other recommendations cover a wide range of important issues including advising landowners on fire prevention and fire management, greater early detection of illegal burning, and the promotion of Producer Group involvement.

It should be noted that from this year onwards, there will be a concerted multi-agency effort to reduce, as much as possible, the threat posed by uncontrolled burning. This will see a greater focus on uncontrolled land burning through strengthened cross-reporting arrangements and enforcement. This, in turn, will reduce the risk involved particularly in the fire danger period from February to May.

Following a full analysis of the issues involved the Land and Forest Fires Working Group made a series of 10 recommendations, which have now been approved by Minister Connick.  For the full text of the recommendations please see 

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3 Mar 2011

Domination of Dutch continues with FloraHolland Tradepark Bremen Launched in Germany

Image001

 

FloraHolland has brought Tradepark Bremen in Germany into service. The Tradepark is a logistics center which provides supporting facilities and logistics services. It has arisen from an association between FloraHolland and the VGB (Association of Wholesalers in Flower Nursery Products). This is the first time that FloraHolland has opened a logistics support center outside the Netherlands. Tradepark Bremen caters to the increasing international flows in the floriculture industry. Its launch in February gives customers the chance to make use of the services during the busy spring period. The Tradepark will be officially opened later this year.

 

Opportunities for growers and traders

Having a logistics support center (hub) will make it possible to organize international flows faster, more efficiently, and thus less expensively,” says Rens Buchwaldt, Logistics, Information Technology & Automation Director at FloraHolland. “The Tradepark makes it possible to do something about the constantly rising costs in the retail chain. At the same time, we hope to extend the assortment with products from northern Germany and to keep the FloraHolland marketplace attractive. By lowering the chain costs and by remaining an attractive marketplace, Dutch exporters will be able to reinforce their position in the chain. This is in the interests of our members, as well as those of the international position of the Dutch floriculture industry.”

By using Tradepark Bremen, exporters can bundle volumes and shorten delivery times to their customers. Local growers who want to deliver their products at Dutch exporters or the auctions can also make use of the Tradepark. Bremen, which is the center of the northern German production area and is surrounded by a large number of producers and customers, is an ideal location for a hub.

“In northern Germany, we're beginning with the launch of a small, initial pilot. Then we will monitor its development. The fact remains that we will have to adjust the logistics in the international floriculture chain to the new and changing market conditions. With the launch of a Tradepark in Bremen, we are taking the first steps towards this, with the goal to reinforce the competitive position of our members,” says Buchwaldt.

 

Choice in logistics services

Tradepark Bremen is offering various supporting services. Customers can make use of logistical processing operations, a container depot for collecting and returning empty CC-containers, and shuttle services by floriculture transporters to and from the Tradepark.

Further information on Tradepark Bremen can be found at www.tradeparkbremen.de.

 

                                               -----------------------------------

 

 

About FloraHolland
The cooperative flower auction FloraHolland offers growers and customers a network of six national and international marketplaces (Aalsmeer, Naaldwijk, Rijnsburg, Bleiswijk, Eelde, and Veiling Rhein-Maas), a national intermediary organization (FloraHolland Connect) and an internationally active Import department. Veiling Rhein-Maas (Herongen, Germany) is a joint venture between FloraHolland and Landgard. FloraHolland, the world's largest auction organization, processes over 12 billion flowers and plants a year. Annual sales exceed € 4.1 billion. Almost 4,200 employees work at FloraHolland.

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3 Mar 2011

Become a Plant Show Stopper

by John Stanley

Imagine you are a typical impulse customer who walks into your garden centre plant area; the customer walks around and would subconsciously be looking to find a product that makes them stop.

The customer sees most of the plants displayed in straight rows.  

The majority of the plants are unknown to them because 70% of those on sale were not available ten years ago.

Take a walk around your plant area in your mind and ask yourself how often you would stop and look at a promotional plant.  Be honest with yourself.   Put yourself in the shoes of a typical customer looking for your plant show stoppers.   Alas, many plant managers forget that one of their roles is to stop customers in their tracks.  The result of not stopping the customer is a lower average sale and customers who are not likely to give your garden centre a second chance.

With selling plants becoming more challenging than ever, your Show Stopper Policy is critical to the success of your plant sales area.

Imagine what happens when you have Plant Show Stoppers.  Customers slow down their walking pace, they start to browse shop, then they discover plants they may not have seen before. Your average sale goes up, plus they tell their friends of the experience they have just had and encourage them to do the same.

Customers walk into your planteria and your job is to get them to stop and look at the plants on offer.  Hopefully if you can achieve that they will be enticed into buying other plants on offer.


Your “Plant Show Stopper” strategy is critical if you are to grow your sales beyond 2011.

In our e-training sessions and on our Members Club,  I look at various Show Stopper strategies during the year.  Here is a framework to help you become a Plant Show Stopper Master in your garden centre.

Ask yourself the following questions in preparation for a new spring trading year:


1.  Does all your team know what a “plant show stopper” is and how it affects your business?

My definition of a “plant show stopper” is the space allocation and display in the plant sales area that encourages the majority of your consumers in the plant area to stop and look at the display that has been created. The aim of stopping the customer is to get them to pick the plant up and make a buying decision. Once they have made one buying decision they are more likely to make more purchases.


2Does all the team know where the “Plant Show Stopper” locations are in your plant area?

Every store has “plant show stopper” locations. Every outdoor sales area has a power spot selling position in their sales area; it is normally four steps into the plant sales area, once your customer has traversed the transition zone. Every retailer sets up displays that have end cap locations, another area that is a “plant show stopper” location in the plant sales area. Walk the sales area and look at your sightline locations and ask yourself whether these draw the customer through the sales area.

To help you team identify where to locate ‘Plant Show Stoppers” there are a number of video’s on our Members Club to help you with your training.

The number of locations for “plant show stoppers” will vary from centre to centre depending on the size and physical arrangement of the plant sales area, but the key is that all the team are aware of where these locations are and appreciate how important they are to the overall sales in the business.


3. Have you developed a “Plant Show Stopper” display strategy?

Knowing where the locations are is not the key; it is what you do with them that is the real answer and a display plan for the year is critically important. “Plant Show Stoppers” are not about the product, that comes once you have decided what is the message you wish to communicate at the show stopper location. The message can be classified within a number of themed promotional groups. The main show stopper groups used by plant retailers are:

Seasonal: A theme based on the four seasons of the year {in some cultures there are more seasons that can be developed} Creating a display theme around the season provides a message to the consumer that the whole plant centre is changing the merchandise mix.

Colour: Consumers often buy plants on a colour theme and selecting one colour theme for a show stopper is an easy and ideal eye catcher.

Favourites: Consumers like to buy based on opinion and a Favourites plant display can be based on one of the sales team, as an experts favourite range of products, or alternatively a best seller promotion based on consumer buying habits.

Peaks: Christmas, Easter, Mothers Day, Spring and so on are all part of a peak display strategy where the display is build based on a known track record based on consumer demand.

Added Value Solutions: The aim of this display is to sell the solution rather than the plant. It allows you to take plants and other related products from two or more different categories and combine them on a display to provide the right solution for the consumer. I recently saw a fashion show that was displaying shoes, bags and dresses together as the added value solution for the consumer. But, rarely do you see this thinking process in the plant area

Unique Themes: This is where you can let your imagination run wild and develop a theme that is unique to your plant area. It should be a theme that is memorable as the aim is to get your consumer to not only get involved themselves in them, but to promote it to their friends via word of mouth or the social media.

Back to Nature: Consumers are looking to get back to nature and a theme around sustainability and preserving the nature around us is very much in vogue at present. Especially where local flora is involved.


4.  Is Someone Responsible for Managing the Plant Show Stoppers?

Many “Plant Show Stoppers” do not perform because they are built and then neglected. A plant show stopper needs to be monitored daily. This will only occur if somebody is made accountable for the day to day management of those displays. If they are half empty, untidy or have the wrong product on them these locations will reflect on the image and sales of the whole company.

Establish a plan and make a difference. As I mentioned at the start of this article, 70% of the plants on offer were not around ten years ago, we also have a consumer who has less plant knowledge than in the past. This leads to a marketing opportunity to make a difference in the plant sales area.

John Stanley M.Sc (Horticulture) (CSP) has been called the leading horticultural consultant in the world today by garden centres in the USA. A background teaching perishable retailing in the UK, he is  WA Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 and WA Small Business Champion 2009 Education, was voted 14th of The Power 50 (the 50 most powerful and influential people in British horticulture) in  2008 and 2010.  Email  linda@johnstanley.com.au or visit  www.johnstanley.com.au for information on his Members Club and  how John can help you grow your business.m
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24 Feb 2011

Main Points & More from John Stanley GCAI Retail Seminar and Workshop.

HortiTrends asked John Stanley for a breakdown of his recent seminar for those who were not lucky enough to have attended on the day. He has also supplied us with a PDF of the powerpoint presentation he gave on the day with the kind permission of the GCAI who realize that in order for our sector to thrive we must get better at swapping information that is useful to individual sectors within horticulture. A big thank you to John Stanley and Anne Mc Kenna.

1. The consumer has changed and their expectations have changed and garden centres must change the way they merchandise, display and market to meet the needs of the changed consumer. In addition they must focus on values, be authentic, be honest with their customers. That means a change in labelling and signage to do this.

2.  Following on from a talk by a trend economist that we heard a couple of weeks ago, and that John has mentioned in one of his latest newsletters, there is going to be a small economic recovery in the next couple of years, so the time to act to make the changes that are needed is now. There is no time for delays, garden centres must act now as there will be another downturn in 2018.

3. Garden centres must focus their marketing on the 35 - 45 year old woman as that age bracket is the biggest spender at the moment.  That age bracket use the mobile phone as an essential item and therefore mobile marketing and social media are two essential elements that garden centres must use for their marketing strategies.

4. Consumers values have changed and every garden centre must read the book 'Spend Shift' to understand how consumer values have changed. Garden centres must respond to this change of values by establishing their own set of values for their own business and marketing of their values to the consumer.

Click here to view presentation.
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24 Feb 2011

Wildlife Friendly Gardening seminar at the National Botanic Gardens 5th March

Wildlife Friendly Gardening seminar at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. Speakers: Eanna Ni Lamhna (from the Mooney show); Niall Hatch (BirdWatch Ireland) and Ireland's favourite gardening guru Dermot O'Neill. 10am registration, day finishes at 4pm. 65 euros including lunch, payable by cheque or credit card. Bookings through RHSI office 01 235 3912 Tues Wed Thurs 10am-1pm, or Brenda on 086 232 5721.  The Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland  is a registered charity.  info@rhsi.iewww.rhsi.ie

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24 Feb 2011

Conservationists and Business Call for Garden Peat Levy


Peat bogs are a vital carbon sink and the market for peat based compost in the UK is responsible for 630,000 tonnes of carbon emissions a year – the equivalent of an extra 300,000 cars on our roads. The majority of peat sold in the UK is imported from Ireland and Baltic countries where peat extraction is also responsible for destroying wildlife habitats.

Conservation groups and gardening suppliers have called on the Government to introduce a levy on peat products bought from garden centres in the March budget.

Forsinard RSPB reserve, bog pool with Cotton grass

According to UK Government figures, the cost to society of peat through carbon emissions alone is £11 per cubic metre – around £32million a year in the UK. This cost is not reflected in the price of peat, however a levy of around £1 on a regular sized bag of peat based compost would help address this.

Government attempts to phase out peat over the past ten years have failed and DEFRA is currently consulting over its new voluntary initiative with a target of phasing out horticultural peat over the next two decades.

However a report published by the RSPB this week, says this is not strong enough or quick enough and to make a real difference a levy also needs to be introduced to encourage consumers to use peat-free alternatives. The call has been backed by other groups including The Wildlife Trusts, Plantlife, Buglife, the Irish Peatland Conservation Council and Butterfly Conservation as well as compost suppliers Vital Earth. Money raised through the levy could also provide vital funding for the restoration of damaged peat bogs across the UK.  

RSPB conservation director Mark Avery said: “It really is incredible that a product as hugely damaging to our environment as peat is still being widely consumed in the UK. Despite attempts to tackle this issue in the 1990s, little has been achieved aside from exporting damaging peat extraction overseas.

“A financial incentive is vital if we are to change the behaviour of consumers and encourage the horticultural industry to invest in alternatives. Rigorous studies have shown that good peat free composts work just as well – Kew Gardens is just one notable example of a peat free garden which is thriving.

“We have got rid of lead in our petrol, CFCs in our aerosols and DDT in our countryside – so why is this dinosaur industry still lumbering along causing untold damage to our environment?”

Steve Harper, Managing Director of compost suppliers Vital Earth, said: “The gardening industry should welcome a peat levy – it’s one way towards a more level playing field for peat and the environmentally better, but more expensive to produce, alternatives.  Without this, it’s hard for the industry to invest in the change the Government would like to see happen to end the widespread use of peat.”

Catherine O’Connell, Chief Executive of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council, said: “Our bogs need your levy. Irish peat bogs are being torn apart to supply British gardeners with their bags of peat compost – we’re now your major peat source.  A retail levy will help consumers to choose composts not on price, but on their relative merits.”

Lowland raised peat bogs are home to a range of butterflies, dragonflies, birds and unique insect eating plants, but it forms very slowly at a rate of just one centimetre every ten years. Peat bogs are also one of the biggest stores of greenhouse gases, in the UK peat bogs hold almost four times as much carbon as forests. The extraction and use of peat releases carbon dioxide, adding to global climate change.

The Government’s consultation on phasing out peat based products ends on 11 March 2011.

For more information, or to support the campaign, visit the RSPB website at http://www.rspb.org.uk/supporting/campaigns/campaignwithus/current/peat.aspx to find out how to get involved.

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24 Feb 2011

Packed House & Electric Atmosphere for GCAI John Stanley Seminar

Last Thursday, 76 industry leaders gathered to hear John Stanley, Australian
Entrepreneur of the Year & Retail Guru inspire & challenge at the GCAI’s Spring
Seminar.

John was on his feet for the whole day and never missed an opportunity to challenge
delegates, delivering a high energy, direct & honest assessment of what businesses must
do to prosper in the current climate.

“The energy in the room was electric, John definitely out did himself this time” was the
perspective of one delegate, Eoin Reid of Fernhill Garden Centre

John’s presentation something for everyone including uses for new technology, to
customer service & expectations, cooperation strategies, merchandising, new marketing
methods, running effective promotions, brand building, moments of truth, strategies for
taste, touch, smell & sounds amongst others. He dared businesses to be different, to stand
out from the crowd.

Priority was given to devising an action plan for delegates to take home to their own
businesses and John has agreed to follow up in 4 months time with a free webinar for all
those who attended.

Anne McKenna at the GCAI said “We were thrilled with the feedback we received
during & after the seminar. The cobwebs and lethargy are definitely gone, now there’s no
excuse not to get out there & sell, sell, sell.”

Also on the day, delegates got a sneak preview of the findings of Bord Bia’s most
recently commissioned research on Consumer Attitudes & Behaviour which won’t be
published until the end of this month.

The GCAI are already looking forward to their next training event, a study trip to UK
garden centres in early March. Further details are available from Anne anne@gio.ie
Waiting for the day to begin.jpg

Waiting for the day to begin.jpg

Amarach present findings of Consumer behaviour & attitudes research.jpg
Amarach present findings of Consumer behaviour & attitudes research
Delegates at the JS seminar.jpg
Delegates at the JS seminar
JS in full flight.jpg
JS in full flight

HorticultureTrends
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GardenGuide: Reg - 430507

24 Feb 2011

This Weeks Horticulture Tenders News

Ref: FEB200716
Notice Type: Invitation to Tender
Title: Estate Management Training – Mallow
Published: 24/02/2011
Published by: Avondhu Blackwater Partnership
Deadline: 14/03/2011
Full Text: http://www.etenders.gov.ie/search/show/Search_View.aspx?id=FEB200716

Ref: FEB200696
Notice Type: Invitation to Tender
Title: N2 Monaghan to Emyvale Road Imps Ecology, Freshwater Ecology, Bird, Large Mammal and Bat Reports
Published: 24/02/2011
Published by: Monaghan County Council
Deadline: 10/03/2011
Full Text: http://www.etenders.gov.ie/search/show/Search_View.aspx?id=FEB200696

Ref: FEB200720
Notice Type: Invitation to Tender
Title: Internal Landscaping Contract 2011
Published: 24/02/2011
Published by: Forfas
Deadline: 22/03/2011
Full Text: http://www.etenders.gov.ie/search/show/Search_View.aspx?id=FEB200720

News . Advertising . Sales . Marketing . Business Development & Support. 
Expertise, Practical Know-how, Passion for the Horticulture Fresh Produce & Lifestyle Sectors...

Offices: Suite 5,  64 Dame Street . Dublin 2 . Ireland . Location: Map & Directions
      
Mobile: 353 (0)87.9212044  

Email: jblair@hortitrends.com     

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GardenGuide: Reg - 430507

21 Feb 2011

€40,000 Investment Success for Dragons Den Duo with GrowRings

GrowRings

On Monday nights first episode of Dragons Den it was touch and go but in the end these two horticulture entrepreneurs shone through and walked away with two new seasoned investment partners. Martin and David intended and succeeded to plant a seed in the den with their range of homegrowing products.

 A simple idea and the dragon investors took a shine to it. Its one of those ideas where you might think 'I could have done that' but both you and I did'nt and they did. Frustrated once again! 

GrowRings

 they say, is a unique new system for growing your own fruit, vegetables, herbs  and plants. Its modular, circular design offers many advantages over traditional raised beds and grow boxes, including,

  • Easy assembly - no tools needed, set-up in minutes
  • Flexibility – can be used in the traditional garden or in smaller, more awkward areas such as patios or balconies
  • GrowStack System - fully compatible mini Greenhouse system available for cold weather gardening

GrowRings are for everyone – the experienced gardener or the gardening novice. The suburban family or the urban singleton. The system’s flexibility, quick and easy set-up and the low price make it easy to get started. 

So will they make it? Watch this space and see.

HorticultureTrends
News . Advertising . Sales . Marketing . Business Development & Support. 
Expertise, Practical Know-how, Passion for the Horticulture Fresh Produce & Lifestyle Sectors...

Offices: Suite 5,  64 Dame Street . Dublin 2 . Ireland . Location: Map & Directions
      
Mobile: 353 (0)87.9212044  

Email: jblair@hortitrends.com     

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GardenGuide: Reg - 430507

21 Feb 2011

Over 30 Nurseries and Suppliers or Participate In Growers NI Trolley Fair

Growers NI Trolley & Plant Fair

Venue: CAFRE, Greenmount College, Antrim
Date: Tuesday 22nd February 2011

Kick off the season with Ireland’s Best!

One Day Only 9.30a.m. - 4.00p.m.

Many Special Offers on the day

JF McKenna
Bulrush
Plantation Road Nrs
Craigmore Trees
Glenavy
Unique Garden Products
The Worm Works
Ben Vista
Montgommery
Irish Garden Plants
Premier
Glenbank
 
McGranes
Kilworth
Whiteisland
Brookhill
Colin Davidson
Fernhill
Campbell Plants
Flanneries
Instant Pots
Hughes
Glenbrook
K & M Nrs
Rentes
Dorans
Sunhill
Mount Congreve
T&M Leahy
Woodstock Tree & Shrub
Woodview

HorticultureTrends
News . Advertising . Sales . Marketing . Business Development & Support. 
Expertise, Practical Know-how, Passion for the Horticulture Fresh Produce & Lifestyle Sectors...

Offices: Suite 5,  64 Dame Street . Dublin 2 . Ireland . Location: Map & Directions
      
Mobile: 353 (0)87.9212044  

Email: jblair@hortitrends.com     

  HortiTrends: Reg - 215696   
GardenGuide: Reg - 430507

21 Feb 2011

Over 30 Nurseries and Suppliers to Participate in Growers NI Trolley & Plant Fair this Tuesday

Grower NI Trolley & Plant Fair

Venue: CAFRE, Greenmount College, Antrim
Date: Tuesday 22nd February 2011

Kick off the season with Ireland’s Best!

One Day Only 9.30a.m. - 4.00p.m.

Many Special Offers on the day.

HorticultureTrends
News . Advertising . Sales . Marketing . Business Development & Support. 
Expertise, Practical Know-how, Passion for the Horticulture Fresh Produce & Lifestyle Sectors...

Offices: Suite 5,  64 Dame Street . Dublin 2 . Ireland . Location: Map & Directions
      
Mobile: 353 (0)87.9212044  

Email: jblair@hortitrends.com     

  HortiTrends: Reg - 215696   
GardenGuide: Reg - 430507

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