Horticulture

The study of horticulture centres 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. For example as well as using herbs in making the Sunday dinner they are principal ingredients in a lot of alternative medicines. Horticulture examines the components of these resources and aims to evaluate their principal uses.

Careers in the area combine a number of interesting subjects, including science, environmental studies, business and IT. A qualification in horticulture opens up a wide and diverse range of career paths; growing plants and flowers for garden centres, working on golf courses, landscaping and fruit and vegetable production, are just a few of the options available.

Education

Students interested in higher-level horticultural courses have a number of options, with several dedicated degrees and higher certificates in Horticulture available at Irish colleges and universities. You can also study Horticulture as a subject on a course such as Forestry or Agriculture. The CAO points for Horticulture are between 200 and 350.

Dedicated higher-level horticultural courses combine general science and botany subjects with more specialised classes. Subjects can include Plant Identification, Plant Biology, Soils Management, Environmental Science, Landscape Design, Horticultural Therapy, Golf Course Design, Floristry, Sports-Turf Management and Fruit Growing.

Horticultural students can also take business and IT courses, while some programmes contain a term in a work placement where you can practice your new skills and knowledge in the real world.

Options After Qualification

A higher-level qualification in Horticulture can open up a wide range of career options. Horticulture is a growth industry in Ireland at the moment, and there are opportunities for Horticulture graduates in landscape design and construction, green keeping, sports-turf management, gardening, market gardening, garden centres and many other related fields.

It can also be possible to specialise within a particular area of horticulture – either by continuing studies at postgraduate level, or through pursuing a specialist career. Environmental management, tourism, forestry, agriculture, landscaping, teaching and research are all options open to people with horticultural qualifications.

The Work

The responsibilities facing a Horticulture graduate will be dependent on the specialisations chosen. Some typical tasks would include planning and implementing landscape and garden designs, planting, tending and harvesting organic fruit and vegetables, and maintaining grounds and facilities for sports clubs and public amenities.

There are increasing numbers of horticulturists specifically concentrated on advancement. For example you might also find yourself working in a laboratory developing a new type of rose with no thorns, advising a football club on the type of grass to use on its pitch, being involved in quality control for a large retailer, or travelling to South America to select plants and flowers that will be stocked in a garden centre.

Advances in modern technology, and especially in plant genetics, mean that horticultural careers are constantly evolving. New developments in plant sciences mean horticulturalists can design and develop more impressive plants and flowers. Horticultural therapists use the therapeutic benefits of peaceful garden environments to design healthy and relaxing public spaces.

Many horticulturalists work for smaller companies, or are self-employed. Therefore, as your career progresses, you may find yourself involved in business, management or consultancy roles. People working in horticulture will find obvious links with colleagues involved in agriculture, forestry, food science and many other similar careers.

Personal Qualities & Work Environment

Horticultural careers attract people with an enthusiasm for the land. A certain amount of creativity is called for in designing and landscaping environments. Adversely you will also need to think analytically and solve problems, so a certain amount of ability in maths and science subjects would be beneficial.

Horticulture involves a good deal of physical work and you can find yourself outdoors in all weather conditions. As well as gardens and golf courses, some horticulturalists work in laboratories, while others will be based in offices. There can also be opportunities for travel and work abroad.

The Money

Newly qualified Horticulture graduates can expect to make between €23,000 and €26,000 a year. With experience, this can rise to €50,000 or more.

The Jargon

Rooting hormone: A powder of liquid growth hormone, used to promote the development of roots on a cutting

Microclimate: Variations of the climate within a given area, usually influenced by hills, hollows, structures or proximity to bodies of water

Botanical name: The Latin or ‘scientific’ name of a plant, usually composed of two words: the genus and the species

Floriculture: The cultivation of flowering plants

Job Titles

Horticulturalist
Gardener
Groundsman/Greenkeeper
Landscape Designer
Market Gardener
Garden Centre Manager

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