Gardening History, Skills & Business

Gardening History, Skills & Business - Summary

This fun hands on course gives a background to the gardening industry in Ireland and its evolution over the years. The course is mainly based on hands on elements such as sowing seeds, plant care and soil testing.

Module #1 Gardening History, Skills & Business - Talk (40 mins)

• The classroom element focuses on the history, types and economics of gardening with a focus on food production.

Module #2 Gardening History, Skills & Business - All about seeds (45 mins)

In this hands on module students learn all about seeds- collection, identification, sowing and nurturing your seed into a healthy plant. Students get to take away their own sowed seed or plant to look after.

Module #3 Gardening History, Skills & Business - All about soil (45 mins)

• This hands on module is all about soil- preparation, testing (PH, texture and soil fertility) and plant care
Lunch (45 Minutes)

• Finish with Lunch in the SOLAS Food Court with Pizzas for students and a choice from menu for school teachers included as part of the course package

Key points

• Group Size: We can cater for group sizes from 25 to 120 (Under 25 upon request)
• Cost: Course costs from €20 per student depending on Group size

Format of the Day

• See below typical timetable for the running of courses depending on whether students are attending 1 or 2 courses in a single day. Note we are flexible on start and finish times and can start courses from 8.30am onwards to suit bus pickup times.
• Single Course: Arrive 10:50am, Course 11-1.15pm, Lunch, Depart 2.00pm
• 2 Courses: Arrive 9am, Course #1 9-11.15am, Lunch, Course #2 12-2.15pm, Depart

Relevant 2nd Level Subjects

• This course is relevant to a number of Second Level subjects including
  • Agricultural Science
  • Chemistry
  • Career Guidance
  • Home Economics

Transport Options

SOLAS Education is easily accessible by road or rail

• BUS: Just 8km from Junction 14 on M7 Dublin to Cork & Limerick Motorway
• Train: is an easy and safe 1km walk from the Portarlington train station and has links to:
  • Dublin: 42 minutes, 34 trains daily each way, Return €6 per student
  • Roscommon: 69 minutes: 6 trains daily each way, Return €7.50 per student
  • Limerick: 92 minutes, 14 trains daily each way, Return €8 per student
  • Cork: 2 hours 9 minutes, 15 trains daily each way, Return €8 per student
  • Thurles: 48 minutes, 14 trains daily each way, Return €7 per student
  • Newbridge: 23 minutes, 29 trains daily each way, Return €5 per student
  • Athlone: 41 minutes, 18 trains daily each way, Return €6 per student