02 April 2009

This week nine pupils from Co. Antrim schools visited The Landscape Centre at Dunadry to meet with owner, Kay Campbell, to find out what the latest trends in gardening will be for summer 2009. All the pupils study Horticulture as part of the vocational enhancement programme at the Greenmount Campus of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).

The visit was hosted by Kay Campbell who outlined how the business had developed over the past 25 years. Kay discussed the seasonal changes to products and that the latest trend is “Grow your own”.  Kay explained, “During the recession customers are more interested in buying seeds and transplants for vegetables and flowers to grow and then harvest in the hope to reduce spending on groceries”

“It’s been a great afternoon, getting to see round the garden centre with all the plants on display. I think its great we get the chance to see what type of jobs you could get once you have completed the course” said Joel Gurney from Antrim Grammar school.

The students enjoyed their day out and two of them applied for part-time Saturday jobs after being so impressed with the garden centre.

For further details of horticulture courses, full and part-time, contact CAFRE on 0800 028 4291 or visit our webpages.

Kay Campbell (right) explains seasonal trends in gardening