My Favourite Flowers

 

I decided to do a post about what my favourite flowers are because it is a horticulture blog and I couldn't do a blog without mentioning what my favourite flowers are.

 

Well my favourite flowers are Sunflowers!!!

 

 

Sunflowers can grow anywhere from two to fifteen feet tall depending on the variety, and their seeds can even be harvested and enjoyed as a delicious snack. 

Promotion

 

Recycling Posters

 

As you probably already know horticulture is very linked to the environment and so we decided one class to make posters to encourage students in our school to recycle and to inform them of what can be recycled.

 

 

Here are a few examples of the work we did !!!

 

 



Classroom Horticulture

 

 

As the weather started to get colder, wetter and darker we retired to doing indoor planting.

For this we would need some help with getting our plants enough sunlight.

 

 

We decided that the way to do this was by making light boxes. These are boxes we can place our potted plants in that will reflect the sunlight onto our plants (once placed in the window) giving them more heat and light and allowing them to grow.

 

We made these light boxes by cutting and tapping cardboard boxes into the shape that we needed and then by cover the box completely in tinfoil (to reflect the light)

 

Our Light Box

 

 


We then moved on and decided that if we're being eco friendly it would only be right to plant our herbs (we decided to plant herbs to try make a small herbal garden for ourselves) in bio-degradable pots.

We made these bio-degradable pots using newspaper and masking tape (both bio-degradable products) then we filled these pots with compost seeds and labelled them accordingly.

 Our Bio-degradable Pots

 We put basil and coriander seeds into our pots (in hope that they will grow!) before combining the two elements we made.

 



Soils

Investigating Soils



Soil is the upper layer of earth in which plants grow, a black or dark brown material typically consisting of a mixture of organic remains, clay, and rock particles.

 

Soil Structure

 

 

Soil structure refers to the arrangement of soil separates into units called soil aggregates. An aggregate possesses solids and pore space. Aggregates are separated by planes of weakness and are dominated by clay particles. Silt and fine sand particles may also be part of an aggregate.

 

Soil Types

 

All soils are made up of 5 components, sand, silt, clay, organic matter (and humus) and Minerals (nutrients). The percentage of each component determines the soils ability to drain, to hold water, to hold nutrients, maintain life, determine Acidity and maintain structure.

 

 

Sandy Soils
Sandy soils have a higher percentages of sand. Sand is a large soil particle that can't be broken down any smaller, they are large, round grains and when they fit together they leave large ‘pore’ spaces or gaps between them. In soils, large pore spaces fill with air and not water. So, we can say that sandy soils have large gaps which hold air and allow water to flow down through them, providing for good soil drainage.

Sandy soils are:

• Full of large air holes.
• Free Draining soils
• Is easy to work with (light)
• Dries out quickly
• Minerals are easily leached. (Keep reading to find out what leaching is)
• Lower in nutrients.
• Faster to warm up in spring.

Clay Soils
Clay soils are the opposite of sandy soils. Clay soils have a high percentage of clay. Clay particles are small, flat and sticky particles. They fit tightly together, which means that in clay soils there are only small ‘pore’ spaces or gaps between the particles. Small pore spaces are better at holding water and not good at holding air. Therefore, we can say that clay soils hold a lot more water than air.
Clay soils are also sticky and help bind soils together to form larger soil clumps. Most soils in the midlands of Ireland are made up of 50% clay. Clay soils hold water and therefore hold nutrients so are all highly fertile.

Clay soils are:

• Better at holding water
• Wetter and heavier soils
• Harder soils to work in wet conditions
• Naturally fertile soil.
• More fertile as leaching of minerals is slower
• Very poor drainage, which can lead to water logging.
• Is a cold soil
• Darker in colour

Silt Soils
Silt soils have a higher percentages of silt particles. Silt particles are basically smaller sand grains and therefore the pore spaces between the particles in smaller than that of sandy soils. Silts are common result of floodplains and are consider highly fertile. Also because they are smaller than sand and larger than clay they have a good balance of pore space sizes.
Silt soils are not a common soil type in Ireland.

Silt soils are:

• Good at retaining water
• Slower draining than sandy soils
• Fertile soils

Loam soils
Loam soils are the perfect balance of each soil mentioned above. They have half-way characteristics of both clay and sandy soils, with more advantages and fewer disadvantages.
While structure, drainage and workability of soil depends on its composition, the amount of organic matter is also a major factor, which influences fertility, worm content and acidity.



Peat soils
Peat soils have a high percentage of Organic matter. Organic matter is partially decomposed plant and animal material that has been broken down over thousands of years. Organic matter is in high concentration in peat areas because peat bogs are damp and sufficient oxygen for decomposition to take place, this leads to a build up of organic material.

Peats soils can be found in the midlands as well as around the west and North west of the country.

Peat soils are:

• High in organic matter
• Dark in colour
• Depth soils
• Have a higher fertility
• Poor draining
• Acidic soils

Leaching

Natural process by which water soluble substances (such as calcium, fertilizers and pesticides) are washed out from soil. These leached out chemicals cause pollution of surface and sub-surface water.

 

Science

 

The Science of Plant Growth

 

What do plants need to grow ?

 



Plants need water, air, nutrients, and sunlight to grow. The energy from sunlight is used to chemically change water and carbon dioxide (air) into sugar. This process is called photosynthesis. A waste product from photosynthesis is oxygen.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy (normally from the Sun)  into chemical energy that can be later released to allow the plant to grow and repair cells.

 

 

Air :

 

Just like us, plants need air to live. Plant leaves use carbon dioxide from the air to make sugars and starches for the plant to use as food. Another plant part that needs air is the roots. Plant roots need oxygen to stay healthy and to do their job of gathering water and nutrients for the plant.

 

Water :

 

 

Water is critical in order for plants to carry out photosynthesis. Water enters a plant's stem and travels up to its leaves, which is where photosynthesis actually takes place. Once in the leaves water evaporates, as the plant exchanges water for carbon dioxide.

 Sunlight:

All plants need sunlight to make food (glucose) in a process called photosynthesis.

 

 

Nutrients :

 

 

Plants need 17 elements for normal growth. Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen come from the air and water. Soil is the principle source of other nutrients. Key nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) are used in large amounts by plants, and often are supplemented as fertilizers.

 

 

 

 Air + Water + Sunlight + Nutrients = Plant Growth



Products of Photosynthesis

 

And that is how Plants Grow !!! 

 

 

 

Garden Plants

 

Researching suitable garden plants

 

When choosing plants for a chosen garden or landscape we have to keep certain things in mind such as plants purpose and the time of year.

 

Some plants and what they're suitable for:

 

Lavender  

 

Lavender is the ultimate multi-purpose plant: a horticultural Swiss army knife of a shrub, combining flavour and fragrance, elegant looks and drought-beating characteristics – a top-10 favourite in gardens all over the country. Falling for that old gardening cliché – the lavender-lined path smelling sweetly as you brush past

 

GARDENIAS

Gardenias are famed to be the sweet smelling flowering plants because of their aromatic fragrance.  These can be best placed in a garden of flowers or put in your patio landscapes.  They can tolerate sunlight exposure but it has to be shaded one in a while.

 Daffodils

 

 

 

  A bulbous European plant which typically bears bright yellow flowers with a long trumpet-shaped centre. A genus of predominantly spring perennial plants. Sprouting from an onionlike bulb, most daffodils feature a sturdy stem that supports a flower or flowers composed of the cup or corolla, surrounded by six petals or perianth segments. Daffodils bloom in early, mid or late spring, but each plant flowers only once a year. 

 

 

Pumpkin

 

 

 

Pumpkins are more used for Halloween decoration than for eating, and winter squashes are hardly known at all for this purpose. But they are an interesting and tasty addition to the standard range of vegetables and offer many uses in cookery. Winter squashes, and pumpkins are quite easy to grow and need no great expertise for success.

 

 

 

Geranium

 Geraniums have been a gardener's favourite for well over a century. The old-fashioned standard for beds, borders, and containers, geranium is still one of the most popular plants today. Traditional bedding types love hot weather and hold up well to dry conditions; many offer colourful foliage.

Though most geraniums are grown as annuals. Bring them indoors to overwinter, if you like, then replant outdoors in spring. Or they can bloom indoors all year long if they get enough light.

 



Composting

 

Composting

 



What is Composting?

Composting is nature's process of recycling decomposed organic materials into a rich soil known as compost. Anything that was once living will decompose. Basically, backyard composting is an acceleration of the same process nature uses.


How does Composting work ?

Composting works by mixing yard and household organic waste in a pile or bin and providing conditions that encourage decomposition. The decomposition process is fueled by millions of microscopic organisms (bacteria, fungi) that take up residence inside your compost pile, continuously devouring and recycling it to produce a rich organic fertilizer and valuable soil called compost.




What are the benefits of Composting ?

Compost helps sandy soil retain water and nutrients. As well as this it loosens tightly bound particles in clay or silt soil so roots can spread, water can drain and air can penetrate. Compost alters soil structure, making it less likely to erode, preventing soil spattering on plants (spreading diseases).




What are the challenges associated with Composting?

Creating compost that contains the right mix of minerals, moisture, particle size and temperature. Too little moisture will slow down decomposition, but too much can create odour problems.


What are some emerging trends in Composting ?

Soil Management And Health
Use of compost in landscaping and agricultural applications is the backbone of the compost marketplace. The product is popular in commercial (or professional) applications, as well as in retail (or homeowner) applications.

Environmental Applications And Infrastructure
Some of the most popular and high valued soil mixes containing compost are those created for storm water management, including roof top garden, rain garden, bioretention pond (etc.) .

Climate Change And Water Conservation
The effects of climate change are greatly impacting the world around us, with temperature and precipitation patterns changing. The most pronounced things have been the effects of violent weather anomalies (e.g., hurricanes, tornadoes). However, what is just as concerning are the droughts and floods affecting our ability to produce food and live normal lives. We know that soil improvement (using a stable source of organic matter) can help lessen some of the impacts. A movement to conserve and apply organic matter to the soil can both reduce irrigation requirements and improve storm water penetration, helping to reduce the impact of both drought and flood.


Specification
Through the work of many individuals in the composting industry, use of compost is being specified in large and important construction projects. These endeavors must be nurtured and expanded to ensure that compost markets continue to grow.


What can go into a Compost bin?

Composting Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1kIpCBD3UI

 

And that's how to make compost !!!



Outdoors

The Courtyard

 

Our school of Castleknock Community College have a courtyard that is the centrepiece of the school grounds. This courtyard is the place were most of our horticulture activities were carried out.

 

 



The first thing we did for horticulture was view the area that was available for us to design and use. We drew a Birdseye view of our school courtyard and came up with any three features that we would like to see included in the courtyard.





The next thing we had to do for the courtyard was to de-weed the area around the outside of the courtyard. We did this to allow the plants more space to grow and to improve the look of the courtyard.






Following this we went out to the courtyard and dug up last years planted edible plants. These included radishes, potatoes and turnips. we also dug up the soil making it more fertile, adding air to it and making it more suitable for planting.

Now it was time to get planting !

 
We wrapped up warm and took to the courtyard to plant plants that were aesthetically pleasing as well as practical for the time of year.
 
 
 
 


Gloves and Watering Can

We used many tools:

• Watering Cans
• Shovels
• Gardening Gloves (most important)
• Wheelbarrow
• Compost
• Trowels
• Forks
• And a few other

  
 
 
 
We then got busy and planted many plants all suitable for the environment we were putting them in. Some of the plants names can be seen below along with how they look.
 
 

 
 

 
 
 


As we can see the plants are both suitable and pleasing to the eyes.

 
It was hard work doing gardening because we had to dig up and fertilise some very hard ground. Once we had planted the plant we had to put fresh compost and water on it for it to absorb their nutrients.

Some people hard at work in the courtyard !

 

And so that's the work we did in the courtyard !!!