Horticulture students develop edible garden
14 September 2004
Students from the Horticulture area of the Built & Natural Environments Department at Kangan Batman TAFE are busy developing an orchard at the Broadmeadows campus.
The one hectare area had previously been under utilised until Horticulture staff came up with a plan to turn the area into a learning environment via a range of production horticulture and attractive gardening concepts.
Not only is the Orchard going to provide a wide range of produce, it has also been designed with a strong environmental focus incorporating organic horticulture principles in line with Kangan Batman's environmental sustainability policy.
In June this year Kangan Batman and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) entered into a voluntary three-year Sustainability Covenant to increase the efficiency with which it uses resources to produce and deliver products and services which reduce ecological impact. Kangan Batman is the first VET sector organisation to sign a sustainability covenant with the EPA.
Kangan Batman TAFE also has an EcoQIT (Ecology Quality Improvement Team) to encourage staff members to help develop 'cross-department' environmental strategies and projects, and to further raise interest and awareness of how Kangan Batman can increase its environmental sustainability.
The orchard is one such strategy and is planned to become self sustaining, using recycled water to showcase sustainable horticultural and agricultural practice. Students will be making compost which will assist with growing organic produce for sale and use in Richards Restaurant, the hospitality student training facility.
Water gathered from the surrounding buildings is stored in tanks, the overflow runs into a dam and is used to water the orchard as necessary. Vegetable waste from the nearby Hospitality training restaurant is composted in a worm farm, which is then used to help to improve soil structure in the orchard. The students and staff aim to minimise the use of chemicals in the ochard by employing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles which incorporate a variety of methods to reduce pests and diseases in plants.
Students and staff have set up the ochard with apple, pear, stone fruit and citrus trees, many species of seasonal vegetables and a vineyard area that is about to be planted. But it is not all edible, there is a rose garden and ornamental plants also. The project gives students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in Production Horticulture including a nursery situation, and also extends to include the landscape construction and landscape design fields.
The previously sloping site has been terraced which will provide students with the opportunity to work on retaining walls, rock walls and paving and planned irrigation.
The department is also well equipped with propagating facilities, hothouses and other modern equipment. New facilities are planned for the changing and increasing needs of Horticulture training.
The department offers training in all areas of horticulture including gardening, nursery and landscape design. Courses are available from VET in Schools to apprenticeship and Certificate IV level. Students study a wide range of subjects and have access to seven streams of specialisation in the Certificate IV in Horticulture. The department is also hoping to introduce a design certificate in 2005.
On completion of their training students can recommend plants , plan revegetation works , understand environmental issues and policies , and be able to set up irrigation schedules . They will also understand turf management , soils , design and establish plant displays , plan a tree pruning program , prepare a garden design , plan a propagation program , and understand plant health .
This gives graduates opportunity for work in wholesale or retail nurseries, production horticulture, garden centres, garden maintenance, horticultural supply operations, Parks Management, Natural Resource Management, Landscape design and construction.
For more information go to http://www.kangan.edu.au/study_options/accredited.asp and search for horticulture or email jalcock@kangan.edu.au with enquiries.
