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Kildalton College
Horticulture
Fruit and vegetables
Piltown has a strong tradition of apple production and Kildalton college is maintaining this tradition while also looking to the future. The college can boast the only state owned orchard in the country comprising in excess of 10 acres of desert, culinary and cider apples many of which are new varieties on trial. Soft fruit produced at Kildalton includes: red & black currants, gooseberries, raspberries and rhubarb. Students will also experience field production of vegetables including: potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, onions, leeks and asparagus.
Nursery
The colleges commercial nursery produces in excess of 25,000 plants a year. There is a wide range of stock produced in the nursery ranging from herbaceous plants and alpines to trees and shrubs. The facilities include polytunnels, 2,200m2 (1/2 acre) glass house and out door growing areas. Students will see plants being produced from start to finish on site.
Protected crops
Kildalton has a glasshouse and polytunnel dedicated to the production of high value protected crops. These include; cut flowers and foliage, strawberries, food crops (lettuce, celery, early potatoes) and bedding plants. Students are involved in the production of all of these crops from sowing to harvest.
Sports turf
Kildalton has a golf facility that contains 3 par three greens and a sports pitch. Students are allowed to use these facilities in their down time. The turf grass facilities allow students to gain hands on practical knowledge of maintaining golf green, fair ways, bunkers and sports field to an ideal standard. Students have the opportunity to use machinery like specialised mowers, line marking equipment, aerators and fertiliser spreaders.
Amenity
Kildalton college is situated on 40 acres of established gardens and woodlands. The grounds provide horticulture students with a perfect backdrop to develop practical skills for a career in the industry. These skills include plant identification, plant combinations and maintenance techniques.
