Polytunnel 'a learning resource', meeting told

KCA meeting in Teach na nDaoine.

The KCA polytunnel is both a production and learning resource for the community of Kilcullen, writes Brian Byrne. That was emphasised by KCA chairperson Ann Cashman at the group’s recent meeting devoted to setting out work programmes for the coming year.

The polytunnel initiative, substantially funded by the Kildare Leader Partnership, was developed by KCA to help the group grow its own flowers for the Kilcullen In Bloom summer flowers project.

Ann Cashman noted that as well as being a space for that, it is also a resource where local people interested in horticulture can follow their interest, and learn more about it.

“It’s an example of how more people can get involved with KCA,” she said. “It’s a community resource — if anyone wants to do something as simple as coming in to help with watering the plants, they’ll be very welcome.”

Although the plants for this year’s Kilcullen In Bloom have already been ordered from a commercial grower, it is hoped that from next year on a significant portion of them will be grown directly by KCA. The flowers decoration of Kilcullen’s main street require approximately 2,000 plants each year. 

The polytunnel location is on property provided courtesy of the Gahan family and is not open to the general public. But the meeting agreed that a tour including it and the Library Garden KCA project would be organised soon for those who might be interested in helping with both.

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