Small Talk with founder of the beginners gardening course at the TCD Botanic Garden – Hazel Proctor

Founder of the beginners gardening course at the Trinity College Dublin Botanic Garden – Hazel Proctor

"Say yes to every opportunity that comes your way" - Hazel Proctor talks about advice she would give to someone just starting their career in the industry

Horticulture

22 April 2026

In association with Gardenworld Nurseries

At Growtrade, we’re running an interview series titled ‘Small Talk’, where we talk to various influential members of Ireland’s horticulture trade.

This week’s conversation is with an award-winning garden designer and the founder of the beginners gardening course at the Trinity College Dublin Botanic Garden – Hazel Proctor.

How did you first get involved in the horticulture sector?

My introduction to horticulture began when I enrolled on the Level 5 FETAC Certificate in Horticulture at Pearse College of Further Education. Whilst on that course, I had the pleasure of completing my work placement at the Irish Institute in Leuven in Belgium and there was no looking back! This was the catalyst for my career as it sparked a strong interest in everything to do with plants. After that course, I completed my degree at the National Botanic Gardens and was fortunate enough to work at Muckross House in Killarney and The War Memorial Gardens in Dublin.

My career has been varied and full of opportunities from working as a gardener in historic estates like Luttrellstown Castle and Lodge Park Walled Garden to working as a research assistant with a climate change research project in the Botany Department in Trinity College Dublin. As part of that project, I also completed a Research Masters in Botany. Afterwards, I gained employment as a lecturer with the Dublin School of Horticulture and went on to start my own garden design and tuition business. This ultimately led to me establishing the Beginners Gardening Course at the TCD Botanic Garden, a popular extramural course open to the public. My teaching career progressed, and this brought me back full circle to where it all began and today, I am the Co-Ordinator of the QQI Level 5 Certificate in Horticulture at Pearse College of Further Education. It has been a fulfilling career to date and one I am excited to share with my learners as I help them navigate a career of their own.

What was one of the proudest moments in your career to date?

One of my proudest moments recently was when I graduated with a 1st in the Professional Diploma in Further Education which I completed at Marino Institute of Education and awarded by TCD. I have however, several other achievements that make me proud, including designing a selection of gardens on the grounds of TCD, such as the Physic Garden to commemorate the Tercentenary of the Botany Department and the gardens of the Provosts House, a formal space used to host international dignitaries. I have also appeared as a guest on the Mooney Show, the Brendan O’Connor show, been interviewed by the late Marian Finucane and have written for the RHSI Journal. However, what I’m most proud of today is that I have just written my first novel, so am excited to have that published.

What was one of the greatest challenges you’ve faced in your career to date?

As was the case for many business owners during Covid, I unfortunately had to cease trading, but my years of teaching experience stood to me and enabled me to secure my current role with the CDETB. This role has been and continues to be incredibly rewarding as I support the needs of the diverse cohort of students who complete our courses and go on to join the horticulture sector across a broad range of routes.

Could you give us an example of a recent success you had in your work?

I am delighted to currently be a member of the Horticulture Education Leadership Group (HELG) – an advisory group set up under the National Horticulture Strategy 2023 to 2027 by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. As part of this group, we are working together to drive changes within the educational sector of horticulture by engaging with educational providers and growers to encourage people to consider horticulture as a career choice through promotion of courses available nationwide.

What are the greatest challenges facing the industry today?

There are a number of challenges that the sector faces, namely recruitment, moving away from a reliance on peat, climate change and of course rising fuel costs which will have a knock-on effect across all related sectors. Encouraging the next generation to consider a career in horticulture is a challenge and that is a strong focus of the HELG. We need to continue to promote the industry highlighting what a rewarding career this area can provide.

It goes without saying the challenges around the continued use of peat and what alternatives will be available into the future is an ongoing issue, but is something that needs to be at the forefront of the evolution of the sector. Rising fuel prices are already impacting the cost of living and will in turn filter out into the industry. Weather has always played an important role in the sector, and the impacts of climate change will be more in focus as extreme weather events continue.

What are the greatest opportunities facing the industry today?

Today, people are far more aware of the importance of protecting our natural environment. This is a great opportunity to encourage people to use that passion and broaden their interests by working in this sector. We should be placing far more emphasis on promoting the industry and tying in with tourism and sustainability and all the potential employment opportunities that could present. By incorporating more horticulture specific topics from primary school upwards, we have the potential to support and encourage the next generation to enter the sector straight from school and embark on fulfilling and varied careers at an early age.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their career?

Say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. Be open and curious about yourself and where you see your career going. It can take time to settle into your path but it’s really important to soak up all the knowledge you can as its what will ultimately keep that drive going. If you decide to work for yourself, don’t undervalue yourself and the services you provide.

What are your hopes for the future of Irish horticulture?

I would love to see more promotion of the sector in general, so we can encourage the public to enjoy the incredible parks and gardens that we have, but also to value the work and effort that goes into producing some of the finest fresh produce in the world. The public need to be better informed on how important the sector is from designing beautiful spaces, both private and public to educating our children and adults alike, so they have a better understating of just how valued this sector should be.

Small Talk is produced in association with Gardenworld Nurseries, one of the country’s leading wholesale plant nurseries, specialising in high-quality specimen trees, hedging, shrubs, and perennials.

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