The workshops are a great opportunity to catch up with developments in key areas of production, see a range of trials and demonstrations undertaken within a commercial environment, exchange findings and results and generally network with other growers and colleagues.
The three workshops, created in association with Zest-Sustainable ICM, cover several technical topics with a focus on sustainability. All the workshops are nursery-based (or based at production facilities), aiming to provide practical and pragmatic recommendations, based on previous research, recent developments, and current best practice. Summaries of all three can be found below, with links to the full agenda, along with a booking form to request a place.
Attendance at each is limited to two people per business.
This workshop provides a refresher on the basics of biological pest control, examines the mass field application of products, agent compatibilities with plant protection products, and gives an understanding of pest vs agent ratios when managing pests to maintain plant quality, cost effectively. The workshop will be coupled with a visit to the Bioline Agrosciences production facilities at Clacton-on-Sea.
Lifehouse Spa and Hotel, Frinton Road, Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex CO16 0JD
This workshop outlines the various soil types and their properties, examines the impact of crop rotations within soil management planning, and provides an understanding of soil sampling and monitoring requirements. The workshop will also feature results and findings from AHDB funded project ‘HNS 200 - Developing nutrient management guidance for hardy nursery stock' and includes a tour of the field-grown crops at James Coles Nurseries and Sons.
Beedles Lake Golf Club, 170 Broome Lane, East Goscote, Leicester LE7 3WQ
This workshop provisionally covers the key environmental parameters and their impact on crop production, the types of heating systems and their influence on energy costs, novel approaches for securing sustainable energy sources, climate management and crop monitoring techniques in protected structures, and the use of materials, such spectral filter plastics, to manipulate the environment. A visit to a local nursery will be scheduled for the afternoon. Full details to be confirmed later in the year.
Springfields Events and Conference Centre, Camel Gate, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE12 6ET
After the delivery of each workshop, content is recorded on a webpage for future reference. Each webpage contains a short technical summary of the key points discussed, relevant images from each workshop, videos of some of the presenters answering key questions, and the presentations and handout from each workshop, which can be downloaded. The workshops delivered so far are summarised below, with links to the relevant webpage.
Biostimulant Use Workshop
Improving Nursery Water Use Efficiency Workshop
Non-Chemical Weed Control in Field-Grown Crops Workshop
Nutrient and Water Management in Peat-Free Substrates Workshop
Propagation in Peat-Free Substrates Workshop
Herbicide Tolerance in Container- and Field-Grown Herbaceous and Hardy Nursery Stock Workshop
Autumn Potting Deadlines and the Effects of Late Potting on Overwintering and Pathogen Susceptibility Workshop
