Shows
HortWeek PodcastHortWeek's Matt, Sally and Rachael make their predictions for horticulture in 2026HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby, senior reporter Rachael Forsyth and technical editor Sally Drury make their predictions for horticulture in 2026.JUMP TO00:02:16 - weather00:06:24 - cost pressures00:14:20 - volunteers00:15:27 - imports/exports/SPS agreement and UK plant production00:17:15 - pests & disease00:19:08 - climate change and innovation00:20:17 - Turf - turfgrass breeding and appreciation of grass and grass eating! 00:23:02 - readiness for spring and an early Easter and how to monetise the 'fallow' post Christmas period00:27:43 - sharing o...
2026-01-1631 min
HortWeek PodcastCan rock dust save UK soils and rock horticultural production? with Veolia's Jennifer BrodieStudies such as that of McCance and Widdowson have revealed dramatic drops in fruit and vegetable mineral content since the 1940s. This week's guest on the HortWeek Podcast Jennifer Brodie believes that 'rock dust', a by-product of volcanic rock mined for road construction and rich in minerals trapped since the pre-dinosaur era, could help reverse this by remineralizing the soil and feeding microbes that will re-fortify plants.Brodie has come full circle in her career and is now returning to her passion project 12 years after she founded REMIN (Scotland), which pioneered the use o...
2026-01-0922 min
HortWeek PodcastHortWeek on Horticulture in 2025 - Review of the YearHortWeek editor Matthew Appleby, senior reporter Rachael Forsyth and technical editor Sally Drury share their top horticulture stories of 2025.JUMP TO...00:00:43 - horticulture and peat-free00:04:10 - developments in Biodiversity Net Gain00:07:26 - remote mowers, new technology and implications00:13:13 - loss of horticulture colleges and new learning options00:17:54 - the impact of drought in 2025 going into 202600:21:30 - how horticulture is turning to battery-powered kit00:26:20 - diversity, inclustion and equity in horticulture00:30:34 - border inspections - imports...
2025-12-1939 min
HortWeek PodcastLinden Groves on why The Gardens Trust needs to remain as a planning statutory consulteeThe Garden Trust's Linden Groves is campaigning against a proposal to end the organisation's role as a planning statutory consultee.She robustly contests the proposal to remove the statutory consultee role and disagrees that it would improve the planning system. Instead, precious parks and gardens, hard won over many centuries, would be lost to communities both now and in future.“We are passionate about the role that the UK’s world-famous historic parks and gardens can play in supporting positive economic growth and healthy cohesive societies, and eager to continue helping this in our...
2025-12-1216 min
HortWeek PodcastWhy tree guru Tony Kirkham wants to 'get rid of the term 'tree planting''Tony Kirkham has a mission, one that will resonate with many arborists across the UK: "I'd like to get rid of the term 'tree planting'".The former Kew arboretum head says: "Our success rate of establishing trees isn't good in this country... I'd sooner see less trees planted and established rather than planting big numbers that fail to establish." In his conversation with HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby, Kirkham gives his thoughts on the "exotics" versus "natives" debate and reveals his "top future trees" which include his favourite "hard-working trees".On pe...
2025-12-0525 min
HortWeek Podcast'Failing clients deserve failing trees' - arb consultant Jeremy Barrell on the realities of tree procurement, growing, planting and establishmentThe HortWeek Podcast has joined ArbWeek to bring HortWeek readers a series of interviews with leading arborists. The first of these is Jeremy Barrell.A influential figure in the tree care landscape (and HortWeek columnist) Jeremy Barrell is one of the leading authorities on tree care.A passionate campaigner on street trees in the wake of a number of controversial local authority fellings, in this week's podcast HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby hears Jeremy's uncompromising views on tree safety, tree planting, tree production and local authority procurement.Barrell says: "The standard...
2025-11-1431 min
HortWeek Podcast'Outrageous' damage to plant imports, peat ban latest and the garden centre of the futureHortWeek editor Matt Appleby and senior reporter Rachael Forsyth report on the essential horticulture stories of the week.HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby and Rachael talk about:The "outrageous" ongoing delays and reports of damaged to imported plantsThe latest on the prospective peat banWhat the garden centre of the future might look likeDo check out our huge archive of HortWeek Podcast interviews with an unrivalled selection of prominent and fascinating figures from all corners of the horticulture sector.Podcast presenters: Matthew Appleby and Rachael ForsythP...
2025-11-0729 min
HortWeek PodcastVal Bourne - a champion for organic gardeningIn this episode of the HortWeek podcast, HortWeek editor Matt Appleby interviews horticulturist, garden writer, organic gardening advocate and the new president of the Hardy Plant Society, Val Bourne. They discuss Val's journey in horticulture, her dedication to organic gardening, and the challenges facing plant societies today. Val shares her experiences and insights on the importance of preserving plant diversity and supporting local nurseries and the challenges around going peat-free.Skip to...00:01:27 Val's role in the hardy plant society00:02:11 The importance of plant diversity00:03:57 Challenges facing nurseries00:10:59 Val's journey into h...
2025-10-1728 min
HortWeek PodcastDutch growers on BCPs, SPS + how 'experiences' could transform garden centres and showsWith HortWeek senior reporter Rachael Forsyth fresh from the GrootGroenPlus trade show, we hear how European growers are tackling the challenge of imports/ exports with the UK - with producers saying they would be "delighted" to see the SPS agreement come into force.HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby and Rachael talk about:Inspection regimes and paperwork both sides of the border, and how it is affecting European tradersThe latest round of delays and reports of damaged plants at BCP SevingtonHow 'experiences' could transform the fortunes of garden centres and horticulture showsHow new analysis...
2025-10-1024 min
HortWeek PodcastHorticulture News in Focus - peat supply and ban, GLEE highlights and garden retail anxietyIn this week's News In Focus podcast HortWeek editor, Matthew Appleby, technical editor Sally Drury and senior reporter Rachael Forsyth discuss:the eagerly awaited Top 250 Garden Centres 2025some of the garden product highlights from GLEEHow YouTube is 'where it's at' for gardening contentProspects and stresses for the garden retail sector after a busy 2025How changes in peat and coir supply are causing price fluctuations and how division in the industry over the prospective peat ban is hurting horticultureDo check...
2025-09-2626 min
HortWeek PodcastGroundsfest - 'a place where companies strive to do better and it's driving the industry forward'In the fifth of HortWeek's News In Focus podcasts, we take a deep dive on Groundsfest trade show, with technical editor Sally Drury, horticultural consultant Howard Drury and senior reporter, Rachael Forsyth.Topics this week:The trio, who judged the Groundsfest awards, hosted and guested on panels, enthuse about the depth and breadth of the show, which caters for grounds maintenance, landscape contracting, arb and turf contractors. Highlights among the award-winning products and kit, and some of the machines they think should have entered for awards, but didn't.How G...
2025-09-1926 min
HortWeek PodcastWhich horticultural products and plants won at Four Oaks, and why?Welcome to the third of HortWeek's new stream of podcasts where we give the HortWeek take on the biggest news stories. This week editor Matthew Appleby, technical editor Sally Drury, horticultural consultant Howard Drury and digital content manager Christina Taylor chew over the week's top stories.Topics this week:the latest cabinet and Defra reshuffle and what it might mean for horticulturists.Four Oaks Trade Show judges Sally and Howard give their expert insight into award-winning products and plants from this year's show. Do check out our huge archive of HortWeek Po...
2025-09-1828 min
HortWeek PodcastWhich horticultural products and plants won at Four Oaks Trade Show, and why?Welcome to the third of HortWeek's new stream of podcasts where we give the HortWeek take on the biggest news stories. This week editor Matthew Appleby, technical editor Sally Drury, horticultural consultant Howard Drury and digital content manager Christina Taylor chew over the week's top stories.Topics this week:the latest cabinet and Defra reshuffle and what it might mean for horticulturists.Four Oaks Trade Show judges Sally and Howard give their expert insight into award-winning products and plants from this year's show. Do check out our huge archive of HortWeek Po...
2025-09-1828 min
HortWeek PodcastWhich horticultural products and plants won at Four Oaks, and why?Welcome to the third of HortWeek's new stream of podcasts where we give the HortWeek take on the biggest news stories. This week editor Matthew Appleby, technical editor Sally Drury, horticultural consultant Howard Drury and digital content manager Christina Taylor chew over the week's top stories.Topics this week:the latest cabinet and Defra reshuffle and what it might mean for horticulturists.Four Oaks Trade Show judges Sally and Howard give their expert insight into award-winning products and plants from this year's show. Do check out our huge archive of HortWeek Po...
2025-09-1728 min
HortWeek PodcastWhich horticultural products and plants won at Four Oaks, and why?Welcome to the third of HortWeek's new stream of podcasts where we give the HortWeek take on the biggest news stories. This week editor Matthew Appleby, technical editor Sally Drury, horticultural consultant Howard Drury and digital content manager Christina Taylor chew over the week's top stories.Topics this week:the latest cabinet and Defra reshuffle and what it might mean for horticulturists.Four Oaks Trade Show judges Sally and Howard give their expert insight into award-winning products and plants from this year's show. Do check out our huge archive of HortWeek Po...
2025-09-1228 min
HortWeek PodcastHortWeek News In Focus - peat, Power 100 and pricesWelcome to the third of HortWeek's new stream of podcasts where we give the HortWeek take on the biggest news stories. This week editor Matthew Appleby and digital content manager Christina Taylor chew over the week's top stories.Issues this week:the new and improved HortWeek Power List which celebrates the top 100 most impactful horticulturists.the issues driving a churn in horticulture businesses - see our Mergers, closures and acqusitions LIVE MAP to stay up-to-date with the latest.the results of a HortWeek survey on the top businesses concerns - including inflation, p...
2025-09-0518 min
HortWeek PodcastNeville Stein on his 'life-changing' work and writing in horticultureHortWeek columnist and business consultant Neville Stein talks about his 50-year career in the industry.He discusses his path into horticulture and the "life-changing" impact of some of the articles written for for HortWeek over the years.Neville's regular features for HortWeek include:Whatever Happened To... - a series exploring the history of much-loved nurseries that are no longer in businessBusiness Planning - a long-running series of business advice articles on topics ranging from how to make the best of trade shows to succession planning.
2025-08-2917 min
HortWeek PodcastHortWeek News In Focus - dogs! family garden centres and gardens' survival Welcome to the second of HortWeek new stream of podcasts where we give the HortWeek take on the biggest news stories editor Matthew Appleby, technical editor Sally Drury and senior reporter Rachael Forsyth give their digested and analytical views.Issues this week:The thorny question of whether dogs should be allowed into gardens, an issue that dominated the recent RHS AGMthe pressures affecting gardens after the news Hestercombe House and Gardens went into administrationafter a flurry of closures, mergers, sales and acquisitions in the...
2025-08-1526 min
HortWeek PodcastHortWeek News In Focus: peat-free and sales, Sarah Raven administration, cost of hosepipe bansHortWeek is launching a new stream of podcasts where we give the HortWeek take on the biggest news stories.Drawing on the immense industry expertise of editor Matthew Appleby, technical editor Sally Drury and senior reporter Rachael Forsyth the podcast will give listeners a digested and analytical view with added perspective and insight.Stories tackled this week:the admission by the RHS that it expects to lose sales as a result of banning peat in its gardens and retail outlets by the end of 2025.the story behind Sarah Raven Kitchen & Garden...
2025-07-2530 min
HortWeek PodcastGarden shows to remember with BBC Gardeners' World Live's Bob Sweet and Lucy TremlettBBC Gardener's World Live runs from 12 - 15 June this year so the HortWeek Podcast took the opportunity to talk to Immediate Live horticultural director Bob Sweet and event director, Lucy Tremlett about shows past and present.After record attendances for the BBC Gardeners' World Live May Spring Fair show held at Beaulieu, Tremlett is looking forward to some 90,000 visitors over the four days. The main stage will feature BBC Gardeners' World lead presenter Monty Don, fellow presenters Adam Frost, Rachel de Thame, Frances Tophill, Sue Kent and Nick Bailey with a headline garden. Show d...
2025-06-0623 min
HortWeek PodcastTV gardener Mark Lane boldly goes into a diverse and futuristic gardening universeThis week's HortWeek Podcast guest, TV presenter and garden designer Mark Lane, started gardening young although he initially studied art history and worked in publishing for RIBA and Thames & Hudson.After a car crash in 2000, a horticultural therapist and his husband suggested a new horticulture career as a designer and in the media. His new book, The Future of Gardens, published this May, is part of a series of imaginative future visions on a wide range of subjects, written by experts, academics, journalists and leading pop-culture figures. For his installment, Mark takes a "po...
2025-05-3025 min
HortWeek PodcastHow to grow the best poinsettias - ICL experts' advice for professional growersIn this HortWeek Podcast, Andrew Wilson, technical manager for ICL professional horticulture and Carl Mason, experienced grower and ICL technical area sales manager for the East of England, speak about how to grow the best professional quality poinsettias.While Christmas may seem a long way off, in June UK growers will be starting to produce Poinsettias to adorn our homes in December. The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a fascinating blend of Aztec heritage, Mexican tradition, and American commercialisation—all blended into vibrant red plant that is now inseparable from the Christmas season.Carl sp...
2025-05-2314 min
HortWeek PodcastPippa Greenwood on working to protect, advise and celebrate UK growersJoining Matthew Appleby on the latest HortWeek Podcast is Pippa Greenwood, the well-known horticulturist and broadcaster, who is HTA horticulture manager, where she supports the membership as well as the broader garden and greenspaces industry.BBC Gardeners' World television programme and has been a regular panellist on Gardeners' Question Time on BBC Radio 4 since 1994. She also was the gardening consultant on the ITV series Rosemary and Thyme in 2003–2006. Greenwood was awarded an honorary doctorate by Durham University.A big part of Pippa's role at the HTA is advising on plant health and biosecurity, "translatin...
2025-05-0927 min
HortWeek Podcast'Not your usual garden' - a Chelsea 'finale' and showcasing the unexpected with The Newt's Katie Lewis and Harry BaldwinJoining Rachael Forsyth the week's HortWeek Podcast are Harry Baldwin head gardener at the Somerset garden and estate, The Newt, alongside Katie Lewis, estate architect.After four years as a headline sponsor at the Chelsea Flower Show, it is The Newt's 'finale' year and it is set to showcase tropical plants sourced from nurseries in the UK, South Africa, and from its own collection in its Karoo Succulent show garden, a collaboration with The Newt's South African sister farm, Babylonstoren.As Katie says: "There will be plants in the garden that probably many...
2025-05-0243 min
HortWeek PodcastHortWeek Podcast with Colegrave Seabrook Foundation: unsung hero - arborist James GaddNeville Stein's guest on this episode of the podcast works in one of horticulture’s most hands-on areas, arboriculture.James Gadd is a director of Gadd Brothers Trees and Landscape and as an arboricultural professional he works with amenity trees – those found in private gardens, public parks and open spaces, schools, churchyards, playgrounds, urban woodlands and nature reserves and alongside roads, railway lines and routes for utilities like electricity pylons. It is a role which sees him mix heavy machinery, heights, problem solving and things that sound like they could be from a Mission Impossible movie, as w...
2025-04-1724 min
HortWeek PodcastHow public-private partnerships are the key to making BNG a success - with Hampshire Wildlife Trusts and KingwellJoining Rachael Forsyth on this week's HortWeek Podcast is John Durnell from the Hampshire Wildlife Trust and Alistair Emery, founder of Land and property investment and consultancy, Kingwell.John and Alistair are collaborators on significant natural capital scheme at Keyhaven near Milford-on-Sea converting degraded arable farming land into a "high value wildlife site".Kingwell bought the farm in 2020 and is working with Hampshire Wildlife Trusts to create meadows and grassland, enriching the biodiversity as large-scale BNG habitat.The land will be transformed in five or six phases which will be offered...
2025-04-1140 min
HortWeek PodcastHortWeek Podcast with Colegrave Seabrook Foundation: unsung hero - turfcare specialist David SmithHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsor Westland Horticulture.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.Hear from people who have found their way into their chosen career through different paths, what their job involves and what it means to them.In this episode Neville Stein catches up with students from Sparsholt College...
2025-04-0422 min
HortWeek PodcastA vocation for garden design with Andrew Wilson MBEHaving recently been awarded an MBE for his contributions to landscape architecture, garden design, and heritage, Andrew Wilson speaks to HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby about what this means to him personally, but also what it means for the industry.He talks about his teaching career and how, as director of garden design studies at London College of Garden Design, he is seeing more students come in from other professions and is curious about what’s causing them to deflect from their initial interest in horticulture. He also touches upon the mergers and closures of horticulture colleges an...
2025-03-0733 min
HortWeek PodcastPeat-free standards with Evergreen Garden Care, Durston's, Westland, Melcourt, Southern TridentHortWeek's podcast about peat-free standards was recorded at the Garden Press Event with Evergreen Garden Care, Durston's, Westland, Melcourt, Southern Trident, Responsible Sourcing Scheme, Growing Media Association and Treasure.Speakers in order are:1: 20 - Simon Blackhurst with Durston's, Treasure Gardening and the Growing Media Association5: 03 - Colin Stephens of Evergreen Garden Care10: 15 - Stuart Staples of Westland13: 35 - Catherine Dawson of Melcourt Industries14: 10 - Steve Harper of Southern Trident and the Responsible Sourcing SchemeThe industry leaders told HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby a...
2025-02-2019 min
HortWeek PodcastThe Grounds Management Association on sector challenges and opportunities as it celebrates its 90th anniversaryWith the celebration of its 90th year and announcement of a brand refresh, this week the Grounds Management Association (GMA) talks to HortWeek about what this means for members. Jason Booth, chief operating officer of the GMA and Jennifer Carter, director of communications & marketing at the GMA also explore some of the challenges facing the turf sector with a recent GMA survey showing 68% of head grounds managers think climate change is their main challenge.Booth argues that the football pitch is often the least invested in, despite footballers spending 90-95% of their working w...
2025-02-1425 min
HortWeek PodcastPlant exporting masterclass from IPM EssenHortWeek spoke toa range of industry experts at IPM Essen trade show 2025 on how to export.Andy Jeanes of Guernsey Clematis says planning, procedure and relationships with customs and shipping agents and phyto inspectors are the keys to successful exporting.The USA could become an issue. Soiless plants are air freighted to the US but there are concerns about 25% Trump import levies, as there has been for Canada and Mexico.Commercial Horticulture Association's Susan Fairley says research the target market, establish demand, identify market trend data, plan a strategy, find th...
2025-02-0324 min
HortWeek PodcastBalancing perfect pitches and sustainable practises with Stuart Mackley from Fulham Football ClubOn this week’s HortWeek Podcast Stuart Mackley, head of grounds for Fulham Football Club's home ground at Motspur Park, explains how he found a career in groundscare through a love of football. As well as explaining what it is like at Fulham in the lead up to matches, Mackley relates what the team get up to in the off season which he says is “our busiest period…the most important”.The weather a significant impact on football matches and the condition of pitches – with high rainfall, high winds, extreme heat, and intense cold; Mackl...
2025-01-3120 min
HortWeek PodcastShould plant perfection win awards at any cost? with Darren Everest and Jonathan SheppardCosmos and hollyhocks national collection holder Jonathan Sheppard and dahlia and sweet pea grower Darren Everest discuss whether flower show judges should reward homegrown, sustainable plants, rather than give medals for uniformity.Everest said at RHS shows you compete for medals and not against other growers as you would at a sweet pea show. But the public "want to see perfection" and not "leaves that have been eaten by slugs". Getting the balance right between best practice and what the public wants to view is the key.Sheppard disagreed, saying the public "don't wan...
2025-01-2420 min
HortWeek PodcastHow to excel in a head gardener interview with Alan SargentHaving been in the landscape industry for over 53 years Alan Sargent is regularly commissioned to either take part in, or organise job interviews and recruit new senior and head gardeners.On this week’s HortWeek Podcast Sargent takes us through some real life questions produced by himself for a recent interview for a head gardener. Beginning with advice on what to wear and bring to an interview Sargent examines interview questions, breaking down why they are being asked and how best to respond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025-01-1029 min
HortWeek PodcastCarnivorous peat-free plants pioneer Sean HiggsSean Higgs, of Floralive, is the foremost authority on peat-free cultivation of carnivorous plants. In this HortWeek Podcast he discusses his path growing peat-free plants which grow in peat in the wild,and the future of the houseplant market.After the bounce delived by the John Lewis 2023 Christmas venus flytrap advert he relates how that has continued to make the plant dominant in the market, the challenges of fulfilling demand with UK one-stop houseplant shop HortiHouse and how CITES rules have affected imports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...
2024-12-2029 min
HortWeek PodcastFinding the trees to survive the future, with Kevin Martin head of tree collections at RBG KewIn the hot summer of 2022, RBG Kew lost more than 400 trees. By July 2024, Kew announced that it believed over 50% of its trees could be at risk by 2090 due to environmental changes due to climate change.This week's guest is Kevin Martin, head of tree collections at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and he joined the HortWeek Podcast to relate the research Kew has done that led it to such a stark conclusion."What we started to look at first was mortality data, but we soon realized that that's a really unstable data set. can't al...
2024-11-2223 min
HortWeek PodcastFighting for our right to roam, with Kate Ashbrook of Open Spaces SocietyKate Ashbrook is an author and has been the general secretary of the Open Spaces Society for 40 years and counting, but she is first and foremost, a campaigner.On this week's HortWeek Podcast she recounts some of the best changes she has seen during her tenure - "the greater awareness of the importance of open spaces for the public and the greater awareness among the public of the importance to them of open spaces, paths, getting out there, enjoying the countryside and green spaces in towns.And the worst... "After 40 years, open spaces...
2024-11-1524 min
HortWeek PodcastThe End of Peat: Episode 4 - A whole new take on horticultureHortWeek presents The End of Peat, a new four-part podcast series that will hear from leading horticulturists and garden retailers as they navigate a transition to peat-free that is piling pressure on a sector facing stresses on all sides.Over the four episodes, Christina Taylor explores the story of the UK peat ban, how the horticulture industry is facing up to the challenge, and how it might shape the future of the sector.In Episode 4 we hear from growers who have successfully made the leap to peat-free. Christina asks whether growers are ready f...
2024-11-1136 min
HortWeek PodcastThe End of Peat: Episode 3 - The cost of trial and errorHortWeek presents The End of Peat, a new four-part podcast series that will hear from leading horticulturists and garden retailers as they navigate a transition to peat-free that is piling pressure on a sector facing stresses on all sides.Over the four episodes, Christina Taylor explores the story of the UK peat ban, how the horticulture industry is facing up to the challenge, and how it might shape the future of the sector.In Episode 3: The cost of trial and error, Christina explores the two particular challenges faced by UK horticultural growers.
2024-11-1129 min
HortWeek PodcastThe End of Peat: Episode 2 - From Multipurpose to pick 'n' mixHortWeek presents The End of Peat, a new four-part podcast series that will hear from leading horticulturists and garden retailers as they navigate a transition to peat-free that is piling pressure on a sector facing stresses on all sides.Peat is one of the most popular and reliable types of growing media for plants, but peatlands are also a valuable store for carbon and as the UK Government tries to meet net zero targets, a peat ban is on the agenda.Over the four episodes, Christina Taylor explores the story of the UK...
2024-11-0438 min
HortWeek PodcastThe End of Peat: Episode 1 - Do we need a peat ban?HortWeek presents The End of Peat, a new four-part podcast series that will hear from leading horticulturists and garden retailers as they navigate a transition to peat-free that is piling pressure on a sector facing stresses on all sides.Peat is one of the most popular and reliable types of growing media for plants, but peatlands are also a valuable store for carbon and as the UK Government tries to meet net zero targets, a peat ban is on the agenda.Over the four episodes, Christina Taylor explores the story of the UK...
2024-11-0432 min
HortWeek PodcastInspiration for garden centre trees with Kernock Park Plants' nurseryman and award-winning writer, Bob AskewBob Askew was Garden Media Guild award winner a year ago for his new writer work for Hortweek. He works for Kernock Park Plants as production director and was previously at Darby Nursery Stock and Brinkmans.Here he names his top three tree genera for gardens, three underused tree genera and top five skinny trees for small gardens.He believes the reliance of nurseries and garden centres on too few ornamental tree cultivars is a bad thing and is critical of overuse of Betula utilis var. jacquemontii and Crataegus Paul's Scarlet, and offers...
2024-11-0127 min
HortWeek PodcastKeeping it local for houseplants with Imogen Bell of YPHA and Thomson's Garden CThis week the HortWeek Podcast meets Imogen Bell, supervisor at Thomson's Garden Centre and a YPHA Southeast regional coordinatorIn her article for HortWeek 'Despite CITES, not all doom and gloom for houseplant sales' Imogen reflects on how the reinterpretation of CITES "meant practically a third of my stock became unavailable overnight". One of the "Brexit benefits" often quoted was the possibility that more friction across the borders would encourage clients to buy British and boost British-grown plants. As tightening border controls cause unprecedented chaos at BCPs Imogen might be feeling a degree of r...
2024-10-2519 min
HortWeek PodcastWhat it is like exhibiting at Chelsea Flower Show? with Sparsholt College studentsHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsor Westland Horticulture.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.Hear from people who have found their way into their chosen career through different paths, what their job involves and what it means to them.In this episode Neville Stein catches up with students from Sparsholt College...
2024-10-1813 min
HortWeek PodcastShould we ban peat in horticulture? Plant collection holder Jonathan Sheppard and dahlia and sweet pea grower Darren Everest debate the peat banBoth our guests on the HortWeek Podcast broadly agree with the reasons for a peat ban and agree there is a need to reduce carbon emissions to help fight climate change. But they are not equally convinced a peat ban is the way to do it.In the 'for' corner is cosmos and hollyhocks national collection holder and lobbyist Jonathan Sheppard.Sheppard says: "You only have to look at places like Hampton Court where they have the peat-free garden where the plant list was massive. I've never seen a plant list as long...
2024-10-0434 min
HortWeek PodcastThe benefits of GroundsFest 2024 with Chris Bassett, Jonathan Snowball and David FisherGroundsFest 2024 took place10 - 11 September at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Initial visitor numbers from day 1 (unaudited) of 4,738 were 40% up on last year, the show’s inaugural year.The podcast was recorded on day 2 of GroundsFest amongst the hustle and bustle of the show. HortWeek senior reporter Rachael Forsyth spoke with Chris Bassett, event director at GroundsFest, Jonathan Snowball head of professional at Husqvarna and David Fisher head of landscape and rural at LANTRA about how the show has been going so far.Snowball explained that Husqvarna took advantage of the outdoor space making its en...
2024-09-2023 min
HortWeek PodcastOutgoing HTA president Alan Down on his horticulture past, present and futureAlan Down is a gardening broadcaster and writer and current HTA president, shortly to be replaced by Will Armitage after two eventful years.He studied at Cannington and Pershore College of Horticulture and after a spell working Germany, he developed and managed Hillier Nurseries' container grown and seed propagation nurseries for nine years.For the following 35 years, Alan built up Cleeve Nursery and Garden Centre, near Bristol and alongside hi wife Felicity, co-presented the long-standing ‘Garden Calendar’ TV programme.On the podcast Alan talks about his role at the HTA incl...
2024-09-1329 min
HortWeek PodcastWhy GroundsFest is a must-attend event with Chris Bassett, Wayne Grills, and Ian GrahamGroundsFest 2024 takes place on the 10 and the 11 of September at Stoneleigh Park, in Warwickshire. The free annual event is a must-attend for grounds staff, greenkeepers, landscapers, designers & architects, gardeners, local authorities, estate managers and contractors.It combines indoor business and education opportunities with outdoor demonstrations and on the evening of the 10 September there is a live music festival for visitors to network and unwind. HortWeek senior reporter Rachael Forsyth speaks with Chris Bassett, event director at GroundsFest about what to expect from this year's show, as well as exhibitors Wayne Grills chief executive a...
2024-08-3021 min
HortWeek PodcastHorticulture Week Podcast with Colegrave Seabrook Foundation: working in and learning about horticulture at Ball ColegraveHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople.This episode was recorded on location at Ball Colegrave where the great and the good from the horticultural industry gathered to celebrate 30 years of the Colegrave Foundation. In this episode Neville Stein talks to seasoned professionals as well as recent recipients of a bursary from the foundation and discusses the sense of community that makes the industry such a great one to work in. Make sure you never miss a Horticulture Week podcast! S...
2024-08-3036 min
HortWeek PodcastLeading horticulturists Matthew Bent and Graham Spencer on visiting Four Oaks Trade ShowMatthew Bent of Bents Garden and Home and Plants for Europe's Graham Spencer speak to HortWeek about the visitor experience at Four Oaks Trade Show.Four Oaks is the UK’s leading international exhibition for the whole of commercial horticulture. From production to point-of-sale, the breadth of exhibits on display is the show’s strength, attracting a broad visitor base. The event takes place on a 23-acre nursery site in Cheshire UK, close to the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope, covering an area of 13,000m² under glass with additional outdoor areas. The 52nd show takes place this Septe...
2024-08-0917 min
HortWeek PodcastGlendale's Deric Newman on bringing former prison inmates into the workforceThis week's guest on the Horticulture Week Podcast is Glendale head of development, estate services, Deric Newman,The podcast was recorded shortly after the Perennial Quiz in February. HortWeek editor Matt Appleby and Deric, both on the 'Horticulture Geeks' team, discuss how they fared.Deric talks about his role and about Glendale's current business focus as it seeks to diversify and expand its commercial offering.He discusses the differences between private and council work in terms of client expectations and time pressure and how much competition Glendale faces in the s...
2024-07-0527 min
HortWeek PodcastCareer changers: how Neal Ritson found his way into horticultural production from the music industryHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.Hear from people who have found their way into their chosen career through different paths, what their job involves and what it means to them.Neal Ritson began his career in the music industry but...
2024-06-1413 min
HortWeek PodcastChanging careers from cycling to professional gardening - with Connie HudsonHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.Hear from people who have found their way into their chosen career through different paths, what their job involves and what it means to them.In this episode ex professional cyclist, Connie Hudson describes her journey from cycling to...
2024-06-0710 min
HortWeek PodcastICL's Hort Science Live previewedHortWeek editor Matt Appleby speaks with ICL's Andrew Wilson, Matthew Miller, Steven Chapman and Sam Rivers to preview Hort Science Live.ICL Hort Science Live explore the latest technologies and management practices growers need to produce quality resilient plants in sustainable media.Wilson will lead the ‘How to rethink plant nutrition’workstation, taking growers through ICL’s 2024 peat-free Osmocote 5 trials, exploring different rates and longevities. He will highlight the specific nutrition challenges of peat-free growing media and explain how the latest generation of water soluble and CRFs can address any issues. Hosted on A...
2024-05-2411 min
HortWeek PodcastBuilding Sparsholt College's Chelsea Flower Show exhibit - with students Chloe, Hayden, Jessica and Joshua HortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.Hear from people who have found their way into their chosen career through different paths, what their job involves and what it means to them.In this podcast from the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation, trustee Neville Stein hosts a...
2024-05-1710 min
HortWeek PodcastCommonwealth War Graves Commission's David Richardson on horticulture and D-Day, CIOH and KewDavid Richardson is director of horticulture at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) and leads a team of almost 850 horticulturists responsible for the maintenance and gardening of more than 2,400 sites across 50 countries.He speaks to HortWeek about how the CWGC will be at the heart of many D-Day events in the UK and France, and is a global leader in commemoration. The ‘Lighting their Legacies’ Torch of Commemoration Roadshow is also being organised by the CWGC, culminating in the lighting of every CWGC grave in Normandy.A trustee of Kew Gardens, and pr...
2024-05-1021 min
HortWeek PodcastCareers in the agritech and hortitech industries with Oli Hilbourne of OutfieldHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.Hear from people who have found their way into their chosen career through different paths, what their job involves and what it means to them.Oli Hilbourne is the founder and CEO of Outfield, an agritech company using t...
2024-04-1922 min
HortWeek PodcastA career in the agritech and hortitech industries with plant pathologist, Laura BouvetHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.This week Neville Stein speaks to plant pathologist, Laura Bouvet, the Knowledge and Innovation Facilitator for Agr-TechE.She works with farmers to support the implementation of new technologies. In this podcast Laura considers innovative practices in agriculture and...
2024-04-1218 min
HortWeek PodcastFargro's Richard Hopkins on crop protection, peat, water and trade policyFargro managing director Richard Hopkins speaks to HortWeek about spring optimism, the upcoming general election and peat, water, border inspections and crop protection.He says growers should talk to policymakers using policy asks from the HTA, AIC and NFU. Key issues are peat, plant health, plant protection products and water.On crop protection he says there is still no National Action Plan and why that is significant. He says he would like CRD to be an "enabler" so the industry can use the full range of plant protection products, but that would require a...
2024-04-0519 min
HortWeek PodcastCareers in the landscape industries with industry heavyweight and APL general manager, Phil TremayneHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.Hear from people who have found their way into their chosen career through different paths, what their job involves and what it means to them.This week Neville Stein speaks to Phil Tremayne is the general manager of...
2024-03-2818 min
HortWeek PodcastICL - all about water qualityICL's Sam Rivers discusses the key issue of water quality with HortWeek editor Matt Appleby.We discover why water quality is so important and what characteristics you look at to determine water quality.Sam gives vital information on how you determine your water chemical properties and why is conductivity so important.He also relays important insight about pH, including the main differences between growing media pH and water pH.Sam gives us the lowdown on the main considerations when using hard water and any options for people w...
2024-03-2813 min
HortWeek PodcastCareers in the landscape industries with APL WorldSkills gold medal-winning landscaper Anna McloughlinHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.Hear from people who have found their way into their chosen career through different paths, what their job involves and what it means to them.This week Neville Stein speaks to Anna Mcloughlin, a recent graduate from the Colle...
2024-03-2216 min
HortWeek PodcastLeading growers Stefano Sogni of Zelari and Kyle Ross of Wyevale Nurseries on the Four Oaks Trade Show 2024Four Oaks Trade Show is the UK’s leading international exhibition for the whole of commercial horticulture. From production to point-of-sale, the breadth of exhibits on display is the show’s strength, attracting a broad visitor base. The event takes place on a 23-acre nursery site in Cheshire UK, close to the Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope, covering an area of 13,000m² under glass with additional outdoor areas. The 52nd show takes place this September 3rd & 4th and organisers urge potential exhibitors to contact them about space ASAP because they expect to sell out.HortW...
2024-03-1217 min
HortWeek PodcastThe potential and limitations of Biodiversity Net Gain with landscape architect Alexandra SteedThe requirement for developers to implement minimum Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) standards became law on 12 February, and having already worked on projects this week's Horticulture Week Podcast guest already has considerable experience in the field.Although Alexandra Steed was speaking from Vancouver for the podcast recording, her landscape practice is based in London and South East England. Highlights include developing green and blue landscape infrastructure strategies for South Essex Estuary Park and masterplanning a 25% increase of footprint of Canterbury.The latter is a project that reflects the aims and concerns of BNG:
2024-02-1632 min
HortWeek PodcastConfessions of a landscape gardener with Alan SargentLandscape industry veteran of 53 years, there's little Alan Sargent hasn't seen when it comes to landscape and garden projects. And now he's decided to write some of the more curious, humourous and even scandalous ones in his latest book, "Confessions of a Landscape Gardener".With a career spanning 5 decades, he reflects on how his stories take readers back to a time pre-internet, pre mobiles, even pre-telephone! So part of the challenge of relating the stories was "trying to describe to somebody how different world was, 50 years ago, in the world of landscaping".Although t...
2024-01-1225 min
HortWeek PodcastA career in garden management with Beechgrove's Scott SmithHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.This week HortWeek writer and business consultant Neville Stein interviews Scott Smith, head gardener at Beechgrove and presenter on BBC Scotland to talk about his career path and route into a career in professional gardening. Hosted on Acast. See...
2023-12-1419 min
HortWeek PodcastA career in botanical garden management with RBG Edinburgh's Raoul Curtis-MachinHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.Hear from people who have found their way into their chosen career through different paths, what their job involves and what it means to them.This week we focus on botanical gardens management with interviews with Raoul Curtis-Machin, director of horticulture at th...
2023-12-0818 min
HortWeek PodcastCareers in garden retail with Steve Barrow of British Garden CentresHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.Hear Steve Barrow, plantarea manager at British Garden Centres. He talks to HortWeek writer and business consultant Neville Stein about what his job involves and how he came to the role. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...
2023-12-0112 min
HortWeek PodcastCareers in garden retail with Liam Beddall of David Austin RosesHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.Business consultant and HortWeek writer Neville Stein interviews Liam Beddall, senior rose consultant at David Austin Roses. He talks about how he was able to bring his passion for modern languages into his work to create a unique career in horticulture.
2023-11-2423 min
HortWeek PodcastHorticultural education options with Lucy Lewis of Sparsholt CollegeHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.HortWeek writer and business consultant Neville Stein interviews Lucy Lewis, horticultural lecturer at Sparsholt College, about the courses they offer and the career opportunities that can open up after you have qualified. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
2023-11-1719 min
HortWeek PodcastHorticultural education with RHS horticultural courses officer Sarah HaleHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and sponsors MorePeople.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.Hear from people who have found their way into their chosen career through different paths, what their job involves and what it means to them.This week we focus on Horticultural Education with an interview with Sarah Hale, horticu...
2023-11-1021 min
HortWeek PodcastA career in plant breeding - with Simon Crawford of BurpeeHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.We hear from people who have found their way into their chosen career through different paths, what their job involves and what it means to them.Every two weeks, for the next two months, we will be releasing two episodes covering a pa...
2023-10-1917 min
HortWeek PodcastA career in plant breeding with Tim Kerley of Kerley & CoHortWeek is delighted to present the Cultivate Your Future podcast, in partnership with the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation.At a time when horticulture needs to encourage a new wave of young people to come into the industry, this podcast is designed to highlight the multiple and varied career opportunities available.We hear from people who have found their way into their chosen career through different paths, what their job involves and what it means to them.Every two weeks, for the next two months, we will be releasing two episodes covering a pa...
2023-10-1917 min
HortWeek PodcastICL on Lalguard M52 GR – the new bioinsecticide for vine weevil controlSam Rivers of ICL talks to HortWeek editor Matt Appleby about new vine weevil control product Lalguard. They discuss how Lalguard works, what its ingredients are, and how to use the product. Lalguard works in an IPM plan and Rivers details how to include the product in integrated pest management and what plan support ICL has available.Vine weevils are one of the most problematic pests ornamentals growers face and since the withdrawal of Exemptor, many growers have relied on nematodes to control the insect. Rivers says the armoury is now better for growers thanks to...
2023-10-0612 min
HortWeek PodcastBen Goldsmith: influential Conservative environmentalist on rewilding, garden centres and policyFinancier and environmentalist Ben Goldsmith joins the HortWeek podcast.He was a Defra non-executive board member from 2018-22, where he was involved in the Environmental Land Management scheme, the Nature for Climate Fund and the Species Reintroductions task force.Goldsmith is chair of the influential Conservative Environment Network.His new book is titled God Is An Octopus: Loss, Love and a Calling to Nature an inspiring story of finding comfort and strength in nature after suffering the loss of his daughter.Ben set about rewilding his farm, nature became...
2023-08-1529 min
HortWeek PodcastGrowing and planting for the gardens of the future - with Neil Lucas of Knoll GardensAhead of his time in naturalistic planting at the Dorset gardens and nursery Knoll Gardens, Neil Lucas was an innovator in a movement whose time has well and truly come:"Certainly when I first started it was far more unusual to garden or more importantly to be thinking in this way. For many of our customers it is [now] becoming front and centre."I think it is such an important subject...supplying plants that are going to be suitable for the gardens of the future - I think we're just at the beginning o...
2023-08-0420 min
HortWeek PodcastGardens made of daydream, turned into an equation and back into a daydream - with Peter DoneganGarden designer Peter Donegan returned to the HortWeek Podcast fresh from the 116th Royal Windsor flower show in June where he enjoyed the "humbling compliment" of judging alongside a "who's who" of garden industry including former Chelsea shows manager Alex Denman, Rob Hardy of Harkness Roses and Alan Titchmarsh.He reflects on his trajectory from a 'geeky' kid growing plants under his bed, on top of the wardrobe and in the garage to his grown up self (resembling "Something out of a bad boyband") and enjoying "everything that is a daydream for this tall person".
2023-07-0737 min
HortWeek PodcastManaging irrigation when using peat-free growing media - with ICLHortWeek editor Matt Appleby talks with ICL's Sam Rivers about irrigation and peat-free growing media. Sam explains why irrigation is important in peat-free growing media and differences between watering with peat alternatives and peat.He reveals options growers can use to help manage irrigation, which wetting agents to use and gives examples of where H2Gro has shown to benefit growers.Finally, Sam talks about how much interest in peat-free is growing, with many growers trialling the peat free composts, now the ban date of 2026 for professional growers has been ann...
2023-06-3019 min
HortWeek PodcastLegendary plant breeder Peter Moore reflects 40 years and 45 plantsPlant breeder Peter Moore, who has been creating new plants for 40 years, tells HortWeek about his new breeding and his vast experience in the production of new plants.He started work at Hillier in 1960 with some legendary Hillier propagators.In 1997 he left Hillier’s to become propagator at Longstock Park Nursery in Hampshire. He is still responsible for the National Collection of Buddleja held at the nursery and is also a member of the RHS hardy plant trial committee.Plant collectors like Sir Harold Hillier and Roy Lancaster were early inspirations, but it...
2023-06-1616 min
HortWeek PodcastSteering a plant nursery through an age of unprecedented change, with Melanie Asker of Greenwood PlantsMelanie Asker was recently promoted to managing director of Greenwood Plants, supplier to new-build property sector, but increasingly, commercial work and infrastructure.Listed at no 27 in HortWeek's Top 100 Ornamentals Nurseries ranking, the nursery grows "pretty much everything you can think of" but, a 'G' range comprising the "top 350 plants across most of our orders".2022 was a record-breaking year for the grower, a year when it changed from an owner-led firm and introduced a management team, developed a new business strategy, a 5-year growth plan and brought sustainability "to the fore of all our corp...
2023-05-1919 min
HortWeek PodcastChatGPT talks horticulture, biostimulants, fertilisers and pests and diseases - with ICLICL technical manager Sam Rivers talks to HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby about ChatGPT, an new artificial intelligence chatbot that could be useful for answering horticultural questions.Rivers explains how queries are answered by ChatGPT and what the benefits and concerns are and whether the programme has a role for professionals.He live tests ChatGPTs knowledge of biostimulants, fertilisers and pests and diseases and assesses the programme and its responses.Finally we really put ChatGPT to the test and find it if it can choose a favourite plant!
2023-03-1718 min
HortWeek PodcastPeat, imports, trends and garden retail best practice with HTA president Alan DownNew HTA president Alan Down talks about high priority issues in horticulture such as biosecurity and peat in the latest HortWeek podcast.The former Cleeve Nursery garden centre owner, writer and TV and radio broadcaster, studied at Cannington and Pershore. He has worked in Germany, for Hillier and on a Nuffield farming scholarship. He and wife Felicity founded Cleeve Nursery 40 years ago and sold it five years ago. He says the biggest change in the plantarea in that time is the increase in imports, driven by the ease of bringing plants into the UK."...
2023-02-1623 min
HortWeek PodcastThe joy of gardens, gardening and garden writing with Barbara SegallHorticulturist and garden writer Barbara Segall, editor of The Horticulturist, the quarterly journal of The Chartered Institute of Horticulture and a well-known gardening author, is the guest on this HortWeek podcast.Segall talks about the importance of networking, particularly post-lockdown.She discusses her new book Secret Gardens of the South East and what her approach is to find interesting gardens.A prolific visitor of these gardens, Segall talks about her highlights including one designed as a church grown over 30 years: "It's got two storeys, it's got doors windows and buttress and thi...
2023-01-0625 min
HortWeek PodcastLaugh along with the stars of the latest Perennial 'naked' calendar as they reveal all!Horticulture charity Perennial - the UK's only charity dedicated to helping all those working in or retired from horticulture and their families - has released the latest of its ever-popular Naked Gardening Calendar, back after a two-year hiatus. Two of its 'stars' join Rachael Forsyth on this week's podcast.Baring all for the cause is Paul Greenyer, a landscaper based in West Sussex, a mediator and he is also training to be an expert witness with HortWeek's own Alan Sargent.Fellow 'Grubby Gardener' is Gareth Wilson, expert witness, mediator, landscaping lecturer, mentor, and o...
2022-12-0228 min
HortWeek PodcastNew broad spectrum insecticide Mainspring with ICL's Sam Rivers and Syngenta's Sean LoakesSam Rivers of ICL and Sean Loakes of Syngenta talk to HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby about the new launch Mainspring, a broad spectrum insecticide for the ornamentals industry.They describe what this major new product is, the pests it controls, considerations for use and how to build Mainspring into an IPM programme.The insecticide has proven effective against both caterpillars and thrips which are both capable of inflicting a huge amount of damage to crops.Mainspring has been formulated for spray application specifically for use on container-grown protected ornamentals.
2022-11-1823 min
HortWeek PodcastThe healthy future of roses with Rose Society treasurer Daniel MyhillRose expert Daniel Myhill is treasurer of the 350-member Rose Society and national collection holder for persica roses. Unusually for a HortWeek podcast, he's not a professional horticulturist, but he is an example of a new passion for roses among younger people.The geotechnical engineer says myths about roses being difficult to look after need scotching.One of his mentors, Chris Warner, is an example of a breeder of modern healthy roses."His mantra is breeding 'healthy roses' - he'll look at the plant overall. If there's a disease on...
2022-11-1121 min
HortWeek PodcastThe healthy future of roses with Rose Society treasurer Daniel MyhillRose expert Daniel Myhill is treasurer of the 350-member Rose Society and national collection holder for persica roses. Unusually for a HortWeek podcast, he's not a professional horticulturist, but he is an example of a new passion for roses among younger people.The geotechnical engineer says myths about roses being difficult to look after need scotching.One of his mentors, Chris Warner, is an example of a breeder of modern healthy roses:"His mantra is breeding 'healthy roses' - he'll look at the plant overall. If there's a disease on...
2022-11-1121 min
HortWeek PodcastSupporting the next generation of leading horticulturists with the Colegrave Seabrook FoundationHortWeek editor Matthew Appleby speaks to Jeff Colegrave, Nicole Higginson and Neil Gow, all trustees of the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation.The former David Colegrave Foundation was set up in 1993, in memory of seedsman David Colegrave. During his career, David took a keen interest in supporting and promoting the development of young people, and it was with this in mind that the foundation was launched.His great friend Peter Seabrook, and fellow horticulturist, became one of the founder trustees until his death in January 2022. His name was added to the foundation earlier this year...
2022-10-1423 min
HortWeek PodcastSally Drury on 40 years at HortWeek and a lifetime in horticultureSally Drury's lifelong journey in horticulture began in tragic circumstances when she took on the family garden after her father died in a road traffic accident. After studying at Reading University and a dissertation on horticulture and the Common Market, she got the attention of judge and HortWeek editor Jim Deen who asked her to work for the title - and the rest is history.Turf is Drury's favourite sector and she has seen great advances since the 1980s including the development of Verti Drains and better construction, grass breeding and LEDs robotics. Across horticulture more...
2022-09-1519 min
HortWeek PodcastGarden trends, challenges and opportunities with HTA president Boyd Douglas-Davies and chairman James BarnesHTA president Boyd Douglas-Davies and chairman James Barnes speak about the upcoming HTA conference on 13 September at Birmingham ICC.The conference will look at future trends and present the challenges and opportunities facing the UK’s horticulture industry by exploring areas such as the retail revolution, consumer insights, what garden design will look like nationally and globally in 2030.On this podcast, Barnes and Douglas-Davies discuss trade and lobbying issues and how the conference will help businesses with their horizon scanning.Douglas-Davies tells HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby: "We've all got to be...
2022-08-2529 min
HortWeek PodcastSelling seeds in the face of Brexit reality, Covid and Ukraine with Paolo Arrigo of Seeds of ItalyPaolo Arrigo of Seeds of Italy, London-based importer of Franchi Seeds for more than 20 years, has been outspoken on Brexit and has been a pioneer in bringing aid to Ukraine.Here he tells HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby about his views on importing in the post-Brexit and Covid era as well as his mission to the warzone in Ukraine, putting them in the context of his business.Arrigo says although grow your own does well in recessions. sales have dropped back to 5-10% ahead of average after the Covid spike years. Some seeds are...
2022-08-1127 min
HortWeek PodcastBerries are booming but labour shortages need to be addressed, says British Berry Growers' Nick MarstonBritish Summer Fruits has rebranded as British Berry Growers and chairman Nick Marston tells the HortWeek podcast why there could be record consumption this year.Wimbledon tennis and campaigns for raspberries and Love Fresh Berries month will help boost sales in July. British berries remain an affordable treat, with sales doubling in a decade, he says.But the National Food Strategy's labour announcement isn't enough to serve the sector. An additional 10k visas will not stop the £29m waste of unpicked fruit recorded on 2021, while automation is still some way off. Marston discusses how...
2022-06-2425 min
HortWeek PodcastThe good of sustainable garden design (and why artificial grass should be banned), with SGD chair Lynne MarcusHaving designed gardens for 20 years, Lynne Marcus was appointed the chair of the Society of Garden Designers in 2006. Marcus tells the HortWeek podcast about how she has had to adapt the way she designs gardens to adapt to the effects of climate change. She also touches upon how clients are responding, advising on how to lead them to make sustainable choices. As well as some of her favourite design choices, Marcus reveals her least favourite – artificial grass – and why she believes it needs to be banned. Marcus also outlines the SGD’s u...
2022-05-1319 min
HortWeek PodcastThe many and varied benefits of wildflowers and soilless turf with Wildflower TurfWildflower Turf founder James Hewetson Brown tells HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby about the soilless growing system that has transformed the concept of turf growing.He outlines all the ways to establish wildflowers and how they help to boost species diversity in our green spaces and the other functions they help deliver. These include health and well-being, low maintenance, soil stability, carbon sequestration, pollution (air and water) mitigation as well as the speed and reliability of wildflowers compared with trees.The role of native perennials for our wildlife in the UK is examined, as...
2022-04-2124 minHortWeek Podcast'Skinny Jean Gardener' Lee Connelly on his plan to get kids gardening, the 'peat mafia' and how he'd run the RHS TV gardener and podcaster Lee Connolly talks about his Schools Gardening Success Plan which aims to help every primary school in the country run a school gardening programme by 2025.Skinny Jean Gardener Lee puts above the ego-boosting TV work, which includes stints on CBBC and an educational slot on David Attenborough's Green Planet series.HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby and Lee discuss the heated topic of peat in horticulture and speculation (aired on Lee's own podcast) of the existence of a 'peat mafia' holding back moves to peat-free. He tells of his...
2022-02-0426 minHortWeek PodcastTV garden designer and podcast pioneer on how he 'loves it when a plan comes together' Peter Donegan In this episode Hortweek editor Matthew Appleby turns the questions on pioneering horticultural podcaster and TV and garden designer Peter Donegan.Donegan presented the Sodshow for years in the days "when podcasting wasn't 'a thing'" and is the series garden designer for RTE television’s DIY SOS The Big Build Ireland. He gives us his view on garden design trends, reveals how 1980s TV show the 'A' Team resonates with him to this day, and struggles valiantly to name his own Desert Island Plant.In April 2019 he designed at RHS Flow...
2022-01-2037 minHortWeek PodcastWonderful woodchip, agroforestry and peat turned over with the Soil Association's Ben Raskin Ben Raskin, head of horticulture and agroforestry at the Soil Association, explodes a few myths around woodchip. He tells HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby about the untapped possibilities afforded by woodchip for growers and landscapers at any scale, from farm to garden to greenhouse.After a Horticulture Week survey which found 76% horticulturists want to keep peat, Raskin proposes a realistic way forward to a peat-free future and he outlinesthe bright future he sees for agroforestry with nut trees a particular area for research. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
2021-12-0923 minHortWeek PodcastRichard Jackson on his horticulture life from Roy Lancaster via QVC to launching his own plantcare rangeGrower, garden retailer, journalist, QVC presenter and founder of the Garden Press Event and horticultural charity, Greenfingers Richard Jackson guests on this episode of the Horticulture Week Podcast.Jackson, of Richard Jackson Garden founded the Greenfingers Charity and the Garden Press Event and has worked for some of the biggest names in the horticulture industry and a broadcaster for QVC he popularised TV garden shopping in the UK.Jackson tells HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby how he found his way into horticulture including the huge influence of plantsman Roy Lancaster who "ignited my passion for p...
2021-11-2327 minHortWeek PodcastA rose to remember 18th century Welsh black gardener, John YstumllynWe Too Built Britain's Zehra Zaidi and Harkness Roses' David White have launched the John Ystumllyn rose, named after the first well-recorded black Welsh gardener and believed to be the first rose named after an ethnic minority Briton.Horticulture Week editor Matthew Appleby interviews the pair about the new rose and it's potential impact. Zaidi’s Horticulture Week article in July 2020 on John Ystumllyn created a groundswell of support for a new rose. Horticulture Week advised on finding a rose grower and in helping promote the project.Ystumllyn was an 18th centiry...
2021-10-2112 minHortWeek PodcastKernock Park Plants' Bruce Harnett on meeting the challenges of trading through the pandemic, post-Brexit and moving towards peat-free growingSpeaking to editor Matthew Appleby as part of Hortweek's 180th anniversary celebrations, Harnett details the unique challenges of the last year including difficulties in getting exporting restarted during the coronavirus crisis and post-Brexit and meeting huge domestic demand in 2021. Harnett talks about how Kernock is negotiating peat reduction, the cancellation of trade shows in the UK and overseas, and the success of new plants such as Verbena Margaret's Memory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2021-05-2627 min