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, hear about new products, exchange findings and results, and generally network with other growers and colleagues.
Note, that the workshop format is the same as in previous years, up to 30 delegates, nursery and local venue based, with various presentations and practical applications; while the new masterclass format is up to 10 delegates, nursery based, more in-depth detail, a chance to modify your own programmes and procedures. Click on the download link under each event title for the detailed, final agenda (when available). To book a place (maximum of two per business for the workshops and one per business for the masterclasses) complete the booking form below the summary table.
|
Title and format |
Location |
Date |
Provisional content |
|
New developments in biological pest control Workshop |
Agrii, Throws Farm, Dunmow |
6th May 2025 |
Presentations from various biocontrol suppliers on innovative products and approaches to using commercially available biocontrol agents and equipment, and new monitoring options, and learnings from other horticultural sectors and organic crop production. Demonstrations of biocontrol release formats with samples from biocontrol companies, handheld mechanised application techniques including a ‘sprayable’ form of Phytoseiulus, monitoring, and the use of aids and feeds to establish biocontrol agents within crops. |
|
Aphid management in ornamental crops Masterclass |
Harper Adams University, Newport |
3rd June 2025 |
Presentations covering aphid identification, lifecycles, and the biology of commonly occurring aphids and their biocontrol agents. Two PhD student presentations covering aphid control. Exercises on identifying aphid species, and devising a biocontrol programme for aphids by crop along with integrating plant protection products within programmes. A tour of the entomology department at Harper Adams University. Summary quiz at the end of the event. |
|
Cultural control of plant growth, and optimising the use of plant growth regulators to manage crop growth and development Workshop |
Wyeplants, Spalding |
9th September 2025 |
Presentations on the impact of different irrigation regimes on plant growth and control using different soluble fertiliser feeding regimes, environmental and physical control options, plant growth regulator (PGR) approvals and product uses, best practice guide for PGR application, use of adjuvants with PGRs, mixtures and mixes with fertilisers. How to integrate PGRs within integrated pest management including addressing compatibilities and side effects on biocontrol agents. |
|
Optimising nutrition and nutrient delivery in peat-free crops Workshop |
Chapel Cottage Plants, March |
21st October 2025 |
Presentations from growing media and fertiliser manufacturers covering controlled release fertiliser coatings, incorporation of fertilisers within peat-free growing media, commonly used biostimulants with peat-free growing media and what they achieve, the most frequent nutritional problems in relation to peat-free production and the fertiliser options for correcting them. Information from the RHS Peat-free Fellowship. (The following day will see a Member Regional Event staged at the same venue). |
|
Plant protection product management and best practice Masterclass |
Darby Nursery Stock, Norfolk |
18th November 2025 |
Presentations covering the legislative requirements for plant protection product application, storage, and records, interpreting label and off-label approvals, recommendation sheets, spray task sheets and record keeping. Chemical store mini audit. An exercise on completing LERAP and operator record sheets. Summary quiz at the end of the event. |
Please fill in all the required fields, and select which events you would like to attend. Should you have any questions or queries please use the contact details below for additional support
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.
Getting to Grips with Biological Pest Control Workshop
Autumn Potting Deadlines and the Effects of Late Potting on Overwintering and Pathogen Susceptibility Workshop
Herbicide Tolerance in Container- and Field-Grown Herbaceous and Hardy Nursery Stock Workshop
Propagation in Peat-Free Substrates Workshop
Nutrient and Water Management in Peat-Free Substrates Workshop
Non-Chemical Weed Control in Field-Grown Crops Workshop
Improving Nursery Water Use Efficiency Workshop
Biostimulant Use Workshop
