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.
Please find below a summary of the grower member workshops and masterclasses for 2024, in association with Zest Sustainable ICM, covering a range of topical technical subjects, on various nursery locations around the country.
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.
Please book into those that are relevant. Note, that there is a limit of two people per business for the workshops, and one person per business for the masterclasses to allow as many member businesses to attend as possible.
More detailed content will be made available in advance of each event (see links below in the table). BASIS and NRoSO continual development points will also be made available. If, having booked, you are unable to attend for any reason, please inform us as soon as possible so we can offer the space to other HTA members.
|
Title and format |
Location |
Date |
Provisional content |
|
Tips for establishing crops in peat-free growing media (Click on the link to download the agenda) Workshop completed |
Darby Nursery Stock Ltd, Methwold and local venue |
Tuesday 21 May 2024 |
Review of growing media characteristics and the key potting/transplanting processes. Handling and priming of young plant material prior to potting. Potting depths with and without mulch. Irrigation and nutrient management of crops in the first 2-3 weeks of establishment. Use of biostimulants and other additives. |
|
Vine weevil control strategies, including growing media considerations (Click on the link to download the agenda) Workshop completed |
Osberton Nurseries, Worksop and local venue |
Tuesday 25 June 2024 |
Summary of the vine weevil life cycle. Use of traps and lures for monitoring. Remaining available control measures and how to optimise their use. How incorporated, drench or applied treatments are impacted by different media types. How media impact vine weevil egg and larval development. Observation trials with susceptible species grown in different media. |
|
(Click on the link to download the agenda) Masterclass completed |
Nicholsons, Bicester (onsite) |
Tuesday 9 July 2024 |
Types, properties, and activity of the various available adjuvants. Their correct selection and use. When to use them. Impact on spray distribution and retention. Cost : benefit ratios of their use. |
|
Irrigation water treatment for chemical, physical and biological contaminants (Click on the link to download the agenda) Workshop completed |
Golden Grove Nursery, Boston and local venue |
Tuesday 10 September 2024 |
Pros and cons of various treatments. Importance of regular monitoring of irrigation water and adjustments required based on growing media and irrigation type. Update on new technologies such as nanobubbles and ultrasound treatments. |
|
Herbicides for container-grown hardy nursery stock (Click on the link to download the agenda) Workshop completed |
James Coles Nurseries and Sons (onsite) |
Tuesday 29 October 2024 |
Presentations on herbicides and their use in container-grown situations. Weed identification and herbicide susceptibility of weeds exercise. Demonstration of how to build and get the best from an herbicide programme. |
|
(Click on the link to download the agenda) Workshop (spaces available) |
Wyevale Nurseries, Hereford and local venue |
Tuesday 26 November 2024 |
Irrigation water sampling and monitoring of pathogens in plant tissue. Crop protection programmes for root pathogens and prevention of root disease through good crop husbandry and cultural techniques. |
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
