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Hort Talk

The HTA have produced a podcast for the horticultural industry and beyond. In each episode, we will invite two guests to discuss topics related to horticulture and issues that may occur within the workplace.

Hort Talk

Episode 20: Business Improvement Scheme

47:32

Gerald Ingram, Ruth Goudy and Carolyn Spray discuss the benefits of being part of the HTA Business Improvement Scheme.

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Hort Talk

Episode 19: Groups and Committees

30:17

In this episode, Holly Youde, Ed Holmes and Jonathan Whittemore discuss the benefits of being part of a group or committee, along with their wishes for what the future of the committees could look like.

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Hort Talk

Hort-Talk Episode 18 - Peat Free in a Retail Environment

41:20

In this episode, we talk to Victoria Wright, Geoff Caesar, Mike Burks and Steve Carter about what the transition to peat-free growing media looks like in a retail environment.

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Hort Talk

Hort-Talk Episode 17 - Celebrating 125 years of UK Enivronmental Horticulture

42:31

Alan Sargant, Stan Green, Tim Smith and Ruth Goudy discuss the journeys their businesses have been on, what they would like to see for the future of UK environmental horticulture and what being an HTA member means to them.

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Hort Talk

Hort-Talk Episode 16- NIPHL and Border Control!

44:16

Hort-Talk Episode 16! In this insightful episode, we're diving into the intricacies of the Northern Ireland Plant Health Label Scheme (NIPHL), which just debuted on October 1st, 2023. Join our host and horticultural experts for a deep dive into how NIPHL is transforming the landscape of trade with Northern Ireland. Our panel of experts includes: Sally Cullimore from HTA, Malcolm Catlin from Greeenplus, Stuart Tickner from Provender Nurseries, and Gavin Roberts from Trade Flow Customs. Together, they unpack the implications of NIPHL on businesses, big and small, and explore how it directly affects the end consumer. If you're curious about the evolving world of horticultural regulations and border control, this episode is a must-listen.

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Hort Talk

Hort-Talk Episode 15- House Plants!

30:11

Join us in this exciting episode as we welcome special guests Jonathan Miller from Hortihouse, Alex and Mike Opperman from Opperman Plants, and Tijana Blanusa from RHS and Reading University. Together, we dive deep into the thriving world of house plants and explore their pivotal role in the horticulture industry and the hearts of consumers. Discover the secrets behind the house plant craze and learn why these leafy companions have become more than just decorations – they're a green revolution! Tune in for an insightful conversation that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the power of house plants in shaping our industry and enriching our lives.

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Hort Talk

Hort-Talk LIVE Episode 14- An Education in Apprenticeships!

40:07

In our first ever LIVE recording of Hort Talk at National Plant Show 2023 we have a panel of guests to discuss the importance of apprenticeship within Horticulture. We were joined by: Senior Technical Training consultant Adam Blunt, Head of Horticulture at Pershore College Josh Egan-Wyer, Assessor in Horticulture at Lackham college Victoria Fiander, and WCG’s Sarah Ashmore.

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Hort Talk

Hort-Talk Episode 13- The Complexities of peat!

46:00

We are joined by four special guests: Mike Burks Managing Director of The Gardens Group, Natalie Porter Sales Director at Happy Plants Ltd, Ben Malin Managing Director of E J Godwins and David Lydiat Public Affairs & Policy Manager at The HTA. In this episode we discuss the complicated history of peat, the reasons for the proposed bans of peat in amateur and professional environmental horticulture, and why as an industry, we need time and support to make this a sustainable and positive change throughout the whole supply chain.

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Hort Talk

Hort-Talk Episode 12- ‘Women in Horticulture’

41 minutes 27 seconds

with Pippa Greenwood- Horticultural Trades Association, Melanie Asker -Greenwood Plants and Emma Birkbeck- Fargro. In this episode our guests discuss and celebrate Women within the Horticultural industry as well as looking at what makes our industry ethos so unique.

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Hort Talk

Episode 11 - Apprenticeships

44 minutes 15 seconds

with Ros Burnley- Horticultural Apprenticeship Consultant, Geoff Caesar- Business Development director at Allensmore Nurseries Ltd and Millie & Mel- Crop Technician Apprentices at Allensmore Nurseries. In this episode our guests discuss Horticultural Apprenticeships, their benefit, some of the hurdles our industry faces, and the impact apprenticeships can have.

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Hort Talk

Episode 10 - The Cost of Doing Business

33 minutes 35 seconds

The Cost of Doing Business with Mark Boyce, Guy Topping & Jennifer Pheasey

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Hort Talk

Episode 9 - The Power of Visual Merchandising

39 minutes 10 seconds

In this episode our guest discuss why Visual Merchandising is such an important commercial business tool, effective ways to use VM and how their influences of these techniques have been impactful to the business.

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Hort Talk

Episode 8 - Careers in Horticulture

33 minutes

In this episode we are joined by Chris Lowe from David Austin Roses, Sarah Want from More People Recruitment and Adam Couzens from Lowaters Nursery where we discuss the motivation behind their successful careers in horticulture and some of the difficulties we face as an industry with recruitment and retention.

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Hort Talk

Episode Seven - Social Media

41 min 50 secs

Hort-Talk Episode 7- Social Media In this Episode, the last of 2021, our guests talk about the impact Social Media has on a business, what a good Social Media Strategy should include and the connection getting it right can create between business and customer. This is not one to miss

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Hort Talk

Episode Six - Gifting

29 min 1 sec

Episode Six - Gifting with Boyd Douglas-Davies, Jon Dixon & Josie McGhee In this episode our guests talk about gifting, the NGGV scheme and what impact it can have on a retailer. From how gifting can help keep money within the industry, how moving online can be a positive thing and lessons the HTA has learnt along the way.

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Hort Talk

Episode Five - Allergy Awareness

28 mins

with Caroline Benjamin, Ruth Holroyd & Julianne Ponan. In this episode our guests talk about the impact being an allergy sufferer has on your dining out experience. We discuss Natasha's Law and what these changes mean for catering businesses and why having an allergy inclusive menu can be good for business.

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Hort Talk

Episode Four - Sustainability

42 mins

Episode Four is with Merlin Brooke-Little, Amelie Trolle and George Hillier. This month our guests discuss ‘what is sustainability’? They talk about what their journeys into becoming more sustainable has been like and give us some advice on how to make that journey as smooth as possible.

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Hort Talk

Episode Three - Young People in Horticulture

32 Mins

Episode 3 discusses 'Young People in Horticulture'. Special guests Mollie Higginson, Will Burberry and Jack Shilley discuss the trials and tribulations of starting a career in Horticulture and discuss why they love what they do and how we can inspire the next generation.

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Hort Talk

Episode Two - Plant Health

40 mins

Episode 2 explores Plant Health. Special guests Alistair Yeomans, Pippa Greenwood and Sally Cullimore look at Policy, Brexit and Biosecurity and discuss their favourite and least favourite plant pests and diseases.

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Hort Talk

Episode One - Mental Health and Wellbeing

32 Mins

This first episode ties into Plant Health week, and explores the link between gardening and mental health. Our guests are Martin Hilton, Director of Learning and Education at CLP, and Annabelle Padwick, founder of Life at No.27 and National Growing for Wellbeing week.

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