Food and wood as growing media for plants

A seminar on “New Developments in Peat Alternatives” for growing media in pot plant production is being held at the College of Agriculture Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) in the Manor Suite, Greenmount campus on 24 November 2010 commencing at 1:30 pm until 4:30 pm.

The Chairman of the Horticulture Development Company (HDC), Mr Neil Bragg, will give an overview on current Government legislations and peat reduction targets in the UK. He will also highlight how growers, garden centres and public authorities are responding to this challenge in GB. These targets will have important implications to all businesses involved in growing and purchasing container plants.

Teresa Maguire, Horticulture Technologist, CAFRE, will give an update on the current “Peat Alternatives” studies at Greenmount Campus. Delegates will be able to view and assess the growth performance of plants grown in peat reduced composts including those grown containing wood fibre, composted food and green wastes.

For further details, please contact David Kerr, Ornamental Development Adviser, CAFRE; Telephone number: 07899 864343

Teresa Maguire (Horticulture Technologist) with winter bedding plants in various peat reduced growing mediums at CAFRE, Greenmount Campus