The horticulture industry is moving towards sustainability, and growers are stepping up. On 6 March 2025, the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) hosted a peat-free growing workshop at Hillier Nurseries in Hampshire. The event was part of an ongoing effort to support growers in adopting peat-free practices.
With hands-on demonstrations, expert talks, and an informative nursery tour, the workshop provided practical insights into growing without peat. It highlighted the importance of industry collaboration and data-driven decision-making to ensure a smooth transition.
HTA and RHS Lead Sustainability Talks
The workshop featured Wayne Brough, Horticulture Technical Manager at HTA, and Dr. Raghavendra Prasad, an RHS Peat-Free Fellow. They shared practical strategies for peat-free growing, focusing on quality control and resource optimisation.
Charles Carr, Head of Hillier Nurseries, and Geoff Caesar, Business Development Director at Allensmore Nurseries, also spoke at the event. They stressed that industry-wide adoption of peat-free methods requires education, knowledge-sharing, and innovation.
Brough emphasised that growers need clear, actionable advice: “Our goal is to support members in making peat-free growing commercially viable without compromising on quality.”
Growers Gain Insights on Peat-Free Transition
One of the biggest takeaways was the importance of data collection at the nursery level. Dr. Prasad highlighted that understanding soil composition, water retention, and nutrient management is key to success.
The Hillier Nurseries tour gave attendees a first-hand look at data-driven growing techniques. Many left the event feeling confident about integrating peat-free practices into their operations.
The HTA and RHS remain committed to supporting growers through workshops, technical reports, and research updates. Those interested can access more resources on their official websites.
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