Here are some details of a conference in February that may be of interest to
allotment gardeners and others
Future
Growing Composts for Gardeners
Keynote
Speaker: Christine Walkden
Plantswoman,
Horticulturist, Writer and Broadcaster
Chairman
Mr David Allison - National Vegetable Society
Gardeners
are having mixed success with seedling and growing composts.
Gardening
Gurus disagree on which is the best compost to use, being quite
vociferous in their criticisms of each other in the press.
The
issues have arisen mainly because of reduction in the use of peat and
its replacement with other materials such as wood, coir and municipal
green composts.
These
composts have very different watering and nutrient management
requirements but there is very little information given to gardeners.
The
selection of a product in a garden centre is confusing and as often
the compost areas are dominated by special offer posters rather than
advice. There are no accreditation labels for guidance.
Many
gardening publications are continuously reporting erratic and
confusing test results, quite often for the same product. Product
names change more often than some men change their socks!!
We
are having a conference at STC, where you can discuss these issues
with our scientists, who have been doing trials over many years.
They will show you their latest trials and discuss best management
practice with you.
We
also have some manufacturers to tell you how they are developing new
products and details of how you may be able to identify accredited
products in the future.
Christine
Walkden will be on the trials tour to comment and answer your
individual questions.
Date
February 16th
9.15am
-4.30 pm
Stockbridge
Technology Centre
Cawood
YO8
3TZ
FREE
admission, lunch and refreshments.
Further
details on www.stockbridgeonline.co.uk
