Summary

This timely conference explored horticultural practices in relation to economic, social and environmental challenges that face public gardens and parks today. In seeking practical solutions, it highlighted responsible horticulture in relation to mowing, watering and weeding.

In the current economic climate, have you considered how you can combine sustainability and cost savings in managing and maintaining your garden? Have you questioned your methods of grass cutting, irrigation and weed control?

Speakers from a range of gardens, parks, estates and companies considered: different methods of sward maintenance; whether and when to irrigate; and – the biggest problem of all – weed control that reduces the use of resources; and took a fresh look at current practices, with a view to managing gardens in a more sustainable way.

With thanks to Delta-T Devices and Barenbrug UK for their support of this conference.

Presentations

Welcome and introduction

Dr Matthew Jebb, PlantNetwork Chairman Director, National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin

Mowing and weeding regimes at Wisley Garden

Colin Crosbie, RHS Garden Wisley

An appreciation of amenity grassland

Tony Garn, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Sustainable grass species and cultivars for the amenity sector

Dr David Greenshield, Barenbrug UK

Avoiding the spread of disease in gardens by water

Dr Tim Pettitt, Eden Project

16th Annual General Meeting of PlantNetwork

held at 5.00pm Tuesday 27 March 2012, University of York, Heslington Chaired by Dr Matthew Jebb, PlantNetwork Chairman

Beauty on a budget - new approaches to successful urban meadows

Sue France, Green Estate

A manufacturer's view on bio diversity

Les Malin, Patrick Vives, Andreas Kuisl, Chris Bassett, Etesia

Weed control and changes to the pesticides control regime

Kerry Hutchinson, Chemicals Regulation Directorate, Health & Safety Executive

Environmental standards for National Trust gardens and estates

Ed Ikin, Garden & Countryside Manager, Nymans, National Trust

Lawns and the carbon carousel

Dr Ross Cameron, Department of Landscape, University of Sheffield

Amenity weed control: legislation and innovation

Ian Samms, Managing Director, Nomix Enviro

Tour of University of York campuses at Heslington

Gordon Eastham, Grounds Maintenance Manager

RHS Garden Hyde Hall - practical solutions

Ian Le Gros, RHS Garden Hyde Hall

Irrigation efficiency with Delta-T Devices: the coming of time

Dr John Newstead, Delta-T Devices

Electrical weed control

Dr Mike Diprose, Spectrum-Tec

Implications of drought and water regulation for public parks and gardens

Jill Credland, Environment Agency, Yorkshire and Humber Office