Enviroment
You only have to visit our nurseries to see that we are at least as passionate about nature as we are about the plants that we grow. We know that plants are good for the environment as well as being good for people, so our environmental management policy, accredited to ISO 14001, aims to make sure that the way we grow and distribute our plants has the least possible environmental impact.
Our aim to be a 'greener' business is shared enthusiastically by everyone who works here and by our suppliers. It is also greatly helped by the fact that, in comparison with other production businesses, we use very little heat, light and power that isn't provided by the British climate!
Chemicals and fertilisers
Wherever possible we look for organic solutions to the control of pests and
diseases, for example, using natural predators rather than a sprayed-on chemical solution. We also apply things like compost teas & wormcasts to encourage healthy plant growth. Biological methods are employed for insect & mite control. In all of
our production processes we use the lightest touch possible, and ensure that water run-off from these applications is properly managed so as to avoid the risk of contaminating other water sources. Plant nutrition is provided by slow release nutrients which are released in relation to moisture and temperature, at times
when plants are growing actively.
diseases, for example, using natural predators rather than a sprayed-on chemical solution. We also apply things like compost teas & wormcasts to encourage healthy plant growth. Biological methods are employed for insect & mite control. In all of
our production processes we use the lightest touch possible, and ensure that water run-off from these applications is properly managed so as to avoid the risk of contaminating other water sources. Plant nutrition is provided by slow release nutrients which are released in relation to moisture and temperature, at times
when plants are growing actively.
Recycling
Water - the rainfall from our glasshouse roofs, buildings, and polytunnels is
drained into water storage reservoirs together with the run-off water from our growing beds. These create ponds which are planted at the margin and in which wildlife is encouraged.
Packaging and waste material such as plastic, steel, oil, glass, paper and cardboard
is separated, collected and packaged for recycling.
Green Waste is composted on the nursery for re-use in soil improvers
or potting mixes.
drained into water storage reservoirs together with the run-off water from our growing beds. These create ponds which are planted at the margin and in which wildlife is encouraged.
Packaging and waste material such as plastic, steel, oil, glass, paper and cardboard
is separated, collected and packaged for recycling.
Green Waste is composted on the nursery for re-use in soil improvers
or potting mixes.
Making-do and mending
Wherever possible we repair rather than replace, and if we can fabricate
equipment we need on the nursery we do so in our well-equipped workshop.
equipment we need on the nursery we do so in our well-equipped workshop.
Wildlife
We take action not only to reduce the impact of our activities on the local wildlife population but also to let it thrive. A wide variety of birds benefit from the feeding stations we have dotted around our offices and production units.
We have planted miles of hedges - but only trim them outside of the nesting season. Where we can, we use trees and hedges as windbreaks - and in the process create even more wildlife havens.
We have planted miles of hedges - but only trim them outside of the nesting season. Where we can, we use trees and hedges as windbreaks - and in the process create even more wildlife havens.
Becoming peat-free
We are using less and less peat on our nursery as we work with supplier partners
to find peat free alternatives. The peat we do use comes from ethical suppliers
with proven environmental credentials extracting from sites which are not regarded as environmentally significant. Many of our mixes contain up to 20% of composted green waste and our standard mix is 40% non-peat. We have actively encouraged and support the HTA's Growing Media Initiative which encourages retailers to
promote peat free alternatives as growing media for gardeners, and have participated in experimental trials of peat reduced composts for many years.
to find peat free alternatives. The peat we do use comes from ethical suppliers
with proven environmental credentials extracting from sites which are not regarded as environmentally significant. Many of our mixes contain up to 20% of composted green waste and our standard mix is 40% non-peat. We have actively encouraged and support the HTA's Growing Media Initiative which encourages retailers to
promote peat free alternatives as growing media for gardeners, and have participated in experimental trials of peat reduced composts for many years.
Transport and logistics
The movement of plants on and between our various production sites is avoided where possible and deliveries to customers are planned to keep the number of
plant miles travelled to a minimum. The plants are almost always delivered in
re-usable stillages usually with the pot and label as the only packaging.
Wherever possible we channel smaller amenity orders via our Chobham plant
centre. This means that our carbon footprint on those orders is much lower than
an order supplied from the north.
All of our main delivery vehicles are equipped with the latest ultra clean running
and very economical Euro 4 and Euro 5 engines.
plant miles travelled to a minimum. The plants are almost always delivered in
re-usable stillages usually with the pot and label as the only packaging.
Wherever possible we channel smaller amenity orders via our Chobham plant
centre. This means that our carbon footprint on those orders is much lower than
an order supplied from the north.
All of our main delivery vehicles are equipped with the latest ultra clean running
and very economical Euro 4 and Euro 5 engines.