For the past four years, our columnist Dr Ken Cockshull of Warwick University's crop centre has kept readers up to date with the latest findings from horticultural research published in scientific journals through his Research Matters column. He has covered a vast array of crops, targeting subjects...
After the nightmare that the hosepipe bans of 2006 unleashed on parts of the garden sector, the news that drip-watering systems are to be exempted at three of the seven water companies that have announced similar bans this week, is very welcome indeed.
Congratulations to the winners of the Grower of the Year Awards 2012, announced at last week's evening of celebration of the outstanding achievements of so many businesses and individuals from the production horticulture community.
In our industry preview for 2012, Willerby Landscapes' John Melmoe concurs with colleagues across many sectors of horticulture that next year will prove a difficult one, whether in the private, commercial or public arenas.
In its "rationale for action" on the use of peat in England, published alongside June's Natural Environment white paper, Defra's Impact Assessement is quite explicit about the link between its decision to pursue policy in this area and the EU Habitats Directive.
Congratulations to Majestic Trees, which picked up the silver rose in this year's International Grower of the Year competition.
There were plenty of sceptics ready to tell New Farm Produce's David and Stephen McGuffie they were little short of crazy to attempt to grow melons in the UK - but the brothers weren't to be put off.
If the number of producer organisations that have been derecognised following the Rural Payment Agency's (RPA) review is as high as is feared - and at the time of writing some in the industry believe it may be as high as 50 per cent - the consequences will be felt across the edibles sector.
With a record for completing tasks in a timely fashion as poor as that of the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), it should perhaps be no surprise to discover that yet again the organisation has missed a deadline.
So, no great surprises in Tuesday's environment white paper on peat. Instead a confirmation that phase-out targets in England will remain voluntary and that the Government's goal continues to be a peat-free supply chain by 2030 - apart, of course, from imported plants.
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