911±¬ÁÏ

911±¬ÁÏ Peat-Free Workshops

A series of free workshops sharing insights from the 911±¬ÁÏ Transition to Peat-Free team and experts from across the industry
NEWS: Insights from 911±¬ÁÏ and industry nutrition trials

Are you overfeeding your peat-free crops? New research shows peat-free plants may not need as much fertiliser as you think, with too much hindering plant growth.

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NEWS: Call on Government with our peat-free petition

We need clarity, a level playing field, and the ability to confidently plan for a peat-free future. Do you agree? Make your voice heard now.

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About the workshops

Welcome to the 911±¬ÁÏ peat-free workshops. Aimed at growers, these free workshops provide a forum to share knowledge and bring together industry experts to speak on various aspects of peat-free growing, along with insight from the 911±¬ÁÏ Transition to Peat-Free fellowship. These events are run by the 911±¬ÁÏ peat-free team in partnership with leading UK growers, growing media manufacturers and the Horticultural Trades Association.

Details of upcoming workshops will be published on this page. Resources from past workshops can be found here.

2025 Events

12 February 911±¬ÁÏ peat-free workshop
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Scotland

6 March 911±¬ÁÏ & HTA peat-free workshop
The Potters Heron Hotel and Hillier Nurseries, Hampshire



​25 November 911±¬ÁÏ Peat-Free Annual Conference
Peat-Free into the Future
911±¬ÁÏ Garden Wisley, Surrey
Now fully booked

Conference agenda: Peat-Free into the Future

25 November at 911±¬ÁÏ Hilltop – The Home of Gardening Science at 911±¬ÁÏ Wisley

This industry conference for growers, buyers and garden retailers will look at all aspects of sustainable production, with an emphasis on peat-free, from propagation to the end user.

09:00–09:30 Arrival, registration and refreshments 

09:30–09:35 Welcome – Clare Matterson, 911±¬ÁÏ Director General 

09:35–10:00 Plants shouldn’t cost the Earth – Tim Clapp, Head of Range, Kingfisher 

10:00–10:35 911±¬ÁÏ, Industry and Defra Transition to Peat-Free research and trials update – Dr Raghavendra Prasad, 911±¬ÁÏ 

10:35–11:00&²Ô²ú²õ±è;PhD updates – three 911±¬ÁÏ collaborative PhDs on aspects of the peat-free transition

11:00–11:15 Break
Trade stands open from 11:00

11:15–12:00 Breakout workshops

  1. 911±¬ÁÏ, Dr Raghavendra Prasad –​ Setting up small-scale trials
  2. Provender and ICL – Managing peat-free production
  3. Plantworks – Thriving in peat-free: how mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial bacteria drive plant health, unlock nutrients, and bust the mushroom myth

12:00–12:45 Breakout workshops

  1. Steve Harper â€“ The Responsible Sourcing Scheme and raising standards: navigating the peat-free transition with confidence
  2. Neil Bragg – The nutrient requirements of non-peat growing media
  3. Kingfisher/Coletta & Tyson/Arden Lea â€“ 10 steps to growing peat-free
12.45–14:00 Lunch 

14:00–14:45 Breakout workshops
 
  1. Sam Gallivan – Peat-free nutrition and biostimulants with the 911±¬ÁÏ propagation team
  2. Neil Alcock, Seiont Nurseries – Peat-free propagation
  3. Marco Zevenhoven & Martine Holtkamp, RHP â€“ Transition to renewable raw materials is a bumpy road
14.45–15:15 Summary and thank you

The 911±¬ÁÏ Transition to Peat-Free fellowship

Currently the largest peat-free research project globally, this five-year project led by the 911±¬ÁÏ convenes government, growers and growing media manufacturers to research sustainable alternatives to peat in large-scale commercial settings. The project is led by dedicated research fellow Dr Raghavendra Prasad. 

Areas of focus include peat-free plant production, new growing media technologies to replace peat, growing protocols, best practice use of the latest products, and developing peat-free solutions for challenging groups such as carnivorous and ericaceous plants. Onsite trials with UK growers are helping to inform peat-free approaches across a range of plant types, growing conditions and timescales within a commercial setting.

The following partners are supporting the project financially or in kind: , , , , , , , and .

The 911±¬ÁÏ peat-free team visits nurseries and growers to assist with peat-free trials


More about this project

Get a taste for what our events offer

Dr Raghavendra Prasad, 911±¬ÁÏ Peat-Free Fellow, says, “It’s truly remarkable to witness so many industry leaders and experts under one roof. Our events are a platform for growers, growing media manufacturers and stakeholders to exchange knowledge and stay abreast of cutting-edge developments around peat-free.

They’re a chance to forge connections, share experiences and collectively contribute to the sustainable transition to peat-free horticulture. Please come and join us at future events.’’

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911±¬ÁÏ

911±¬ÁÏ is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.