HortWeek Podcast

With HortWeek senior reporter Rachael Forsyth fresh from the GrootGroenPlus trade show, we hear how European growers are tackling the challenge of imports/ exports with the UK - with producers saying they would be "delighted" to see the SPS agreement come into force.

HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby and Rachael talk about:

• Inspection regimes and paperwork both sides of the border, and how it is affecting European traders
• The latest round of delays and reports of damaged plants at BCP Sevington
• How 'experiences' could transform the fortunes of garden centres and horticulture shows
• How new analysis of horticulture company results is showing who is doing well
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Do check out our huge archive of HortWeek Podcast interviews with an unrivalled selection of prominent and fascinating figures from all corners of the horticulture sector.

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The Biodiversity Net Gain market has come along way since BNG became mandatory in England under the Environment Act 2021. The ruling requires developers to deliver at least 10% biodiversity net gain for new construction projects.

In this week's HortWeek Podcast Rachael Forsyth speaks to head of sales and services Emma Hindle and head of business development Brian Smith at Ground Control, which provides ready-to-buy BNG units as part of a habitat bank.

They discuss how the market is developing, the drivers of demand, and shifting balance of supply and demand.

Although Government targets and policy for house building is driving construction projects, Brian explains that Ground Control is "not betting the farm on housebuilders" and is keeping it's client base deliberately broad, including utility companies, transport companies as well as corporate clients such as supermarkets. Interestingly, a burgeoning "voluntary market" is also part of the picture, he says, 

But while developers might, understandably, focus on the immediate costs when deciding on how to approach BNG requirements, a 30-year maintenance lifespan means a "whole life" cost approach is more appropriate, he argues. 

The market has come on leaps and bounds since 2021, Emma adds, insisting the focus should always come back to nature recovery and the "benefits for the country". Many that had reservations initially are now "taking it seriously", she says, and the prospects for BNG over the next five years are "amazing".  

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In this week's News In Focus podcast HortWeek editor, Matthew Appleby, technical editor Sally Drury and senior reporter Rachael Forsyth discuss:

• the eagerly awaited Top 250 Garden Centres 2025

• some of the garden product highlights from GLEE

• How YouTube is 'where it's at' for gardening content

• Prospects and stresses for the garden retail sector after a busy 2025

• How changes in peat and coir supply are causing price fluctuations and how division in the industry over the prospective peat ban is hurting horticulture

Do check out our huge archive of HortWeek Podcast interviews - an unrivalled selection of prominent and fascinating figures from all corners of the horticulture sector.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's News In Focus podcast HortWeek editor, Matthew Appleby, technical editor Sally Drury and senior reporter Rachael Forsyth discuss:

• the eagerly awaited Top 250 Garden Centres 2025

• some of the garden product highlights from GLEE

• How YouTube is 'where it's at' for gardening content

• Prospects and stresses for the garden retail sector after a busy 2025

• How changes in peat and coir supply are causing price fluctuations and how division in the industry over the prospective peat ban is hurting horticulture

Do check out our huge archive of HortWeek Podcast interviews - an unrivalled selection of prominent and fascinating figures from all corners of the horticulture sector.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the fifth of HortWeek's News In Focus podcasts, we take a deep dive on Groundsfest trade show, with technical editor Sally Drury, horticultural consultant Howard Drury and senior reporter, Rachael Forsyth.

Topics this week:

• The trio, who judged the Groundsfest awards, hosted and guested on panels, enthuse about the depth and breadth of the show, which caters for grounds maintenance, landscape contracting, arb and turf contractors. 

• Highlights among the award-winning products and kit, and some of the machines they think should have entered for awards, but didn't.

• How Groundsfest is driving innovation, healthy competition, and is the perfect showcase for product manufacturers and practitioners across the whole of the landscape maintenance sector and beyond.
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See all HortWeek's Groundsfest coverage including exclusive videos or products and industry panels at https://www.hortweek.com/groundsfest

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Welcome to the third of HortWeek's new stream of podcasts where we give the HortWeek take on the biggest news stories. This week editor Matthew Appleby, technical editor Sally Drury, horticultural consultant Howard Drury and digital content manager Christina Taylor chew over the week's top stories.

Topics this week:

• the latest cabinet and Defra reshuffle and what it might mean for horticulturists.
• Four Oaks Trade Show judges Sally and Howard give their expert insight into award-winning products and plants from this year's show. 

Do check out our huge archive of HortWeek Podcast interviews with an unrivalled selection of prominent and fascinating figures from all corners of the horticulture sector.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the third of HortWeek's new stream of podcasts where we give the HortWeek take on the biggest news stories. This week editor Matthew Appleby, technical editor Sally Drury, horticultural consultant Howard Drury and digital content manager Christina Taylor chew over the week's top stories.

Topics this week:

• the latest cabinet and Defra reshuffle and what it might mean for horticulturists.
• Four Oaks Trade Show judges Sally and Howard give their expert insight into award-winning products and plants from this year's show. 

Do check out our huge archive of HortWeek Podcast interviews with an unrivalled selection of prominent and fascinating figures from all corners of the horticulture sector.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the third of HortWeek's new stream of podcasts where we give the HortWeek take on the biggest news stories. This week editor Matthew Appleby, technical editor Sally Drury, horticultural consultant Howard Drury and digital content manager Christina Taylor chew over the week's top stories.

Topics this week:

• the latest cabinet and Defra reshuffle and what it might mean for horticulturists.
• Four Oaks Trade Show judges Sally and Howard give their expert insight into award-winning products and plants from this year's show. 

Do check out our huge archive of HortWeek Podcast interviews with an unrivalled selection of prominent and fascinating figures from all corners of the horticulture sector.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the third of HortWeek's new stream of podcasts where we give the HortWeek take on the biggest news stories. This week editor Matthew Appleby, technical editor Sally Drury, horticultural consultant Howard Drury and digital content manager Christina Taylor chew over the week's top stories.

Topics this week:

• the latest cabinet and Defra reshuffle and what it might mean for horticulturists.
• Four Oaks Trade Show judges Sally and Howard give their expert insight into award-winning products and plants from this year's show. 

Do check out our huge archive of HortWeek Podcast interviews with an unrivalled selection of prominent and fascinating figures from all corners of the horticulture sector.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the third of HortWeek's new stream of podcasts where we give the HortWeek take on the biggest news stories. This week editor Matthew Appleby and digital content manager Christina Taylor chew over the week's top stories.

Issues this week:

• the new and improved HortWeek Power List which celebrates the top 100 most impactful horticulturists.
• the issues driving a churn in horticulture businesses - see our Mergers, closures and acqusitions LIVE MAP to stay up-to-date with the latest.
• the results of a HortWeek survey on the top businesses concerns - including inflation, peat, legislation and changes to imports/exports rules.
• The team discuss highlights of discussion panels and awards featuring at Four Oaks Trade Show and Groundsfest this September

Do check out our huge archive of HortWeek Podcast interviews with an unrivalled selection of prominent and fascinating figures from all corners of the horticulture sector.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.