23rd May 2017
Members were given a tour by Duncan Coombes of Pershore Horticultural College around the various specifically planted gardens and agrotech centre, after which exertion a reviving afternoon tea was gratefully consumed.
The visit provided a fascinating insight into modern day horticulture utilising new technology and growing for 21st century markets. The reception area featured a large tank of various goldfish, the waste from which is used to fertilise a crop on the benches above in artificial light, plus a growing wall of plants.
Sadly, as all day release students only attend for theoretical training they don’t carry out any outside practical work including maintenance in the gardens although students do get plant knowledge from the garden set up by the Hardy Plant Society – mainly perennials. Nevertheless, the gardens were looking stunning with dark purple irises against a backdrop of yellow leaved shrubs.
There was a quick tour of a quick crop in of one of the glasshouses where salads are grown and harvested within 6 weeks, including beetroot, radish and chard, then sold to Claridges restaurant Fera.
