Growers in Scotland have been trialling different mixtures of growing media to produce peat-free growblocks for small scale growing. We’ll hear from Audrey Litterick, coordinator, Robin Walker, researcher, Gallia Cochrane from the Pebble Trust, and the three growers. The group will share their experiences, successes and failures over the last couple of years, and talk about their future plans.
Commercially-produced blocking media contain peat. Peat bogs are ecologically sensitive and unique habitats, and peat extraction is known to have detrimental environmental effects. This project aims to use only materials sourced from the nurseries themselves or from the immediate local area surrounding them.
It is very difficult to get the textures and physical/chemical properties required for producing blocks on any scale without peat. Any substrate which has suitable chemical and physical properties, could have a significant impact on the sector, as it would allow commercial growers to produce their own growing media, whilst also eliminating peat from the propagation stage.
We'll hear from Audrey Litterick, the field lab coordinator, and from Robin Walker the researcher, followed by the three triallists talking about their experiences.
Agenda
7.00 pm: Audrey Litterick - Introduction and project outline
7.15 pm: Robin Walker - GrowBlocks trials results
7.35 pm: Rachel - Grower expereinces at Tombreck
7.40 pm: Tom or Connie - Grower experiences at East Neuk
7.45 pm: Pam Rodway - Grower experiences at W. Lawrenceton
7.50 pm: Gallia Cochrane from the Pebble Trust - Update on the Pebble Trust-funded project, future work and invitation to participate!
8.00 pm: Audrey Litterick - overall conclusions of the project
8.05 pm: Q&A / discussion
8.30 pm: wrap up
This field lab builds on an existing partnership, and a pilot project run by the Forres Area Food Producers and SRUC. It is also receiving funding from The Pebble Trust. For more information on the field lab and to read the guidance notes produced by coordinator Audrey Litterick go to the field lab webpage: https://www.innovativefarmers.org/field-labs/peat-free-blocking/
