30/07/2024
Established in 2009 by Steve & Abi Evans, our Surrey Nursery spans an 18-acre area, serving as both a plant nursery and landscape supply hub. We cater to both trade and retail customers, taking pride in cultivating around 80% of our plants on-site, ensuring their resilience without artificial heat. Recently, we had the opportunity to discuss growing methods and the transition to peat-free practices with Nick Westmarland, The Otter Nursery, Ottershaw Nursery Manager.
With 15 years of experience as the Nursery Manager at The Otter Nursery and a total of 34 years in horticulture, Nick has been at the forefront of innovative growing methods. A significant portion of our inventory is grown using polythene, glass, and outdoor beds. This year, our nursery has excelled in expanding shrubs and herbaceous plants like Coprosma Lemon and Lime, Coprosma Pacific Dawn, Hydrangea Hot Chocolate, Hydrangea Miss Saori, Spiraea Pink Ice, and Spiraea Shirobana. We are also venturing into new herbaceous plants such as Heuchera Gotham, Sweet Caroline, Peach Crisp, and various Cordyline varieties.
The horticultural sector is experiencing a notable shift towards peat-free growing mediums. We now provide peat-free compost to customers and have reduced peat usage in our substrates by 70%. Embracing peat-free alternatives offers benefits like reduced carbon emissions, preservation of peat bogs and wildlife habitats, and addressing climate change. While transitioning to peat-free presents challenges such as water level management, we are adapting to these changes well.
This month, we are initiating two new trials at Otter, one involving peat-free compost and the other utilising new cell plug plants. These small plants in 84-cell trays are efficient for rapid plant turnover, especially advantageous in herbaceous production, proving useful and cost-effective for growers.
Nick is always ready to provide guidance to our customers regarding plant species and growing methods.
