Hillier has started to build a new growing structure at its Hampshire nursery, as part of its commitment to sustainability.
The new structure spans 1.2 hectares of the 40-hectare site, near Romsey, where more than one million plants a year are currently grown, a number Hillier hopes to increase with new nursery developments.
With ever-changing weather conditions, Hillier was looking for a way to produce high-quality plants all year, no matter the conditions.
Chris Francis, retail and wholesale director, said: “This is the latest move in our growing journey and a very exciting step for our nursery.
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"We’ve been searching for a new structure to enable us to grow better plants in sustainable growing media, at an efficient rate, maximising the number of plants we can grow, no matter the weather, and this delivers exactly that!
"We look forward to being able to cut the ribbon and start potting this autumn.”
The new structure can deliver stable temperatures due to its large air mass and 45 per cent roof venting capacity that will keep plants cool in summer, but can also be closed to add extra warmth when needed.
It boasts high levels of light transmission to help the plants grow as well. A modern precision irrigation system will enable accurate delivery of water to Hillier’s ‘peat free’ plants
Twenty per cent of the custom-made greenhouse will be covered by an automated shade screen that is linked to light levels to aid the growth of shade-loving plants such as Japanese Maples, Ferns and Hostas.
Temperature, humidity and air movement will be regulated by an environmental computer linked to fans and vents.
Accurate irrigation will be achieved with a modern sprinkler system to establish crops.
A capillary floor will water plants from below, once established, keeping the foliage dry to reduce the risk of disease.
This is controlled via an automated system that will be linked in the future to soil moisture probes to automate the triggering of irrigation. A liquid feed system will enable the feeding of plants to optimise crop nutrition.
Designed by Belgium company, VDH Foliekassen, and installed by Agrowser with internal fittings and project management by Ebtech, the new structure has specifically been designed for its suitability. The project has been overseen by Charles Carr, head of wholesale nurseries at Hillier.
The new structure is just one of many strings to Hillier’s sustainability bow. As one of the leading growers in the UK, Hillier is involved in many peat-free initiatives.
The company was amongst the first nurseries to become 100% peat-free across both its production nursery and retail garden centres, and all Hillier plants are grown in peat-free compost.
Continuing to progress the company’s commitment to sustainability is a core focus for the Hillier new chairman, George Hillier, who took over the position earlier this year.
He said: “We are constantly striving to further our environmental policies, be this our robust biosecurity policy; having our own reservoir on our container nursery for irrigation; implementing the latest technology and sustainable initiatives in our garden centres; and now enhancing the commercial facilities at our nursery.”
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