Workshops for plant retail staff have got off to a flying start, with top marks from many of the people who attended them, the HTA has reported.

The workshops are taking place in Bristol, Farnham, Cambridge, Chester and Stirling, offering training in retail skills, operational skills, plant knowledge and plant growth. They are aimed at staff in retail garden centres or nurseries who either wish to complete the HTA’s Retail Plant Care Awards, or simply want to learn more about the business they are engaged in.

The plant knowledge segment looks at working with plants, Latin names, anatomical features and life cycles of plants, plus methods of plant propagation and the identification of main plant groups. Plant growth concentrates on growing methods, plant nutrients, fertilisers and application methods, irrigation types and care of irrigation systems, legislation relating to pesticides, minimising pesticide use in plant areas, and identification and control of weeds pests and diseases.

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