Horticultural Practice

Quality of plants

Our nursery continues to grow and supply bedding plants that are used in beds, baskets and boxes. Growing in-house means that we can ensure the quality and variety of plant material to use in our displays. Wherever possible, we try to grow plant material that is either different to the norm, or that will help us interpret a particular theme. The nursery is diversifying by taking cuttings of plant stock from specific locations such as the Botanical Gardens and Georgian Gardens so that we can grow and replenish stock rather than purchase from an external source.

Compost

• In the main we use Bulrush as our growing medium; it is 100% peat-free compost, pre mixed with added nutrients;
• We use Bulrush in approximately 85% of the current crops we grow, with the exception of Non–Stop Begonias/Cyclamen/Impatiens, where we have to add 40% peat to the mix to aid growth to the standard we require;
• We have to use a peat-based mix in the wire baskets because of the weight issue (even with a peat-based mix, the 18 inch baskets can get to a weight of 25kgs);
• Compost from boxes and baskets is recycled at Lansdown recycling tip. Soil is removed when planting trees and shrubs and is re-used to line the base of window boxes in the forthcoming year, or used for minor repairs to grass areas.

Sustainability

 Bath in Bloom has continued the theme of Sustainability and added beneficial plants to its schemes. Bath and North East Somerset Council has continued to review our parks and open spaces to see whether a more sustainable approach could be adopted, either through planting schemes or how green waste is recycled. A number of projects throughout the city have been added to or extended:

• A reduced mowing regime around trees has been introduced to promote the growth of wildflowers;
• Surveys have been carried out to identify the most suitable habitats to promote future wildflower growth;
• Flowerbeds have been sown with ‘Meadow Mixtures’ at many sites.
• Annual beds have been replaced with sustainable rose varieties around the fountain at Terrace Walk, the bandstand in Parade Gardens and at the obelisk in Royal Victoria Park.

• Spent bulbs that have been forced on for internal decoration purpose are then given out to local schools and community groups to replant for future enjoyment of their area.

Leaves

Leaf clearance from parks is either:

• Left in shrubberies to degrade and for use as mulch/weed suppressant;
• Collected to take to Lansdown site tip for recycling as part of an on-going process;
• Collected and taken to various allotment sites for allotment users to utilise;
• Kept onsite in various areas, (such as the Botanical Gardens), to degrade and use as leaf mould.

New planting

A wide variety of new planting has taken place over the past year, including wildflowers on our roundabouts and parks, many new trees across the city and a new herbaceous border in Parade Gardens.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
Bath Riverside Development

The first phase of Bath’s biggest ongoing development has been completed with mostly sustainable planting including 2 living green walls and a new park, 


        
          Bath Riverside green living wall