Growers
Professional growers
Professional growers are central to Hort2thefuture. Through on-farm trials, pilot sites, demonstrations, and co-creation activities, growers work alongside researchers, technology developers, and industry partners to test and validate new solutions under real commercial conditions. Their feedback helps ensure that innovations are practical, effective, and relevant to horticultural production.
The project is developing and evaluating peat-free growing media, innovative fertiliser products, advanced irrigation and fertigation strategies, and soil health solutions that improve soil structure and reduce compaction. Key outputs include validated growing media blends, optimisation tools, innovative soil improvement products, and practical guidance to support more sustainable and resource-efficient horticultural systems.
Amateur growers and gardeners
Amateur gardeners and gardening associations play an important role in supporting the transition to more sustainable horticulture. Through demonstration activities, educational programmes, and collaborations with gardening communities, gardeners help explore and promote environmentally responsible growing practices, including the use of sustainable growing media and soil-friendly cultivation methods.
Hort2thefuture provides practical guidance, training materials, demonstration opportunities, and evidence-based recommendations to help gardeners improve soil health and reduce environmental impacts. The project also works closely with the FRYD gardening community. To learn more and get involved, the FRYD app is linked below. We welcome engagement from gardening clubs, associations, educators, and citizen growers who share our commitment to a more sustainable future for horticulture.
Latest news for growers
PRESS RELEASE: New ‘peat free gardening hero’ leaflet launches in garden centres to inspire green growing
Gardeners are set to benefit from a new, easy-to-follow leaflet designed to make sustainable gardening simpler and more accessible. The 'Peat Free Gardening Hero' guide is being launched this spring and will be distributed through participating...
PRESS RELEASE: Citizens grow Pak Choi and contribute to sustainable gardening research
A new citizen science initiative involves members of the public taking part in a hands-on experiment to help shape more sustainable food production. The Pak Choi Growing Challenge, led by researchers from Newcastle University, in collaboration with...
Hort2thefuture tests new growing media with growers in Serbia and North Macedonia
Hort2thefuture consortium partners met with growers in Serbia and North Macedonia to test new growing media mixes developed by Pindstrup. During the three-day visit, hosted by the European Training Academy (EUTA) from 10 to 12 February 2026,...
New peat-free growing media trials in Spain
The Hort2theFuture consortium continues to take important steps towards a more resource-efficient horticultural sector across Europe. As part of this work, new trials have been launched in south-eastern Spain to test innovative peat-free and...
NIBIO: Testing innovative soil management techniques to boost soil health
New field trials explore sustainable methods to improve soil structure and crop resilience As part of the Hort2thefuture project’s Work Package 5, NIBIO Apelsvoll is pioneering novel approaches to enhance soil health and reduce compaction in...
Trials: Measuring soil life with a simple teabag
A low-tech test with big potential As part of the Hort2thefuture project, the European Training Academy (EUTA), led by Steve Quarrie, is working with growers in Serbia and North Macedonia to test a simple but powerful method for measuring soil...