GARDEN DESIGN
HARROWDEN ’ S SCIENCE- LED APPROACH TO SEED PRODUCTION
technology projects respectively . The Wildflower Development Team are also developing a work experience programme with local VI Form college students studying landbased courses . At Harrowden , we believe that research and knowledge exchange add value to our business by supporting new talent and shaping our vision for the future .
Wildflowers are not just a beautiful addition to our landscapes , they play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity , supporting pollinators and the overall health of ecosystems . Robust seed production is essential for ensuring the availability of authentic , high-quality wildflower seeds with documented traceability . Harrowden has been producing Meadowmat wildflower turf since the early 2000s but is now taking complete control of its seed production throughout the lifecycle . Harrowden ’ s new Wildflower Development Programme combines PhD level scientific leadership with forward-looking ecological approaches and decades of growing expertise . Harrowden are now growing their own plants , processing their own seeds and bringing them to market . Harrowden ’ s effective traceability systems unlocks valuable information for informed decision-making in wildflower seed production . The Wildflower Development Team work with data on the performance of different seed lots to adapt cultivation practices and make strategic choices to improve overall production efficiency . Healthy and viable populations of native and traditional wildflowers are maintained using methods from scientific crop breeding programmes to monitor and ensure the identity and purity of wildflowers in production .
Formal research projects at Harrowden in 2025 will inform product development and cultivation practises in sports turf and sedum . With a focus on the environment , Harrowden is also collaborating with the University of Cambridge and the Open University on biodiversity and roofing
Harrowden are committed to caring for and improving the wildlife habitats in our control with a policy to plant and maintain wildflower margins around fields , beside tracks and roadways . Through engagement with environmental stewardship schemes , the Farm and Development teams work together in planning , implementing , monitoring and reporting on best practice to improve outcomes for the future . Soil health and water conservation are also a priority with improved testing and analysis procedures being introduced for substrates and new technology in both established and new products .
The industry has made huge strides in recent years to address the evolving discussion around habitat design and development , particularly in relation to the promotion of biodiversity . With scientific input from the Wildflower Development Team , Harrowden will continue to provide increasingly bespoke and innovative solutions for our customers giving us the opportunity to provide new and impactful products and installations for the built , agricultural and environmental landscapes that we live and work in .
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