CIH Eastern Branch YHOY Regional Organiser Melanie Taylorhas been honoured with two 2025 GardenComm Silver Laurel Medals of Achievement for her garden writing, presented by GardenComm: Garden Communicators International. This international award recognises individuals...

Ofqual has launched a public consultation seeking views on its proposed approach to regulating apprenticeship assessments, including those for foundation apprenticeship assessments. The consultation, titled “Regulatory framework for apprenticeship assessment”, invites...

Skin cancer is a real risk for outdoor workers. A recent CIH survey revealed that 1 in 8 horticulturists have been diagnosed with some form of skin cancer. To raise awareness and push for change, HortWeek brought together voices from across the...

This week’s Pots and Trowel's podcast highlights the potential risks of working in the elements, as host Martin speaks with four fellow horticulturists who have been affected by conditions such as skin cancer. A consultant dermatologist also joins the discussion to...

CEO of Melanoma Focus, Susanna Daniels, is joined by horticulturists Rachel Reynolds, Paul Kimberley and Jenny Warner as they speak to the Roots and All podcasters on all things surrounding Sun Safety for Gardeners and their personal experiences with skin cancer. As...

DEFRA have opened a consultation on Improving the implementation of biodiversity net gain for minor, medium and brownfield development. This consultation includes options around extending exemptions, simplifying the small sites metric and increasing ease of access to...

DEFRA have opened a consultation on Biodiversity net gain for nationally significant infrastructure projects in England.  The government is proposing introducing BNG for nationally significant infrastructure projects from May 2026 to provide a clear framework for...

On May 6th DEFRA announced British woodlands and trees will benefit from new research aimed at boosting protection against pests and diseases.  17 new research projects to improve tree health and resilience through the Centre for Forest Protection – a...

To be released on 23 October 2025.  This experimental statistic will bring together information on the international trade in plants and plant products of the UK/GB and on the trade in controlled plants and plant products that are notified to plant health...

The removal of plant health certificates, which the government has calculated will save businesses around £25 per certificate.Routine checks on certain imports from the EU for products including plants and plant products will be removed, reducing the current cost of...

A coalition of leading horticulture and landscape industry organisations has today announced the submission of a joint letter to the UK Government, calling for the removal of VAT on SPF 30+ sunscreen. The letter follows a revealing survey by the Chartered Institute of...

A reminder that the Chartered Institute of Horticulture entry deadlines for the Aberconway and Pam Pointer Awards for 2025 have been extended to 30 June 2025. If you've yet to submit an entry, now is the time! Entries for the Norah Stucken award remain open. The Pam...

The Chartered Institute of Horticulture’s annual general meeting concluded with a prizegiving ceremony recognising the exceptional contribution of horticulture professionals and students over the past year. The Aberconway Award for best horticultural dissertation was...

The Landscape Institute (LI) Awards demonstrate the vital contribution that professionals across the sector make in addressing societal challenges in climate, nature, and health and wellbeing. There are opportunities to enter for both members and non-members of the LI...

Saturday 10th May, Historic Royal Palaces Hillsborough Castle and Garden, glorious sunshine and the Young Horticulturist of the Year 2025 Grand Final! Hillsborough Castle, County Down, Northern Ireland is the official home of the Secretary of State for Northern...

On May 18, 2025, we celebrate World Therapeutic Horticulture Day (WTHD), a global movement championing the power of plants in improving mental and physical well-being. With a growing number of Chartered Institute of Horticulture members actively engaged in Social and...

Where would garden designers, landscape architects and landscapers be without fantastic plants and the brilliant nurseries who grow them? If you are a retailer, landscaper, garden designer or landscape architect you must have a favourite nursery or grower, so why not...

DEFRA announced £45 million in new grants to drive and develop innovative technologies on farms.  From 28 April, applications will open for the brand-new Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) competition, which will commit up to £20.6...

12% of survey respondents had been diagnosed with some form of skin cancer, according to a survey performed by the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and Plant Network looking at awareness of skin cancer and attitudes to sun-safety from those working in the...

With only 2 weeks to go until the Grand Final at the Historic Royal Palace, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, on Saturday 10th May, we are pleased to declare the Grand Finalists for 2025are: Ireland Sarah Simpson, Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture, Dublin...

The Spring 2025 publication of The Horticulturist is out now for all members. View the preview of what’s inside this edition here. The full issue can be viewed in the Members Portal.

Encouraging SME’s to take free apprenticeship support via an organisation called Workwhile:  Free apprenticeship support for SMEs – For employers – Workwhile Transferring your apprenticeship levy to another business - GOV.UK Information for large employers about...

The Sustainable Farming Incentive cap has been reached for 2025/26 (at £1.05 billion) and the UK government have stopped accepting new applications. The next update will follow in May. The Higher-Level Stewardship payments are increasing across a range of options (for...

The Institute of Chartered Foresters and Forestry Commission are delighted to announce the launch of the Sustainable Careers in Forestry: Virtual Work Experience (VWEX) programme. This new virtual forestry work experience programme is now available on the immersive...

Congratulations 👏🎉 to all competitors in the Ireland Branch Regional Final of the Young Horticulturist of the Year Competition, hosted at Teagasc Ashtown Research Centre, Dublin. 1st – Sarah Simpson 2nd – Chelirs Brecq 3rd – Keelan Clarke Special recognition to our...