Nestling in the picturesque Bedfordshire village of Southill near Biggleswade, Todds Nursery is a premier producer of mature trees, pines, multi-stemmed shrubs and instant hedging.  Run by father and son, Jon and Will Todd, the nursery (previously Premier Trees) operates from 72ha supplying an impressive range of varieties from 14-16cm girth right up to extra- large semi-mature trees 100cm plus. 

Offering a full contract growing service − from initial planning to a complete tree installation service − Todds works with landscape architects, garden designers, developers, landscape contractors, house builders, private estates, local authorities and golf courses as well as private clients.    

All stock trees are grown from UK sourced stock. “Ten to twelve years ago we couldn’t grow enough Platanus,” says Will.  “Fashions change and now Betula jacquemontii and Betula nigra as well as Liquidamber and Acers are proving particularly popular with commercial customers.  In contrast, the public generally want evergreens for screening.  We also specialise in 5-6ft instant hedging, grown individually in air pots – as opposed to trough hedging.”   

Following ethical principles, and to stay ahead of the curve in regard to future demand, Todds has operated a peat-free policy for the last nine years.   The bespoke Levington Advance Sustain mix contains two grades of pine bark, plus Fibagro and premium grade coir.   Alongside a base fertilizer, the growing media encompassing Osmocote Hi.End  (12-14 month longevity), Micromax premium for trace elements and ICL’s H2Gro granules to aid water management.    

“We rely on a single mix which performs well with our native trees as well as the evergreens,” says Will. “The transition from peat-based to peat-free mix was relatively smooth. 

“We are firm believers in using the best technology to produce the best plants. Working closely with ICL’s Stuart Gammage, we follow a tailor made precision nutrition programme employing liquid feeds. Designed with the help of the AngelaWeb 2.0 software programme, it has made a massive difference by improving our feeding regime.

At the start of the process Stuart took a water sample from the nursery for laboratory testing.   “Todds rely on mains water, which is hard and can lock up nutrients,” explains Stuart.   “With the results of a detailed water analysis and the help of AngelaWeb, we have been able to optimise the choice of fertilizer products and fine-tuned the application rates.

“Todds now relies on two Universol Hard Water products, which help acidify the irrigation water by neutralizing the bicarbonates.  Universol Hard Water 211 (23-10-10+2MgO+TE) is ideally suited to the growth phase while 225 (11-10-28+2MgO+TE) is used for hardening off stock in the autumn.”  

Stuart visits the nursery regularly, on average once every six weeks, to walk around the site to assess crops.

“With ICL’s input we are confident of delivering all that the trees need without wasting fertilizer,” says Will. “Operating with a vast array of air pot sizes it is key to apply the right amount according to the growing media volume – Stuart has given us comprehensive guidance.

“By taking a more proactive approach to nutrition, we are avoiding problems associated with one particular crop,” say Will. “We don’t want to over or underfeed.  Stuart helps us nip any nutrient deficiencies in the bud, using Osmocote Topdress (fusion technology) as necessary.” 

A coated fertilizer with an added uncoated fast-start element, this Topdress supplies nutrients for up to 5 months, while its unique sticky formulation helps keeps granules where they need to be.   

“ICL precision nutrition programme has made a massive difference,” says Will.  “My father started this nursery 35 years ago and is highly impressed as the programme has improved the whole system.  While providing all the nutrition the tree or shrub needs, it has generated savings in lots of areas; savings in water, saving feed from being wasted and saving time and ultimately money.   In addition, a healthy tree is less stressed and therefore less prone to pests and diseases.  

“Working with ICL there is a constant stream of new innovations and evolving products – we’re currently trialing the biofungicide Prestop.   We’re also about to take delivery of PeKacid, to reduce the hardness of the water.   

“Mains water is very expensive and from both an ethical and economical point it makes sense to minimise usage. Peat-free growing media in general holds less water so the H2Gro granules in the growing media help aid the water management. Last year ICL launched a liquid formulation of H2Gro.  After trialing it, we now routinely add liquid H2Gro to the irrigation feed.  We are confident it is making a difference − at the end of the season we will know for sure when we look at overall water usage compared to the previous year.

“We trust Osmocote,” says Will. “I’ve used it for the last 18 years.  It does what it says and consistently performs well – it’s a great product.  We’ve even started selling it to our customers!  We sell sachets of Osmocote PrePlant guaranteeing a much better start for trees and shrubs.   

“Nine out of ten of our private clients − garden designers and landscapers − buy it when they purchase trees and shrubs from us.  We also offer Osmocote Preplant as an ‘add on’ option for our ‘supply and plant service’ – it’s proving very popular.”