Beneath the Surface – The Beth Chatto Symposium 2024 is exploring the subterranean world of soils to discuss many of the lesser-known factors that affect the way that we garden.
Research is increasingly discovering new information about this fascinating underground realm – and, to that end, the soil food web is becoming an important consideration for new approaches to gardening.
Julia Boulton, head of The Beth Chatto Education Trust (BCET) and granddaughter of the late Beth Chatto OBE, says: “Because of the importance of what’s going on beneath the surface, an understanding of this space is essential in order to address the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. The phrase ‘Beneath the Surface’ also refers to the need for us to look more closely and critically at everything we do within gardening and environmental practices.”
The Symposium, which is taking place at The Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall at the University of Essex’s Colchester campus from August 29 & 30, 2024, is also centring around three key strands. These are:
- Perceiving – new research into underexplored aspects of the natural and subterranean world, including fungi, plants, and bacteria
- Thinking – bigger-picture ideas about ecology, ecosystems, habitats, and the relationship between all the lifeforms within them
- Doing – practical ideas about ecological horticulture, discussions about methods and best practice, and takeaway tips for gardeners and designers
The Symposium’s two-day programme of lectures and discussions is being led by a varied line-up of more than 20 esteemed guest speakers and panellists from around the world.
