Janet Allen

Horticulture Consultant

I am a Horticulture Consultant specializing in all aspects of soft fruit & tree fruit & Christmas tree production. I have for many years not only worked within the above horticultural industry sectors who are supplying major supermarket outlets but also the direct from farm PYO, farm shop & other direct to public supplies of produce. Working in the latter sector has been particularly important to me as it has led to seeing growers who produce crops even on a relatively small scale adopting successfully many of the techniques that the major growers consider exclusive to them.

Research interests as regards soft fruit include assessing new cultivars of summer & autumn fruiting raspberries, weed control, pest & disease control (in recent years working with scientists from RSK ADAS & other research bodies on several soft fruit projects which involved the development & adoption of the industry of reducing pesticide usage, minimising residues & IPM in strawberries, raspberries & blackberries). I worked with colleagues on the original Tesco Natures Choice assurance scheme for cane fruit crops, have been responsible for pesticide audits for AHDB & the author of Assured Produce protocols for strawberries & cane fruit crops. In top fruit in recent years my main work has involved cherry & plum production for farm retailing.

I have been working with the UK Christmas tree industry for over 25 years, supplying all types of crop consultancy, the development of new products, pest & disease control etc.