Field of studies Sustainable Horticulture (studies in English) - Warsaw University of Life Sciences (Szkoła Główna Gospodarstwa Wiejskiego w Warszawie), SGGW (Warsaw) - agriculture, forestry and fishery, veterinary, Postgraduate - Master's degree - Study Bachelor's and Master's in English in Poland

1. A pest turns up at the plant nursery where you work. How do you respond?

Identify it, check the damage threshold and turn first to biological and cultural controls, keeping chemicals as a last resort. Ask at a garden centre for something that works. Spray everything straight away with the strongest product.

2. How do you look after soil health in crop production?

Test the soil regularly and use crop rotation, cover crops and compost to build up organic matter and cut back on mineral fertiliser. Fertilise according to the general instructions on the packet. Soil is just a growing medium – it’s the fertiliser that counts.

3. A greenhouse is using a huge amount of water and energy. What do you suggest?

Analyse the usage and propose things like sensor-controlled drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting and better climate control. Water less when the bills are high. Nothing – that’s just what running a greenhouse costs.

4. Lectures, fieldwork and projects will be in English, and you’ll study with horticulturists and agronomists from different countries. How does that sound?

Brilliant – every climate calls for different growing methods, and swapping experience with people from other regions is really valuable to me. Fine, though technical horticultural vocabulary in English will be a challenge. I’d rather study in my first language.

5. A city is planning new street planting. What do you recommend?

Species that tolerate drought, salt and pollution, support pollinators and suit the conditions of each site. Popular ornamental plants that look good in the catalogue. Whatever’s cheapest.

6. You need to plan a trial comparing two growing methods. How do you do it?

Set up replicates, randomise the plots, choose measurable parameters and analyse the results statistically. Plant two beds side by side and compare them by eye. I don’t see the point of trials – experience is enough.

7. A customer at your horticultural business asks how your production actually differs from conventional growing. What do you say?

Describe our practices specifically – biological control, saving water, selling locally – without promising more than we actually do. Say it’s more eco-friendly, without going into detail. Send them to someone else.

8. How do you respond to a long drought or other effects of climate change on crops?

Look for ways to adapt – hardier varieties, mulching, holding on to water – and test them in practice. Water more often and hope for a better season. Think there’s nothing to be done.

9. Where do you see yourself after graduating?

In modern horticultural production, advisory work, urban green space design or research into sustainable growing methods. In any job involving plants. Well away from crops and fieldwork.

10. What motivates you most to pursue a Master’s degree in Sustainable Horticulture?

Wanting to develop growing systems that deliver good yields while protecting soil, water and biodiversity. A love of plants and gardening, though I don’t yet know much about horticulture as a profession. I’m not sure it’s for me

Sustainable Horticulture

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