Holistic Growing
Technical Advice & Support
Backed by our technical advice and support, growers receive practical guidance and tailored programmes that turn the Holistic Growing approach into real, measurable results.
Technical Advice & Support
Backed by our technical advice and support, growers receive practical guidance and tailored programmes that turn the Holistic Growing approach into real, measurable results.
A whole-system approach to modern crop production.
Holistic Growing is Fargro's whole-system approach to modern crop production. It treats the plant, root zone, nutrition, and crop protection as one connected system - helping growers build resilience, reduce input costs, and produce consistent, market-ready crops. Rather than reacting to problems, Holistic Growing focuses on prevention and balance: working with plant biology to create stable, high-performing crops from the root zone up.
Why do modern growers need a Holistic Growing approach?
Modern growing systems are under pressure from multiple directions at once - peat-free substrates, fewer chemical options, rising input costs and increasing expectations around consistency and sustainability.
Traditional programmes often focus on reacting to symptoms, but experience shows that many crop issues are linked. Nutrition affects pest pressure. Substrate structure influences root health. Environmental stress weakens plant defences.
Holistic Growing recognises that:
• Plants under stress are more susceptible to pests and disease
• Excess or poorly timed feeding can increase pest attraction
• Root zone health directly affects nutrient uptake and resilience
• Preventative strategies are more effective than reactive treatments
By addressing these factors together, growers can improve crop stability and reduce the need for corrective inputs.
In short: when substrate management, nutrition, and crop protection are managed as a connected system, growers achieve better results
with fewer corrective interventions.
How does the Holistic Growing system work in practice?
Holistic Growing is built on four interconnected pillars: substrate and root zone management, demand-led nutrition, integrated pest and disease control, and evidence-led technical support. Each element influences the others - decisions made in the root zone affect nutrient uptake, which in turn influences pest and disease pressure. Managing them together, rather than in isolation, is what distinguishes Holistic Growing from a conventional programme.
Substrates & Root Zone Health
Every successful crop starts in the root zone. Peat-free and reduced-peat substrates behave very differently to traditional mixes, requiring careful management of air, water, nutrition, and biology.
Holistic Growing focuses on:
- Creating stable root environments
- Encouraging beneficial microbial activity
- Managing water and oxygen balance
- Using analysis to understand substrate performance over time
A healthy root zone provides the foundation for consistent crop performance.
Nutrition aligned to plant demand
Rather than forcing growth, Holistic Growing aligns nutrition with plant demand. This supports steady growth, improves nutrient efficiency, and reduces stress - playing a direct role in reducing pest and disease pressure.
This approach:
- Encourages balanced, controlled growth
- Reduces nutrient lock-up and leaching
- Supports beneficial microbes in the root zone
- Helps strengthen natural plant defences
Correct nutrition plays a key role in reducing pest and disease pressure.
Integrated Pest & Disease Management
In Holistic Growing, pest and disease control does not sit in isolation. Plant health, nutrition, and environmental conditions all influence susceptibility and pressure.
The approach integrates:
- Preventative cultural controls
- Targeted biological solutions
- Compatible spray programmes
- Monitoring to guide timing and decisions
This allows growers to reduce reliance on conventional chemistry while maintaining effective control.
Evidence-led decisions & Technical Support
Holistic Growing is not a fixed recipe. Programmes are guided by observation, analysis, and crop response, and adjusted throughout the growing cycle.
Our technical team supports growers with:
- Crop-specific programme design
- Interpretation of substrate and nutritional analysis
- Seasonal adjustments
- Practical guidance based on trials and commercial experience
Proven in commercial practice
Holistic Growing has been tested and refined in real commercial growing environments - both protected and outdoor - across a range
of crop types and scales.
Growers working with the programme have reported measurable
improvements in crop consistency, reductions in crop losses, and lower overall input costs compared to conventional reactive programmes.
To discuss what results you might achieve in your specific operation, speak directly to the Fargro technical team.
Holistic Growing Presentations
Download our Holistic Growing presentations, featuring four key topics: Introduction, Disease Control, Plant Pest Management and Substrates & Nutrition.
Holistic Growing Spray Programme
Download our Holistic Growing Foliar Disease Control Programme to discover a practical, integrated method for strengthening plant health and managing foliar diseases.
Holistic Growing - Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we hear most often from growers. If yours isn't here, call the technical team directly - we're happy to talk it through.
What is Holistic Growing?
Holistic Growing is Fargro's whole-system approach to crop production. It treats the plant, root zone, nutrition, and pest and disease management as one connected system - helping growers achieve consistent, market-ready crops by working with plant biology rather than constantly reacting to problems.
Is Holistic Growing suitable for all types of commercial growers?
Holistic Growing has been applied across a wide range of growing systems, including protected ornamentals, hardy nursery stock, and outdoor crops. The principles are adaptable - Fargro's technical team designs crop-specific programmes rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
How is Holistic Growing different from integrated pest management (IPM)?
IPM is one component of Holistic Growing, focused specifically on pest and disease control. Holistic Growing takes a broader view - it also addresses substrate management, root zone health, and demand-led nutrition, recognising that these factors directly influence pest and disease pressure. In Holistic Growing, IPM is part of a wider system rather than a standalone programme.
Can I use Holistic Growing alongside my existing spray programme?
Yes. Holistic Growing is designed to work alongside - and gradually reduce reliance on - conventional chemistry, not replace it overnight. Fargro's technical team will assess your current programme and identify where biological controls and preventative strategies can be introduced progressively.
How do peat-free substrates affect a Holistic Growing programme?
Peat-free and reduced-peat substrates behave differently to traditional mixes - they require more careful management of air, water, nutrition, and microbial biology. Holistic Growing addresses this directly, with substrate analysis and root zone management forming a core part of the programme. We also have dedicated peat-free resources available to download.
What biological controls are used in Holistic Growing?
Fargro works with a range of beneficial insects and nematodes as part of integrated pest management within the Holistic Growing framework, including products from Koppert Biological Controls. The specific solutions recommended will depend on your crop, pest pressure, and growing environment - the technical team will advise on the right combination for your system.
Does Holistic Growing reduce input costs?
Over time, yes - by reducing crop losses, minimising corrective interventions, and improving nutrient efficiency. The initial investment in a structured programme is typically offset by lower reactive spend and improved crop consistency. Fargro's technical team can discuss the commercial case in the context of your specific operation.
How do I get started with Holistic Growing?
Contact Fargro's technical team to arrange an initial conversation about your crop and growing system. The team will help design a programme tailored to your specific operation, drawing on substrate analysis, nutritional assessment, and knowledge of your crop calendar. You can also download our Holistic Growing presentations and Grower Guide to read more before getting in touch.
Is there evidence that Holistic Growing works commercially?
Holistic Growing has been developed and refined across real commercial growing environments over a number of years. Growers working with the programme have reported improvements in crop consistency, reductions in crop losses, and lower overall input requirements. Contact the Fargro technical team to discuss results relevant to your crop type.
Find out more:
Technical Solutions
Our team offers personalised advice to ensure you maximise the value of your horticultural setup.
Biological Controls
Our biological controls provide excellent results when it comes to taking control of pests.
Retail Inspiration
Supports in-store presentation, from plant-enhancing pots to decorative containers bought separately.
Sundries
Our essential sundries support everyday horticultural tasks and help growers work efficiently.