Matthew develops strategies to manage the diseases threatening ornamental and edible crops in UK gardens. He also interprets the results of RHS science research to provide advice for our members and the public
My days are varied. I may be diagnosing and advising gardeners on their plant problems through RHS Gardening Advice, or out in the field running research projects to investigate better ways to manage some of the more important diseases in UK gardens. A large part of my work is about developing disease management strategies for gardeners to use at home usually by combining the findings of RHS research with that from a range of other sources. I deliver talks on plant diseases, and collaborate with gardeners, garden organisations and other researchers to manage diseases in gardens.
“The future of disease management in gardens in the UK and around the world is in choosing the right plants for the right place, and managing their environment to favour the plant more than the pathogen.”
Diseases and their symptoms can often be managed by optimising the way we grow plants and ensuring we are growing the right plant in the right place. My research puts science behind our advice. In turn, good advice enables gardeners to garden in an enjoyable and resilient way.
I’m always pleased when something I do minimises the impact of plant diseases in gardens, especially when it improves someone’s enjoyment of gardening as a result.
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.
