Growing Safely

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SIMPLE GUIDE 06

Growing Safely

From slug pellets and weed killers to professional crop treatments, growers are responsible for making sure anything used on their crops is legal, suitable and used correctly.

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QUICK ANSWER

You can use suitable growing treatments

GrowHive does not require every grower to grow without pesticides or treatments.

But if you use a pesticide or plant protection product, it must be authorised for the intended use and you must follow the instructions and restrictions that apply to it.

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THE SIMPLE RULE

Use the right product, on the right crop, in the right way

Never assume that because a product is sold in a shop or available online it can automatically be used on fruit or vegetables you intend to sell.

01
PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS

What counts as a pesticide?

The official term is usually Plant Protection Product (PPP). It covers more products than many growers realise.

ðŸŒŋ Weed killers
🐌 Slug & snail treatments
🐛 Insecticides
🍄 Fungicides
ðŸŒą Plant growth regulators
ðŸ›Ą Some animal repellents
BEFORE REACHING FOR A SPRAY

Consider whether you actually need a pesticide

Sometimes pests, weeds and diseases can be managed without chemical treatment.

✓ Remove weeds by hand
✓ Use physical barriers
✓ Remove pests manually
✓ Encourage beneficial wildlife
✓ Rotate crops where appropriate
✓ Remove badly affected plant material

Using fewer pesticides does not automatically make produce Certified Organic. Organic certification is covered separately in our Organic Produce guide.

02
HOME & ALLOTMENT GROWERS

Using garden products safely

Most pesticides sold to ordinary home gardeners are authorised for amateur use.

You normally do not need professional pesticide training simply to use an amateur garden product as part of your gardening hobby, but you are still responsible for using it correctly.

1
Read the label

Read it before buying and again before using the product.

2
Check the crop

Make sure the intended fruit, vegetable or growing situation is covered.

3
Follow the dose

More product does not mean a better or safer result.

4
Follow waiting periods

If the label says you must wait before harvesting or eating the crop, follow that period.

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THE LABEL MATTERS

Don't make up your own instructions

The product label can tell you what crops the product may be used on, how much to apply, how often it may be used and any restrictions before harvest.

✓ Correct crop
✓ Correct amount
✓ Correct timing
✓ Maximum treatments
✓ Safety precautions
✓ Harvest interval
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CHECK IT IS AUTHORISED

Old products may no longer be legal to use

Pesticide authorisations can change. A product that was legal several years ago may have been withdrawn.

Growers should check that a product is still authorised before using old stock.

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Buying online?

Do not assume an imported or internet product is legal to use in the UK. Check its authorisation first.

Check the HSE pesticide databases ↗
04
STORAGE & HANDLING

Keep treatments away from food

✓ Keep original containers

Do not transfer pesticide products into drinks bottles, food containers or unlabelled containers.

✓ Store securely

Keep products safely away from children, pets and unauthorised access.

✓ Separate from produce

Do not store treatments where they could contaminate harvested food.

✓ Dispose correctly

Follow the product and local disposal guidance rather than pouring unused treatments away.

PROFESSIONAL GROWERS

Professional pesticides have additional rules

If pesticides form part of your work or growing business, additional professional-user requirements can apply.

Professional plant protection products must only be used by somebody holding the appropriate recognised certificate, or by someone working under appropriate direct supervision for training purposes.

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PROFESSIONAL PPP USERS

Check what applies to your business

01
Registration

Businesses, organisations and sole traders using PPPs professionally in Great Britain must register as professional users.

02
Training & certification

Professional products require appropriate training and recognised certification.

03
Application records

Keep the pesticide-use records required for your professional food or growing operation.

04
Equipment

Professional application equipment can be subject to maintenance, calibration and testing rules.

ENGLAND, SCOTLAND & WALES

Great Britain

Professional PPP users register through the Great Britain system operated by Defra/HSE.

Professional user registration ↗
NORTHERN IRELAND

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has its own operator registration and pesticide arrangements through DAERA.

DAERA pesticide registration ↗
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BEFORE HARVEST

Pay attention to harvest intervals

Some products specify a period that must pass between the final treatment and harvesting or eating the crop.

If the label gives a harvest interval, follow it. Do not pick produce early simply because an order has been placed on GrowHive.

06
PESTICIDE RESIDUES

Food has legal residue limits

Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) set legal limits for pesticide residues that may remain in or on food.

Following the authorised crop use, dose, treatment frequency and harvest interval is an important part of keeping residues within the permitted requirements.

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Food that does not comply with applicable residue limits must not be placed on the market.

Regular commercial growers should understand the residue requirements that apply to the crops and treatments they use.

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HOME-MADE REMEDIES

“Natural” does not automatically mean risk-free

Gardeners sometimes use home-made pest remedies. Some simple physical methods fall outside pesticide rules, but using household substances or supplying home-made chemical remedies can create different legal and safety issues.

Do not assume a home-made spray is automatically legal or suitable for edible crops simply because its ingredients are familiar or natural.

ORGANIC GROWERS

Organic does not mean “no pesticides ever”

Certified organic producers must follow both the general pesticide rules and the additional restrictions of their organic certification scheme.

Only treatments permitted under the relevant organic standards may be used where certification is being claimed.

ON GROWHIVE

Growers are responsible for how their produce is grown

GrowHive does not approve individual pesticide applications. Each grower is responsible for making sure any treatments they use comply with the rules that apply to their growing activity.

✓ I will only use plant protection products that are authorised for my intended use.
✓ I will follow the product label and any crop-specific restrictions.
✓ I will follow any required harvest interval before selling treated produce.
✓ I will not knowingly sell produce that has been treated illegally.
✓ If I use professional PPPs, I am responsible for the registration, training, certification and records required for my activity.
✓ My claims about how produce was grown will be accurate and not misleading.
KEEP IT SIMPLE

Grow carefully. Follow the label. Be truthful.

Home gardeners do not need to become pesticide experts just to sell a few spare vegetables. Use authorised products correctly and follow their instructions. Professional growers have additional responsibilities as their operation becomes more organised.

OFFICIAL GUIDANCE

Check current pesticide guidance

Product authorisations and pesticide rules can change, so always check current official guidance when needed.

Home, Garden & Allotment Guidance ↗ HSE Authorised Products Database ↗ Farmers & Professional Growers ↗ Northern Ireland Guidance ↗
About this guidance

This page provides general GrowHive guidance and is not a complete statement of pesticide law. Product authorisations, permitted uses and professional-user requirements can change. Growers are responsible for checking the current requirements that apply to their products, crops, location and growing activity.