Nursery Production

And I don’t mean for you big ‘ol babies!

What is Nursery Production?• The growing of

plants in controlled environments (or nurseries).

• Nurseries are places where plants, shrubs, and ornamental trees are grown for transplanting into landscape areas.

Growing Nursery Stock• Field Grown• Container Grown• Types of Plants• Planting Techniques• Maintenance• Selling $$$$

Types of Plants in Nurseries• Ground covers• Trees• Christmas Trees• Shrubs• Perennials• Ornamental

Grasses

Field Grown vs. Container

Field Grown Production• This is being replaced by container grown

plants• There is more shock to plants• Plants are not easy to move• Plants are not all in the exact same media

and must be treated differently• pH, diseases, and fertility is difficult to

control• Less Dynamic• Less labor• Less start-up cost

Container Grown Plants• Less shock to

plants• Easy to move• Retailers can keep

plants for a long time

• Insects, diseases, and fertility is easier to control

• Greater return per acre

Fewer Diseases

Retailers Can Keep Longer

Container Grown Plants• There are some

disadvantages• Requires more

water• Can become pot-

bound (root growth is limited)

• Requires winter protection

• Higher start up cost

• More management

More Water

Pot -bound

Winter Protection

Field Grown vs. Container• Types of plants grown in containers vary

from ground covers to trees• Proper selection of containers should

include several considerations such as– Cost– Durability– Appearance– Insulation value to plant roots– Shape– Drainage– Size (1 quart-100 gallon)

Potting Nursery Plants

Growing Mixes (media)• Should provide

adequate drainage• Should provide

aeration• Nursery production

often involves unique media materials:– Sand– Bark– Peanut shells or

other organic materials

Nursery Media