Nursery Production 4

Commercial Plant Production

Soil Preparation

Since every nursery operation is unique, there is no single, correct way to prepare the soil prior to planting.

The following field implements are used by nurseries to prep the soil:

Subsoiler Long, thin knives. Penetrates deep into

the soil. Rips out the root

systems of previous crops.

Loosens the tracks left by harvesting equipment.

Improves water percolation and aeration.

Spring tooth Harrow “Finishing” tool

used to level a field prior to planting.

Chisel Plow Usually used in the

Fall. Leaves the soil in a

“rough” condition. Freeze-thaw cycles

during the winter break down soil clods.

Disk “Finishing” tool

used to prepare a field for planting.

Levels the field.

Howard Rotovator Rototiller

attachment for a tractor.

Pulverizes the soil. Used to

incorporate green manures.

Can also be used in field prep.

Soil Preparation Steps at Dwight Hughes Nursery

Step No.

Process Season Performed

1 Subsoiler Spring2 Spring tooth

HarrowSpring

3 Plant green manure

Spring

4 Mow green manure

Summer-Fall

5 Rotovator - Incorporate green

manure

Fall

6 Chisel plow Fall7 Spring tooth

HarrowSpring

8 Line-out Spring

Planting

Direction of movement Shoe

Chute

Press wheelsSweeps

Plant box

Preparing Bare-root Liners for Planting

Generally speaking, the roots and tops of the liners are pruned prior to planting.

Treat the roots of the liners to prevent them from drying out until they are planted: Mud slurry Gel-based root dips

Gel-based root dip with mychorrhizal

fungi.

Sweating

Most bare-root tree and shrub liners can be stored in refrigerated cold storage all winter and develop normally when planted or potted in the spring.

There are a few species, though, whose buds become extremely dormant during storage.

These species must be forced into breaking bud before they are lined out. This process is called sweating.

Place plants in a warm, humid greenhouse or polyhouse.

Use a shed or garage that can be kept between 60 – 70 degrees F. Lay out a bed of straw on the floor. Lay the bundles of plants side-by-side on the

straw and moisten them with water. Cover the bundles with straw and moisten with

water. Check the plants daily for bud break. Line-out after they have broken bud.

Methods Used to Sweat Plants

Bud break on Willow

Plant genera which may need sweating…

Amelanchier - Serviceberry Betula - Birch Berberis - Barberry Carpinus - Hornbeam Celtis - Hackberry Cercis - Redbud Crataegus - Hawthorne Morus - Mulberry Potentilla - Cinquefoil Pyrus - Pear Quercus - Oak Rosa - Rose Salix – Willow (Weeping)

Preparing Potted Liners for Planting

Prune the tops of the liners. Thoroughly water the liners prior to

planting. Remove plastic containers prior to

planting. Biodegradable peat pots are not removed prior to planting.

If needed, break apart the root mass to prevent circling roots.

The End