HAVE YOU EVER wondered

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1 Understanding Nursery Production Facilities HAVE YOU EVER wondered where trees and shrubs used in landscaping are produced? If you live in an area of urban sprawl, you often see trees, shrubs, and other plant materials being transported or installed. This unit will introduce you to the sources of trees and shrubs. Objective: Examine factors related to nursery production facilities. Key Terms: broker (re-wholesale) nurseries cold frame cold-storage facilities commercial production containerized nurseries drainage erosion field-grown nurseries garden-center nurseries greenhouse hardiness headhouse hotbed landscape nurseries liner plants mail-order nurseries mass marketers nursery nursery-only nurseries orchardist overwintering plant heat-zone map plant-hardiness zone map retail nurseries shade houses specialty-crop nurseries turgid wholesale nurseries Nursery Facilities A nursery is any place where trees, shrubs, groundcovers, vines, or herbaceous plants are propagated and grown with the intention of relocating them. The nursery industry has had a Page 1

2 long existence in the United States. Over time, it has changed greatly to meet the needs of society. HISTORY OF THE NURSERY INDUSTRY Records from 1644 indicate that the first nursery was in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It was a fruit tree nursery. Many nursery workers of the late 1700s and early 1800s were orchardists. An orchardist is a specialty nursery worker who deals with fruit trees. Prince Nursery, established in 1737, is linked more closely with our modern-day nurseries. In fact, William Prince began growing trees on his property and selling them to his neighbors. He was so successful that he turned to commercial production. Commercial production is production for a specific market. He printed a catalog to market his several hundred varieties of fruit trees and other plants. He also began experimenting with plant breeding and was able to introduce a number of new plant varieties. His catalogs were considered the best of the trade. Jackson and Perkins is a name familiar to many gardeners today. This nursery was established in 1864 and specialized in small fruits. In 1879 it began selling a few roses, and by 1894 it was selling more than 175,000 roses annually. Many nurseries in the Midwest were established in the mid-1800s and had ties with nursery centers in New York. By 1890 there were more than 4,500 nurseries on more than 173,000 acres of land in the United States. Two-thirds of the nurseries were small (2 to 25 acres) and supplied only their local areas, but they grew more than 3.4 billion plants, mostly fruit trees. The major production centers were in New York, California, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. More than 47,000 men and women worked in this industry. In 1912 the first National Plant Quarantine Act went into effect. The quarantine prohibited the importation of certain plants into the United States. This act helped the domestic nursery industry grow. The Parcel Post, the package delivery branch of the U.S. Postal Service, was also established. This led to rapid development of the mail-order catalog business. Economic Impacts FIGURE 1. An apple orchard in blossom. The nursery industry has had a significant impact on the U.S. economy. Bloomington, Illinois, was a popular nursery site in the mid-1800s. One of the main reasons was that five important railroad lines intersected the city. Bloomington also had both a soil and a climate well suited to a variety of plants. In 1852, Bloomington Nursery, which later became Phoenix Nursery, was considered the largest nursery in the country. Even by today s standards, it Page 2

3 would be considered large. Its packing houses, cold-storage cellars, and buildings covered more than 20 acres. U.S. and worldwide nurseries flourished. By 1974, California was leading the pack, producing more than $130 million in nursery stock annually. By 1985, California was up to $435 million and was known as a world leader in the production of nursery stock. Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee rounded out the top five. Total U.S. production was just less than $3 billion annually. U.S. production had risen to nearly $4 billion by The top three contributing states in terms of value of production were California, with 25 percent of the total, followed by Florida and Oregon, tied at 16 percent each. Changes in the Industry Many changes have occurred in the industry over the years. These changes have increased and improved the efficiency of production. The industry has moved from human power, to animal power, to machine power. Hydraulic power, also called fluid power, has led to major changes in production and transportation methods. New and more effective machinery, fertilizers, and pesticides have also helped to improve plant quality. In the 1950s, drip irrigation was introduced; in the 1960s, fertilizer injection systems were developed; and in the 1970s, trickle irrigation for the fields was used. Recently, more energy efficient and environmentally sound building materials have been introduced. These advancements have been applied to production and storage facilities. New cultivars and plant varieties have been introduced, along with better fertilizers and chemicals. Patented plants are becoming increasingly popular. More rapid delivery, new marketing tools such as computers and the Internet, and renewed popularity of gardening education have spurred growth. Even home-oriented television programs are credited for more informed and demanding consumers. TYPES OF NURSERIES FIGURE 2. Climate, soil and topography, and available sources of water must be considered when selecting a site for a nursery. Nurseries can be classified in different ways. They may be classified by type of sales, job description, products produced, crops produced, and specialty. Page 3

4 Type of Sales The nurseries determined by type of sales include retail, wholesale, mail order, and broker (re-wholesale). Retail nurseries sell products to homeowners and the general public. Wholesale nurseries sell to retail or broker (re-wholesale) nurseries. Mail-order nurseries sell through the mail, using catalogs to market their products. The Internet has produced a surge of online mail-order sales. Mail-order companies may be wholesale or retail. Broker (re-wholesale) nurseries function to connect buyers with specific plant materials. They sell their products at wholesale prices. Job Description The job description classification refers to nursery-only nurseries, landscape nurseries, and garden-center nurseries. Nursery-only nurseries limit their business to selling landscape plant materials. Landscape nurseries not only sell but often install landscape plant materials. Garden-center nurseries are retail nurseries that have expanded product lines including garden tools, seeds, fertilizers, craft items, and other horticultural products. Products Produced Nurseries may be categorized by the products produced, such as field-grown, containerized, or specialty crops. Field-grown nurseries specialize in trees, shrubs, or other landscape plants grown in fields to a saleable size. Containerized nurseries produce plants grown in containers to a saleable size. Some nurseries produce both field-grown and containerized nursery stock. Specialty-crop nurseries focus on certain market niches. Some examples of specialties are aquatic plants, turf, and marsh plants. FIGURE 3. Garden-center nurseries often have expanded product lines that include garden tools, seeds, fertilizers, craft items, and other horticultural products. FIGURE 4. A containerized nursery operation. Page 4

5 Crops Produced Nurseries may be classified by the crops they produce. They may produce fruit crops, ornamental plants, forest and conservation plants, or liner plants. Fruit crops include general fruits, tree fruits and nuts, and small fruits (e.g., raspberries and blueberries). Some nurseries concentrate their efforts on producing ornamentals. Ornamental plants include shade and flowering trees, narrowleaf and broadleaf evergreens, shrubs, roses, groundcovers and vines, herbaceous perennials, and indoor plants. Some nurseries grow forest and conservation plants for reforestation, or the reestablishment of plant materials to given areas. Other nurseries produce liner plants. Liner plants are plants grown specifically for propagation or production of more plants. Examples include plants grown for budding, grafting, rootstocks, and lining out in a field. Specialty Specialty nursery types include research, quarantine, broker (re-wholesale), nonprofit, educational, and governmental. A research nursery is usually established by the government or a private industry to research a horticultural problem or product. A quarantine nursery is usually established by the government as a holding facility for plant material from outside the United States or from another state. The plant material is observed for a time and then released. A broker (re-wholesale) nursery specializes in locating a given plant material for a wholesale or retail nursery. It connects the plant material with a buyer. A nonprofit organization may produce plant material for nonprofit purposes. An environmental charity would be an example. An educational nursery may be established at a high school, community college, or four-year college to educate and train students. A governmental nursery may be established by the government for educational, research, nonprofit, or ornamental purposes. LOCATING A NURSERY FIGURE 5. A containerized nursery may specialize in particular types of plants. Factors to consider when locating a nursery include land, labor, transportation, utilities, and competition. Page 5

6 Land Land is probably the largest and most important business purchase. Costs are influenced by local land values, zoning, and taxes. The level of current development in the area should be considered. What businesses will surround the nursery? Will they be a benefit or a detriment? Will space be available for development and expansion? Labor Labor is the business workforce. Employee payroll can amount to more than 50 percent of the annual business expenses of a typical wholesale nursery. A primary consideration is the availability of labor. The local pay scale could be advantageous or detrimental. Employees may be paid hourly, be salaried, be compensated on a commission basis, or be paid piece rate. Nursery work supports seasonal and year-round labor. Many workers are employed year round, but during the peak seasons, spring and fall, the number may double. Another consideration is the skill level of the available workforce. Transportation Transportation and distance to markets can determine the success or failure of the business. Cost, availability, and ease of transportation for both employees and the product are important. Transportation is necessary for the acquisition of supplies and the delivery of the product to markets. The nursery location should be convenient for customers. Utilities Utilities, such as electric power, should be readily available at a reasonable cost. Competition FIGURE 6. Large nurseries may ship several truckloads of plants daily, creating the need for large shipping areas. Competition includes any business that may be a rival for the customers dollars. It may be another nursery, a garden center, or a mass marketer. Mass marketers are businesses other than nurseries or garden centers that retail plants, often at low prices. Any given market can support only so many plant businesses. It is important to consider which other nurseries may compete and to determine how the proposed business will fit into the market. For success, a need must be filled and the product sold. Page 6

7 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS Environmental factors may inhibit or stimulate plant growth. The main factors affecting the aboveground or belowground sections of a plant are temperature, moisture, wind, soil, air quality, plant pests, and light intensity. Temperature Temperature is measured in degrees and is normally regulated by wind, solar radiation, and humidity. Hardiness refers to a plant s ability to withstand cold temperatures. Maximum high temperatures in a growing zone influence plant growth. Minimum low temperatures in a growing zone restrict which plants can be grown. The USDA plant-hardiness zone map is used by nursery operators as a tool to determine which plants are most suitable for production. The map identifies 11 zones in the United Zone 1 Below 50 F Zone 7 0 to10 F Zone 2 50 to 40 F Zone 8 10 to 20 F 11 Zone 3 40 to 30 F Zone 9 20 to 30 F Zone 4 30 to 20 F Zone to 40 F Zone 5 20 to 10 F Zone 11 Above 40 F Zone 6 10 to 0 F FIGURE 7. The USDA plant-hardiness zone map defines 11 zones by their average annual minimum temperatures. Page 7

8 States by the average annual minimum temperatures in each zone. The plant-hardiness zone map is important for several reasons. Young plants and plants in containers are more sensitive to rapid temperature changes. The map helps with plant selection. As an example, plants considered hardy in zone 9 are said to withstand temperatures as low as 20 F ( 7 C). Plants that are not winter hardy below 20 F ( 7 C) will suffer or die in zones 1 through 8 unless they are properly protected or taken indoors. The zone in which a business is located determines which plants can be successfully grown in the nursery and what precautions need to be taken to overwinter them. The American Horticultural Society plant heat-zone map is useful in selecting landscape plants based on tolerance to hot temperatures. The map shows the average number of days that exceed 86 F (30 C). Heat plays a role in the performance of plant species. Some plants are more sensitive to heat than others. At 86 F (30 C), plants are unable to process water fast enough to maintain normal functions. Above 86 F (30 C), plants also experience damage to cellular proteins. The plant heat-zone map is used to help identify areas in which landscape plants can flourish. The map shows 12 zones. Each zone reflects a rating of summer heat based on the average number of days above 86 F (30 C). Days Above 86 Zone Days Above 86 Zone Days Above 86 Zone Fewer than to to to to to to to to to to More than FIGURE 8. The American Horticultural Society plant heat-zone map identifies 12 zones in the United States based on the average number of days above 86 F (30 C). Page 8

9 Moisture Moisture is water from either rainfall or irrigation. It is responsible for many plant functions and processes. Plant cells need to be filled with water to remain turgid. Turgid means being physically supported by water pressure. Distribution of precipitation is important. Heavy rainfall during the growing season can cause many problems, including a delay of cultivation, damage to young plants, an increase in certain pathogens, a stimulation of weed growth, a leaching of soil nutrients, and a slowdown in plant harvesting. Lack of rainfall during the growing season can cause plant stress and lead to the damage of plants and possibly to death. Water quality affects plant health. Water should be tested for ph, fertility, and chemical properties. The quantity of water influences growth. Concerns include both how much water is applied and how often or when it is applied. Wind The wind can cause soil erosion, damage to plants, and increased transpiration and evaporation. Erosion is the wearing away of the land surface and the transportation of the soil elsewhere. Dry winds can cause death to plant tissues and plants, particularly if root systems are not well developed. Containerized stock can also be toppled from the force of wind. Soil The soil type and topography must be considered. The kind of nursery determines which qualities are the most important in soil and topography. Field soil should be carefully evaluated. It should have good physical and chemical qualities. Soil consisting of 2 to 5 percent or more of organic matter is considered good. Most nursery crops do best when soil ph is in the range of 5.5 to 7.0. ph is the alkalinity or acidity of a given soil. For healthy root growth, the soil should have good water-holding capacity and at the same time offer aeration. Topography affects many elements of nursery management, including drainage, equipment usage, installation of facilities, roads, irrigation systems, what crops can be planted, harvesting, and the amount of productive land. The land should have good drainage capabilities. Drainage is the removal of excess surface water or groundwater. Air Quality Air quality is important to plant health. Acid rain, ozone, sulfur dioxide, and other pollutants damage plant tissues. Plant Pests Plant pests include insects, animals, humans, weeds, and diseases. Page 9

10 Light Intensity Light intensity must be considered when producing shade plants. Some means of shade must be provided for the production of these crops. NURSERY FACILITIES Nurseries use a number of specialized facilities to propagate nursery plants. Other facilities are needed for the production and marketing of nursery crops. Propagation Facilities Propagation facilities are used specifically for the production of new plants. Propagation facilities include cold frames, hotbeds, and greenhouses. A cold frame is a wooden or concrete-block frame that has a glass or polyethylene cover and that is heated by the sun. It is used for germinating seeds, rooting cuttings, overwintering plants, or hardening off plants for sale. A hotbed is a structure similar to a cold frame, but it has additional heat supplied by electric cables or hot-water pipes. It is used for germinating seeds, rooting cuttings, or overwintering more temperate plants. A greenhouse is a structure enclosed by glass or plastic that allows light transmission for plant growth. Production Facilities FIGURE 9. A propagation house covered with clear polyethylene and shade cloth. Production facilities are used to bring a crop to a saleable size and to market it. Besides greenhouses, production facilities include shade houses, overwintering houses, cold-storage facilities, potting areas, shipping/receiving areas, headhouses, storage areas, and business offices. Shade houses are structures designed to protect plants from the sun. They also provide protection from wind, temperature extremes, rain, and hail. Shade houses are constructed of wood lath or shade cloth. They are sometimes used for propagation and can usually be altered for overwintering by covering with polyethylene. Overwintering houses are structures that provide a space for overwintering plant materials. Overwintering is keeping plants safe and unharmed above ground over the winter. The structures are usually permanent and covered annually with polyethylene. Page 10

11 Cold-storage facilities provide cold-storage areas for nursery crops. They can also be used for cold stratification treatments. Potting areas are facilities where plant materials are potted. A shipping/receiving area is a centrally located place to shelter and store plant materials for pickup and delivery and to accept incoming shipments. The headhouse of a nursery functions as a storage and work space. It allows for work to be done in a dry, protected area. Activities conducted in the headhouse include the storing and mixing of pesticides and fertilizers, the repair of equipment, and potting. Larger nurseries may have separate structures for preparing chemicals, repairing, and potting. Storage areas serve as protected sites for keeping production materials. Business offices are the places in which the business management activities of the nursery take place. Summary: A nursery is any place where trees, shrubs, groundcovers, vines, or herbaceous plants are propagated and grown with the intention of relocating them. Nurseries determined by type of sales include retail, wholesale, mail order, and broker (re-wholesale). The job description classification refers to nursery-only nurseries, landscape nurseries, and garden-center nurseries. Nurseries may be categorized by the products produced, such as field-grown, containerized, and specialty crops. Nurseries may produce fruit crops, ornamental plants, forest and conservation plants, or liner plants. Specialty nursery types include research, quarantine, broker (re-wholesale), nonprofit, educational, and governmental. Factors to consider when locating a nursery include land, labor, transportation, utilities, and competition. Environmental factors to consider are temperature, moisture, wind, soil, air quality, plant pests, and light intensity. Propagation facilities include cold frames, hotbeds, and greenhouses. Production facilities include shade houses, overwintering houses, cold-storage facilities, potting areas, shipping/receiving areas, headhouses, storage areas, and business offices. Checking Your Knowledge: 1. What is a nursery? 2. How are nurseries classified? 3. What factors should be considered when locating a nursery? 4. What environmental factors affect nurseries? 5. What facilities are associated with nurseries? Page 11

12 Expanding Your Knowledge: After reading this unit, visit a nursery. Note the types of facilities used. Try to determine the advantages for the location of the nursery. Record your thoughts. Web Links: Site Selection and Layout for Plant Nurseries /hort/nursery/pdf/cultural_practices/site_selection_layout/site_selection.pdf Garden Center Nursery Management Nursery Site Selection, Layout, and Development Publications/fnm/Chapter%25202/file+Nursery-Site+Selection, +Layout,&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1 The Container Tree Nursery Manual Page 12