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Selection of a Nursery Site

Selection of a Nursery Site. Commercial Plant Production. Ecological Factors. #1 Climate The ideal climate: Mild climate with a long growing season. Even distribution of rainfall. A major killer of ornamental nursery stock is rapidly fluctuating temperatures .

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Selection of a Nursery Site

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  1. Selection of a Nursery Site Commercial Plant Production

  2. Ecological Factors • #1 Climate • The ideal climate: • Mild climate with a long growing season. • Even distribution of rainfall. • A major killer of ornamental nursery stock is rapidly fluctuating temperatures. • Iowa has a continental climate.

  3. Production Centers • South • Texas, Oklahoma • Southeast • North Carolina, Virginia and Florida • West • California, Oregon and Washington

  4. #2 Topography • Level to rolling. • Steep slopes should be avoided.

  5. #3 Soil • For B&B or bare - root nursery production soil type is extremely important. • Soil characteristics to consider: • Texture • pH • Cation exchange capacity • Free of nematodes, noxious weeds, disease organisms and herbicide residue.

  6. Soil Texture • Soils are made up of different percentages of sand, silt and clay. • Which particle is the biggest? • Which is the smallest?

  7. The Textural Triangle Classify a soil that is 30% clay, 40% silt, and 30% sand: CLAY LOAM

  8. The Textural Triangle Classify a soil that is 20% clay, 70% silt, and 10% sand: SILT LOAM

  9. Seedling and Bare – Root Nurseries • Select sandy loam soils: • Less tendency to frost heave. • Can be worked earlier in the spring and sooner after rains. • Less damage to the roots when plants are lifted.

  10. B & B Nurseries • Select silt loam, clay loam or silty clay loam soils. • A higher percentage of smaller-sized particles (i.e. silts and clays) help hold the soil ball together when the plant is dug.

  11. Soil pH • pH is a measure of the concentration of H+ ions in the soil. • In a simpler sense pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. • pH scale runs from 1 – 14, with pH 7 being neutral. pH’s less than 7 are considered acidic. pH’s greater than 7 are considered alkaline.

  12. Soil pH will also affect nutrient availability. Ideal soil pH for most plants is between 6-7, with 6.5 being optimal.

  13. An example of how soil pH affects iron (Fe) availability…

  14. Cation Exchange Capacity • Many important plant nutrients exist in the soil as cations ( Fe+, Ca+, Mg+, etc). • CEC measures the ability of the soil to hold cations and prevent them from being leached away.

  15. Freedom from nematodes, noxious weeds, disease organisms and herbicide residue. • Nematodes • Microscopic worms that feed on the roots of plants. • Herbicide residue • Many herbicides are persistent. • Was the land previously farmed?

  16. #4 Water • Must have a water supply to supplement rainfall. • Sources include: • Ponds • Lakes and rivers • Wells • Municipal water supply

  17. Water Quality • Low alkalinity • Water alkalinity is defined as the concentration of carbonates and bicarbonates in the water. • Low dissolved minerals • High amounts of iron in the water can discolor foliage.

  18. #5 Air Quality • Air pollution can damage plants. • Generally only a concern in large metropolitan areas.

  19. Sulfur dioxide damage to the leaves of Red Alder

  20. Economic Factors • #1 Land • Price • Increased urbanization, leads to increased land values and increased taxes. • Nursery exodus from metropolitan areas. • Location • What factors might influence nursery location?

  21. #2 Availability of Labor • Labor intensive industry. • Labor is typically a businesses highest expense. • Mechanization efforts to reduce labor costs.

  22. Division of Labor at a Nursery • Spend the next 5 -10 minutes writing down at least 10 different kinds of jobs that can be done at a nursery. Then rank those jobs from highest to lowest skill level.

  23. #3 Facilities • Availability of electricity. • Availability of natural or LP gas. • Availability of a water source for irrigation. • Road infrastructure for moving products to market.

  24. #4 Availability of a Market • The customers you sell your products to are your “market”.

  25. #5 Competition • Who, in the area where you want to locate your nursery, is producing the same products you want to produce? • Is there room for you? • Competition is more severe in smaller markets than in larger markets.

  26. #6 Supporting Services • Housing for employees • Medical care • Educational opportunities • Shopping, etc…

  27. The End

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