Nursery & Greenhouse Growing
Nursery & Greenhouse Growing
This domain tests production from propagation through overwintering: media, water, fertility, environment control, and cold-climate survival. Minnesota growers must manage fast greenhouse growth and then harden plants for real winters.
Media, water, and fertility
- Use soilless media with good air porosity; monitor pH, generally 5.5–6.5 for most crops, and EC.
- Water by container weight and plant need; leach periodically to avoid salt buildup.
- Controlled-release fertilizer and liquid feed must match crop stage and irrigation volume.
- Test irrigation water for alkalinity and salts.
Environment
- Manage temperature, DIF, photoperiod, and ventilation to control stretch.
- Provide vernalization when a perennial crop requires cold treatment.
- Watch root-zone temperature; cool roots slow growth and reduce disease pressure.
Overwintering
- Harden off before cold exposure; reduce water and nitrogen gradually.
- Protect roots, not just tops; use mulch, cold frames, or overwintering structures.
- Avoid freeze-thaw cycles and saturated media; provide ventilation on warm days.
- Guard against rodent damage and winter desiccation.
Worked example
A bench is 4 ft × 100 ft = 400 ft². Four-inch pots spaced 6 × 6 in. occupy 4 pots/ft². Full capacity = 400 × 4 = 1,600 pots. Allow 25% for aisles and edges: 1,600 × 0.75 = 1,200 saleable pots. Use that number for media, labels, and irrigation planning.
Traps that cost marks
- Overwatering in cool weather.
- Letting pH drift and misreading deficiency symptoms.
- Moving plants outdoors without hardening.
- Overwintering containers too wet or too warm.
- Calculating bench space without aisles.