EHUF 412

Native Plant Propagation

Elements of a Restoration Nursery

Purpose

Production in a native plant nursery will differ from that in a nursery dedicated to ornamentals, cut flowers, vegetables, etc.

1. The purpose in most commercial production nurseries is to produce a dependable cultivar with stable, desirable traits (color, texture, size). The purpose of a restoration nursery is to produce a product with a wide variety of traits and high genetic diversity.

2. Landscape nurseries focus on a product line that includes several items that are good sellers. Different plant species or cultivars may be grown during the year, but continuity of product and processes is important. Restoration nurseries vary; some may take an approach similar to that of commercial nurseries, but others may be required to produce a wide variety of species, in different forms. The set of species that are required may change from year to year.

3. The market for the product is different. There are some stable, if seasonal, markets for cultivars, non-native species. The market for native plants is generally project-driven. Commercial native plant nurseries have proven to be very difficult to operate profitably unless they are regional in scale.

Requirements

1. Because the profit margin is slim and cash flow is unpredictable in most commercial restoration nurseries, investment in an expensive infrastructure is rarely supportable. Project-specific nurseries or contract nurseries are not uncommon, but funding is generally low. Economy is a virtue.

2. Because a number of different species and planting forms are often required, and because the requirements of one restoration project may not be at all like the requirements of another, flexibility is important.

3. If it makes more sense to have an on-site but temporary nursery at a large project, mobility may be required. Not necessarily a nursery on wheels, but features like temporary hoophouses on a gravel pad rather than a glasshouse on a concrete foundation make the nursery movable.

Logistics

A restoration nursery may require these hardscape elements:

A place to process seeds.

A place to store seeds.

Germination beds

Greenhouse benches

At-grade beds (germination, transplant)

Hoophouses

Cold frames

Sawdust beds

Gravel pad with landscape fabric

Water

Irrigation system

Fencing, security

Bird, rodent, deer protection

Refrigerated space

Storage sheds for equipment

Storage sheds for chemicals

Bins for soil, non-soil mix, green waste

Vehicle access

A place to pot and upsize plants

A sink to wash pots

An area to mix chemicals and wash up

Electricity, electric cords and outlets

Lighting

A restoration nursery may require the following materials, tools, accessories, supplies, etc.:

Soils, non-soil mixes

Sand, gravel

Fertilizer

Herbicides

Tools (shovels, pruners, etc.)

Applicators, backpack sprayers

Mowers, string trimmers

Roto-tiller

Flats

Pots

Plastic film

Shade cloth

Gasoline and oil

Heating mats or cables

Fans

Wheelbarrows

Watering hoses, nozzles

Posts, wire

Heaters, thermostats

Watering cans

Gloves, goggles, kneepads

Aspirator, moonsuit

Mixing glassware, soap

Seed screens

Costs

Here are some samples of costs:

Redi-Heat propagation heating mat, 21” x 5’ $140

Redi-Heat heating cable, 60’, non-automatic $45.50

Thermostat for heating cables, 4 outlets $55.40

Polyhouse, erected $7500

1 ¼” crushed rock, $15 per yd, 5 yd minimum

Shade cloth, 52% shade, $0.24 per sq ft, 6’-12’ panels, any length

1 gal pots, $26.90 per 125 in bundle

2 gal pots, $40.20 per 100 in bundle

5 gal pots, $33.50 per 50 in bundle

Plug tray, 10”x 20”, $46.70 per 100

Bedding plant containers (fit into plug trays), $30.00 per 100

Non-soil mix $60 per yd

Check other items at www.hummert.com.