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

Subsoiler Long, thin knives. Long, thin knives. Penetrates deep into the soil. Penetrates deep into the soil. Rips out the root systems of previous crops. Rips out the root systems of previous crops. Loosens the tracks left by harvesting equipment. Loosens the tracks left by harvesting equipment. Improves water percolation and aeration. Improves water percolation and aeration.

Spring tooth Harrow “Finishing” tool used to level a field prior to planting. “Finishing” tool used to level a field prior to planting.

Chisel Plow Usually used in the Fall. Usually used in the Fall. Leaves the soil in a “rough” condition. Leaves the soil in a “rough” condition. Freeze-thaw cycles during the winter break down soil clods. Freeze-thaw cycles during the winter break down soil clods.

Disk “Finishing” tool used to prepare a field for planting. “Finishing” tool used to prepare a field for planting. Levels the field. Levels the field.

Howard Rotovator Rototiller attachment for a tractor. Rototiller attachment for a tractor. Pulverizes the soil. Pulverizes the soil. Used to incorporate green manures. Used to incorporate green manures. Can also be used in field prep. Can also be used in field prep.

Soil Preparation Steps at Dwight Hughes Nursery

Step No. Process Season Performed 1SubsoilerSpring 2Spring tooth HarrowSpring 3Plant green manureSpring 4Mow green manureSummer-Fall 5Rotovator - Incorporate green manure Fall 6Chisel plowFall 7Spring tooth HarrowSpring 8Line-outSpring

Planting

Direction of movement Shoe Chute Press wheels Sweeps Plant box

Preparing Bare-root Liners for Planting Generally speaking, the roots and tops of the liners are pruned prior to 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: Treat the roots of the liners to prevent them from drying out until they are planted: Mud slurry Mud slurry Gel-based root dips 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. 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. 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. 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. Place plants in a warm, humid greenhouse or polyhouse. Use a shed or garage that can be kept between 60 – 70 degrees F. Use a shed or garage that can be kept between 60 – 70 degrees F. Lay out a bed of straw on the floor. 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. 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. Cover the bundles with straw and moisten with water. Check the plants daily for bud break. Check the plants daily for bud break. Line-out after they have broken bud. Line-out after they have broken bud. Methods Used to Sweat Plants

Bud break on Willow

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

Preparing Potted Liners for Planting Prune the tops of the liners. Prune the tops of the liners. Thoroughly water the liners prior to planting. Thoroughly water the liners prior to planting. Remove plastic containers prior to planting. Biodegradable peat pots are not removed 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. If needed, break apart the root mass to prevent circling roots.

The End