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.
The following field implements are used by nurseries to prep the soil:
Subsoiler Long, thin knives. Penetrates deep into
the soil. Rips out the root
systems of previous crops.
Loosens the tracks left by harvesting equipment.
Improves water percolation and aeration.
Spring tooth Harrow “Finishing” tool
used to level a field prior to planting.
Chisel Plow
Usually used in the Fall.
Leaves the soil in a “rough” condition.
Freeze-thaw cycles during the winter break down soil clods.
Disk
“Finishing” tool used to prepare a field for planting.
Levels the field.
Howard Rotovator
Rototiller attachment for a tractor.
Pulverizes the soil. Used to
incorporate green manures.
Can also be used in field prep.
Soil Preparation Steps at Dwight Hughes Nursery
Step No.
Process Season Performed
1 Subsoiler Spring
2 Spring tooth Harrow
Spring
3 Plant green manure
Spring
4 Mow green manure
Summer-Fall
5 Rotovator - Incorporate green
manure
Fall
6 Chisel plow Fall
7 Spring tooth Harrow
Spring
8 Line-out Spring
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.
Treat the roots of the liners to prevent them from drying out until they are planted: Mud slurry 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.
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.
Place plants in a warm, humid greenhouse or polyhouse.
Use a shed or garage that can be kept between 60 – 70 degrees F. 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. Cover the bundles with straw and moisten with
water. Check the plants daily for bud break. Line-out after they have broken bud.
Methods Used to Sweat Plants
Bud break on Willow
Plant genera which may need sweating…
Amelanchier - Serviceberry Betula - Birch Berberis - Barberry Carpinus - Hornbeam Celtis - Hackberry Cercis - Redbud Crataegus - Hawthorne Morus - Mulberry Potentilla - Cinquefoil Pyrus - Pear Quercus - Oak Rosa - Rose Salix – Willow (Weeping)
Preparing Potted Liners for Planting
Prune the tops of the liners. Thoroughly water the liners 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.
The End