NURSERY PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT

Horticulture 321

Spring 2007

COURSE OUTLINE

Pre‑Course Information ‑ Several Handouts

I. The Nursery Industry ‑ History, Nature and Distributions of the Industry and Organizations

A. Introduction and Nature of Industry

B. Historical Background - Eastern, Midwestern and Western Nurseries

C. Types of Businesses

D. Trade Organizations - National, State and Regional

E. Allied Areas and Specialized Associations

F. Centers of Production

II.  Propagation for the Nursery

A. The Importance of Seed Propagation and Seed Selection and Source in the Nursery

B. Accelerated Growth Techniques and Growing Tree Seedlings in Containers

C. Vegetative Propagation and Scheduling Cutting Propagation

D. Grafting and Budding in the Nursery

E. Plant Patents ‑ Backbone of the Nursery Industry & Trademarks in the Nursery Industry

III. Nursery Site Development and Organization and Development of the Nursery

A. Ecological, Economic and Sociological and Biological Factors

B. Location, Site and Soil

C. Buildings and Equipment Needed (propagation, field production,

marketing units and tools and equipment)

D. Layout and Development

E. Production Area Design and Planting Design

F. Estimating Space Requirements and Production Land Utilization

IV.  Soils ‑ Soil Treatments in Nursery Production and Management

A. Soil and Soiless Media - Leaf Analysis - Soil Tests, etc. for Nursery Crops

B. Current Research on Container Media for Nursery Crops

C. Field Soil - Preparation and Modification

D. Effect of Soiless Media on Nutrient Uptake

E. Soil Conservation and Soil Conservation Practices

F. Use of Compost in the Nursery Industry

G. Field and Container Use of Compost in Potting Mixes

V. Container Types and Alternatives to Typical Containers and Different Growing Techniques

A. Container Influence on Root Growth (Temperature and Shape)

B. Poly Bags and Other New Canning Methods

C. Pot in Pot Growing System

D. Grow Bags (Fabric containers) - Advantages and Disadvantages

VI.  Nutrition Management for field and container-grown crops

A. Significance of Fertilization in Woody Plant Production

B. Fertilization Guide for Container Grown Plants ‑ Slow Release Fertilizers for Nursery Stock

C. Field Fertilization of Nursery Stock

D. Method Rate and Timing of Fertilizing Container and Field Nursery Stock.

E. Testing and Modifying Media to Nutrient Requirements

VII. Nursery Crop Production (Seed to Container to Field Crop)

A. Planning the Operation

B. Planting Procedures ‑ Cycle of Production

C. Size and Spacing of Containers

D. Mechanical Versus Hand Filling of Containers

E. Harvesting Methods

VIII. Growth Modification of Woody Plants - Pruning, Staking, Tying, Chemical Modification of Growth

A. Pruning and Shaping of Plants in the Nursery (Root and Shoot) Recent Research

B. Staking of Plants in the Nursery

IX.  Water Quality ‑ Sources, Application and Irrigation of Nursery Stock

A. Sources of Water ‑ Well, Pond, etc.

B. Quality of Water as it Affects Nursery Production and Soil Moisture Determination

- Current Groundwater Contamination Legislation, etc.

C. Application Techniques for Container Grown and Field Grown Stock (Drip Versus Overhead)

D. Sprinkler System & Equipment for Nurseries

E. Water Conservation Policies for Container Nurseries and Recycling Water

F. Water Absorbing Hydrogels

X.  Environmental Effects on Nursery and Field Production

A. Overwintering Techniques (Winter Storage Methods for container stock)

B. Anti‑Transpirants Place in Nursery

C. Shelterbelts and Windbreaks

D. Deer Control and Other Rodent Problems in Nurseries

XI.  Digging of Stock, Techniques and Equipment and Grading and Marketing of Nursery Stock

A. Types of Digging Nursery Stock

B. Mechanical Digging (Tree Spades)

C. Grades, Grading and Labeling of Nursery Stock (AAN Standards and State of Colorado Standards)

D. Packaging of Nursery Stock, Peat Balling, etc.

E. Logistics in Nursery Stock Handling

F. Warranty, Shipping Agreements and Nursery Crop Marketing Channels

XII. Shipping, Transportation, Storage and Marketing of Nursery Stock

A. Storage Facilities

B. Shipping Procedures for Nursery Stock

C. Procedures to Follow When Receiving Nursery Stock and Hard Goods

D. Buyer's, Seller's and Carrier's Responsibilities

E. Nursery Crop Marketing Channels

XIII. Insect, Disease and Weed Control (Brief Discussion on New Materials; not in depth discussion, since these areas are taught in separate courses)

A. Insect Control in the Nursery

B. Disease Control Monitoring and Prevention for Nursery Crops

C. Weed Control in the Nursery

XIV.  Laws, Regulations and Codes Relating to Nursery Production

A. State and Federal Regulations

B. State and Local Laws

XV. Management Applied to Nurseries

A. Goals, Planning and Organization

B. Employee Motivation, Evaluation and Rewards (Newsletters, Job Descriptions, Public Relations)

C. Ethics in the Nursery Industry