How to Set Up a Container for a Plant Nursery
Starting a garden nursery is an exciting prospect for many people. Gardeners love to share what they know about plants and the influx of various people through the nursery doors gives them ample opportunity indulge their giving natures. Before those doors ever opened much planning was in play to ensure each plant that was grown with love stands the best possible chance at survival. Properly setting up nursery containers is necessary for a successful business. Below you will find how to prepare containers as well as recipes for the most common types of potting soil. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Clean each pot with 50/50 water and bleach solution allowing them to soak for at least twenty minutes. Make sure the bleach solution gets into every crevice to disinfect all areas. Rinse well with clean water and set aside. If using clay pots it is recommended to soak them in water until they are completely saturated before filling with soil and plants.
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Mix enough compost, vermiculite and clay to create a well draining yet water retentive soil. Add the manufacturers' recommended amount of slow-release fertilizer and water crystals for the quantity of soil made.
When wet the soil should drain quickly yet still hold together slightly when squeezed into a ball. If mixing a small amount of soil use a large bucket. This soil mix will grow most plants very well. Plants that need faster draining soil require a lighter soil.
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Combine enough sand, vermiculite, compost and bark mulch to make a fast draining soil mixture. The soil should settle well around the roots of the plants and have enough bulk to hold them up well. Slow-release fertilizer should be added as per the manufacturers' recommendations. This mixture will keep cactus and other plants requiring drier soils happy.
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Mix the clay, sand and compost until a heavy soil has been created. This soil is especially suited for water lilies and other aquatic species. When planting in this mixture a pond safe fertilizer tab can be inserted towards the center of the pot within the roots of the plants. Top the pots with coarse sand or small pebbles to prevent organic matter from floating.
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Tips & Warnings
For copious amounts of soil, a large tarp is recommended. Mix large amounts of soil with a shovel.
Cactus and other plants that require fast draining soil will do best if planted in a sand/vermiculite potting mix.
Other common perennials can be fed every three weeks during active growth with a water-soluble fertilizer. Cactus should be fed in the spring with a 10-10-10 fertilizer mix.
There are many mixes that can be used to grow plants in containers. Play around with quantities and ingredients until you find just the right soil type for your specific needs.
A children's plastic swimming pool can hold several pots of aquatic plants for sale. It is an inexpensive way of displaying most aquatic species.
Store any unused soil in large garbage cans with tight fitting lids. Keep the soil in a protected area until ready to use.
Label each can with the type of soil, fertilizers and any other additives used.
