Nursery – Pod 6

Pod #6 – Yard – Under development

• Potting media – This is a ‘soil’ mix that is used for some of the propagation methods, such as Tubing Up or Pricking Out.
• Seed-raising potting media – This is a special ‘soil’ mix used for sowing seeds and propagating cuttings.
• Tray or tube – These are types of propagating containers. E.g. Trays are used for sowing seeds and for cutting propagation. Tubes are used for more mature seedlings (50 tubes fit into a rack).
• Fertiliser – A product that contains nutrients and is added in some of the propagating techniques.

Yard – The Process

Overall this covers the maintenance in good order of all structures, equipment and most importantly the plants held in our igloos, wetbeds and yard.

A regular day starts with extracting, in consultation with planting co-ordinators, all seed trays from Igloo 2 which are required for that days handling.

Igloo 1 should then be inspected for plants which have had sufficient time in the protective environment of the Igloo to now be ready for the tables in the yard.  This is also decided in collaboration with plant experts.  It is important to keep all racks of the same plants together and when some are already in the yard, put additional racks with those already in the yard.

As the day progresses various plants are worked on and when completed are placed on the end tables outside the shed with labels properly placed in them and watering & recording completed.

Seed trays new or returned go to Igloo 2.

Trays with cuttings go to Igloo 2 on the ground where humidity is usually higher.

Completed racks are moved to Igloo 1 for hardening up prior to moving to the yard.

There are many general maintenance tasks which need monitoring & occasional work:

• Weeding of plants & rationalising, which removes dead & weak plants & consolidating so most racks are full.  Check labels are still clear & rewrite / replace when needed.
• Weeding of all the grounds which may require very careful spraying when conditions allow.
• Monitoring for pests such as snails, slugs, insects, ants & rodents treating as appropriate.
• Ensuring all wet beds have sufficient water.
• Opening the shade cloth roof in the yard in Autumn & closing in Spring.
• Checking & repairing all igloos, tables & fences.
• Misting systems in igloos need regular checking especially nozzles which may become blocked or misdirected.
• Occasional watering of selected plants with seaweed extracts or fertilizer in consultation with plant specialists.
• Prior to the main order collection time of March/April preparing a list of which table each species is to be found.

Order collection is a team effort involving preparing labels, including the number of each required for the order.  These plants need to be inspected for condition & weeded.

Customers are advised that their order is ready & arrangements made for payment & collection.

Yard – What can go wrong

• Well meaning, but inappropriately people move trays around the Yard, or into the Yard without first checking where they should go.
• Space for storing becomes unmanageable.
• Water fittings and other equipment fails.

Yard – Tips for getting it right

• Ensure that equipment (hoses, containers, tools, trolleys etc) are stored appropriately to keep aisles and Yard spaces as clear as practicable.
• Liaise closely with plant propagation Team Leaders to be aware of stock loads.
• Undertake regular maintenance inspections of the Yard equipment (hoses, pipes, igloo frames and covers, table frames etc).

Racks

Racks – The Process

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Racks – Tips for getting it right

• Ensure racks are clean
• Stack tubes with the same profiles together

Racks – What can go wrong

• The racks can age and become brittle
• There maybe insufficient tubes to fill a rack that have the same profiles

Water Systems

Water Systems – The Process

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Water Systems – Tips for getting it right

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Water Systems – What can go wrong

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