Importance of nursery raising in vegetable production

Definition of Nursery
"A vegetable nursery is a place or an establishment for raising or handling of
young vegetable seedlings until they are ready for more permanent planting.
“Advantages of nursery raising in vegetable production
1) It is convenient to look after the ‘Baby’ seedlings
2) It is possible to provide favourable growth conditions i.e. germination as well
as growth
3) Eliminates the problem of difficult soils
4) Easy weed control
5) Reduced field management costs
6) Improved crop uniformity
7) Higher yields
8) More optimal use of Hybrid seeds
9) Shorter growing season and more efficient use of land
10) More accurate prediction of harvest date.
3 Disadvantages of nursery raising in vegetable production
1) Transplant shock which delays growth but is not as severe on cell raised
seedlings compared to bare rooted seedlings.
2) Cost of seedlings which adds to production cost.
3) Extra labour to establish crop.
4 Factors to be considered for raising a nursery
1) Location of the nursery
2) Near the house
3) Well exposed to the sun but protected against severe heat
4) Well protected against animal damage, strong winds.

Factors to be considered for raising a nursery (2)

Water
1) Near the water source
2) Continuous supply of good water
3) The seed bed should be kept moist not continually wet.
Soil
1) Soil should have a large quantity of organic matter
2) Soil texture should be neither too coarse nor too fine
3) Has a fair degree of water holding capacity
4) Normally rich in all the necessary elements
Seedlings produced in:
Lettuce in a Punnit
Tomato in a Jiffy
Title 7 Seedlings produced in: Seed tray flats Wooden seed tray Title 8
Seedlings produced in: Cell trays Seedling trays Title 9 Types and
characteristics of nurseries Title 10 Nursery ‘thatched’ Uganda Open field
nursery Colombia Title 11 Thatch Roof To protect plants from Animal damage
and too much sun/heat Title 12 Net -house At home – on Anja’s veranda Title
13 Local greenhouse Title 14 Imported Greenhouse.

Nursery management
Pests and diseases
 Hygiene has a vital role in the control of pests and diseases.

 Use steam or chemical sterilization of the growing media, structures, tools

and trays.
 Effective ventilation and air movement is also a sound disease prevention
method.

 Understand pests and diseases that could affect the growth of healthy
seedlings
 Care must be taken with the use of pesticides within enclosed areas.
  Note also that in a greenhouse plants can be more sensitive to chemicals
than in the open field.
MARKETING
There are two choices in marketing the plants:
 Trays of plants are sent out as orders. or
Plants are pulled and bulk delivered in crates or boxes.
• Pulled plants may be stored in the cool room for two to three days, but
should be planted as soon as possible.
• A high rejection rate of plants before delivery indicates a production problem
which must be addressed and cannot be tolerated.
Contribution
Contribution of quality seed to the total production is 20% depending upon the
crop it can be further raised up to 45% with efficient management of other
inputs, like the use of healthy seedlings.

 Onions in seed tray

 Onions 95 days Old after transplant ss

Soil type
The soil of a seedbed needs to be loose and smoothed, without large lumps.
These traits are needed so that seeds can be planted easily, and at a specific
depth for best germination. Large lumps and uneven surface would tend to
make the planting depth random. Many types of seedlings also need loose soil
with minimal rocky content for best conditions to grow their roots. (For
example, carrots grown in rocky soil will tend not to grow straight.)

Seedbed preparation
Seedbed preparation in farm fields often involves
secondary tillage via harrows and cultivators. This may follow primary tillage (if
any) by moldboard plows or chisel plows. No-till farming methods avoid tillage
for seedbed preparation as well as later weed control.
Seedbed preparation in gardens often involves secondary tillage via hand tools
such as rakes and hoes. This may follow primary tillage (if any)
by shovels, picks, or mattocks. Rotary tillers provide a powered alternative that
takes care of both primary and secondary tillage.
The preparation of a seedbed may include:
 1. The removal of debris. Insect eggs and disease spores are often found in
plant debris and so this is removed from the plot. Stones and larger
debris will also physically prevent the seedlings from growing.
2. Levelling. The site will have been levelled for even drainage.
3. Breaking up the soil. Compacted soil will be broken up by digging. This
allows air and water to enter, and helps the seedling penetrate the soil.
Smaller seeds require a finer soil structure. The surface the soil can be
broken down into a fine granular structure using a tool such as a rake.
4. Soil improvement. The soil structure may be improved by the
introduction of organic matter such as compost or peat.
5. Fertilizing. The nitrate and phosphate levels of the soil can be adjusted
with fertilizer. If the soil is deficient in any micro nutrients, these too can
be added.
The seedlings may be left to grow to adult plants in the seedbed, perhaps after
thinning to remove the weaker ones, or they may be moved to a border as
young plants.

See also

 Category:Horticulture and gardening

 Open field
 Seed drill
 False seedbed
 Sowing
 Stale seed bed
 Stratification (botany)

What is seedbed preparation?

A seedbed or seedling bed is the local soil environment in which seeds are
planted. Often it comprises not only the soil but also a specially prepared cold
frame, hotbed or raised bed used to grow the seedlings in a controlled
environment into larger young plants before transplanting them into a garden
or field.
Why is it necessary to prepare a seedbed?
A seedbed that is weed free allows the desired crop to grow without the fierce
competition for nutrients, space, and sunlight. Adequate soil moisture triggers
the enzymatic changes needed to grow. The seedbed needs to be firm because
that indicates that moisture down in the soil can be brought up for seed
germination.

Part 2 Creating a Fine Soil

1. Prepare the base soil for your seedbed. ...
2. Amend your soil. ...
3. Clean up the soil before you place it in your seedbed. ...
4. Transport enough soil to fill 8 to 12 inches of soil to your seedbed location. ...
5. Water the soil to make it firm. ...
6. Cover the soil with a plastic sheet and leave it for 10 days.

Seedbed care and maintenance

Maintaining your seedlings
As your seedling emerges from the soil, most growers breath a big sigh of relief.
Close your eyes and you can almost see the plant grow and flourish into it's full
beauty, producing an enviable profusion of flowers or vegetables. As you open
your eyes, you will immediately begin a new set of worries, over-nurturing the
newborn indoors for a short time while the outdoor weather catches up with your
dreams.

Causes of Disease
Damping Off disease thrives in cool or cold, dark or cloudy, wet or damp
conditions. The disease is airborne, and can spread very quickly from one
seed tray to another.

The fungal spores take root in your soil and quickly spreads across the
seed tray, jumping to other trays with ease. It is fatal to young seedlings,
nipping them off at the soil level.

Treatment
As with other plants diseases, prevention is the best means of treatment.
Follow the do's and don't's listed below. If Damping Off disease does take
hold in your seed trays, act immediately. Remove diseased sections to
minimize the spread. If it has affected a significant number of plants,
 replant in new soil and clean containers. Do not reuse the soil. Either use
new containers, or sterilize the ones you were using. We recommend new
containers.

Controlling the Disease

Controlling the disease is a matter of removing the environment that
Damping Off disease thrives in. Here are the basic do's and don'ts:

POOTING MEDIA
Product Description
Wonder Brick is an eco-conscious soilless potting medium that is made from renewable
coconut coir fiber, worm castings, mycorrhizae, kelp and water-saving polymer crystals.
This 100% biodegradable potting medium maximizes growing success for both the
professional and hobby grower. WonderBrick saves time, labor and freight costs. Each
brick weighs just over 1 lb., yet expands up to 9 times the volume when water is added.
Lightweight, compact and easy to use, these bricks will expand to fill one 2.5 gallon pot.



Details

Features
*Professional soil mix in brick form
*Expands to fill 2 1/2 gallons
*Feeds up to 4 months
*Saves up to 50% water
*Enriched with worm castings
*Contains no fillers
*Easy to use and store
*Promotes better aeration
*Promotes better drainage
*Promotes stronger root systems
*Faster successful gardening results
*Can be used with existing soil or used alone
Usage
1) Place brick(s) in a wheelbarrow or large bucket.
2) Add 1 gallon of hot water for each brick used. Allow 20 minutes for block to absorb the
water.
3) After full expansion, stir off any excess water.

PLANT SEEDLINGS
What are the proper way of handling seedlings?
Handle seedlings by their leaves to avoid damaging the tender stems. Poke a hole in the
new container's planting mix, place the seedling in the hole, and firm soil around it. Water
the transplant right away. Keep the containers out of direct sunlight for a few days to let
the transplants recover from the move.
 Non-Hybrid Asparagus
Non-Hybrid Arugula Seeds Non-Hybrid Beet Seeds
Seeds

This salad green Plantings of this Easy-to-grow beets

adds a tangy, perennial can last produce tasty roots
peppery or for decades, and the for baking,
 mustard-like flavor foliage makes it a boiling or sautéing
to salads and natural for edible and fresh greens to
mesclun mixes. landscaping. boil or steam.

Non-Hybrid Bok Choy Non-Hybrid Brussels

Non-Hybrid Broccoli Seeds
Seeds Sprouts

Bok choy�s mild Broccoli is grown for Brussels sprouts

flavor is great for its edible, immature look like miniature
stir fries. It is also flower heads. It cabbages and form
perfect for edible contains high levels where the leaves
landscaping. of antioxidants. meet the stems.

Non-Hybrid Cauliflower
Non-Hybrid Cabbage Seeds Non-Hybrid Carrot Seeds
Seeds
Cabbage is grown Carrots have been The most difficult of
for its head of renowned for over the cole crops to
leaves, which are 2,000 years for their grow, cauliflower
eaten raw, cooked, health properties flourishes when
or processed into and high vitamin A temps. are
sauerkraut. content. moderate.

Non-Hybrid Celery Seeds Non-Hybrid Chard Seeds Non-Hybrid Chili Seeds

Perhaps the most
difficult vegetable to
grow in many
areas, this long-
season crop must
be started inside.
Grown for its tasty
and nutritious
leaves, chard is a
good substitute for
spinach in most
recipes.
The many varieties
of sweet and hot
peppers thrive on
full sun, warm
weather and well-
drained soil.

Non-Hybrid Cucumber
Non-Hybrid Collard Seeds Non-Hybrid Cress Seeds
Seeds
Collards are among It�s peppery taste Whether for
the most heat adds zing to salads, pickling or slicing,
tolerant of cole but hot weather cucumbers are easy
crops and its makes this cool- to grow if you give
taste is improved by season crop bitter them
frost. and inedible. good soil.

Non-Hybrid Eggplant Seeds Non-Hybrid Endive Seeds Non-Hybrid Kale Seeds

 Dramatic foliage The tender young
and colorful fruits Flat-leaved varieties leaves
make this a good are known as from these fast-
choice for escarole, endives growing plants can
ornamental beds are known for their be eaten raw, or
and vegetable sharp, bitter taste. cooked for soup &
gardens. stir fries.

Non-Hybrid Kohlrabi Seeds Non-Hybrid Leek Seeds Non-Hybrid Lettuce Seeds

The bizarre from- Milder flavored than
With the variety of
outer-space most other onion-
colors, shapes and
appearance makes family crops, you
flavors available,
it an eye-stopper in can mulch in fall for
your salads may
ornamental winter and spring
never be the same.
plantings. harvest.

Non-Hybrid Mustard Seeds Non-Hybrid Okra Seeds Non-Hybrid Onion Seeds

This green adds a
Okra is grown for its A cool-season
peppery zing to
immature pods, biennial, the onion
salads, and makes
which are used for is grown for its
an attractive
preparing soups or edible bulbs and fit
addition to
eaten as a cooked well in ornamental
ornamental
vegetable. plantings.
plantings.

Non-Hybrid Parsnip Seeds Non-Hybrid Peppers Seeds Non-Hybrid Potato Seeds

A nutritional
Parsnips don�t The many varieties
mother lode,
develop their sweet, of sweet and hot
potatoes are easy to
nutty flavor until peppers thrive on
grow as long as
after enduring full sun, warm
they have full sun
frosts and cold weather and well-
and moderate
weather in fall. drained soil.
temperatures

Non-Hybrid Radicchio
Non-Hybrid Radish Seeds Non-Hybrid Rhubarb Seeds
Seeds
The small red and Easy to grow and This tart, easy-to-
white heads of this ready to harvest in grow perennial is
chicory family just 3 to 6 great for pies &
member form best weeks. Winter jams, especially
 in cool weather. It
is a staple in Italian
salads.
Non-Hybrid Rutabaga
Non-Hybrid Scallion Seeds
Seeds
Easy-to-grow root
crop is a favorite for
fall and winter
soups and dishes,
& can also be used
raw in salads.
Non-Hybrid Spinach Seeds Non-Hybrid Squash Seeds
This nutritious,
cool-season crop is
among the first
greens ready to
harvest, but it�s
quick to turn bitter.
Non-Hybrid Turnip Seeds Non-Hybrid Zucchini Seeds
Spring turnip crops
are best harvested
while the weather is
still cool. The flavor
is improved by light
frost.
varieties produce when coupled with
large, fall-harvested strawberries.
roots.
Non-Hybrid Shallot Seeds
A gourmet favorite,
A young onion
these perennial
before the
onions produce a
development of the
cluster of smaller
bulb. Widely used in
bulbs instead of
Chinese cooking.
one large bulb.
Non-Hybrid Tomato Seeds
The most popular
Summer squash is
garden vegetable
an immature fruit
crop, tomatoes
eaten immediatly.
come in a wide
Winter squash is a
range of
mature fruit stored
sizes, shapes and
for later.
colors.
A variety of squash
having an elongated
shape and a
smooth, thin, dark
green rind.Taste
great in salads.