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Effective Stock Keeping in A Plant Nursery
Effective Stock Keeping in A Plant Nursery
IN A PLANT NURSERY
IMPORTANCE OF STOCK KEEPING IN A PLANT NURSERY
Effective Stock management is a critical process for plant growers to ensure Healthy, Importance of Stock,
customer satisfaction, and efficient operations. When done correctly, it can help reduce costs and maximize
profits. In this guide to inventory management for Growers, Nurseries, and related sector, we will discuss the
importance of inventory management in the plant grower industry as well as the benefits of using nursery
management. By the end of this guide, you will have a better understanding of how inventory management can
help your plant-growing succeed.
Inventory management, while not necessarily a fun topic, is a crucial element in determining a nursery
profitability. If a nursery cannot make a profit, it will soon cease to be able to produce more plants. Therefore,
inventory management is very important for our industry.
Accurate Tracking of Stock Levels
A proper inventory management system enables commercial plant growers
to accurately estimate potential sales inventory and track stock levels,
ensuring that they never run out of product. This is crucial for ensuring
that customer orders are fulfilled on time and making sure there is enough
product in stock to meet demand.
Increased Efficiency
A properly managed inventory system means that there is no unnecessary waste, as products are only ordered
when needed and supplies are never overstocked. This increased efficiency leads to cost savings and higher
customer satisfaction levels.
Reduced Costs
As mentioned, effective inventory management reduces
the costs associated with excess inventory, such as
storage and handling costs. It also reduces the costs
associated with stock shortages, such as rush
shipping fees and lost sales.
Maximized Profits
Effective inventory management helps greenhouses
nurseries, and commercial plant growers maximize
their profits by ensuring that they have the right
products in stock to meet customer demand.
It also helps growers minimize waste by reducing
the amount of unsold inventory that must be discarded.
Improved Customer Satisfaction
Having the right products in stock ensures that customers can purchase what they need when they need it. This
increases customer satisfaction, which leads to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth marketing.
The Process of Inventory Management for Commercial
Plant Growers
Inventory management is an essential part of any commercial plant grower’s business. It helps to ensure that
there is enough product in stock to meet customer demand and minimize the costs associated with excess
inventory or stock shortages. In this section, we will look at the process of inventory management for
commercial plant growers, from determining your inventory needs to monitoring and adjusting your plant
materials and inventory management strategies.
• In order to maintain control of plant materials, equipment, tools, and supplies, an inventory control system is
needed. Business management experts often classify inventor systems according to the usage of the item in
inventory. Following this line of thought, a greenhouse inventory can be categorized into three groups
including plant material inventory, equipment inventory, and supplies. Last month, we discussed an inventory
system for equipment and supplies. This month, we will discuss the basics of maintaining a plant material
inventory control system.
• A plant material inventory system is designed to provide management with information for making
managerial decisions regarding production, sales, and dema nd trends. By maintaining a current, up-to-date
plant material inventory, problems arising from overselling or leaving plants unsold can be minimized. A
knowledge of plant inventory can provide the basis for planning work schedules, labor needs, space
requirements, and supplies needed. Inventory data are also needed when planning production programs,
calculating costs of production, and developing pricing strategies. Cultural practices and their impact on
inventory turns may also be evaluated.
• To talk about the benefits of plant material inventory control systems is one thing, but actually developing a
system that indicates (at all times) how many plants of each variety or cultivar are available, in what size, and
where are they located within the greenhouse operation, is another. The actual system of plant inventory
control will tend to vary with the size and type of each individual greenhouse operation and the level of
sophistication desired by the greenhouse manager. For relatively small “Mom and Pop” operations, the plant
material inventory system may be quite simple, needing infrequent updating. But for larger, more commercial
greenhouses, a rather complex system that must be updated daily may be required.
• Numerous computer software companies have developed computerized plant material inventory systems that
will fit the need for most any sized operation.Taking the physical plant material inventory is facilitated by
developing an integrated layout of the greenhouse operation using plant blocks and labeling benches or rows.
The count is made by trained individuals using plant inventory schedule sheets or electronic recorders.
Electronic recorders are expensive, but offer the advantage of transferring data directly into computer
memory storage. In some of the larger, commercial greenhouse operations, physical plant inventory is
combined with data regarding new potted/seeded plant material and sales data. By continuously tracking
these data, it is possible to determine fairly accurately the status of all plant material within the greenhouse by
type and location. From a production management standpoint, if accurate data are collected and maintained
over time, it is possible to determine plant losses, estimate growth rates, pinpoint problem areas, and check on
cultural practices.
• Maintaining an accurate sales inventory may be the most import ant attribute of an inventory control system.
However, this data must be accumulated in a timely manner to be most effective. This means updating sales
data on a daily, or at least weekly basis. The sales inventory can also be posted with current price information
as an aid in quoting prices to customers. Each greenhouse manager must adjust the plant inventory system to
the situation and develop it to provide the control and information necessary to make sound managerial
decisions. Computers can be used to provide an immediate update of sales inventory and can be programmed
to provide an analysis of sales by variety, customer, geographic region, or by salesperson. In addition, the
computer may be used to update sales records, prepare price schedules, and with the input of inventory data,
can be programmed to estimate potential sales inventory. Several commercial vendors currently provide
inventory control software for the greenhouse and nursery industry.
TYPES OF PLANT INVENTORY
The value of inventory field checks cannot be overstated. failure to maintain these at their fullest can result in an
incomplete and inaccurate inventory. This may in turn jeopardize the future preservation of the accession in
question.
In order to maintain control of plant materials, equipment, tools, and supplies, an inventory control system is
needed. Business management experts often classify inventor systems according to the usage of the item in
inventory. Following this line of thought, a greenhouse inventory can be categorized into three groups including
plant material inventory, equipment inventory, and supplies.
Production Process Tracking
Nursery and Greenhouse growers have their own specific production processes. An inventory control system
should track your product from seed to sale, no production changes required. The inventory tracking system
should track each product at every stage so you and your sales team have full visibility over what is currently
available and will be in the future.
•Seeds
•Young plants (Seedlings)
•Mature plants
•Pots, containers, and other nursery supplies.
A plant material inventory system is designed to provide management with information for making managerial
decisions regarding production, sales, and dema nd trends.
By maintaining a current, up-to-date plant material inventory, problems arising from overselling or leaving
plants unsold can be minimized.
A knowledge of plant inventory can provide the basis for planning work schedules, labor needs, space
requirements, and supplies needed.
Inventory data are also needed when planning production programs, calculating costs of production, and
developing pricing strategies.
Cultural practices and their impact on inventory turns may also be evaluated.
To talk about the benefits of plant material inventory control systems is one thing, but actually developing a
system that indicates (at all times)
1) how many plants of each variety or cultivar are available.
2) in what size
3) where are they located within the greenhouse operation
For relatively small “Mom and Pop” operations, the plant material inventory system may be quite simple,
needing infrequent updating. But for larger, more commercial greenhouses, a rather complex system that must
be updated daily may be required.
In some of the larger, commercial greenhouse operations, physical plant inventory is combined with data
regarding new potted/seeded plant material and sales data. By continuously tracking these data, it is possible to
determine fairly accurately the status of all plant material within the greenhouse by type and location. From a
production management standpoint, if accurate data are collected and maintained over time, it is possible to
determine plant losses, estimate growth rates, pinpoint problem areas, and check on cultural practices.
Inventory Management Techniques
he following is an example of the LIFO inventory costing method (assume the following inventory of Product
XX is on hand and purchased on the following dates).
Each and every corner of the nursery should well be connected with a road or path.
Roads should be wide enough, minimum 3 m wide to ply trucks, tractors, bullock drivenboggies etc.
Paths should be wide enough, minimum 2 m wide to ply the wheel barrows, hand charts, small hand
tractor, and trolleys and for leisure walks of customers who come for making purchases.
The area of the nursery should be divided into different sections/ sectors/ portions like timber section,
rose section, annual flower section, indoor plant section, vegetable section, fruit/grapevine plant section
and main sections may further be divided in to sub-sections like ornamental and flowering tree’s section,
creeper section, shrub’s section, bougainvillea section, succulents and cactus section and so on.
This type of division will facilitate better supervision, specialization of staff and better accounting besides
high impression on the mind of customer, nursery being run by qualified person on scientific lines.
Proper office of the manager and staff with proper seating arrangement, sale counter attached with
modern seed store, chemical room, fertilizer room etc. should be located at the main entrance of the
nursery with a spacious well protected, shady parking lot.
This area should be beautifully landscaped and there should be an area for displaying sample plant
material put for sale, at the entrance. However, there should be different stores for tools and implements,
stationary and other items of day to day use, in different sections/ sector.
Mother Block is the primary source of commercial propagating materials to be used in the production
of certified(true-to-type, pathogen-free, standard quality) materials/plants.
Mother block is originated from basic category plants (white label) which are strictly true-to-type as
variety/clone, pathogen-free and properly labeled that indicates botanical name, family name, local
name etc. for proper identification.
40-50 % of the total nursery area should be kept reserved under mother plants.
Mother Block is maintained permanently under rigid sanitary control.
Criteria for Selection of Mother(Base) Plants
1. Mother plants should be vigorous, healthy and high yielding. It should have a regular bearing habit.
2.Itshouldbe free from pests, diseases and viruses.
3. The mother plants must necessarily be genetically pure and superior in quality. They must be
obtained from Registered Farms, Agriculture Universities or Government Nurseries.
4. The purchase receipt of mother plant shouldbe preserved to prove the origin and authenticity of the
mother plants.
5. Mother plants should be selected corresponding to the regional demand of the nursery plants.
6.Ornamental mother plants are planted under protected conditions either under shade net or semi-
shade conditions.
Packing area should be near to office to enable better supervision while packing the plants for dispatch. An
open area and an underground water tank is a must, besides the adequate space for storing empty cartons,
baskets and other packing materials.
Stock Rotation
Well managed stock plants help meet the demand for reliable and timely supplies of high quality propagation
material and enable nurserymen to exercise quality control from the start of the production process. This
factsheet considers the main elements of successful stock plant management.
Pests and diseases occur on nurseries because cultivated plants are more susceptible than their wild relatives.
Growing large numbers of the same species close together can encourage disease-causing organisms and pests
to establish and spread rapidly.
Many plants are specifically bred for their foliage and flowers rather than disease resistance, and commercial
crop production can create environmental conditions that favour particular pathogens and/or pests.
Infectious organisms are part of the environment. The management of some crops, particularly those for same
season sales, can lead to stress and susceptibility. Understanding the crop that you are growing — the normal
growth habits and the normal variability of plants — will help you to recognise unusual conditions as early as
possible.
An effective hygiene programme is important to succeed in growing plants profitably. Successful hygiene
management is based on accurately diagnosing any problem that may occur and its cause as well as having
some knowledge of the pest/pathogen and its life cycle.
Understanding the effects of the environment on crops and their potential pest/pathogen is essential. Being able
to evaluate the cost and practicability of any actions taken is also important.
Reducing problems on-site
Nursery hygiene is the principal means of reducing pest/pathogen introduction and has the ability to reduce the
most difficult-to-control problems. It is more cost-effective to prevent pathogens from being introduced into the
production cycle than attempting to suppress diseases in infected plants.
All activities should be aimed at eliminating or reducing the amount of disease/pest present in the environment
and preventing their spread to healthy plants. An effective programme needs to fit well with your nursery
situation and has the ability to change through the entire production cycle according to environmental
conditions.
• Physical disorders.
• Pathogen build-up on dead or dying plants.
• Carry-over and spread of pests/pathogens on tools, benches, pots and hoses.
• Carry-over and spread of pests/pathogens from one crop to another.
• Contamination of healthy plants with infested soil/water and contamination of clean pots, growing media and
so on.Well-spaced crops in appropriately ventilated protected structures can reduce Botrytis, downy mildew,
leaf spot and rust infections. This is also true of subirrigation, where possible.
• Clean trays, pots, benches and floors can reduce weed seedling re-emergence as well as Rhizoctonia,
Pythium, Phytophthora, Fusarium and Sclerotinia. Clean water, well-drained growing media, healthy stock
plants and removing debris will reduce the risk of Pythium, Phytophthora, Fusarium, viruses, Rhizoctonia,
Sclerotinia, mildews, rust and Botrytis.
Five key control methods
Exclusion Making sure plants, seeds and cuttings are free from pests and pathogens; maintaining a disinfection
regime; limiting the number of people handling stock; taking strong healthy cuttings; avoiding water splash;
treating irrigation water; controlling weeds around growing areas; checking new plant sources thoroughly — set
up a quarantine area if unsure. Take the time to learn what a real plant passport should look like and what
information it should contain.
Protection Uniform, timely applications of pesticides, ringing the changes to avoid resistance; knowing when a
pest/pathogen is likely to attack; growing resistant cultivars where possible and biological controls where
appropriate.
Prevention Prevent conditions that favour infection, disease development and pest attack; keep leaf surfaces dry,
avoid over-watering; use growing media with good drainage; clean up growing areas and keep a routine going
even if no pest/pathogen is present.
Eradication Through chemical application. Observe techniques and timing when applying products; remove
dead/diseased plant parts; rotate crops; plant green manures. Monitoring Conduct this throughout the year and
step it up to three-day intervals during the growing season to enable the designated crop walker/spray team
member to stay in touch with what is happening on the nursery and identify problems early on. Check systems
— irrigation, fertiliser regimes, etc — and carry out an environmental assessment to record weather,
temperatures, irrigation applications, etc.
Train staff to be able to easily identify the key pests and diseases that can attack the crops you grow. Use a
combination of experienced staff and BASIS-registered advisers to carry out this training. When an issue
arises, approach it in this order and ask: "What can we do to change things culturally, environmentally,
biologically — predators, parasitoids, biorationals — and, lastly, chemically using selective pesticides?"
• A large number of weed types can act as alternative hosts when a vulnerable crop is not present,
particularly for aphids, whitefly, rusts and powdery mildews.
• Use a hand lens to accurately identify the pests and diseases attacking a crop. This is particularly
important when checking for spider mites and the life stages present on foliage, where successful
control depends on applying the right predators and/or the right selective pesticides to target the right
life stages for successful control.
• For fungicides applied to control diseases such as powdery mildew, a check must be carried out a few
days post-spraying to see whether the product is working well. This cannot be done accurately enough
with the naked eye, especially where the disease is attacking plants that have tight foliage.
• All corrective actions need to be quickly implemented to minimise plant damage and losses. A timely
programme is always better than a knee-jerk reaction.
Stock Management Best Practices
a number of operations are required to get the stock to the planting site or to the interim storage facilities.
These operations are critical to the success of the project and must be carried out carefully not only to
ensure that the planting stock arrives in excellent condition but also to ensure that the contract itself runs
as smoothly as possible. The following sections outline the procedures for thawing, storage, handling, and
transportation of stock.
The goal of handling, storage, and transportation is to ensure that the growth potential, present when a
seedling is lifted at the nursery, is maintained until it is planted in the field.
Just as in other workplaces, those employees who work in a garden centre face risks to their health and safety
from numerous different sources.
A garden centre will typically not be thought of as a particularly high risk environment in which to work; that is,
when considered against other workplaces such as chemical plants . It is easy for managers - and the employees
themselves - to think that risks to their health do not exist, or do not need to be taken as seriously.
MANUAL HANDLING
Just like the checkout operators at a nursery who have to handle loads, or those moving stock around from the
storage area to the shelves, garden centre workers will also encounter manual handling issues.
Not only do garden centres sell plants and flowers, but they will also sell a whole range of other equipment,
accessories, large bags of compost etc. Many of these items will be heavy and awkward to move and manipulate
, meaning there is a high risk of manual handling injuries such as pulled muscles, sprains, strains, possible
dislocation, and back problems, which is one of the most common reasons for sickness absence from the
workplace.
A combination of manual handling training and the provision of equipment such as trolleys and lifting aids will
help to reduce the chances of workers suffering from one of these conditions and having to take time off work.
A comprehensive risk assessment may also show the need for making changes to the workplace or certain
processes, for example situating heavy equipment nearer to the stockroom so that staff do not have to move it so
far, or locate it on a lower shelf rather than having to lift it up to a higher one.
HEATSTROKE
Many garden centres are built in whole or in part as a giant greenhouse in order to keep the plants on display
healthy. Whilst good for the plants, these hot conditions can be uncomfortable for workers in the summer, as well as
some customers (particularly the elderly), who may be overcome with the heat and faint, with the potential for
serious head injury on the hard floor or nearby objects.
Along with elderly customers, garden centre employees may also be more susceptible to the heat if they have to
work long hours in this heat. Hot temperatures and heat is a health and safety issue that can occur in all sorts of
different industries and workplaces, which makes it an important consideration for any health and safety risk
assessment.
CONCLUSION
The examples mentioned above are just some of the many risks to health that are present in a garden centre and
highlight that, whilst it may not be the first workplace that springs to mind when thinking of dangerous jobs, there
are still numerous health and safety issues that need to be considered. These considerations are both a legal
requirement and from the viewpoint of the welfare/morale of employees.
A combination of risk assessments, common sense, and increased awareness through
health and safety courses for managers and for employees can help to tackle those issues, and create a safe working
environment for staff and customers alike.
1. Be aware of biosecurity threats Make sure you and your production nursery workers are familiar with the
most important exotic production nursery pest threats. Conduct a biosecurity induction session to explain
required hygiene practices for people, equipment and vehicles on your property.
2. Use only clean, pest-free and preferably certified, production nursery inputs Ensure pests and other
contaminants do not enter your property with production nursery inputs, such as growing media, fertiliser and
propagation material. Purchase these only from reputable suppliers, preferably with NIASA accreditation or Bio
Secure HACCP certification. Keep records of all nursery inputs.
3. Keep it clean Practicing good sanitation and hygiene will help prevent the entry and movement of pests onto
your property. Workers, visitors, vehicles, raw material and equipment can spread pests, so make sure they are
decontaminated, or have come from a clean source, before entering and leaving your property. Have a
designated visitor’s area and provide vehicle and personnel disinfecting facilities.
4. Check your production nursery Monitor your crops and raw materials frequently. Knowing the usual
appearance of the plants in your production nursery will help you recognise new or unusual events and pests.
Keep written and photographic records of all unusual observations. Constant vigilance is vital for early
detection of any exotic plant pest threat.
5. Abide by the law Respect and be aware of laws and regulations established to protect the nursery production
industry, Australian agriculture and your region.
6. Report anything unusual If you suspect a new pest – report it immediately.
Plant Security
Protecting your garden with fencing, hostile hedging, security lighting, cameras and locked gates will help to
keep your plants safe but you may to wish to give additional protection to especially treasured plants. Plant
anchors can be used to protect valuable specimens. Also try putting a layer of chicken wire under the surface of
the soil when planting to prevent plants from being removed. Plant pots can be chained and padlocked through
the drainage hole.
THE END