Course Description
Science-based study of locating, operating, and managing retail and wholesale plant nurseries.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Students taking this course for graduate credit will be required to research and construct a Grower Guide and IPM Guide for a designated Nursery Crop, where they will integrate knowledge gained in class with an extensive literature review. These will be both writing-intensive and guided by faculty to be applicable to commercial growers. These will also be published, if worthy, as refereed Extension Publications.
Athena Title
Nursery Management
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in HORT 4630E or HORT 6630E
Prerequisite
BIOL 1103 or BIOL 1103E or BIOL 2103H or BIOL 1107 or BIOL 1107E or BIOL 2107H or (PBIO 1210 and PBIO 1210L)
Undergraduate Pre or Corequisite
HORT 2000 or HORT 2000E
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1- Develop an understanding and appreciation of the nursery industry. 2- Develop an understanding of nursery business management (financial, marketing, personnel, market trends). 3- Develop skills necessary to manage a wholesale nursery. 4- Develop a knowledge-base regarding the theory and practice of production techniques. 5- Gain an understanding of real-world issues facing nursery managers and owners.
Topical Outline
Introduction and industry overview What is management? Types of nurseries - Inventory Personnel issues - Immigration - H2A programs Financial management - payroll Business Establishment Best Management Practices Latest propagation techniques and propagation systems Site selection and layout Field production Plant growth regulators Container production Pot in pot production Pesticide toxicity and safety Sustainable pest management strategies and pesticides Storage and shipping Planning for a disaster Irrigation systems and water quality Fertilizer programs Preventing cold/heat damage Cultivation of woody plants Cultivation of herbaceous plants Laws, regulations, codes Marketing and promotion