Securing and retaining qualified laborers is a struggle for North American organizations. As a result, today’s growers are pivoting towards automated equipment as a viable, scalable, and cost-effective solution to combat those current labor struggles. While purchasing automated equipment presents challenges, it’s important to remember that not all growing containers work with automated equipment. The HC…
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Marketing your garden center or nursery is an ongoing effort that requires commitment and a little know-how to succeed. As the pandemic, which began in late 2019, continues to change consumer behaviors regarding purchasing, it has never been more important to guarantee your garden center can target and reach customers where they’re now searching. If…
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The first day of summer is just over a week old as of this posting, yet many people from across the country are already beginning to question the real possibility of a severe drought in their region due to extreme temperatures early in the season. According to NASA’s website, half of the United States is…
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Automation equipment is becoming a popular choice for growers struggling with labor shortages. But it’s important to remember that not all growing containers are created equal. If you’re not using automation compatible containers with your new state-of-the-art equipment, you run the risk of internal damage which may not be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. What…
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Nursery growers plant a wide variety of trees and shrubs throughout their growing operations. Ornamental hedges are one popular plant cultivated throughout North American – sought after by residential and commercial customers to help soften hardscapes. While ornamental hedges are often regarded as nothing more than a decorative element in your overall landscape design, their…
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Containers are the backbone of nursery growers. A black plastic nursery pot may seem ordinary and rudimentary in its design, but it provides a place where plants are propagated, grown and ultimately supplied for gardens, forestry, conservation biology and agriculture. Nurseries often grow small trees, shrubs and other herbaceous plants in containerfields. There, hundreds if…
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This article appears in the August 2020 edition of Nursery Management magazine. Monrovia uses plastic growing containers from The HC Companies for general ornamental crops, anything from perennials to conifers, trees to roses. Ron Kinney, production resource planning manager with Monrovia in Oregon, says there are several factors that determine whether a container would meet…
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During the coronavirus pandemic, many homeowners struggle to find purpose as one day blurs into another and unpredictability weighs heavy on their minds. Now more than ever, it’s important to stay in front of customers. While much of North America remain under some form of quarantine, front yards and back yards offer a place of…
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For the greenhouse grower, the benefits of this popular production method are apparent on an almost daily basis (increased production, minimized risk, ability to grow year-round, more stability, and security). But as with anything, there are some caveats, namely that greenhouses provide the ideal conditions for pests and pathogens to thrive, which is why greenhouse…
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Curb appeal is a powerful real estate tool which helps sellers differentiate their home from the competition. From Zillow.com, “The term “curb appeal” derives from real estate sales and home design. For years, buyers have formed their first impressions of homes while standing in the street or sitting inside the car, just beyond the curb”.…
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