Spring nursery checklist

The countdown is on. It’s almost time for the spring rush in what will likely be a big year for the nursery industry. Make sure you’re ready for the hustle by preparing a checklist for certain areas of the nursery. Share this with your crew for a more successful production season. 

FIELD NURSERIES

February – March

* Major pruning: Best period to perform major pruning. Begin earlier if task cannot be completed prior to April 1.

* Prune: Establish central leaders in trees. Shape evergreens. Shear boxwood, Foster and other upright hollies.

* Spray pre-emergence herbicides to prevent summer annuals if not applied in October or November. This is the second-most important time to apply, if not applied in October or November. Apply to clean, freshly cultivated and hoed ground.

* Test irrigation water.

April

* Spray pre-emergence herbicides to prevent summer annuals as a follow-up to your October/November application. This application is critical to maintain clean blocks. Strive to apply the third or fourth week to prevent break through germination. But do not spray what was sprayed in February/March.

CONTAINER NURSERIES

February – March

* Major pruning: Best period to perform major pruning. Establish central leaders in trees. Shape evergreens.

* Spray dormant oil.

March

* Test irrigation water when reservoirs and ground water levels are up.

* Topdress carry-over containers with a controlled release fertilizer with minors unless they will be bumped to larger containers soon.

* Replace filters in respirators and tractor cabs (charcoal) for safer breathing during pesticide applications.

March – May

* Apply pre-emergence herbicides over the top of new containers before they are spaced, but after the poly is removed. Treat any containers carried over winter after they are bumped. Repeat every 75 to 90 days after removing existing weeds by hand.

April

* Begin monitoring pH and soluble salts every two weeks and continue through September.

Source: Mark Halcomb, University of Tennessee Extension