Nursery Operations

Oregon nurseries say a good work-life balance is critical to their success

By Mitch Lies — Posted February 29, 2024

In an industry reliant on labor, maintaining a healthy workforce is critical. And for many nurseries, ensuring the health of a workforce means much more than ensuring employees get home safe at night.

Greenhouse structures vary, so pick the one that suits your operation best

By Mitch Lies — Posted January 30, 2024

At Little Prince of Oregon Nursery, a wholesale annuals/perennials grower in Aurora, Oregon, Mark Leichty works with several styles of greenhouses, including gutter connect, Quonset-style and peak-roofed structures. His preference is a GK Machine peak-roofed greenhouse, part of the Donald, Oregon, company’s 5000 series. And, fitting with Leichty’s philosophy, you can find several of the […]

Variegated plants add variety and texture to gardens

By Emily Hoard — Posted January 30, 2024

Heucheras were once known for their flowers. Now, they’re regarded for their flashy foliage in different shades of red, purple and yellow. Dan Heims, president of Terra Nova Nurseries Inc. in Canby, Oregon, is known for introducing many variegated plants to the market, including variegated Heuchera. “I’ve always had a fascination with variegated plants,” Heims […]

Member Profile: Country Garden Nursery LLC

By Vic Panichkul — Posted January 30, 2024

Imagine that your custom hanging baskets are so successful and have such a loyal following that when a customer in Tiburon, California, passes away, they’ve set up a trust so that your hanging baskets keep getting shipped to their town. That’s the kind of loyal customer that has made Melissa and Joe McLaughlin’s Country Garden […]

OAN members report damage to businesses

By Vic Panichkul — Posted January 19, 2024

With Oregonians still recovering from the weekend’s winter storm that rolled in with high winds and covered the area in a blanket of snow, ice and freezing precipitation, cut power to thousands, and downed trees in neighborhoods, reports are starting to come in to the Oregon Association of Nurseries that some members have received damage […]

Millennials are growing up, buying homes, and setting the stage for the industry’s future

By Jon Bell — Posted December 28, 2023

Now, nurseries and retail garden centers are looking at a long-term — and younger — source of continued growth: millennials and other younger folks who are growing up, buying homes, starting families and gardening.

másLabor offers assistance with H-2A program

By Vic Panichkul — Posted December 5, 2023

Running a successful growing operation requires a reliable workforce, and másLabor understands the challenges of finding and retaining skilled workers. másLabor offers a solution that ensures capable, reliable, and legal labor year after year. The H-2A program is a federal, nonimmigrant visa program that allows agricultural employers to hire foreign workers for tough-to-fill seasonal jobs. […]

Women in agriculture speak on leadership challenges at OAN Convention

By Curt Kipp — Posted November 8, 2023

Strong leading women can be found far and wide, from the nursery industry to Oregon’s state capital. A Women in Leadership discussion panel at the 2023 OAN Convention discussed the challenges, opportunities and importance of leadership.

Riding the highs and lows of shipping

By Jon Bell — Posted October 31, 2023

What the new, albeit temporary, shipping reality looks like for nurseries is lower shipping costs, better truck availability and more scheduling certainty. All of that is incredibly helpful since the demand for plants has held strong.

Shipping by rail an accessible option for growers, retailers

By Emily Hoard — Posted October 31, 2023

Shipping by railroad used to be a more specialized delivery method for the nursery industry, but now it has become more accessible for growers and retailers.