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Power pact

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Nurseries and landscapers look at electric alternatives to traditional equipment Many garden retailers and nursery owners are starting to turn away from gas-powered equipment as technological advancements make it possible to go all-electric.  In California, all new landscaping equipment will be required to be zero-emission by 2024 or as soon as the California Air Resources […]

Growth from above

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Nurseries explore new uses for drones, from inventory to scouting to spray treatment Initially a tool for the military and aviation hobbyists, unmanned aerial systems — better known as drones — have a wide range of applications. Filmmakers, search and rescue, farmers and ranchers, surveyors, even archeologists find uses for them. Will the nursery industry […]

Protect your business against cybercrime

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Over the last few years, the green industry has rapidly pivoted to online sales and customer service. Growers and retailers were increasingly forced to interact with clients without face-to-face contact as they switched to online ordering and delivery, curbside pick-up, and virtual or socially-distanced landscaping services. From wholesale growers to garden centers and landscape technicians […]

When you know what to grow

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When considering which trees to produce, several factors are important, but profitability is king What’s the recipe for becoming a successful grower of trees? Try one part climate and weather, another part land and inputs. Add in a solid team of employees and loyal customers, some business acumen and a dash of forecasting magic. Don’t […]

Getting the word out

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Growers take an interest in steering landscapers and end users to the right tree for the location No tree can grow best in the wrong place, and no location can be enhanced by the wrong tree. To that end, the flow of information between tree growers, and experts in the markets they serve, is critical […]

Arranging for efficient greenhouse production

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The intentional, strategic use of space can determine how efficiently a greenhouse functions and how profitable it is Nursery operators tend to fill greenhouses to capacity, so that enough product is available when sales come knocking. But according to Rick and Elizabeth Peters of Lean consultants The Peters Company (Wilsonville, Oregon), a packed greenhouse at […]

Making every drop count

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Using water efficiently in the greenhouse One of the most vital elements for growing plants is becoming more and more scarce. With agriculture, municipalities, and environmental communities competing over limited water supplies, growers have every reason to use it deliberately and efficiently.  Greenhouse growers have several options to consider that could help them do that, […]

The changing employment law rulebook

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Oregon employers face new regulations, and it’s not just about COVID-19 Although it may not seem like it, not everything over the past year was related to COVID-19. In 2021, the Oregon legislature and state agencies were also busy focusing on employee rights and workplace protections, enacting significant legislation and regulations directly impacting employers. As […]

Now hiring — hopefully

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The lingering pandemic finds nurseries getting creative to fill vacancies Jonathan Pedersen, chief executive officer (CEO) and president at Monrovia Nursery Co. (Azusa, California), has watched as the labor market in the nursery industry has changed over the years. But this summer, with the global pandemic still overshadowing everyday life, vaccine mandates throwing in wrenches […]

Competing for key personnel

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Nurseries dangle remote work, added benefits and work-life flexibility to attract top talent The nursery industry has struggled with labor shortages for years. It started with field, farm, and greenhouse workers, and more recently has grown to include the key roles of propagators, growers, sales representatives, and managers. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, horticulture and […]