What Hobby Gardeners Can Learn From Commercial Growers
Caring for a small garden at your home might seem very different from running a huge nursery and growing thousands of plants for commercial sale, but the two have some similarities.
Mainly, growing plants is tough in any scenario, and there are simple ways to streamline operations. Major nurseries have had to do just that over recent years, especially after the pandemic led to a boom in plant and flower sales.
Even now, challenges abound in this fast-paced industry, and many companies in the sector have weathered these storms for hundreds of years or more. So, what can home gardeners learn from commercial growers? Keep reading to find out.
Always Have A Plan
As obvious as you might think it sounds, many gardeners forget to make a plan, particularly if they think the task is only small. However, commercial growers always make sure they have a plan before they start any project, as this helps them to optimise their time and ensure the desired outcome: or at least, as much as is possible when growing plants! So, the next time you’re making any changes to your garden, even minor ones like potting up some of your plants or adding new plants to your borders, try having a rough plan, even if it is just a few notes.
Use Bird Netting To Keep Birds At Bay
Birds can be one of the most destructive pests for commercial and hobby gardeners. When they get access to plants and seeds, they can destroy plants and lead to massive losses. Major growers often use polytunnels and other storage solutions for smaller plants to keep them safe. For larger plants and fields or around polytunnels containing high-value crops, bird netting from providers Integrum Services is used to keep birds away. Bird mesh, when correctly installed, is an effective way to stop birds from eating fruits and flowers while allowing key pollinators, like bees and butterflies, to get in.
Make The Most Of Time-Saving Tools and Technologies
While technology might seem like it takes the fun out of gardening, particularly for those who do it at home as a form of relaxation, some solutions can save you a lot of time and take the tedium out of repetitive tasks. Also, tools like soil testing kits and laser tape measures can take the guesswork out of adapting your garden, meaning that you don’t make any potentially expensive mistakes. So, embrace new technologies where possible, and take the time to at least review and consider them. Not everything will work, but some items could be incredibly helpful.
Keep Learning And Adapting
Commercial growers, even those with many years of experience, are constantly learning and adapting their practices to ensure they always get the best possible yields. Commercial growers network with one another regularly at trade shows to ensure that they learn about the benefits of new techniques and tools. For homeowners and hobby gardeners, check out the calendar of gardening shows to gather together with other green-fingered individuals who love plants as much as you do.
Overall, while commercial growing and gardening at home will never be the same, there are definite similarities, and some practices can be used by hobby gardeners to save time and be more efficient.
