Nursery (horticulture) facts for kids
A nursery is a special place where plants are grown and cared for until they are big enough to be planted somewhere else. Think of it like a school for plants! Nurseries help plants grow strong and healthy, whether they are tiny seedlings or young trees. They are important because they provide many different kinds of plants for homes, gardens, farms, and even forests.
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What is a Plant Nursery?
A plant nursery is an area of land, often a farm or garden, where plants are cultivated. This means they are grown from seeds, cuttings, or small plants. The goal is to produce healthy plants that can be sold or used for planting in other locations. Nurseries provide the right conditions for plants to thrive, including proper soil, water, and sunlight. They also protect young plants from pests and diseases.
Types of Plant Nurseries
There are different kinds of nurseries, each serving a specific purpose.
Retail Nurseries
These nurseries sell plants directly to the public. If you want to buy a new plant for your home or garden, you would visit a retail nursery. They often have a wide variety of plants, from flowers and vegetables to shrubs and trees. Staff at retail nurseries can also give advice on how to care for your new plants.
Wholesale Nurseries
Wholesale nurseries sell plants in large quantities, usually to other businesses. They do not sell directly to individual customers. Their main buyers are other nurseries, landscape gardeners, and large stores. These nurseries often specialize in growing certain types of plants or growing them on a very large scale.
Private Nurseries
Some organizations or large estates have their own private nurseries. These nurseries grow plants specifically for their own needs. For example, a large park might have a private nursery to grow all the trees and flowers needed for its grounds. This helps them ensure they have a steady supply of specific plants.
How Plants Grow in a Nursery
Growing plants in a nursery involves several steps.
Starting New Plants
Plants can be started in a nursery in different ways. Many are grown from tiny seeds planted in trays or pots. Others are grown from cuttings, which are small pieces taken from a mature plant. Some nurseries also grow plants from bulbs or by dividing existing plants.
Caring for Young Plants
Once started, young plants need careful attention. They are watered regularly and given the right amount of fertilizer to help them grow. Nurseries often use special soils that provide all the nutrients plants need. They also protect plants from harsh weather, like strong winds or frost, sometimes using greenhouses or shade cloths.
Preparing Plants for Sale
As plants grow, they are often moved into larger pots to give their roots more space. Before they are sold, plants are checked to make sure they are healthy and strong. They might be pruned to encourage bushier growth or trained to grow in a certain shape. This ensures customers receive high-quality plants ready for their new homes.
Importance of Nurseries
Nurseries play a vital role in our environment and economy. They help to:
- Support gardening and landscaping: Nurseries provide the plants that make our homes and public spaces beautiful.
- Aid reforestation: Tree nurseries grow millions of young trees that are later planted in forests to replace those that have been cut down or lost to fires.
- Promote agriculture: Some nurseries specialize in growing young fruit trees or vegetable plants for farmers.
- Conserve plant species: Nurseries can help grow and protect rare or endangered plant species, preventing them from disappearing.
Images for kids
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A small nursery filled with orchid plants in bloom.
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A tree nursery using gutters to decrease growing costs
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Nursery of apricot seedlings
