Native Plant Greenhouse Production Workflow

 Seed Collection & Greenhouse Preparation

  • Seed cleaning & storage

  • Clean pots & trays; clear cold frames

  • Clean & set up greenhouse tables

  • Make sure fans, thermostat, vents, hoses, etc. are all functional

  • Restock supplies (potting soil, trays, pots, labels, etc.)

Seed Treatments & Stratification

  • Cold-moist stratify C(90) seeds

  • Cold-moist stratify C(60) seeds

  • Cold-moist stratify C(10) and C(30) seeds

Sowing Seeds

  • Sow C(10) treated seeds

  • Sow no-treatment, slow-growing seeds (Code A) under grow lights or in greenhouse

  • Main sowing of C(60) and C(30) treated seeds

  • Sow C(90) treated seeds

  • Continue sowing no-treatment seeds (Code A)

  • Sow additional annuals and fast growers

Watering & Early Care

  • Weekly watering by volunteers (via Google sign-up)

  • Volunteer days for sowing, watering, and early care

  • Begin early up-potting as seedlings emerge

  • Monitor moisture and seedling health

Up-Potting & Nursery Growth

  • Continue up-potting seedlings into 38/50-cell trays

  • Transition seedlings into quart pots

  • Pot up bare-root shrubs and trees

  • Pot up Discovery Center plant/root divisions

  • Sow remaining fast growers and annuals

Hardening Off

  • Set up outdoor hardening-off area

  • Move plants outdoors on mild days

  • Gradually increase outdoor exposure

  • Finish potting up late seedlings, shrubs, cuttings, plant donations

  • Continue labeling quarts with final plant tags

Seasonal Staging & Distribution Prep

  • Clear greenhouse tables for transport

  • Move greenhouse tables to Discovery Center deck

  • Move plants from greenhouse to deck and group by category

  • Prepare plant signs and under-table signs

  • Pick up additional plants from Pope Farm

  • Final watering and grooming before distribution

Plant Sale & Post-Season Cleanup

  • Final setup at Discovery Center (tables, canopies, signage)

  • Finish moving all plants to sale deck

  • Place under-table tray signs for restocking

  • Finalize payment area, badges, and supplies

  • Native Plant Sale Days

  • Water and restock plants as needed

  • Return unsold Pope Farm plants

  • Post-season cleanup in greenhouse and shed

  • Store plants and supplies for next season