Guide to Horticulture and Field Crop Equipment

Streamline farm and nursery operations with specialized horticulture equipment

By Andrea Townsley, Owner, Keystone Writing Services

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use heavy crop equipment to work more efficiently

Large commercial farms benefit from massive equipment used to lighten their workload. You can easily decrease your time spent in prepping and planting by putting one of these pieces of equipment to good use on your farm.

I recommend: Prepare your seedbed with the Culti-Mulch Solid Mulcher from the B. W. Implement Company. Speed up the planting process by using an air seeder from Bourgault Industries; they offer an economy model as well as a series of advanced seeders.

Install a greenhouse with hydroponic crop equipment

The most common way to grow hydroponically is by using a greenhouse. A nutrient-rich water solution is the plants' source of food, as opposed to soil. Greenhouses provide optimal conditions for growing crops like peppers and tomatoes.

I recommend: Build a greenhouse using one of the kits at Charley's Greenhouse & Garden. They offer virtually every type of greenhouse on the market today, ranging from mini-growhouses for under $100 to larger glasses models that cost thousands of dollars. Install a fogging unit from Jaybird Manufacturing for humidity control and chemical application in your greenhouse.

Use the proper orchid growing equipment to keep your orchid business thriving

Orchids are temperamental. There are quite a few different species of these beautiful plants, all of which have specific needs for food, water and sunlight. Orchids are one of the hardest flowers to grow successfully, but it is well worth the effort.

I recommend: Ensure that your orchids stay healthy by using one of the watering tools available from Calwest Orchid Supplies. These delicate plants can't grow well unless they have the proper planting medium; check out the bulk potting mixes offered by Arcadia GlassHouse.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many commercial farms use horticulture computer equipment and software that enables farm owners to track production and costs and make changes to their business as needed.