Container Stabilization Systems

By Marcia Miquelon, Outreach Specialist
UW Madison Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits Project

“It saves a lot of time,” remarks Peter van Horenbeeck of Boething Treeland Farms in Woodland Hills, CA of his Amaroo tree holders. “You don’t need to space each tree each time. I just send my guys out there to place the trees, there is no brainwork involved.”

Wind causes problems in many container yards. As plants are knocked over, branches tend to break and pots may lose soil or fertilizer. Container stabilization systems prevent these problems by anchoring trees to the ground, by using rods to connect containers and form heavier units, or by inserting pots into more stable units such as molded plastic sockets or wire baskets.

Workers spend a lot of time righting pots that have blown over. A University of Wisconsin survey found that growers spend an average of 50 hours a year righting containers. The labor savings alone can make container stabilization profitable. If labor costs are $15 per hour, that’s $750 a year spent tipping plants back up.

Using a container stabilization system can also enhance the quality of your plants. A plant that breaks a scaffold branch after falling over may be ruined. Plants with broken stems and branches not only lose their shape and quality but the open wounds invite disease. Container stabilization methods keep plants upright, which also keeps irrigation lines in place to maintain the watering regimen. Containers that remain upright don’t spill valuable nutrients and fertilizers out, so the media mix stays intact and potential environmental problems from run-off are lessened. Depending on the type, stabilization systems may also help growers to organize inventory, prevent weed growth, and help space trees. Jim Marshall of Suncrest Nurseries in Watsonville, CA notes that his tree holders have also offered drainage benefits as the pot is suspended above the ground.

Container stabilization systems are also easier on workers’ bodies. Most people stoop or bend to right containers, an activity that can lead to fatigue and soreness. Container stabilization systems eliminate the task altogether and help prevent injuries, time off work, and reduced productivity.

Each container stabilization system is geared for slightly different needs. For example, if your container yard is on soft ground a simple wire stake pounded next to each container and hooked into the lip might be sufficient. If your containers are on a hard gravel bed, then placing each container into a bigger unit of wire or plastic will keep them upright by making a bigger “footprint” on the ground. A tip sheet called “Container Stabilization Systems” at the Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits Project’s website (bse.wisc.edu/hfhp/) describes several types, where to get them, or how you can do it yourself. The sheet also offers simple cost comparisons and a discussion of payback periods.

For more information about standard containers and other work efficiency tools, contact the Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits project at the University of Wisconsin, Madison: (608) 262-1054, or visit their web site at http://bse.wisc.edu/hfhp/.

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			Container Stabilization Systems By Marcia Miquelon, Outreach Specialist UW Madison Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits Project Press release \| Tip sheet “It saves a lot of time,” remarks Peter van Horenbeeck of Boething Treeland Farms in Woodland Hills, CA of his Amaroo tree holders. “You don’t need to space each tree each time. I just send my guys out there to place the trees, there is no brainwork involved.” Wind causes problems in many container yards. As plants are knocked over, branches tend to break and pots may lose soil or fertilizer. Container stabilization systems prevent these problems by anchoring trees to the ground, by using rods to connect containers and form heavier units, or by inserting pots into more stable units such as molded plastic sockets or wire baskets. Workers spend a lot of time righting pots that have blown over. A University of Wisconsin survey found that growers spend an average of 50 hours a year righting containers. The labor savings alone can make container stabilization profitable. If labor costs are $15 per hour, that’s $750 a year spent tipping plants back up. Using a container stabilization system can also enhance the quality of your plants. A plant that breaks a scaffold branch after falling over may be ruined. Plants with broken stems and branches not only lose their shape and quality but the open wounds invite disease. Container stabilization methods keep plants upright, which also keeps irrigation lines in place to maintain the watering regimen. Containers that remain upright don’t spill valuable nutrients and fertilizers out, so the media mix stays intact and potential environmental problems from run-off are lessened. Depending on the type, stabilization systems may also help growers to organize inventory, prevent weed growth, and help space trees. Jim Marshall of Suncrest Nurseries in Watsonville, CA notes that his tree holders have also offered drainage benefits as the pot is suspended above the ground. Container stabilization systems are also easier on workers’ bodies. Most people stoop or bend to right containers, an activity that can lead to fatigue and soreness. Container stabilization systems eliminate the task altogether and help prevent injuries, time off work, and reduced productivity. Each container stabilization system is geared for slightly different needs. For example, if your container yard is on soft ground a simple wire stake pounded next to each container and hooked into the lip might be sufficient. If your containers are on a hard gravel bed, then placing each container into a bigger unit of wire or plastic will keep them upright by making a bigger “footprint” on the ground. A tip sheet called “Container Stabilization Systems” at the Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits Project’s website (bse.wisc.edu/hfhp/) describes several types, where to get them, or how you can do it yourself. The sheet also offers simple cost comparisons and a discussion of payback periods. For more information about standard containers and other work efficiency tools, contact the Healthy Farmers, Healthy Profits project at the University of Wisconsin, Madison: (608) 262-1054, or visit their web site at http://bse.wisc.edu/hfhp/. 457 Words Nursery \| Vegetable \| Berry \| Dairy