Nursery Practices – SS1 Horticulture and Crop Production Lesson Note (First Term)

A nursery is a protected area where young plants are raised before they are moved to the main farm.

• Crops raised: delicate horticultural crops such as tomatoes, peppers and onions.
• Protection given: shelter from strong sun, heavy rain and insects.
• Practices covered: site and bed preparation, seed selection, sowing, germination, daily management and transplanting.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. state what a nursery is and give reasons for using one;
2. describe a good nursery site and how a nursery bed is prepared;
3. identify a good seed and carry out the water test;
4. list the conditions a seed needs to germinate and name the two types of germination;
5. describe the main nursery management practices;
6. outline the steps for transplanting a seedling.

What is a nursery?

A nursery is a small, well-managed place where seeds are sown and seedlings are cared for until they are strong enough for the field.

• Simple picture: a nursery works like a crèche for plants.
• Why it is needed: young tomatoes, peppers and onions can die if sown directly in the open farm.
• Dangers in the open field: hot sun, heavy rain and insects.

Why do we use a nursery?

• Protection: keeps young plants safe from harsh weather, pests and animals.
• Selection: lets us pick only the strongest seedlings to move to the field.
• Space: thousands of seedlings can grow in a very small area before they need more room.
• Easy care: watering, weeding and shading are quicker on a small bed than on a large farm.
• Better use of the field: the main farm can be prepared while the seedlings are growing.

What are the types of nursery?

There are two common types of nursery: the seedbed nursery and the container nursery.

Seedbed nursery

• Meaning: seeds are sown in a prepared bed of soil in the ground or in a raised bed.
• Suitable for: crops such as tomatoes, peppers and onions.

Container nursery

• Meaning: seeds are sown in boxes, trays, pots or polythene bags filled with soil.
• Advantage: containers can be moved to shade or shelter easily.

How do we choose and prepare a nursery site?

A good nursery site is level or gently sloping, has fertile soil, and is close to a water supply.

Qualities of a good nursery site

• Water: close to a clean source so that daily watering is easy.
• Drainage: well-drained soil so that water does not stand on the bed.
• Soil: fertile, loamy soil that holds water but does not become waterlogged.
• Protection: away from strong winds and fenced against animals.
• Nearness: close to the main farm and the farmer’s house for easy care and transport.

Steps for preparing a nursery bed

1. Clear the site: remove weeds, stones and roots.
2. Dig the soil: break it into fine crumbs so that tiny roots can grow.
3. Add manure: mix in well-rotted manure or compost to feed the seedlings.
4. Shape the bed: make a raised, level bed with paths beside it.
5. Water the bed: wet the soil lightly before sowing.

What is seed selection?

Seed selection is the process of picking the highest quality seeds for planting.

How do you identify a good seed?

1. True to type: it looks exactly like the crop it should be (a tomato seed should not look like a bean).
2. Cleanliness: no stones, sand or broken pieces.
3. No holes: holes usually mean an insect, such as a weevil, has eaten the inside of the seed.
4. Weight: good seeds are usually heavy. Light seeds often float in water and will not grow.

How is the water test done?

The water test separates healthy seeds from empty or damaged ones.

1. Pour clean water into a bowl.
2. Put the seeds into the water and stir gently.
3. Wait a few minutes and watch which seeds sink and which float.
4. Remove the floaters and keep the sinkers for sowing.

• The sinkers: healthy and full of life. Use these.
• The floaters: empty or damaged. Throw them away.

How are seeds sown in the nursery?

Sowing is the act of placing seeds in the nursery bed or container so that they can germinate.

Methods of sowing

• Drilling: seeds are sown in shallow rows (drills) across the bed. This makes weeding and thinning easier.
• Broadcasting: seeds are scattered evenly over the bed and covered lightly with soil.

Good sowing practice

• Depth: do not bury seeds too deep, because they may suffocate. Small seeds need only a thin cover of soil.
• Spacing: do not sow too thickly, because crowded seedlings are weak.
• After sowing: cover the seeds lightly and water gently.

What is germination?

Germination is the process in which a seed starts to grow into a seedling.

What do seeds need to germinate?

• Water: softens the hard outer coat of the seed and starts growth.
• Air (oxygen): the living seed needs oxygen to breathe and release energy.
• Warmth: a suitable temperature, neither too hot nor too cold.

What are the types of germination?

There are two types of germination: epigeal and hypogeal.

Epigeal germination

• Meaning: the seed leaves (cotyledons) are carried above the ground.
• Example: beans.

Hypogeal germination

• Meaning: the seed leaves stay below the ground while the shoot grows upward.
• Example: maize.

What is nursery management?

Nursery management is the daily care given to seedlings while they are in the nursery.

• Watering: do this early in the morning or late in the evening. Watering in the afternoon sun can scorch the plants.
• Shading: use palm fronds or a net to block the direct heat of the sun.
• Weeding: remove unwanted plants that compete with the seedlings for food and water.
• Thinning: pull out the weak seedlings from crowded rows so the strong ones have space.
• Mulching: cover the soil with dry grass to keep it moist and cool.
• Pest and disease control: check the seedlings often and remove or treat affected ones early.
• Hardening off: before transplanting, reduce shade and water gradually over several days. This toughens the seedlings for field conditions.

What is transplanting?

Transplanting is the moving of a seedling from the nursery to its permanent place in the garden or farm.

When is the best time to transplant?

• Time of day: in the evening, when the sun is no longer strong.
• Weather: on a cloudy day.
• Reason: this reduces water loss and prevents wilting.

What are the steps for successful transplanting?

1. Water the nursery bed: this softens the soil so the roots do not break when you lift the seedlings.
2. Dig a small hole: use a hand trowel in the main garden.
3. Lift with care: keep some soil around the roots.
4. Firm the soil: press the soil gently around the plant in its new home.
5. Water immediately: give the seedling water in its new spot.

Quick checklist for students

Evaluation

1. What is a nursery? Give three reasons for using one.
2. Describe how to carry out the water test on seeds.
3. What three things does a seed need to germinate?
4. Explain the difference between epigeal and hypogeal germination.
5. Why should transplanting be done in the evening or on a cloudy day?

Assignment

Write a short numbered guide for a new farmer on raising tomato seedlings, from choosing seeds to transplanting. Include at least four nursery management practices and say what each one does for the seedlings.