Local mini-nursery trees ready for outplanting
Article by: Greenhouse staff - June 14, 2007
The 3 year pilot for the SaskPower Shand Greenhouse Mini-Nursery project came to a successful close this June with highlighting events held at both the Town of Martensville and the Nipawin & District Regional Park.
Established in 2004, the Shand Greenhouse Mini-Nursery project was a partnership between the Shand Greenhouse, Saskatchewan Dutch Elm Disease Association and the Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association in an effort to provide larger stock seedlings for outplanting.
SaskPower Shand Greenhouse Manager, Marty Lelliott said "the partner organizations sought larger, more established trees because they are more conducive to outplanting in parks and urban settings. Pedestrians and lawnmowers are a small seedlings worst enemy when planted in these places."
To begin this project, the Shand Greenhouse provided seven Saskatchewan towns and parks with seedlings, the pot and pot system, including irrigation and growing media, manuals and educational support. Each year the respective nursery received an additional 30 small seedlings. Now, after 3 years, we have a rotation of larger stock that is available for outplanting.
The Town of Martensville and the Nipawin & District Regional Park were chosen as two representatives from the group of seven to highlight in a culminating event. Both events were attended by representatives from Saskatchewan Dutch Elm Disease Association, Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association, local dignitaries and students, as well as SaskPower and Shand Greenhouse staff. Local students assisted with some of the ceremonial tree planting and everyone enjoyed the barbecue lunch provided by local community groups.
"It was great to see the success of this project celebrated," said Shand Greenhouse Program Development Coordinator, Lynnwood Cundall. "The pilot project has allowed us to see what worked well and what could use a little fine tuning when or if continued in the future."
The Shand Greenhouse now plans on taking the summer to evaluate the project further to determine its future. Stay tuned for more updates.
If you are interested in the Mini-Nursery project and would like more information on it, please contact the Shand Greenhouse.
