As with any business decision, planning is essential. Measure twice, cut once. During my three decades in the greenhouse industry I have helped countless growers design and build greenhouses for efficient and profitable growing. One thing you learn very early in the greenhouse business is that no two operations are the same. The greenhouse environment needs to be tailored to the plants’ ideal environmental conditions, and the growers preferred growing methods and operating processes.

1. Determine Your Greenhouse Material Handling Preferences

The first thing to analyze after the decision has been made to develop a propagation facility is material handling. Material handling is the key to how you will move your plant material within the facility and how it ties in with the rest of your operation. For this reason, the same system or systems may not be suitable for all operations. An in-depth analysis of how you move plant material around your facility is required, and if you find yourself answering questions on why you do things with “because that’s the way we have always done it,” it may be wise to have an outsider assist in this process. Decisions at this stage are critical and will impact your labor input for many years to come.