1. Beds and Benches Mindy Moore HORT 6050

2. Beds for Cut Flowers Raised and Ground Beds Raised and Ground Beds The beds can be level with the ground or they can be elevated and have side walls. The beds can be level with the ground or they can be elevated and have side walls. The beds are filled with soil or artificial substrates in which the plants are directly grown. The beds are filled with soil or artificial substrates in which the plants are directly grown. Beds are also common Beds are also common in vegetable production. in vegetable production.

3. Types of Benches for Potted Crops Raised benches Raised benches Ebb and flow tables Ebb and flow tables Trough systems Trough systems Flood floor systems Flood floor systems

4. Raised Benches Description: Description: Height: 32 to 36 inches Height: 32 to 36 inches Width: 3 ft (near a wall) to 6 ft (if both sides are accessible) Width: 3 ft (near a wall) to 6 ft (if both sides are accessible) No sides and floor of bench is open No sides and floor of bench is open Materials: Materials: Spruce or redwood lath Spruce or redwood lath Welded wire fabric or expanded metal Welded wire fabric or expanded metal UV-resistant polypropylene tops UV-resistant polypropylene tops Two types: Two types: Stationary and Moveable Stationary and Moveable

5. Raised Benches Wire mesh Expanded metal Wood UV protected polypropylene tops

6. Raised Benches Stationary Moveable or Rolling

7. Ebb and Flow Tables Description: Description: A system in which the bench top is made of shallow plastic. A system in which the bench top is made of shallow plastic. The bench is flooded to water and fertilize the plants. The bench is flooded to water and fertilize the plants. Depth of water is about an inch. Depth of water is about an inch. Length of time varies between 5 to 20 minutes. Length of time varies between 5 to 20 minutes. The water that is not taken up by the plants is returned to a storage tank. The water that is not taken up by the plants is returned to a storage tank.

8. Ebb and Flow Tables Other Information: Other Information: Versatile Versatile 80 to 90% space efficient. 80 to 90% space efficient. Costs about $4.50 to $7.00 per ft 2. Costs about $4.50 to $7.00 per ft 2. A large portion of the cost A large portion of the cost is the plastic trays. is the plastic trays.

9. Ebb and Flow Tables Parts of an ebb and flow system Example of a system that is on the market

10. Ebb and Flow Tables

11. Trough Systems Description: Description: A system made of separate troughs that house the pots and a delivery pipe at the “high” end of the troughs that trickles solution down the troughs. A system made of separate troughs that house the pots and a delivery pipe at the “high” end of the troughs that trickles solution down the troughs. As with the ebb and flow tables, the water that is not taken up by the plants is returned to a storage tank. As with the ebb and flow tables, the water that is not taken up by the plants is returned to a storage tank.

12. Trough Systems Other Information: Other Information: Not as versatile as the ebb and flow tables because the width of the troughs restricts the pot sizes. Not as versatile as the ebb and flow tables because the width of the troughs restricts the pot sizes. Better air movement than with ebb and flow tables. Better air movement than with ebb and flow tables. 70 to 80% space efficient. 70 to 80% space efficient. Costs about $3.00 to $5.00 per ft 2. Costs about $3.00 to $5.00 per ft 2.

13. Trough Systems

14. Flood Floor Systems Description: Description: A system in which the entire greenhouse is covered with a concrete floor. A system in which the entire greenhouse is covered with a concrete floor. The floor must be carefully designed to allow water to enter and leave the floor via the delivery and return pipes. The floor must be carefully designed to allow water to enter and leave the floor via the delivery and return pipes. The floor is flooded when the plants are to be watered and fertilized. The floor is flooded when the plants are to be watered and fertilized. Similar to the ebb and flow system. Similar to the ebb and flow system. Same flooding level and time. Same flooding level and time. Same pump and filtration system. Same pump and filtration system.

15. Flood Floor Systems Other Information: Other Information: Versatile Versatile 85 to 95% space efficient. 85 to 95% space efficient. Costs about $4.50 to $5.50 per ft 2. Costs about $4.50 to $5.50 per ft 2. Labor intensive because of the plants being grown on the floor. Labor intensive because of the plants being grown on the floor.

16. Flood Floor Systems Neoprene strip water barriers Reservoir & pump pit, with filter and control panel Pneumatic water valves

17. Flood Floor Systems