Q. I want to start a greenhouse business. Where do I begin?
") document.write("Plan to attend the New England Greenhouse Conference or a similar program. See the list of educational programs on this webpage. This will provide an opportunity to network with growers and product suppliers. Subscribe to one of several trade magazines and purchase a couple of good reference books. “Grower Talks”, “Greenhouse Grower” and “Greenhouse Product News” are trade magazines that will provide insight into the industry. The “Tips” publication series, “Tips on Growing Specialty Potted Crops”, “Tips on Growing Bedding Plants” and others are available from the Ohio Florists’ Association. “Ball Redbook” is a general overall reference book for greenhouse production. These and other resources are listed in the fact sheet on the webpage:
Business Management Resources from UMass
The Massachusetts Flower Growers Association provides workshops, newsletters and a membership directory.
For more information, contact the University of Massachusetts Extension Floriculture Program.
Q. What are the labor laws that affect my greenhouse business?
") document.write("Through the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation Inc. This is a membership organization made up of volunteer members from family farms and farm related businesses. They work to solve problems in agriculture through education and through support from their legislators.
The Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation Inc.
466 Chestnut St.
Ashland, MA 01721
(508) 881-4766
Q. How do I get a pesticide license to use pesticides in my greenhouse?
") document.write("Complete information about how to obtain a Massachusetts pesticide license or certification and the exam application is detailed in the Pesticide Examination License Information Bulletin (pdf file)
Massachusetts pesticide law requires that all persons who apply pesticides in public areas and private places used for human occupation and habitation must be in possession of a valid license or certification issued by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR). In accordance with the Massachusetts Pesticide Control Act and the current pesticide regulations, the MDAR conducts written examinations to measure competency to use, sell, and apply pesticides in Massachusetts. All exams are closed book and applicants must be at least 18 years of age as of the date of the examination.
For more information contact the Pesticide Bureau at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, or the University of Massachusetts Extension Pesticide Program.
Q. How do I grow organic greenhouse crops and how do I get certified organic?
") document.write("The Northeast Organic Farming Association and the Massachusetts Chapter provide educational information on organic production of crops. Contact the Agriculture Educator listed on this webpage for organic production information.
NOFA no longer provides organic certification. Baystate Organic Certifiers (formerly NOFA/Mass Organic Certification) is a USDA National Organic Program accredited certifying agent that certifies operations in the Northeast United States. For information on Massachusetts certification, visit Bay State Organic.
Massachusetts Independent Certification
Certification Administrator: Don Franczyk
683 River St.
Winchendon, MA 01475
(978)297-4171
dfranczyk@starpower.net
For a list of materials that can be used for organic certification, visit the website of the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). OMRI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that specializes in the review of substances for use in organic production. Their website contains a generic materials list and a brand name product list to provide guidance on the suitability of material inputs under the USDA National Organic Program standards. These lists include materials for greenhouse crops.
A good source of information on sustainable greenhouse production is available from ATTRA. ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, funded by the US Department of Agriculture, is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology. It provides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States.
For more information on growing greenhouse ornamentals, contact an Extension Specialist at the University of Massachusetts.
Q. How do I take a soil sample and where can I get it tested?
") document.write("Information on taking a soil sample, testing your own sample or sending it to the University of Massachusetts soil test lab is available on this webpage.
For a list of all greenhouse management fact sheets including fertilizing greenhouse crops, visit this webpage.
Also, the New England Greenhouse Floriculture Guide for insects, diseases, weeds and growth regulators has a detailed section on growth regulators, listing crops registered growth regulators and recommended rates. Selected excerpts and ordering information is available on this webpage.
For more information, contact the Extension Floriculture Program, University of Massachusetts.
If you do not know the general cause of the problem, contact the University of Massachusetts diagnostic lab or an Extension Specialist, University of Massachusetts Extension Floriculture Program.
If you think that the problem may be caused by disease, then plant specimens can be directly sent or hand delivered to the University of Massachusetts diagnostic lab for greenhouse crops. Always contact the lab first, to see if sending a specimen is necessary, or to inform the lab that one is being sent. There is a fee for diagnostics.
For more information on diagnostics and sending a sample, visit this webpage.
Q. How do I manage pests on ornamentals in my greenhouse?
") document.write("“The New England Greenhouse Floriculture Guide” contains detailed information on managing insects, diseases, weeds and growth regulators for commercial growers of greenhouse ornamentals. Selected excerpts and rdering information is available on this webpage.
For information on managing pests using biological control, this webpage contains fact sheets and suppliers of biological control agents. Also, contact the Greenhouse Biological Control Specialist at the University of Massachusetts.
For information on pesticide labels and biological control, see pest management on this website.
For more information on managing pests in greenhouses, contact anExtension Specialist at the University of Massachusetts.
Q. How do I manage pests on herbs in my greenhouse?
") document.write("For a table containing selected insecticides, miticides and fungicides, pictures and other pest management information for herbs grown in greenhouses see the publication:
Pest Management for Herb Bedding Plants Grown in the Greenhouse (pdffile)
Read the pesticide label. If greenhouse vegetable plants are listed on the label, then the pesticide can be used. For information on registered pesticides for vegetable bedding plants, see this publication.
The New England Vegetable Management Guide has a section on greenhouse tomatoes.
Selected excerpts of guide are available on-line.
For more information on growing greenhouse vegetable crops, contact the Extension Vegetable Specialist, University of Massachusetts.