Beds and Benches

Mindy Moore

HORT 6050

Beds for Cut FlowersBeds for Cut Flowers Raised and Ground BedsRaised and Ground Beds The beds can be level with the The beds can be level with the

ground or they can be elevated and ground or they can be elevated and have side walls.have side walls.

The beds are filled with soil or The beds are filled with soil or artificial substrates in which the artificial substrates in which the plants are directly grown.plants are directly grown.

Beds are also commonBeds are also common in vegetable production.in vegetable production.

Types of Benches for Types of Benches for Potted CropsPotted Crops

Raised benchesRaised benches Ebb and flow tablesEbb and flow tables Trough systemsTrough systems Flood floor systemsFlood floor systems

Raised BenchesRaised Benches Description:Description:

Height: 32 to 36 inches Height: 32 to 36 inches Width: 3 ft (near a wall) to 6 ft (if both Width: 3 ft (near a wall) to 6 ft (if both

sides are accessible)sides are accessible) No sides and floor of bench is openNo sides and floor of bench is open Materials:Materials:

Spruce or redwood lathSpruce or redwood lath Welded wire fabric or expanded metalWelded wire fabric or expanded metal UV-resistant polypropylene topsUV-resistant polypropylene tops

Two types:Two types: StationaryStationary and Moveable and Moveable

Raised BenchesRaised Benches Wire meshExpanded metal

Wood

UV protected polypropylene

tops

Raised BenchesRaised BenchesStationary

Moveable or Rolling

Ebb and Flow TablesEbb and Flow Tables Description:Description:

A system in which the bench top is A system in which the bench top is made of shallow plastic.made of shallow plastic.

The bench is flooded to water and The bench is flooded to water and fertilize the plants.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 Length of time varies between 5 to 20

minutes.minutes. The water that is not taken up by the The water that is not taken up by the

plants is returned to a storage tank.plants is returned to a storage tank.

Ebb and Flow TablesEbb and Flow Tables Other Information:Other Information:

VersatileVersatile 80 to 90% space efficient.80 to 90% space efficient. Costs about $4.50 to $7.00 per Costs about $4.50 to $7.00 per

ftft22.. A large portion of the cost A large portion of the cost is the plastic trays.is the plastic trays.

Ebb and Flow TablesEbb and Flow Tables

Parts of an ebb and flow system

Example of a system that is on the market

Ebb and Flow TablesEbb and Flow Tables

Trough SystemsTrough Systems Description:Description:

A system made of separate A system made of separate troughs that house the pots and a troughs that house the pots and a delivery pipe at the “high” end of delivery pipe at the “high” end of the troughs that trickles solution the troughs that trickles solution down the troughs.down the troughs.

As with the ebb and flow tables, As with the ebb and flow tables, the water that is not taken up by the water that is not taken up by the plants is returned to a the plants is returned to a storage tank.storage tank.

Trough SystemsTrough Systems Other Information:Other Information:

Not as versatile as the ebb and Not as versatile as the ebb and flow tables because the width of flow tables because the width of the troughs restricts the pot sizes.the troughs restricts the pot sizes.

Better air movement than with Better air movement than with ebb and flow tables.ebb and flow tables.

70 to 80% space efficient.70 to 80% space efficient. Costs about $3.00 to $5.00 per ftCosts about $3.00 to $5.00 per ft22..

Trough SystemsTrough Systems

Flood Floor SystemsFlood Floor Systems Description:Description:

A system in which the entire greenhouse A system in which the entire greenhouse is covered with a concrete floor.is covered with a concrete floor.

The floor must be carefully designed to allow water The floor must be carefully designed to allow water to enter and leave the floor via the delivery and to enter and leave the floor via the delivery and return pipes.return pipes.

The floor is flooded when the plants are The floor is flooded when the plants are to be watered and fertilized.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.

Flood Floor SystemsFlood Floor Systems Other Information:Other Information:

VersatileVersatile 85 to 95% space efficient.85 to 95% space efficient. Costs about $4.50 to $5.50 per Costs about $4.50 to $5.50 per

ftft22.. Labor intensive because of the Labor intensive because of the

plants being grown on the floor.plants being grown on the floor.

Flood Floor SystemsFlood Floor SystemsNeoprene strip water

barriers

Reservoir & pump pit, with filter and

control panel

Pneumatic water valves

Flood Floor SystemsFlood Floor Systems