The Benefits of Benching For Your Nursery
- Hortiquip
- Feb 27
- 3 min read
Benches are a common sight in nurseries, but why? Some of the benefits of benching are well known, especially from a staff welfare point of view, but there are so many more benefits that come with growing your plants on benches. Keep scrolling to discover some of the benefits of benching, plus an overview of the different types of benching systems offered by Hortiquip.
Ergonomics and Labour Saving
Starting off with one of the more apparent benefits of benching -- not having to bend over and reach plants on the ground. Growing your plants on benches creates a more comfortable working height and reduces strain on workers, lowering the risk of injuries. Your employees' backs will say 'thank you'. But not only does benching provide a more ergonomic working environment, it leads to better work efficiency, saving labour overall, because it is more accessible. See more on this below.
Easier Access
Plants on benches are easier to reach and be seen, so it is easier to access the plants for watering, pruning, inspection and other common nursery tasks. This then increases the efficiency of these processes, saving labour and freeing time for other tasks. But not only are the plants more accessible, so is the ground around them, meaning cleaning is easier and can be more thorough, helping you to maintain a healthy working environment. Additionally, benches are beneficial from a WHS accessibility perspective, as they help to reduce tripping hazards and clearly define pathways.
Efficient use of Space
Benching systems are key to maximising your usable growing area and creating the most efficient use of space. Rolling bench systems can increase growing area by 30% within existing floor space because of their movable aisle system, while fixed benching can accommodate a second lower shelf, allowing two layers of growing space where applicable.
Improved Plant Health
Having your plants on benches allows for better air circulation, helping keep your plants healthy. The increased air circulation also helps to reduce excess moisture, preventing mildew and mold from growing. Also, the open design of bench tops lets water drain properly from beneath the plants, reducing waterlogging and root rot.
Pest and Disease Control
Getting plants off the ground prevents soil-borne diseases and pests from attacking and damaging a crop. It also keeps plants out of the 'splash area' of ground water so contaminated water doesn't enter the pots. This benefit is significant, as it not only limits plant diseases and pests from the start, it saves you the time and money needed
to treat the issues.
The Different Types of Nursery Benching
Fixed Benching
A galvanised steel frame bench with interlocking plastic bench top panels.
Fixed benching is the most economical solution for getting those pots currently grown on the ground up onto benches. It is also the most universal benching system, as it can be used in small backyard nurseries, as well as large scale wholesale production nurseries.
Key Benefits:
Gets your plants off the ground
Quick and easy installation
Most economical
Custom length and layout to suit your space
Various bench widths available
Rolling Benches
Rolling bench tops move side to side to create temporary aisles at the access point you need, meaning you can maximise your growing area while still being able to tend to your plants.
Key Benefits:
Increases growing space by 30% compared to fixed benching, within existing floor plan
Great for getting the most out of high value growing environments
Mobile Benches
A system of support frames where growing tables move along rails into a production area. This benching system provides maximum space and productivity when growing high volume crops. The bench tops can be robotically moved, using the Emma 3.0 robot.
Key Benefits:
Best for high volume crops
Maximises productivity for large scale operations
Get in touch to discuss your benching needs. Give us a call, send us an email, or submit the product enquiry form with details of your space and the system and layout you are looking for. Let us help you find the most efficient and practical benching system for your nursery.
Comments