G R E E N B R I E R N U R S E R I E S

Wire baskets are inexpensive alternatives to pot-in-pot production.

Baskets keep plants upright

Several years ago, Greenbrier Nurseries in Talcott, W.Va., investigated the use of pot-in-pot production. One of the primary benefits of this system would be keeping container trees and shrubs from falling over.

"We found out that in our area pot-in-pot is not the answer," said owner Jim Monroe Jr. "Our soils are too heavy. We'd have drainage problems and there is an extra expense during installation. Plus I'm worried how the plastics would hold up in our winters."

Instead, the company began using wire baskets from Wire Product Manufacturing. They cost about $1.50 each and do a good job keeping plants upright.

They are reused, but Monroe also sells them at cost to his garden center customers. The retailers get the same benefit from the baskets without having to invest in clothesline apparatuses.

"It's nice because the retailer can rearrange their tree areas easily and some just don't like the looks of those string lines."

. © 2001 Branch-Smith Publishing