Setting Up a Seedling Nursery
What You’ll Learn
Use sterile growing media — sterilised soil or peat-vermiculite mixes — to keep damping-off disease away from your seedlings.
Orient the nursery north-south so every seedling receives even light throughout the day.
50% shade netting protects tender seedlings from direct sun and heavy rain damage.
Choosing a Nursery Site
Choose a flat, well-drained spot close to your water source. Orienting the nursery structure north-south helps sunlight reach all seedlings evenly through the day. Avoid low-lying areas where cold air gathers or water pools after rain — those conditions set seedlings back before they even begin.
Structure and Shade
A simple wooden or bamboo frame covered with 50% shade netting is all most nurseries need. The netting shields young seedlings from scorching sun and cushions them from heavy rainfall. Make sure the structure breathes well — good airflow is your first line of defence against fungal diseases like damping-off.
Growing Media
Sterile growing media is essential — soil-borne diseases can wipe out an entire tray of seedlings overnight. A mix of sterilised topsoil, peat moss, and vermiculite works well. If you are sterilising soil on-farm, heat it to 70°C for 30 minutes using a simple drum method. Never reuse growing media from a previous season without sterilising it first.
Trays vs Beds
Seedling trays give you transplants with intact root balls, which means faster establishment in the field. Raised nursery beds cost less to set up but seedlings face more root disturbance at transplanting. Whichever you choose, keep the growing surface elevated — it improves drainage and keeps pests at bay.