In this session we will explore the options of plant sizes. We will talk about the differences between Plugs-Quarts-Gallons and Bare-root plant material. How the different sizes will affect your budget and what results your clients can expect. In our seed segment we will discuss the advantages of using native seed. What kind of results can be expected when using native seed. We will discuss the differences between Pure
Live Seed (PLS) and Bulk and the key factors in writing a successful seed specification.
We will end with a discussion on customer service.
Plant plugs come in many sizes. 200’s-128’s-50’s-38’s. The numbers represent the number of plants per flat. The larger the number the smaller the plant plug. Many of the smaller sizes are used as liners, to be advanced to larger sizes. Costs also increase with the larger sizes. More time is put into growing the larger sizes and the costs reflect this.
Quart and gallon stock are larger and can provide an established planting in a shorter time. Many clients are looking for a finished product and willing to pay the extra cost that the larger stock can provide. If your client can live with the time it takes an area to mature, than plugs can be a less expensive option.
Seed can be a very economical way to establish native plants on a site. Because the cost of seed is much less than live plants , you can add more diversity to a site. The trade off is that seed takes longer to develop and can require a different maintenance approach.
Because native seed can be costly, it is wise to only specify what you need. The price of native seed is dictated by supply and demand. The harder the seed is to collect and clean the more expensive it becomes. Rare species are rare for a reason. They tend to be difficult to grow and limited in the amount of seed they produce.
Seed is sold as Pure-Live-Seed (PLS) or bulk. PLS is expressed as a percentage. It is a calculation that takes into account the percentage purity of a given seed lot, and the percentage viability of the seed in that lot. PLS % = % Purity x % Live Seed .
Depending on what that number is, the amount of seed is adjusted to meet the required weight. To insure your project has the best chance to succeed, it is wise to purchase tested seed. Now native seed comes in many shapes and sizes. The seed count for an ounce of seed can range greatly. It is important to base your weights for specific species, on seed counts. Example, 1 ounce of Asclepias tuberose (Butterfly milkweed) has approx. 3,500 seeds. 1 ounce of Aquilegia canadensis (Wild columbine) has approx.
25,000 seeds. That means you get about 7 times as much seed with the columbine as with the milkweed. So for the same coverage you would need less seed.
In any given year certain species of native seed are not available. In this case it is important to be able to use substitutions. When you have exhausted all supply options your next step is to consider a substitution. As with any planting, you want to match the correct species with the site they are introduced to.

Customer service is becoming a lost art. The biggest factor that will decide whether you will stay in business is your customer service. Unless you have a product that no one else has, poor service will result in lost business. In the completive business world you need every advantage to stay on top.
What makes for good customer service?
1.
It starts with answering the phone. Advertising and marketing are all made so that a customer will pick up the phone and call you. If you don’t answer or don’t return the call, all is lost. Correct phone etiquette needs to be followed ( the same applies to e-commerce ).
2.
Deliver what you promised. Meet the dead-line with quality in the time frame that was set. If problems occur, communicate as quickly as possible. Don’t leave someone holding the bag at the last minute. No surprises, give your client time to react.
3.
Go beyond what was promised. The little extra can leave a huge impression on your client.
4.
Use your expertise to offer your client the best value. Explain all the options and let the client decide what is best. Try to point out any pit falls that you see.
5.
Remember that to your client, the only important job is theirs. Make sure that every client feels they are receiving your full attention.
6.
Listen to what your client wants. No matter how successful you think the project is, if the client is not happy, you have failed. Follow up after the project is done.
Try not to disappear after the job is completed. Maintain contact with the hope of future work.
7.
Be honest.
Remember to never loose site of the fact that the customer pays the bills. The way that you treat a customer is critical. Do your best, communicate, and be honest. Loyal customers are hard to fine, and even harder to keep.
128 Sunset Drive Walkerton, IN. 46574 Ph: 574-586-2412 Fax 574-586-2718 www.jfnewnursery.com