We at Southern Growers believe our plant products beautify and enhance the world around us.  We grow them responsibly, with a caring-for-the-land attitude.  We’re proud that our growing practices are in line with the protection and preservation of the environment we seek to beautify with the products we grow.  Southern Growers adheres to strict sustaining management of our natural resources.

Water Practices

A series of canals and sediment basins allow even storm water run-off to be clear and free of debris.  This waste filtration system allows us to recycle all unused water.  Water retention ponds are used to capture and reuse irrigation and run-off water.  Southern Growers was selected as one of test nurseries by S.N.A. and A.N.A. to write and publish the best management guideline manual for southern nurseries.

 Water Management

A variety of water efficient systems are in place to reduce overall water consumption.  One of these systems is drip irrigation.  Drip irrigation uses small tubes inserted directly into the soil of each plant so little runoff is produced and the effects of evaporation are minimized.  Overhead irrigation is accomplished through the use of a moving water boom. The water boom places water and fertilizer directly on the plants avoiding the wasteful overspray of conventional sprinkler systems.  Some large containers are grown below ground inserted in a socket pot to reduce water consumption.  Certain crops are irrigated using short term cyclic watering cycles to reduce water usage.

 Natural Edibles

Certain vegetable are grown pesticide free and organic growing is being considered for future production. 

 Innovative Growing

Some landscape bedding plants are grown without plastic inserts eliminating much plastic waste to landfills.

 Greenhouse Efficiency

Our greenhouses have been designed to maximize sun exposure and natural air flow to regulate the greenhouse temperature.  This passive ventilation of the greenhouses eliminates the need for water-wasting cooling pads and large energy-consuming fans.  This natural growing method tends to make our plants stronger.  During winter heating seasons, Southern Growers uses heat retention curtains in greenhouses to conserve natural gas.

 Composting

To reduce volume to the landfills, we use extra plants and trimmings and turn them into organic compost to be used in our soil for new plants.  This rich organic compost is reused for growing media and as soil amendment to poor soils in the Montgomery area by our Landscape crews.

 Reduction of Chemicals

By selecting plants that are bred to resist insects and growing in a clean environment we have reduced our need to spray our plants with insecticides.  Some of our growing sites have a breathable weed barrier cloth on the ground to stop weeds from

growing.  This is a friendly alternative to spraying herbicides.  We have achieved 80% reduction of pesticide use, we are continually testing and trialing integrated pest management.  By close continual scouting of crops, we only spray and treat as needed.

 Understanding Plant Needs

We carefully track the nutritional status of our plants to avoid over fertilizing.  Only the right amount of fertilizer is applied and

fertilizer application is adjusted for the season.  By learning exactly what each plant needs and monitoring fertility levels we continue to reduce the amount of wasted fertilizer.  Minimal amounts of fast release fertilizers are used.  By using slow release fertilizer, very little fertilizer is leached into the ground water.

 Plastic Recycling

We reuse all of our carrying trays and encourage the return of the shipping flats to be used again.  Southern Growers offers to buy back all plastic nursery containers from all customers and landscapers.  Biodegradable plant tags are under review for future consideration.  Southern Growers uses a reusable long lasting woven fabric to cover crops during winter months as cold protection.  This replaced the use of white plastic which was a tremendous waste issue.

 Truck Traffic

Many of our customers allow us to deliver early morning before they open.  This keeps some of our trucks from idling in peak traffic.  Fuel and pollution are cut back.  Discounts are available to Southern Growers customers who pick up at our nursery and greenhouses and reduce large truck traffic on highways.  Southern Growers ships on permanent reusable metal plant racks vs. disposable wooden racks which become trash and landfill refuse at many garden centers and chain stores.