KOTTMAN GREENHOUSEBEST MANAGEMENT

PRACTICESGuidelines to using the

Kottman Hall Greenhouse Facility

Kottman Greenhouse Facility

Goals of this training: To inform the users about the

expectations and guidelines of the facility Make the user aware of the features that

are available for shared use To instruct the user on the best

management practices involved in working in this shared facility

To promote safety and sanitation as foundations of good research and learning

Kottman Greenhouse FacilityBest Management Practices

The greenhouses operated by The Ohio State University are diverse and unique because of their fundamental mission, teaching and research.

The instructions provided here are intended to inform users of this facility as to the Best Management Practices that are unique to Kottman Hall Greenhouse

Adherence to these Best Management Practices is the responsibility of each individual user

Best Management Practices

Outline

Facility Use Good Housekeeping Composting & Waste Management Safety

Facility Use: Management

Kottman Greenhouse facility is managed by the Greenhouse Coordinator, a full-time staff member of the Department of Plant Pathology:

Justin Morsemorse.58@osu.eduOffice: 141a Kottman HallIn case of emergencies: (614) 432-3718

Facility Use: User Fee Policy

User Fee PolicyA user fee policy was invoked in 2010 in

order to cover maintenance and operating costs associated with the greenhouse. This policy governs the use of Kottman Greenhouse and the assignment of space for research or teaching purposes and is available on the OSU Plant Pathology homepage

“Research” tab → “Plant Growth Facilities” An online space request form is available here

Facility Use: User Fee Policy

Important points: Allow for minimum of 2 weeks before

project starts First come-first serve, based on

availability Basic cost is approximately $152.00 per

bench for one month, lighting is additional

Users expected to clean up after project ends

See policy for specific items covered by fees

Facility Use

Available resources for Kottman Greenhouse users:

HID Supplemental Lighting Irrigation 20-10-20 Liquid soluble fertilizer Metromix 360 potting media Storage cabinets

See Greenhouse Coordinator for instruction on using fertilizer injector

Facility Use: Headhouse

Sinks & Drying rack Lab Carts Work tables Growth Chambers Garage door Soil steamers

Areas of the headhouse

Potting tables, potting media bin, community pot storage, eyewash station, emergency shower

Work tables, triple sink, drying racks, storage cabinets, lab carts

Areas of the headhouse

Lab purchased potting media storage, garage door

Greenhouse entrance, organic waste steam cart

Facility Use: Sinks

The soil trap in the steel triple-sink is not heavy duty and can’t handle a high volume of solids. Please use our portable plastic sink for rinsing pots first.

Note the screen that has been placed at the end of the drain. Please don’t use chemicals here, as this will drain to the sewer, and to the river.

Facility Use: Sinks

This sink can be used for washing and disinfecting pots, trays, labels and other supplies.

The soil trap in this sink is not designed for high volume of solids. If it starts leaking water this means it needs to be cleaned out. Pull the black handle upwards, tap out solids into compost pit, rinse with hose and re-install. Instructions are posted on the wall.

Facility Use: Tables & Carts

Please clean off tables when you are finished working. These are shared by all users.

Lab carts are typically supplied by individual labs, and will be labeled as such. Do not use lab-owned carts from other labs.

Anyone may use the metal carts, and the large platform cart. Please keep carts clean, organized and orderly.

Storage space is a premium commodity in Kottman Hall and is strictly managed

The greenhouse is NOT a storage unit- it is a research and teaching facility!

If you or your lab needs storage for small equipment, pots, plant media or soil, please speak with the Greenhouse Coordinator personally.

Research samples must NOT be stored in the greenhouse, as it can serve as a pest harborage.

Facility Use: Storage

Sanitation & Good Housekeeping

Good housekeeping is a fundamental principle of effective greenhouse operations.  Good housekeeping prevents pest harborages, allows for easier and quicker problem identification, and sets a tone of discipline.  Greenhouse staff and management put a priority on well-maintained, neat and orderly greenhouse facilities that create the proper conditions for successful production of research and teaching plant material.

Sanitation & Good Housekeeping

Housekeeping is a job that is sharedIf you spill a pot full of

soil-less media on the floor…

If you pull weeds from your plants…

If you trim your plants and have leaf debris…

Clean it up!

Greenhouse staff will take care of cleaning algae and applying surface sanitizer

Leave sticky cards if you move plants or are working on a bench

Sanitation & Good Housekeeping

Sanitation & Good Housekeeping

Brooms, dustpans, squeegees and shovels are stored near the potting media in the headhouse.

Greenhouse users are free to use these tools and return them afterwards.

Composting & Waste Management

Different waste must be properly disposed of according to its type. The next slide describes the different types of waste that may be a product of your work and where you can dispose of it easily.

Composting & Waste Management

Waste Type Disposal Area

Inorganic: common trash

Gray/silver trashcans in greenhouse corridorGray dumpster in parking lot

Inorganic: recyclable

Recycling bins in Kottman hallways or red dumpster near loading dock

Organic: Transgenic, inoculated, or invasive plant material

Green waste steam cart in headhouse

Organic: Non-transgenic, ordinary plant or potting media material

Green trash bins in greenhouse corridor, Compost pit outside headhouse garage door

Composting & Waste Management:Steam Carts

“Dirty” Steam CartFor outgoing waste material that needs to be pasteurized

“Clean” Steam CartFor steaming potting media before planting (only!)

This steam cart is closer to the greenhouse door

This steam cart stays next to the work tables

Composting & Waste Management:Steam Carts

•Please do not overfill these steam carts. There is a line drawn on the side that marks the proper fill amount. No material should be sticking up over the top of the cart! Overfilling causes flat tires, which causes interruptions in service.

•Steam carts are left to steam overnight. In the morning it is left to cool and emptied by greenhouse staff.

•Please reserve steam cart use for only plants that are either transgenic, inoculated, or invasive. Contact the Greenhouse Coordinator if you’re unsure.

•If you are using the clean steam cart for potting media, please remove the media to personal storage bins after it has cooled.

Greenhouse Safety: Rules

1. No Horseplay: no running, squirting water or chemicals, no throwing items.

2. No potting/transplanting in the greenhouse; use the headhouse for this

3. No flip flops or open toed shoes4. No food or drink in the greenhouse5. Keep exterior doors closed6. Do not change climate control settings7. Roll up hoses when finished using them8. Be respectful of all individuals in the facility9. Do not leave tools lying around the greenhouse10. Do not enter greenhouse with Do Not Enter sign until

after Re-Entry Interval (REI) has ended

Greenhouse Safety

Often, the time of allowed re-entry will be written on the warning sign

Obey posted signs regarding pesticide application.

Greenhouse Safety

Emergency procedures and safety information for the greenhouse and the university are posted adjacent to the door leading to the greenhouse.

Emergency Contacts can be found posted at the entrance to the greenhouse (near door) and at the entrance to the headhouse (bulletin board in hallway)

Worker Protection Standards and additional greenhouse instructions can be found at the bulletin board in the hallway near the entrance to the headhouse.

Justin Morsemorse.58@osu.eduOffice: 141a & 477a Kottman Hall In case of emergencies: (614) 432-3718

Communicate with the Greenhouse Coordinator!

Pest problems Maintenance issues Equipment issues Environmental issues

Kottman Greenhouse Facility