Healthy herb plants begin with thoughtful care. At The Growers Exchange, we work to prevent problems before they start and address them carefully when they arise.
Our growing practices are guided by Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an approach that combines prevention, daily observation, and biological controls to support healthy plants while considering people and the environment.
Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is a practical, ecosystem-based approach to protecting plants. Rather than relying on a single solution, we use several methods together to prevent pests and disease, recognize problems early, and respond as needed.
Healthy crops are our first line of defense. We begin with a clean, screened greenhouse and add beneficial fungi and bacteria to our potting media. These practices support healthy root systems and help reduce the need for certain treatments.
Our growers scout crops every day, looking closely for changes in plant health and early signs of pests or disease. Regular monitoring helps us recognize small problems before they become larger ones.
Beneficial nematodes, mites, and other organisms play an important role in our IPM program. These natural allies can interrupt pest life cycles and help keep pest populations from growing.
Prevention and biological controls come first, but sometimes additional treatment is necessary to protect a crop. When that happens, we consider the specific pest, the plants involved, and the beneficial organisms in our greenhouse before selecting an appropriate treatment.
Our growing program has included products derived from plants or naturally occurring substances, such as horticultural oil and Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt). We also use OMRI Listed options where appropriate. Our goal is to treat problems as carefully and selectively as practical.
Some of our favorite greenhouse moments have nothing to do with a checklist. This little visitor found a comfortable perch on a watering wand and earned the honorary title of “Quality Control Officer.”
It's a lighthearted reminder of the living world around our nursery—and why we're thoughtful about how we care for our crops.
We believe healthy plants are the result of daily attention, practical experience, and a willingness to keep learning. We're proud to share that care with every order.
