Horticultural Packaging and Components:                    A Complete Guide for Growers and Nurseries 

Growers need a multitude of components to keep operations thriving. Navigating the supply chain in the horticultural industry requires a committed supplier and distributor. You need a partner that not only understands but anticipates your needs. That way, you get exactly what you need when you need it.

UFP Packaging specializes in horticulture components and distribution and knows the industry well. We are the largest distributor of pots and trays west of the Rocky Mountains. Moreover, our reach extends well beyond the West through a robust network of domestic and international partners. Regardless of the circumstances, we commit to delivering the exact SKU that meets your requirements. By choosing the right provider, you will protect your products, have a robust supply chain, and contribute to a healthier planet.

 

 

In this guide, we will introduce you to our line of products tailored specifically for the horticulture industry. Like everything we produce, the products in this guide have been optimized for customization, functionality, and growing exceptional crops.

At UFP Packaging, we offer two tree box models: retail and contractor grades. Find out which model is right for your needs below.

Retail: Crafted from Western Red Cedar, our retail-grade tree boxes set an industry standard for wholesale growers servicing garden centers. This lightweight yet sturdy wood is resistant to decay and boasts natural pest-repellant properties, safeguarding the trees they cradle. These boxes start at 24 inches and can reach 96 inches. Our retail-grade tree boxes are well-built and beautifully designed, making them perfect for higher-end applications.

Contractor: Our contractor-grade tree boxes are ideal for wholesale growers servicing the landscape industry or shifting plant material. This model provides a quality solution at a lower price. Featuring an economy-grade Western Red Cedar ensures you reap the benefits of lumber tree boxes without the polished look needed for retail readiness. Our contractor-grade tree boxes are designed for functionality and maximizing profits.

Horticulture tree boxes

Lumber tree boxes provide better root health, drainage, and temperature regulation and are an eco-friendly choice over 25-gallon and larger nursery cans, which can take years to break down in landfills. UFP Packaging’s retail- and contractor-grade tree boxes come assembled with zinc strapping secured in notches -- a feature our competitors often skip to cut costs. We pay close attention to the details to give you confidence in our solutions. Opening our boxes is hassle-free: simply cut the strapping and disassemble the panels. Custom logo printing with fade-resistant ink is available to promote your brand.

Plant racks holding flowers

As the leading supplier of nursery racks in the horticulture industry, we offer a range of solutions for your specific requirements.

Grower Racks: Customization is at the heart of our grower racks, which are designed to meet the unique needs of each grower. These racks can fit standard 40 x 48-inch pallets, providing a versatile solution for shipping to retail garden centers. Racks come with two to nine shelves featuring customizable spacing. We can serve growers from coast to coast by leveraging our national manufacturing footprint. Not only are these racks versatile, but they are also kind to the environment due to their recyclability.

Retail-Ready Display Racks: Perfect for endcaps and storefronts where tabletop displays are impractical. These racks are ready to use and typically require half-pallet footprints. Customization options include shelf footprints for specific tray sizing, flexible shelf spacing, backboards for point-of-purchase attachment, shelf caps to secure fragile or loose merchandise, and angled shelves to enhance shopability and aesthetics. We also customize display racks specifically for bulb companies.

Propagation and Seasonal Racks: Our propagation racks excel in high-density shipping scenarios between growers, especially in situations requiring one-way shipping on LTL shipments. These racks offer complete customization, including a shelf footprint to maximize payload, with shelf spacing ranging from five to eight inches between OSB or mill-run shelves. Meanwhile, our seasonal racks are an excellent choice for showcasing items like wreaths, hanging baskets, or special occasion products.

As the leading horticulture distributor in the West for wholesale growers, UFP Packaging offers a wide range of pots, trays, and containers. With thousands of SKUs, our reach goes beyond regions, thanks to a strong network of both domestic and international partners. This network ensures you receive what you need when you need it. We are proud to work with trusted suppliers like:

Nursery Supplies, Creo Greenhouse (featuring Jānor Pots), HC Companies (featuring Dillen® and ITML™ brands), Pöppelmann Plastics (featuring TEKU®), Landmark Plastic, Waterdance, CTi Living, and various regional plastic suppliers. This lineup of reputable partners allows us to provide high-quality and diverse container options for any growing need, from propagation trays to decorative grower planters and nursery cans.

 

Horticulture pots

Additional Components

UFP Packaging is your comprehensive source for all horticultural components, offering a range of essentials to protect your plants. Our diverse lineup of products includes shade cloth, frost cloth, ground cover, poly film, labeling services, and stakes.

Our shade cloth reduces the sunlight available to a crop, allowing you to customize your growing operations against the elements further. Available in both woven and knitted formats in an array of light percentages, this durable UV-protected material withstands the most extreme conditions.

Frost cloth shields your plants from unexpected freezes. These blankets effectively trap heat escaping from sun-warmed soil, keeping your plants unharmed.

Ground cover significantly reduces labor by preventing weed growth and minimizing chemical treatments. Its durability ensures you won't have to replace it prematurely, providing consistent and reliable performance throughout its intended lifespan.

Our poly film is sourced from top horticulture manufacturers, ensuring high-quality material that stands up for the entire lifespan of the film. This durability minimizes labor costs associated with frequent replacements, providing a reliable controlled environment for your greenhouse crops.

 

Horticulture labels and components

We manufacture adhesive labels, tags, and signage for the horticulture industry. Whether you need full-color adhesive labels with images or simple thermal transfer UPC labels, we have you covered. Growers across North America are choosing our Line Boss® label applicator systems to automate their labeling process. The applicator can run in line with your soil filling equipment and planting line for a streamlined approach. Let Line Boss® simplify this labor-intensive process. Explore various Print on Demand color label options using Epson ColorWorks® printers and sign card solutions for a polished and professional presentation. Our in-house graphic designers will collaborate with you to create a signature look for your business.

Stakes for the horticulture industry

Stakes

Your one-stop stake shop. UFP Packaging offers a comprehensive range of stakes to meet the specific needs of professional nurseries, ensuring you will find the ideal match for your projects. Our selection spans regular and lodgepole shapes with lath or pencil point ends, with options for treated stakes to enhance durability and lifespan. Our mills run Douglas Fir, Southern Yellow Pine, and Redwood. Additionally, we produce lodgepoles or peelers and import all sizes of high-quality bamboo stakes. Wooden trellises for plant training and support are also available.

Choosing the correct stake is crucial for the support and growth of young plants and trees. With our expertise and wide selection, you can trust the quality and variety to match your nursery's professional standards.

Summary 

Choosing the right partner for horticultural components and packaging is pivotal to the success of your operations. Let us be your dedicated partner, committed to safeguarding your products, ensuring a resilient supply chain and promoting eco-friendly practices.

UFP Packaging offers sturdy, pest-repellant tree boxes along with sustainable and fully customizable plant racks. Our product roster includes a spectrum of pots, trays, wooden stakes, labels, cloths, films, and covers. Whether you have a greenhouse, nursery, or tree farm, our offerings are tailored to meet your unique horticultural needs.

Click here to request a quote or schedule a consultation.

 

UFP Packaging is the leading North American total packaging solutions provider. We leverage advanced materials and industry-leading engineering. Our product offering includes custom pallets, crates, skids, lumber, corrugated, labels, films, OEM components, and more. Our in-house ISTA-certified laboratory can evaluate your current packaging solution and compare it to a new one, supporting results-based solutions. With more than 90 facilities worldwide, we are prepared to meet the needs of regional, national, and global customers alike.

Our Capabilities

UFP Packaging is a full-service provider of packaging solutions and OEM components to small and large businesses across a wide range of industries. We design and manufacture the most diverse line of custom packaging solutions available, ranging from wood pallets and crates to highly customized packing solutions with integrated tracking systems. By leveraging advanced materials, industry-leading engineering, and facilities across the globe, we have the expertise and geographic coverage to serve the needs of regional, national and global customers alike.

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