Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Research Greenhouse Use Policy

• A Greenhouse Service Request Form {online form} is to be filled out and returned to the Greenhouse Manager. {currently pending revision}

• Greenhouse space is to be requested and will be allocated only for the specific time period required by the project.
  • Greenhouse space will not be allocated for an indefinite period and should not be expanded without consulting the greenhouse manager

• Current space demands, project size, past performance, utilization efficiency, sanitation, cooperation and project importance will all be considered when allocating space. Every effort will be made to provide space to all those who need it.

• Priority will be given to the needs of the faculty, staff and students of the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology. Non-departmental user greenhouse needs will be met as the facilities permit.

• Greenhouse users conducting grant supported research are requested to include voluntary space charges in their grant requests. Charges vary depending upon the resources utilized. See Greenhouse Manager for current space charge schedule.

• All first time users of the greenhouse facilities are required to schedule an orientation session with the Manager. This session will introduce the user to resources within the EEB Greenhouse(s). The correct procedures to handle containers, soil mixes and fertilizers; disease, pest avoidance and control; water systems and watering; waste disposal and other topics will be discussed and demonstrated.

• In addition to the initial orientation session, all greenhouse users will be required to complete EPA mandated Worker Protection Standard (WPS) training by Environmental Health & Safety prior to commencing any research in the greenhouse facilities. Users will be required to be re-trained every 5 years.

• Any keys issued to the user are to be returned promptly to the Greenhouse Manager at the end of a greenhouse project.

• Any delays or possible delays in the completion of a greenhouse project are to be discussed as soon as possible with the Greenhouse Manager. Extended delays are subject to review by the Greenhouse Committee.

Section 2 - Greenhouse Project Requirements

• All plant materials utlized by researchers must be assigned an accession number and assigned to a project number.
  • Short cycle plants that reside less than 6 weeks in the greenhouse may, at the discretion of the manager, be exempted from accessioning.
  • Individual plants can be assigned a unique number, or a single accession number may be assigned to a block of the same species.
    See Manager for benefits of numbering options.
  • Manager must be notified when disposing of plants materials to keep inventory accurate and to determine proper disposal options.
• Subsequent changes to the cultural practices, greenhouse environmental conditions, programs, etc. are to be requested in writing (email is preferred) and approved by the Greenhouse Manager prior to implementation.

Section 3 - Use of the Plant Collections

• Visitors are welcome in the plant collections areas. All group activities (classes, tour, etc.) are to be scheduled at least a week in advance with the Greenhouse Manager. EEB faculty, students and staff will be given priority in the use of these facilities.

• No plant material is to be removed from the premises without the permission of the Greenhouse Manager or one of the full-time staff.

• The usage of plant material from the plant collections is to be approved in advance by the Greenhouse Staff. Plant material taken for scientific or class use is to be recorded by the Greenhouse Manager. If Manager or Staff are not available to record such use, then a brief note should be left and followed up with an email message detailing date of use, class, specific topic and the 9-digit accession number and latin name of the plant. Accurate record keeping will ensure future access to these valuable resources.

• Reasonable requests for seeds, cuttings, tissue samples etc will be honored to recognized teaching, research or public garden organizations if sufficient material is available. All outside requests will be reviewed promptly and approval is at the sole discretion of the Greenhouse Manager. We can not supply material for commercial purposes nor to private individuals.

• Extra plant materials from the collections which are free from pests are occasionally available for giveaway. There is no pre-determined schedule and plants will be put out on a first-come, first-served basis on the table outside the TLS stockroom. Any plants found in trash containers or in the dumpster are there for a reason and should not be removed from such disposal containers.

Section 4 - Plant Materials for Class Use

• Plant material to be grown for classroom use is to be requested with an adequate lead time. Two months prior to the first day of classes copies of all greenhouse requests for course materials to be sown each semester must be submitted to the Greenhouse Manager and the Horticultural Staff.

• Requests for first time uses of a crop should be requested far enough in advance to allow for a test crop to be grown. A delivery schedule for the plant material is also requested.

Section 5 - General Sanitation Procedures

• Use clean containers and tools. All pots, flats, tools, etc. are to be autoclaved (clay & metal), or washed and chemically sterilized (plastics) before being used in any greenhouse project. Reasonable quantities of these items are stored on shelves in the greenhouse work areas. Any requirement for large quantities or unusual types of supplies requires advance planning and consultation with the greenhouse staff.

• Put dirty containers and tools in their proper place. Used pots, flats, tools, etc. are to be placed on the carts to the right of the pot sinks. These items are not to be reused until they have been steamed or washed and chemically sterilized.

• Wash your hands before working with plants. This is especially important when working with propagation materials (seeds, seedlings, cuttings, and planting media) or if you smoke or otherwise use tobacco products.
  • Smoking is forbidden in the greenhouses or garden areas

• Keep the media in soil barrels or tubs clean. Do not re-use spilled soil including that which accumulates on the floor during repotting.

• Keep all hose ends clean and hung up off the greenhouse floor when they are not in use. This also applies to waterbreakers, mist nozzles and other hose attachments.

• All greenhouse benches, soil bin covers and propagation benches are to be kept clean. Do not use or lay any unsterile tools, containers, etc. on these areas. Do not stand or put your feet on greenhouse benches. This will help to avoid carrying diseases up to the crop level. Greenhouse carts are to be hosed off after use.

• All new plant material introduced into the greenhouse is to be brought to the headhouse where the staff will inspect it for infestation. Infected plants will be treated before being placed in the greenhouse.

• The garden and all outside beds are to be treated as separate non-sterile areas. After working with plants or soil in these areas, wash your hands before working in any other part of the greenhouse. Do not use or carry tools or containers from these areas into any other growing area of the greenhouse.

• All insect and disease problems are to be reported immediately to the greenhouse staff.

• All greenhouse space is to be kept clean and orderly by the user(s).

• Greenhouse growing areas are not storage areas for pots and other cultural supplies. No items are to be stored on top of or under the benches. Consult with the greenhouse staff for alternative storage. Any clutter left in the greenhouses or access corridors will be removed without notice by the greenhouse staff.

• Do not bring personal plants into the greenhouse to be cared for over vacation periods, personal leaves, or for any other reason. All unauthorized plants will be discarded without notice.

Section 6 - Disposal of Plant Material

• Soil and plant material are to be collected in the containers separately from other trash (paper, plastics, wood, etc.) for composting and/or appropriate disposal as necessary. A separate, locked dumpster is provided for compostable waste in the BSP loading area (key available in either facility). Regular trash is bagged in clear bags and left adjacent to the compactor in the BSP loading area.

• Greenhouse users who generate transgenic plant waste are to bag their transgenic plant materials in plastic autoclave bags and arrange for proper autoclaving of material prior to disposal. The greenhouse facility does not currently have autoclave capabilities. Autoclave bags are to be supplied by the users.

Section 7 - Equipment

• Do not attempt to operate any equipment before receiving instruction in its use. Check with the greenhouse staff before using any greenhouse equipment.

• Report breakage, loss or malfunction of any equipment to the greenhouse staff.

• Greenhouse tools and equipment are not for personal use.

Section 8 - Supplies

• Reasonable supplies of clean pots and flats, labels, fertilizer and soil mixes are kept on hand for Greenhouse users. Soils and related supplies are not to be used for personal use. A requirement for large quantities or unusual types of supplies requires advance planning and consultation with the greenhouse staff.

• Used pots, flats, tools, etc. are to be placed on the cart(s) to the right of the pot washing sinks. These items are not to be reused until they have been steamed or washed and chemically sterilized.

• All greenhouse supplies should be ordered through the Greenhouse Manager. Greenhouse supply catalogs may be referenced in the Greenhouse Office.

Section 9 - Staff supplied services

• Assistance with design, setup, configuration of environmental conditions, planting and maintenance of greenhouse projects. The staff is also available to assist with problems or special needs that may arise during the course of a greenhouse project.

• Provision of proper quantities of supplies for greenhouse projects. This includes special soil mixes as specified by the user.

• Watering (including weekends and holidays) and fertilization of plants at the request of the user if a regular schedule can be set up, and watering and fertilizing are not part of experimental treatments.

• Disease and pest control programs, usually after consultation with the user.

• Growing plant materials for class and research use.

• Assistance with the acquisition of seeds or plant materials required for greenhouse projects.

Section 10 - Responsibilites of Greenhouse Users