How To Design Labels For Your Greenhouse Business

Attractive, information-packed labels from firms like United Label Canada Ltd improves the value of your nursery and greenhouse grown plants. Your customers need to know at a glance exactly what they are getting and whether it will fit in with their garden. There's some basic information that no plant label should ever be without.

Choose a Label Type

There are two common methods for labeling a potted plant. Plastic plant stakes work well in a variety of pot sizes, and they have the added benefit that your customers can use them to mark the plant's location once they transplant it into the garden. Stick-on labels for the pot are another option. These are more commonly used on ornamental plants that are planted in pot liners.

If your greenhouse supplies larger plants, such as trees and shrubs, a loop-type label is another choice. These are made of thin plastic just like the stake labels, but they are secured around the branch in a loop. If you sell seed as well as plants, your seed packets will contain the labeling information.

Legal Requirements

The Canadian Seed Law has specific requirements when it comes to labeling seed. The seed must be certified and graded, which will require an official inspection to verify the plant variety and the germination rates. It is illegal to sell seed that isn't certified and clearly marked with the blue certification label. The inspection also verifies that climate the climate and care details are accurate, and that the seed is free of disease.

Even if you grow the plants in your greenhouse, it's vital that you stay on top of the invasive and problem plants in your area. You don't want to sell a plant that can become a problem in the garden. In some cases, it may even be illegal to sell known invasive plants.

Necessary Information

Beyond the legal requirements, your labels should carry the information your customers will need to grow the plants successfully. This includes:

• Plant name, both common and scientific

• Variety name

• Sun, soil and water needs

• Temperature and climate requirements

• Annual, perennial or biennial information

• Transplanting time

• Planting depth and spacing

• Support needs, including trellising and staking

• Special considerations, such as fruit harvest or pest prevention

Useful Embellishments

Images on tags, labels and envelopes can help sell your plants. You can sometimes skip the plant image on houseplants or ornamental foliage plants, but they are almost necessary or flowering and fruiting plants. Chances are, the plant won't be in fruit or flower when you are selling it, so the image is the only clue the buyer has for the plant's mature appearance.

You will also want to include your branding on your labels. This can encourage repeat business and word of mouth advertising for your nursery and greenhouse. Keep your logo and brand information clear and simple so it doesn't block the other important information on the label.