A.M.A. Horticulture creates wire racking solutions for windy days

Windy days can be a nightmare for nurseries, garden centers and other growers. Pots blow over in the wind, creating a mess, causing damage to plants and costing hours of labor to reset products.

A.M.A. Horticulture Inc. has released custom and turnkey racking solutions for containerized plants to North America though a new partnership with Dutch horticulture company Van Schaik Rack Solutions. Growers and retailers can choose from two customizable wire grid systems that stabilize potted plants and can be transported by forklift, depending on container size.

The Original Rack is designed with outward facing sides and works well on gravel or paved surfaces, while the V-Feet Rack offers inward facing supports to prevent damage to landscape fabric and other groundcovers.

Garden centers can also work with A.M.A. Horticulture to design customized tabletop display systems.

“When it comes to new products, we’re focused on quality solutions that solve real problems,” says Rick Bradt, who co-manages A.M.A. Horticulture along with his wife, Connie Bradt. “These racking solutions tick that box more than once. They keep your plants upright, preventing damage and making better use of your staff’s time. On top of that, they can be transported by forklift. Instead of slugging heavy containers across the yard, now you’re moving up to 70 plants at once. That’s a massive savings in time and labor.”

A Tree & Stem Rack is also available for retailers looking to enhance presentation of long-stem plants and trees that can be difficult to merchandize. Available in two sizes, the rack holds trees and taller plants up to 2.5 meters. It has a special binding system that is gentle on stems, and it is adjustable for different stem lengths and distance between plants.

All Van Schaik products use galvanized metal with a zinc coating that withstands weather and won’t release zinc, preventing damage or leeching.

“As weather patterns change and challenges with windthrow increase, growers and retailers are looking for solutions to prevent product damage and reduce labor costs,” says Connie Bradt, co-managing director of A.M.A.

The Van Schaik wire racking solutions will be on display in the A.M.A. Horticulture booth at Cultivate'24.