Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get greenhouse space?
How do I get after hours access?
Why do I need Worker Protection Standard (WPS) training?
How much does media/space cost?
What services do the greenhouse staff supply?
1. How do I get greenhouse space?
The CALS greenhouses are available primarily for research projects. We do not rent to non-university projects, though when space is available we may consider accepting projects from within other areas of the University or other educational groups and charities. We are not available for private industry or personal use.
The greenhouse is usually very full for the late fall through early spring, and requests for space should be made well in advance, especially during this period. A month or more of notice is preferable. Contact the greenhouse manager (Lynn Hummel @ elhummel@wisc.edu) to reserve space. You will need to tell him your expected starting and ending date, the amount of space you will need, and any special considerations for the project (special temperature/lighting considerations, etc.)
2. How do I get storage space?
Contact the greenhouse manager (Lynn Hummel @ elhummel@wisc.edu) to ask about project storage in the following sites: Upper Stock Pavilion, Lower Stock Pavilion, Upper Dairy Barn. There is also a limited amount of short-term storage space available for users at the greenhouse sites. All of these storage spaces are only for current research and educational materials, and there are some restrictions on what can be stored at each site and for how long. Contact the manager with any questions.
3. How do I get after-hours access?
If you or a worker you employ needs access to the greenhouse building on weekends or after hours (for watering plants, for example,) you must do a few things. First, the person in question must have completed WPS training and orientation. Second, they must have a Wiscard. If they do not have a Wiscard, they can find out how to get one here: http://www.wiscard.wisc.edu/service.html. Third, they need to speak with a greenhouse staff person, and let them know who they are, and that they need access. The staff person will need the first six numbers off the BACK of the wiscard. We give these numbers, and the name of the individual, to Campus Security, who can add electronic access to specific buildings directly onto the card. This process may take 24 hours, so please contact us in advance of when you need access. If for any reason your activated Wiscard does not work with the magnetic reader, you can also call Campus Security (262-2957) to have them come and let you in.
4. Why do I need Orientation? Why do I need Worker Protection Standard (WPS) training?
We require all users to have both a WPS training session and an orientation of the facility. Both can be done at the same time, and the pair of them take about one hour together. The WPS training is a federal mandate, which needs to be conducted for all persons working in any facility where pesticides are applied. The orientation is specific to our operation, but lets users know what services we provide, and gives additional necessary information on how to safely and successfully use our facility. If a greenhouse user is extremely short-term (less than one week, just a fill-in waterer over a holiday break, etc.) these requirements may be waived. We may also be able to provide the WPS training component online in the future – look for our “WPS Training Video” link on the sidebar. The WPS Training Sheet must be signed and in our files, verifying that each user has had the necessary training.
To schedule an orientation/WPS session, please contact any greenhouse staff person. We are generally able to schedule sessions between 7:30 am and 3 pm weekdays.
5. How much does space/media cost?
We order bagged media from a wholesaler (Schroth) so we have Metro Mix, Vermiculite, Perlite, and Peat Moss available on site at the WSGH and at West Madison. These media can be brought to other sites (King Hall) on request. Additional media types may be special ordered on request, with sufficient notice.
Current costs are as follows:
Fafard 2 – 28.50$
Metro Mix – 15.00$
Perlite – 10.00$
Peat Moss – 17.50$
Vermiculite – 15.00$
Space charges are based on a per square foot of bench space, per month rate. Rates vary for the older and newer sections of the greenhouse (based on variances in the energy costs to run them.)
Old Section = 0.40$/sq. ft. per month
New Section = 0.65$/sq. ft. per month
This means that a small (85 sq. ft.) greenhouse in the old section will cost about $35/mo; a larger old section house (250 sq. ft.) will run $100/mo. Small (120 sq. ft.) new section houses are 78$/mo.; large (240 sq. ft.) old section houses are 156$/mo. These rates are only average estimates - houses do vary in the sq. ft. of bench space they contain. Since air conditioning energy costs are expensive, houses in the old section with active AC will be charged a higher rate. An average 85 sq. ft. greenhouse with AC will cost $65/mo.
Coldframes cost 5.00$/mo. per coldframe.
*Space rental rates as of February, 2012. Rates will be slightly less before that point. You can reference the chart below to estimate current costs. All costs are in dollars per month. Rates are increasing by 30%, at a rate of 10% per year, instituted each February.*
| With Air Conditioning | Without Air Conditioning | |||||||||
| Year | Old ~50 ft. | Old ~85 ft. | Old ~ 100 ft. | Old ~ 250 ft. | New 120 ft. | New 240 ft. | Old ~50 ft. | Old ~85 ft. | Old ~ 100 ft. | Old ~ 250 ft. |
| Feb. 2009 | 40$ | 50$ | 60$ | 120$ | 60$ | 120$ | 15$ | 25.5$ | 30$ | 75$ |
| Feb. 2010 | 44$ | 55$ | 66$ | 132$ | 66$ | 132$ | 16.5$ | 28.05$ | 33$ | 82.5$ |
| Feb. 2011 | 48$ | 60$ | 72$ | 144$ | 72$ | 144$ | 18$ | 30.6$ | 36$ | 90$ |
| Feb. 1012 | 52$ | 65$ | 78$ | 156$ | 78$ | 156$ | 19.5$ | 33.15$ | 39$ | 97.5$ |
6. What services do the greenhouse staff supply?
We provide sterilized pots of all shapes and sizes, and a pot washing service for when you are done with them. We conduct weekly pest scouting and co-ordinate pesticide sprays and other pest control methods with the wishes/needs of individual research groups. We will set up lighting and heating to user specifications, and maintain the greenhouse equipment in running condition. We have stakes, ties, labels and fertilizers available for your use. We do NOT provide a watering service, with the exception of West Madison on weekdays. We will provide consultation and advice on any plant growth issues or questions you may encounter. We will do our best to fulfill any additional (reasonable) requests. In some cases, we may be able to connect you with other specialists in the field your query concerns, such as the soil and plant analysis lab.