R&D update: Mechanical pruning driving scalable nursery growth
30 April 2026
30 April 2026
Mechanical pruning is helping nurseries move beyond labour constraints and build more consistent, scalable production systems.
At Harts Nursery, pruning was once slow, manual and physically demanding – each plant trimmed by hand, with variability between staff and a higher risk of pest and disease spread through handling. It also created a clear ceiling on how much the nursery could grow.
Through the levy-funded GrowConnex program, the team assessed mechanisation options, accessed technical advice and invested in its first mechanical pruner – part of a broader shift toward smarter, more efficient systems.
Since then, the impact has been both practical and measurable:
consistent plant size and shape at scale → less rework, fewer grading issues and more uniform batches
stronger, bushier plants through regular trimming → improved product quality and customer outcomes
reduced handling → lower risk of pest and disease spread across crops
lower labour requirements → less reliance on manual, repetitive tasks in a tight labour market
faster turnaround in peak periods → greater throughput without adding pressure to the team
plants delivered pre-trimmed and ready to plant → added value for customers and time saved on-site.
“Key areas like pruning, robotics and plant handling make a real difference,” said Chris.
“GrowConnex helped us assess new ideas, connect with the right people and work out what would actually work in our nursery.”
This shift has removed a key production bottleneck – showing how targeted mechanisation can unlock capacity, improve consistency and support growth without simply adding labour.
For nurseries looking to scale, it highlights where technology fits: not as a standalone investment, but as part of a broader move toward smarter, more resilient production systems.
Planning your next stage of growth?
GrowConnex supports nurseries to test ideas, assess new technologies and make confident decisions about where to invest for scale.
FUNDING BLOCK - The ‘National Biosecurity and Sustainable Plant Production Program’ (NY20001), funded by Hort Innovation using the nursery levy and matched by the Australian Government, is a horticulture initiative designed to support nurseries in strengthening biosecurity and sustainable production practices.
