Tips for Techs: 7 Ways to Make Plant Maintenance More Efficient

For plant techs, time is always of the essence. At least, sometimes it seems that way. Efficiency is the key to accomplishing all tasks within the amount of time you’re given. I spent many years in plant maintenance, during which I developed routines and practices that significantly boosted my efficiency. This not only increased my effectiveness as a plant tech but also, not surprisingly, made me a much happier person. Based on this experience, I’ve compiled seven tips to help make your plant maintenance more efficient.

1. Always be on the lookout for ways to save time as you move through accounts and drive your routes. Even with a well-prepared map and summary, you might discover new ways to shorten your process.

2. Move through the account one time, and one time only. Handle each plant as you come to it, in order. That means you’ll need to carry all necessary tools and supplies from the start. And that requires making detailed notes on your previous visit and reviewing them before starting your day.

3. Keep complete and accurate notes. See above. This cannot be overstated, as evidenced by my repeated reminders. It’s crucial. Document any tools or supplies you don’t usually carry but will need for the next service, along with the chemical and moisture requirements of troublesome plants.

4. Cut down on “stand around time” as much as possible. While I’m not a big fan of multi-tasking, idle time will seriously erode efficiency. If you’re close enough, begin maintenance on plants while waiting for water to fill, check for pests as you rotate plants, and always seek ways to work faster and more effectively.

5. Develop a service routine and apply it to each plant. Here’s the routine I use:

Inspect while walking toward the plant
Feel soil moisture
Trim-turn-trim (keep those eyes going; look for bugs and dead areas)
Water
Treat if you’ve seen pests or pathogens
Special work (i.e. prune, fix top dressing, etc.)
Clean the plant, plant container, floor, table, etc.
Look back as you walk away

6. Measure with your fingers instead of a tape measure. It’s one less item to carry, right? For instance, when I extend my hand, the distance from the tip of my thumb to the tip of my ring finger is 8 inches. This natural tape measure allows me to size up anything quickly.

7. Carry fertilizer concentrate in a small squirt bottle. When it’s time to fertilize, simply squirt the concentrate onto the soil surface and water it in. A few drops are enough for a small plant, while a larger one may need a more generous squirt. This method also works for sub-irrigation, especially if you don’t want to fertilize all plants equally. I mix regular granular fertilizer with water in a 1:2 ratio. Using a clear spray bottle helps you check that the fertilizer has completely dissolved.

I hope these tips help streamline your plant maintenance and make your work as a plant tech more effective and enjoyable. Remember, the right techniques and a bit of organization can transform the way you work and significantly enhance your productivity and satisfaction. For more ideas on effective and efficient plant maintenance, download the complete Tips for Plant Techs Guide here.