A rotary lawn mower mounted on the carriage does the cutting. An optional water circulator system distributes the water and nutrient solution in the wet bed. Five equal applications are recommended over a 10-week period. Always maintain a minimum 4-inch water level in the bed. Test irrigation water before production begins.
Testing is available for a reasonable fee from commercial testing laboratories.
Well water is the preferred water source for greenhouse operations. Water from streams or irrigation ponds should not be used unless a water treatment system is installed to kill any potential soil borne disease pathogens that may infect greenhouse plants. Throughout the growing of transplants in the float system, promptly remove any diseased plants. After the crop is transplanted, allow water remaining in the beds to evaporate. Soil-borne diseases that affect greenhouse plants are usually brought into the greenhouse from the outside.