About
The UTM Growth Facilities, comprised of our research greenhouse and growth chambers, are valuable campus resources for interdepartmental plant and animal research at the University of Toronto Mississauga. Here, researchers from the departments of Biology, Geography, and Chemical and Physical Sciences perform experiments on different aspects of biology from abiotic stress physiology to epigenetics, biochemistry and evolutionary ecology. We investigate various species including many angiosperms such as grass and trees.
First time joining us? To get started, click the Get Started button below. You'll learn important, time-sensitive information on reviewing our facilities, checking space availability and submitting requests, and receiving proper training before your expected start date.
Please contact us for questions relating to our operations, tours, and job and volunteer opportunities.
Explore our Controlled Environment Systems
Learn which system is right for your project. Our glasshouses feature sophisticated controls in humidity, lighting, and RO/tap water irrigation, while our environmental/growth rooms have temperature control as well as both LEDs and traditional lighting systems. Our growth chambers include programmable temperature control and added carbon dioxide. Explore them all.
Resources
User manuals and protocols for software, including controller applications
Light fixture information, including manufacturer, make, model, and measured spectrum
Tools, Instruments & Equipment
Equipment in the Research Greenhouse is available to researchers. Learn how to book instruments and explore available handheld scientific instruments and plant cultivation tools. Need something else? Look through our Shared Equipment and Tools to see what we offer.
Booking with Growth Facilities
All equipment and spaces are booked through UTM's Core Facilities Bookitlab. You can download the Bookitlab app from Google Play or through the Apple Store. Use utm-core-facilities as the institute initials when installing the app on your mobile device.
- Remember to add your mobile phone number to your user profile. This will be used to reach you in case of any emergency relevant to your booked resource.
- Booking requires your user group assignment (PI name) and project name (usually the Research Fund details including Research Title, Fund Centre, and Fund Number). Please ask your PI for this information.
- Growth chambers (walk-in and reach-in) and glasshouses will require approval from the PI who has been pre-assigned as the group coordinator. Approvals can be requested by clicking “Approve” on the email notification sent to group coordinator. The request will be reviewed by staff for final reservation approval. Please let us know if another person should be delegated as group coordinator (e.g. lab manager) for your lab.
- Instruments typically booked for a few hours to a few days, such as the spectrometer or thermal camera, are pre-approved.
- Please remember to check-in and check-out the device on Bookitlab to ensure the resources are available to others who may be on the waitlist.
- Request for assistance in ordering pest control, soils, and pots can also be made through Bookitlab under 'request services'.
- Please report any issues with resources using the Bookitlab work order.
- The billing schedule will be every first week of January and July. You may view the estimated bill prior to these dates through Bookitlab.
- Requests for any training will be made through Bookitlab 'reservations'.
Research Greenhouse HVAC System
Inspection of air conditioning, refrigeration and/or heating equipment is performed every quarter.
Research Greenhouse Hortimax
Bi-annual onsite visit and inspection of Hortimax hardware and software including interface and recalibration of sensors.
Growth Rooms and Chambers
Maintenance of hardware every four months and bi-annual calibration.
Honeywell Alarm System Maintenance
This system is co-managed with Facilities Management & Planning. Please contact Xin Zhao for details on Honeywell alarm system maintenance. For other questions regarding Honeywell alarms on Growth Facilities' controlled environment systems, please contact Vera Velasco.
LI-COR LI-6800
- Multiphase Flash Flurometer | BOOK EQUIPMENT
- 6800-18 Aquatic Chamber | BOOK EQUIPMENT
Training Schedules
Training schedules will be based on demand and will be announced through listserv. Contact our team via email to inquire about specific training dates.
Browse our digital library for equipment tutorials.
Onboarding & Equipment Training
All researchers including undergraduate researchers must receive training on safety, protocols, and procedures before using the facilities. Please visit our training page for details, links, and how to register.
Mandatory Training
- EHS002 Basic Health and Safety Awareness
- WHMIS and Lab Safety
- EHS528 Slips, Trips, and Falls
- Research Greenhouse Training
- HECHMET Login
Other Important Training
- EHS532 Respiratory Protection (training and fit testing)
- EHS534 Manual Material Handling (general)
Equipment Training
Before using Research Greenhouse equipment, we strongly advise that you refer to our protocols for proper use. If you require in-person equipment training, please submit a request via Bookitlab.
Visit our User Fees page for current pricing on our:
- Research Greenhouse
- Walk-in Environmental/Growth Rooms
- Reach-in Growth Chambers
- Phenotyping Instruments
- Technician Support (including cleanup or weekend watering)
- Consultations
Charges are assessed per unit, but researchers can organize amongst themselves to share space and costs of units. Such arrangements should be clearly communicated to the Senior Research Associate at the time of space request for billing purposes.
Billing will be invoiced as soon as the space request is approved. Consultations with our team are scheduled by the hour and are free of charge.
If you are external to U of T, please contact our team for information.
Fill out the following form for key and TCard access for UTM's Growth Facilities, Imaging Facility, and Life Science Core Facilities.
If you have an issue, please fill out our issues and alarm form and a member of our team will be in touch. Please note that this form is intended for reporting of non-emergency issues only.
In case of emergency, please contact:
- UTM Campus Police: 905 569 4333 (for entry issues or vandalism)
- UTM Leadhand: 905 601 8166 (for urgent issues with the building)
