A plant nursery and storage system for use in the growth and storage of field-ready plants. At least one planting block with tapered planting cells therein and extending openly from the top surface to the bottom surface thereof is placed in a container holding water. Plant material placed in the planting cells, with or without planting media, will grow into field-ready plants. The growing plants will be sub-irrigated by accessing water through the open base of the planting cells contacting the water in the container. The sub-irrigation technique of the invention replaces industry standards of top irrigation and bottom aeration for plant production, and addresses high costs associated with current production methods in the production of field-ready trees, shrubs, forbs, perennials, vegetables and grasses.
