Introductory Vegetable Production Part 2. Growing Season Conditions CROP PRODUCTION / GROWING SEASON. Seeds vs. Transplants. Planting Considerations

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1 Veg Production Pt 2 - Overview Introductory Vegetable Production Part 2 Production / Harvest / Post-Harvest / Pest Management / Other Planting / Crop Production Growing Season Extension / Expansion Harvest Post-Harvest Handling / Storage Pest Management Growing Season Conditions CROP PRODUCTION / GROWING SEASON All crops require: Optimum temperatures Adequate space Adequate moisture and nutrients Freedom from competition with pests (insects, diseases, weeds)???? WHAT DO CROPS NEED TO GROW? Planting Considerations How to start plants (seed vs. transplants)? Seed / Plant Quality Planting / Layout When to plant? Seeds vs. Transplants Seeds Potentially faster and simpler than transplants Lower cost for planting Lower cost for planting Good quality seedbed is required Seedlings may be exposed to unfavorable growing conditions initially Plant stand can be variable Thinning may be required 1

2 Seeds vs. Transplants Transplants Reduced emergence problems More uniform plant stand Reduced seedbed quality requirements Promotes good root system development Faster / Higher / More dependable yields Additional Costs / Challenges / Facilities for production of quality transplants Special equipment &/or more labor required Seed Planting Considerations % Seed Germination Seed vigor Field Factor Seed size Seeding depth Planting date(s) Between row / In row spacing Equipment restrictions / limitations Seed Quality Characteristics A crop of vegetables can be poorer than the seed that was planted but can t be better High quality seed is: Clean Viable Vigorous Free from Disease True to type Percent Germination Typically, not all seeds will germinate (% germination) Environmental conditions (air & soil) have an effect (Field factor) typically negative Need to adjust seeding rate accordingly Seed Size Range of sizes Even within crop species Affects Rate (lb/ac) Depth Examples Cucurbits Lettuce Seed Shape / Uniformity Seed shape is not always uniform (affects planting efficiency) Seed coating can help with this More efficient with seeding equipment Examples Lettuce 2

3 Seeding Depth Crops Depth (cm) Depth (inches) Beans Cole Crops Carrots Corn Cucurbits Lettuce Onions Tomatoes Soil Temperature & Seed Germination Each crop has an optimal germination temperature range Rate of germination is increased as temperature increases within range Optimum temperatures determine seeding dates Soil Temperature & Seed Germination Crops Min ( C) Optimum Max ( C) ( C) Beans Cole Crops Carrots Corn Cucurbits Lettuce Onions Tomatoes Plant Spacing Spacing influenced by: Final plant size Field/row layout Equipment requirements Significant impact on produce quality Rows may be grouped in multiples for some crops Crops Plant Spacing In-row (inches) Between-row (inches) Beans Cole Crops Carrots Corn Cucurbits 3 in. 8 feet 3-12 feet Lettuce Onions Tomatoes Achieving Accurate Plant Density Uniform plant spacing affects total yield and quality E.g. potatoes Too close = average tuber size decreases Too wide = too many oversize tubers Overall yield = not necessarily affected Precision seeding WHAT EFFECT DOES PLANT Thinning SPACING HAVE? Transplants / Vegetative Propagation 3

4 Seeding - Equipment Can be accomplished using hands all the way up to highly precise mechanical Range of equipment types Key Use for appropriate crops (don t all work equally) Calibrate Adequate soil/bed preparation Jang Seeder JPH-2 Planet Jr. seeder Earthway seeder Stanhay belt seeder box on a different ground rig Caution = pretty much impossible to calibrate or punch belts Vegetative Propagation Transplants Other plant material Tubers (e.g. potatoes) C ( ) Crowns (e.g. asparagus) Crown divisions (e.g. rhubarb) Bulbs / Sets (e.g. onions, garlic) Propagule requirements depends on plant spacing and field layout 4

5 Quality Transplants Good, healthy root system NOT root bound Stems are sturdy NOT stretched (leggy) and thin NOT overgrown appropriate age of transplants will vary with crop (e.g. tomatoes vs. cucurbits) Properly hardened off Free from diseases/insects NOT stressed (light / fertilizer / water) NOT overly succulent (tender) Reducing Transplanting Stress Healthy, appropriately aged plants with well developed root system Properly harden off plants Reduce fertilizer / Allow plants to dry out Place outside in direct sunlight Reduce or increase temperature depending on outside conditions Ensure moisture level in root ball is topped up before planting Reducing Transplanting Stress (continued) Plant on calm, cool, overcast days if possible OR early/late in day When planting Ensure proper depth / soil to root contact Water in with high P fertilizer water at planting Place plants in sheltered location while waiting to plant Transplanting - Equipment Can be done by: Hand Mechanically Combination of both Ancient (horse/man drawn) potato planter Transplanter 5

6 Mechanical Transplanter M1000 Vegetative Propagation - Requirements Only use quality, healthy plant material Ensure good growing conditions Warm, well-drained d soils; good growing conditions; adequate spacing Ensure adequate time for establishment prior to harvesting (e.g. asparagus Perennial Plants - Overwintering Perennial crops (e.g. asparagus, garlic, rhubarb) May require protection Straw cover Row/field covers Snow cover GROWING SEASON EXTENSION/EXPANSION HOW DO YOU EXTEND THE GROWING SEASON? 6

7 Growing Season Extension/Expansion A. Extend the growing season (the time during which crops will grow) B. Extend the harvest period (the time over which crops are harvested) C. Expand total harvest (the quantity of produce that is harvested) D. Extend produce availability (the time over which produce is available) Extension / Expansion Strategies? Crop / Variety selection Take a little RISK Site Selection Fall Seeding / Planting Multi-cropping Transplants Microclimate modification Frost Protection Post-Harvest Handling / Storage Extension / Expansion Crop Selection Choose appropriate varieties Guaranteed to mature Cool-season Frost-toleranttolerant Determinate crops Some risk may be involved Extension / Expansion Site Selection Excellent site Slope Good sunlight Some shelter from prevailing winds Well-drained (air / water) Air Movement / Drainage Cold air Cold air Cold air Cold air Cold air Cold air Fall Planting Seed or plant adapted crops in fall Plants grow in the time when field work is typically difficult / impossible Capture early season moisture and growing conditions Risk of seedling / seed issues Not guaranteed to work 7

8 Multi-Cropping Increasing productivity per square foot of growing area Multiple, complementary / compatible crops growing within an area e.g. beans and corn May involve rotating to other crops after harvest of early crops Sequential Planting Multiple, staggered plantings of various crops Combination Diverse varietal selection Various season extension methods May start with early, short season crops and follow with other crops Microclimate Modification Mulch / Plasticulture Mulch Row Covers Mini Tunnels Field Covers High Tunnels Greenhouses Plastic / Organic / Biodegradable Various colours / uses Impact on SOIL Conditions Increase / Decrease soil temperature Increase moisture retention Inhibit weed growth Provide a barrier between soil and fruit/produce IRT Mulch Plastic Mulch 8

9 Photo by Jackie Bantle Row Covers / Low / Mini Tunnels Can enhance early / in season growth Can provide some degree of crop protection Typically supported using hoops (for most crops) p) Removed after a certain amount of growth has taken place Plastic / Reemay / Perforated plastic Coloured Mulches Perforated Plastic Reemay fabric Photos by Gloria Gingera 9

10 Field Covers Field cover early season acceleration Can enhance early/late/in season growth Large sheets of spun woven fabric (Reemay) Float over crop Typically require anchoring May be temporarily removed to allow for weed control activities Field cover overwintering BIO-BREAK High Tunnels Simple greenhouse / hoophouse Crops grown in the ground No supplemental heating Some degree of frost protection in spring and fall (not like a greenhouse) High Tunnel Photo by Gloria Gingera 10

11 High Tunnel High Tunnel Haygrove Solo Photo by Jackie Bantle High Tunnel Haygrove Solo High Tunnel Haygrove Solo 11

12 Frost Protection Irrigation for frost protection Field Covers (Microclimate modification) Sprinkler Irrigation Air movement??? Photos by Lloyd Hausher Insta-Poll (Discussion) Which method do you think would work best for you? 12