ID-36: Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers ...

1 Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers , 2018-19ID-36 Cooperative Extension Service | Agriculture and Natural Resources | Family and Consumer Sciences | 4-H Youth Development | Community and Economic DevelopmentUniversity of KentuckyCollege of Agriculture,Food and EnvironmentCooperative Extension ServiceTrade names are used to simplify information in this publication. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products that are not named. This Guide is for reference only: The most recent product label is the final authority concern-ing application rates, precautions, harvest intervals, and other relevant information. Contact your county Cooperative Extension Service agent if you need -19 Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial GrowersEmily Pfeufer, Extension PathologistRic Bessin, Extension EntomologistShawn Wright and John Strang, Extension HorticulturistsCover photo: Winter squash diversity of types, Stephen Patton, Ag Communications ServicesContentsIntroduction.

2 4 General Production Considerations ..5 Insect Management ..7 Weed Management ..9 Disease Management ..12 VegetablesAsparagus ..20 Beans ..23 Cole Crops ..30 Sweet Corn ..37 Eggplant ..44 Greens ..49 Okra ..58 Onions ..61 Peas ..65 Peppers ..68 Potatoes ..76 Rhubarb ..82 Root Crops ..84 Southernpeas (Cowpeas) ..90 Sweetpotatoes ..92 Tomatoes ..95 Vining Crops (Cucurbits) ..108 Appendix AProduction and Marketing Information Online ..128 Appendix BSecondary Nutrients and Micronutrients ..129 Appendix CConversion Tables for Use of Pesticides on Small Areas ..130 Appendix DEnglish Measurement EGeneric Fungicides ..130 Appendix GOrganic Manures and Fertilizers ..131 Appendix FGeneric Insecticides.

3 131 Appendix HDisinfection and Treatment of Vegetable Seeds ..133 Appendix ISprayer Calibration ..134 Appendix JEarliest and Latest Vegetable Crop Planting Dates in Kentucky ..135 Relative Efficacy of Insecticides Against Common Arthropod Pests of Vegetable Crops in the Southeastern United States ..1364 IntroductionFruit and Vegetable Production and MarketingSuccessful Vegetable Production gen-erally requires the grower to make daily decisions regarding pest management, irrigation, and cultural practices. Would-be Growers unwilling to make serious investments of time (and money) should not attempt to expand beyond a space at the farmers market. It is important for veg-etable Growers to have a market outlet for their product before they choose to start Production .

4 Good marketing plans start with the customer and work backward to Production . Potential Growers should first determine exactly what buyers want, how they want it, and when they want it. They then must determine how these crops should be grown. Even selecting varieties and determining planting times are basic marketing decisions. Kentucky Growers should pay particular attention to comparisons of marketing time required, compatibility with off-farm employment, compatibility with tobacco Production , and other farm demands. Individual situa-tions vary, and producers often must learn about their particular markets by starting small and getting a foot in the OptionsDirect Marketing.

5 Marketing directly to consumers includes sales at local farm-ers markets, on-farm markets, roadside stands, farm festival markets, pick-your-own sites, or any combination of these methods. Direct marketing of vegetables has expanded considerably in Kentucky in recent years. Growers have gravitated to direct marketing because they have the flexibility to determine how much or little they wish to grow and, because they can often charge retail prices for their product, their per-acre revenue may be or Roadside (Tailgate) Mar-kets. These markets need not be elabo-rate but do need to be highly visible and located close to high-traffic areas for suc-cess. Direct marketing can also succeed in more remote locations but will require more advertising and consumers in urban centers now consider visits to on-farm or farmers markets recreational activities because people enjoy seeing farms and talking with farmers.

6 Some Growers have devel-oped seasonal festival days and markets to satisfy this demand. Such entertainment farming and some other forms of direct marketing require liability insurance cov-erage, large time commitments, and em-ployees with friendly, courteous , or U-Pick Sales. This type of direct marketing appears to be declining nationally because consumers have less time and energy available for harvesting produce. U-picks eliminate some of the harvesting, transportation, and marketing costs for Growers but may require additional management, supervi-sion, and liability insurance Town, County, or Community Farmers Markets. The number of reg-istered farmers markets has continued to grow in Kentucky.

7 According to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, over 159 markets were operating in Kentucky in 2017, representing over 2,500 different vendors from 106 different counties. Mar-kets located in larger metropolitan areas tend to generate greater overall sales as well as greater per-vendor sales. These markets are probably the easiest way for new Growers to sell small volumes of produce. Less marketing time is required, and individual Growers do not usually bear all advertising and promotion costs. Farm-ers should check with their local county agents to determine what rules and regu-lations each market may have. Those producers wanting to market a processed food product should also check with the Departments of Agriculture and Public Health about the regulations governing the sale of processed food.

8 In addition, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture has printed a farmers market manual. An elec-tronic version of this manual can be found at Supported Agriculture (CSA). Though the concept of community supported agriculture (CSA) began in Eu-rope as early as the 1960s, it is still relatively new to many regions of the United States. Basically, a CSA consists of shareholders who pay a set fee to a grower or group of Growers for a weekly supply of fresh vegetables during the growing season. Because the members of a CSA pay for their subscription at the beginning of a growing season, they share some of the risk with the farmer. As part of their agreement with the grower, members acknowledge that a poor harvest due to unfavorable weather or pests means their shares may be smaller than usual.

9 By direct sales to community members, Growers re-ceive better prices for their crops and can gain some financial security. Shareholders often have a greater sense of community involvement, knowing that they are help-ing support local Auctions. Produce auctions have been popular for small Growers in some parts of Kentucky. Growers bring produce to the auction facility, where it is sold to the highest bidder. The auction company (sometimes a Growers organiza-tion) charges a flat commission of about 10 to 15 percent. Both large and small lots are accommodated at some auctions. At the large auctions, some of the bidders are operators of medium-to-large retail produce markets and Cooperatives.

10 A marketing cooperative is just one form of indirect marketing in which the producer deals with an intermediary rather than the final consumer. Although most forms of indirect marketing require less time of individual Growers , they usually demand more product uniformity, quality, and post-harvest cooperatives or mar-keting associations are able to assemble truckloads of produce required by large customers, which would not be possible for small Growers acting individually. For-mally organized cooperatives also may provide technical assistance to Growers and help secure seed, boxes, and other needed supplies. In some cases, special-ized equipment is shared by usually own and operate fa-cilities with some combination of grading, packing, cooling, and storage equipment for their members.