PRODUCTION PLANNING Morgan Taggart Market Gardener Training Program 2015
INTENSIVE VEGETABLE PRODUCTION Site elements Crop selection Crop families Yields and crop plans Crop rotation Intensive production techniques
PLANNING YOUR PRODUCTION Compacted soils Shade/partial-sun Small space vs. large space Season extension Security
PRODUCTION AREA Area and Volume Raised beds Common area Pathways
AREA AND VOLUME Area=Length X Width Volume=Length X Width X Depth 4 4 2 10 10 Worksheet - Get out your pencils!
AREA AND VOLUME AREA Total area of garden Total area for one bed Total crop production area Percent of land in production VOLUME Volume of soil at 1 for one bed Volume of soil at 1 for all beds Total cubic yards
DEVELOPING A PLAN Crop selection Growing conditions Succession and season extension Season length Yields and quantities Maximizing your space
CROP SELECTION DECIDING WHAT TO GROW What do you like? What do your customers want? What s easy to grow? What grows well at your site? What can your site accommodate? What requires the least resources?
DEVELOPING A PLAN Will it be grown once a season? Seed or transplant? How much to plant? When to plant? When do you expect to harvest? Where will you plant it? Take the time to plan and keep records!
CROP FAMILIES Common Name Scientific Name Common Examples Carrot Apiaceae Anise, Carrot, Celery, Cilantro, Dill, Fennel, Lovage, Parsley, and Parsnips Goosefoot Chenopodiaceae Amaranth, Beet, Chard, and Spinach Gourd Cucurbitaceae Cucumber, Melon, Pumpkin, Squash, and Watermelon Grass Pocaceae Corn and other grains Lily Liliaceae Asparagus Mint Lamiaceae Basil, Lemon Balm, Marjoram, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme Mustard Brassicaceae Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collard, Horseradish, Kale, Kohlrabi, Radish, Rutabaga, Turnip, and Watercress Onion Alliaceae Garlic, Leek, Onion, and Shallot Nightshade Solanaceae Eggplant, Pepper, Potato, and Tomato Pea Fabaceae Bean, Peanut, and Pea Sunflower Asteraceae Endive, Globe Artichoke, Jerusalem Artichoke, Lettuce, Sunflower, and Tarragon
Experiment with Different Varieties!
USDA HARDINESS ZONES
WARM SEASON VS. COOL SEASON Radishes Lettuce Peas Brassicas Spinach Spring onions Carrots Tomatoes Eggplant Melons Cucumbers Beans Squash Peppers Basil *OGH Pages 112-114
GARDEN LAYOUT THROUGH THE SEASONS
GARDEN LAYOUT THROUGH THE SEASONS
GARDEN LAYOUT THROUGH THE SEASONS
GARDEN LAYOUT THROUGH THE SEASONS
SEASONAL PLANTING Spring Summer Fall BEANS TOMATOES RADISHES
SEASONAL PLANTING Spring Summer Fall GREEN ONIONS HOT PEPPERS EGGPLANT
DIRECT SEEDING VS. TRANSPLANTS Transplanting = Season Extension Transplanting = Additional Plantings Transplanting = Controlled Conditions Transplanting = Uniform Planting Direct Seeding = Less Resources Direct Seeding = No Root Disturbance
SUCCESSION PLANTING Same crop at different times Ex: Lettuce mix every 1-2 weeks Different varieties of the same crop Ex: Early and late tomatoes Crops with different growing requirements Ex: Lettuce then tomatoes Week 5 Week 3 Week 1 Succession Planting Green Beans *OGH pages 115-116
INTERCROPPING Cucurbits and Greens Cilantro and Radishes
NOW YOU VE GOT YOUR LIST OF CROPS It is time to make a plan!
PROJECTING YIELDS AND QUANTITIES Select your crops and varieties Determine and record Days to maturity Projected yields Planting date Transplant or direct seed Quantities you ll need
BEANS ROYAL BURGUNDY 55 days to maturity Direct seed 100 foot row produces 80 pounds Sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest Plant after May 15th
CARROTS MOKUM 54 days Direct seeding 100 pounds per 100 row Sow every three weeks Plant early Spring to mid- July
ACTIVITY: PRODUCTION PLANNING Part III of Worksheet #1 Ophelia Eggplant Group Activity/Homework: Crop Planning Paste Tomato Paisano Cucumber Salt and Pepper Cabbage Storage No. 4 Melon French Charentais Escorial Spinach - Tyee
CROP ROTATION Soil test results Understand nutrient requirements Pest and disease control Cover crops and green manures Crop groups Plant families Type of crop Fruit Uses Phosphorus Leaves Uses Nitrogen Roots Uses Potassium Legumes Adds Nitrogen Heavy Feeders vs. Light Feeders *OGH Pages 116-117
BASIC RULES OF CROP ROTATION Don t plant the same crop in the same place every year Don t plant crops with similar nutrient needs in the same place every year Don t plant crops from within the same plant family in the same place every year
SAMPLE CROP ROTATION YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 Swiss Chard Lettuce Peppers Garlic Green Onions Crop Family? Crop Type? Crop Family? Crop Type? Crop Family? Crop Type?
GROWING TIPS Grow what you like Try new varieties Learn as much about your crops as possible Develop a well-researched plan Keep records Learn from your mistakes and misfortunes Keep growing!
Questions? Morgan Taggart Extension Educator Community Development OSU Extension, Cuyahoga County taggart.32@osu.edu