CROP SELECTION PLANNING - Alberta25/02/2013 6 Reducing Transplanting Stress (continued) Plant on calm, cool, overcast days if possible OR early/late in day When planting Ensure proper

25/02/2013

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Growing Different Vegetable Crops

Introductory Vegetable Production

Basic Requirements

Different types – e.g. snow/garden/snap peas Soil / Climate Requirements Seeding / Transplanting Temperature – germination rates Growing Temperature Requirements Plant depth Planting density / spacing Suggested CVs / Varieties Fertility / H2O Common issues Harvest / Post‐Harvest

Covered in other presentations

Crop Types

Many different crops out there

Cool season vs. warm season

Fresh vs. storage

Wide range within each crop type

CROP SELECTION / PLANNING

Crop Planning

Want to:

Maximize yields

Maximize profitability

Crop Rotations

Improving soil structure and quality

Soil conservation

Pest management

Variety (… is the spice of life)

Generally 3‐4 years, if possible

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Insta‐Poll(Discussion)

“What factors influence the crops that you grow?”

Crop Planning Drivers

Market

Customer preferences

Personal preferences

Climatic / Location limitations

Rotations

Regulations?

Selecting Varieties

Market Demands / Drivers

Climatic Limitations

Variety Trials / Information

Selecting Varieties – Markets

Range of market drivers Customer demands Current Future Depends on market channel, population base, etc.

Some stability / Some shifting

E.g. Pumpkins

Cabbage

Ethnic vegetables

Selecting Varieties – Climatic Limitations

Many factors should be considered when making crop choices Season length (frost free period) varies region to region

Moisture

Temperature

Elevation

“Days to Maturity” – What does it mean?

Some tools can be used to predict maturation dates

Variety Information ‐ Sources

On‐Farm Trials

Universities / Government

Seed Companies

Inter‐farm consultation

On‐farm trials / Personal experience

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University / Government

Seed Suppliers

A number of different companies

Often have representatives for Alberta or Western Canada

PLANTING CONSIDERATIONS

How to Start Plants –Seeds vs. Transplants

Seeds

Potentially faster and simpler than transplants

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

How to Start Plants –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

Seeding Considerations

Seed Quality:

% Seed Germination

Seed vigor

Field Factor

Seed size

Seeding depth

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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

Comparative 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

Plant Density

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

Insta‐Poll(Discussion)

“What effect does plant spacing have?”

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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 Thinning Transplants / Vegetative Propagation

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

Seed Germination Rates

CROP Germination Rate (days)

Beans 7

Peas 7‐14

Cole Crops 5‐10

Potatoes 7‐14

Carrots 12‐15

Corn 7‐10

Cucurbits 7‐10

Lettuce 7‐10

Onions 10‐14

Tomatoes 7‐14

Vegetative Propagation

Transplants

Other plant material

Tubers (e.g. potatoes)

Crowns (e.g. asparagus)

Crown divisions (e.g. rhubarb)

Bulbs / Sets (e.g. onions, garlic)

Propagule requirements depends on plant spacing and field layout

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

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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

Vegetative Propagation ‐ Requirements

Only use quality, healthy plant material

Ensure good growing conditions Warm, well‐drained 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

VEGETABLE CROP OPTIONS

Vegetable Crop Options

Can grow a wide range of crops

Options: Succulent legumes (peas, beans)

Cole Crops (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.)

Root crops (carrots, etc.)

Potatoes

Leafy Greens (lettuce, spinach, etc.)

Cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, etc.)

Bulb veggies (onions, etc.)

Solanaceous veggies (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants)

SUCCULENT LEGUMES

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Succulent legumes

Most common:

Peas – garden, snow, sugarsnap

Beans – snap (yellow, green), bush or vine

Less common:

Snow peas

Lima, broad beans

Etc.

Peas ‐ Types

Different types Fresh/English/Garden Grown for fresh peas (shelled)

Snow Entire pod is eaten (pod is tender)

Peas do not develop inside (flat)

Snap/Sugarsnap Entire pod is eaten but peas have developed (rounded)

1‐2 inches in‐row

6 inches (Double rows)

1‐2 inchesdeep

24 inches (single rows)

Tolerates a range of soil types

Peas – Growing Requirements

PEAS

MinimumTemperature (°C)

Optimum Temperature (°C)

MaximumTemperature (°C)

Comments

Soil Air Soil Air Soil Air

Generally prefers cooler

temperatures; Can be planted

early; Can tolerate a light

frost

4 7 18‐21 16‐18 29 24

Planting &Harvesting

Stagger plantings; Harvest every 2‐4 days starting 3 weeks after flowering

General Days to Harvest Maturity

(DTM)

55‐75 days;Snap peas = longer DTM

SpecialRequirements

Trellis / String up – lifts up plants; improves airflow and reduces disease

Some suggested CVs

Knight; Spring; Green Arrow; Mr. Big

Beans ‐ Types

Dry

Lima, Broad, etc.

String / Snap Bush beans determinate

Pole beans indeterminate

Different colours 1‐2 inches

24‐36 inches

1.5‐2 inches deep

Bush Beans

Rich, fertile, well‐drained loam soil

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6 inches

30 inches

Pole Beans

1.5‐2 inches deep

Rich, fertile, well‐drained loam soil

Beans – Growing Requirements

BEANS

Minimum Temperature (°C)

OptimumTemperature (°C)


Comments


Warm season crops; sensitive

to cold

15 10 23‐29 16‐24 35 27


Stagger plantings 3 weeks apart


(DTM)

48‐70 days; Bush type have a shorter DTM

SpecialRequirements

Some suggested CVs

Jade; Jade 2; Valentino; Carson (yellow); Eureka (yellow)

COLE CROPS

Cole Crops ‐ Types

Includes a range of cool season crops All within the Brassica family Most commonly grown Cabbage

Green (most common), red, savoy (crinkled) Early, mid, late, storage, etc.

Broccoli Cauliflower

Some types are self‐blanching (leaves wrap heads)

Less often grown Brussels sprouts, rutabaga/turnips, kohlrabi, ethnic vegetables (bok choy, etc.)

Cabbage plants– a bit of a different variety Broccoli plant

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Self‐blanching Cauliflower plant

4‐6 inches (seeded)

~3 feet

Shallow<1/2 inch

12 inches (final/transplanted)

Rich, loam soils

Cole Crops – Growing Requirements

COLECROPS




Comments


Cool season crops; frost tolerant; hardened

transplants can take small

amount of frost; mature cabbage can take 4‐5°C

4 4.4 18‐29 15‐18 38 24


Stagger plantings 3 weeks apart


(DTM)

Cab = 70‐120d; Broc = 65‐80d; Caul = 55‐90d

(from transplant)

SpecialRequirements

Can be direct seeded or grown from transplants – Consider using both methods to stagger harvest dates

Some suggested CVs

Broccoli = Acadia; Imperial; Diplomat; Lieutenant (new) / Cabbage = Platinum Dynasty; Blue Dynasty; Huron (sauerkraut); Blue Vantage (cole slaw) /

Cauliflower = Minute Man; Fremont

ROOT CROPS

Root Crops

Most common:

Carrots

Beets

Radishes – range of types

Less common

Rutabaga/turnips – insect issues

Parsnips – tend to need a longer season

Carrot ‐ Types

Different shapes and sizes Nantes Cylindrical with rounded tip Small core = sweet carrot

Stores poorly; eaten fresh

Imperator Long, tapering root Late maturing

Fibrous core Stores very well Imperator‐type

Photo by genericseeds.com

Nantes‐typePhoto by heirloomseedswap.com

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Carrot ‐ Types

Different shapes and sizes Chantenay Intermediate between Nantes & Imperator

Tapered shape with rounded tip

Sweet like Nantes

Danvers Medium length, conical &thicker than Imperator

Other colours are now available

Danvers‐typePhoto by theopportunity88.blogspot.net

Chantenay‐typePhoto by underwoodgardens.com

INSTA‐POLL(DISCUSSION)

“WHAT FACTOR MAKES FOR A SWEET CARROT?”

1 inch

18‐24 inches

0.25‐0.5 inches

Can be grouped in double rows or beds

Prefer sandy loam soils• Can grow on all soils

Carrots – Growing Requirements

CARROTS




Comments


Relatively cool season crop; Plant relatively early in the season

4 7 23‐26 15‐18 35 24


Stagger plantingsGeneral Days to Harvest Maturity

(DTM)50‐95 days

SpecialRequirements

Needs a nice, deep seedbedCan use a raised bed to deepen growing area

Some suggested CVs

Presto; Bolero

POTATOES

Potatoes

Over 5 acres = mandatory membership and levies to Potato Growers of Alberta

Range of types Different skin and flesh colours and textures

Different end uses

Commonly grown in most operations

Early/baby potatoes always in demand

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Potato ‐ Cultivars

Boiling Potatoes

Slightly wet, waxy flesh All shapes and sizes Exterior Red, white, russetted

Interior White, creamy, yellow

E.g. Norland, Yukon Gold, Pontiac

Norland potatoes


Baking Potatoes

Typically drier, mealy texture

Exterior is typically russeted (netted) or may be white skinned

Often oblong shape

E.g. Russet BurbankRusset Norkotah

Russet Burbank potatoes


Frying / Chipping Potatoes

Drier flesh, low sugar

White skinned

Chipping potatoes = round E.g. Atlantic

Frying potatoes = oblong shape E.g. Russet Burbank, Shepody

Chipping cultivar

Shepody potatoes


Range of other colours and shapes available Banana

Purple skinned

Purple fleshed

Pink/Red fleshed

8‐14 inches

34‐38 inches

4‐7 inches(in furrow)(hill later on)

Wider distances = larger potatoes

Narrower spacing = smaller potatoes

Medium to sandy loam soils are preferred• Drain well, don’t stick or clump• No stones

Potatoes – Growing Requirements

POTATO




Comments


Sensitive to spring and fall frosts; Tuber

initiation = when flowering;

7 7 16‐24 16‐18 ‐ 24


Harvest oncetubers are formed


(DTM)

Varies with type / cultivar

SpecialRequirements

Hilling recommended to protect from exposure to sunRemoving / killing tops – 14 days = skin set and toughening

Suggested Cultivars

Norland (red); Bintje or Yukon Gold (yellow); Banana & purples (range of names)

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LEAFY GREEN VEGGIES

Leafy Green Vegetables

Most common

Lettuce – head, leaf, romaine

Spinach

Swiss Chard

Less common (at least historically)

Beet, turnip or mustard greens (tops)

Mixed greens, Mesclun mix (radicchio, etc.)

Mesclun mix Coloured Buttercrunch‐type lettuce

Various lettuce transplants Spinach

(and some weeds)

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8‐14 inches

12‐24 inches

0.25‐0.5 inches

Some types can grow in clusters/clumps

Will grow on a range of soil types

Leafy Greens – Growing Requirements

LEAFYGREENS




Comments


Typically thrive at cool temps;

Issues with high temps; Not tolerant of

moisture stress;

0 7 18‐21 15‐18 29 24


Stagger plantingsto maintain fresh, tender quality;

may use transplants


(DTM)

Relatively short DTM (depending on type) – 37‐85d

SpecialRequirements

Romaine‐type lettuces = more tolerant of heat

Some suggested CVs

Range of choices for different types

CUCURBITS

Cucurbits

Wide range of fruiting vegetables

Most common Cucumbers – slicing, pickling

Summer squash – zucchini, scallop squash

Winter squash – acorn, buttercup, butternut, spaghetti, Hubbard, turban, etc.

Less Common Melons – muskmelon/cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew, etc.

3 inches to 8 feet

3‐12 feet

0.5‐2 inches (depends on

type – seed size)

Can grow on mulch, on hills/mounds/ridges or with companion plants

Will grow on a range of soils if well‐drained

Cucurbits – Growing Requirements

CUCURBITS




Comments


Sensitive to frost; Almost all are wide‐spreading

vine crops

15 16 21‐29 18‐24 38 32


Can be grown from seed or transplants


(DTM)

Cuc = 50‐70d; Other cucurbits = varies (typically long season)

SpecialRequirements

Transplants need 3‐4 weeks to develop (1‐2 true leaves)

Some suggested CVs

Pucini (pickling); Mongoose (later slicer); Dominator (early slicer); Sassy (pickling); Jackson Classic; Fancipak; Vlasspik

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Cucurbits ‐ Flowering

Typically monoecious (separate male & female flowers on same plant)

First flowers are male

Some hybrids are gynoecious

Predominately female flowers

Need normal plants to provide pollen (typically provided in seed packet)

BULB VEGGIES

Bulb Veggies

Different types Dry bulb onions Yellow, white, red, Spanish

Green onions

Leeks

Garlic Softneck, elephant, etc.

Etc.

Spanish Onions

Garlic

2‐4 inches

12‐24 inches

1‐2 inches

Will grow on all soils, but prefer loam soils

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Bulb Veggies – Growing Requirements

BULB VEGGIES




Comments


Can grow at somewhat cooler temperatures;

0 7 21‐23 13‐24 35 29


Grown from seeds, sets (mini bulbs) or other vegetative forms


(DTM)

Varies widely depending on type & CV

Average = 90d; Sweeter types = longer DTM

SpecialRequirements

Some pre‐harvest treatment should be applied (mechanical or chemical) to improve drying down and eventual storability; cure prior to storage

Some suggested CVs

Lots of options for red, yellow, storage types;Walla Walla (long season sweet spanish);

SWEET CORN

6 inches

~3 feet

1 inch deep

Can grow on a range of soil types – Must be well‐drained

Sweet Corn – Growing Requirements

SWEETCORN




Comments

Soil Air Soil Air Soil AirWarm season crop; Many

different types of corn available –

range of maturity, sweetness,

kernel colour, etc.; Wind pollinated;

10 10 21‐29 15‐24 40 35


Plant after risk of frost is past; early = slower growth; Rule of Thumb = “Knee high by 4th

of July”


(DTM)

60‐100+ days (depends on type

& CV)

SpecialRequirements

Avoid planting different types together – can result in off‐types and poor quality; ~150 foot separation to prevent cross pollination

Some suggested CVs

Pay Dirt (bicolour); Lots of other choices available

INSTA‐POLL(STAND UP/ SIT DOWN)

“DO YOU PREFER YELLOW OR BICOLOUR CORN?”

CharacteristicStandard Sweet

(su)Sugar Enhanced

(se)Supersweet

(sh2)

AugmentedSupersweet

(shq)

Synergistic Sweet (SY) or Triplesweet

(tsw)

Sugar contentAverage10‐12%

Higher than (su) Very high Very highMix of (sh2), (se)

and (su)

Tolerance of cool soil

Good Higher than (su) Sensitive

Time to maturityRelatively quick (5 days earlier)

Longer than (su)Long – 3 days later (avg)

Long Variable‐Long

Sugar to Starch Conversion

(post‐harvest)Rapid Slow Very Slow Very Slow Slow

Post‐harvestlifespan

Short Good Excellent Excellent

Other characteristics

More tender and higher moisture content than

(sh2)

Must be isolated from (se) types

or quality declines

Must be isolatedfrom (se) and (su) typesHigh quality kernels

Mixes traits of all three types;

Must be isolated from (sh2) types

RecommendedCultivars

Earlivee, Seneca Horizon

Chochise, Grant, Seneca

Tomahawk, Sunray

Northern XtraSupersweet, Confection, Candy Corn

Fantastic, Optimum

Bojangles, Polka, Revelation

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Sweet Corn– Growing Requirements

Male and female flowers on each plant

Wind pollinated

Separate different types by at least ~150 feet

Prevent cross pollination Ruins quality of some types

Sweet Corn – Shortening DTM

Since corn is a long season crop Growing from transplants is tedious but possible

Use larger pots or plugs to provide them with lots of room

Use clear plastic mulch to heat the soil in which the seeds are planted, then remove once plants emerge

Consider the use of a biodegradable/compostable mulch

Use row or field covers

WARM SEASON – SOLANACEOUSCROPS (TOMATOES, PEPPERS,

EGGPLANTS

Tomato ‐ Types

Beefsteak Large, seedy, thin‐skinned

Roma / Plum

Small, oval to pear‐shaped, thick skinned, “meaty”

Cherry / Grape Small, round, sweet

Tomato ‐ Types

Campari

Sweet, low acid, in between roma and cherry in size

Heirloom‐types

Not truly representing a different type, but are older cultivars of different types

Often better flavour

Quality can be “less than perfect”

Peppers

A wide range of different kinds Sweet bell

Hot / Chili

Banana

etc.

Mature to different colours

Red, yellow, orange, brown, etc.

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Peppers

Pepper Type Scoville Rating(Scale of Heat– not hotness)

Sweet Bell 0

Anaheim Chile 2,500

Ancho (a.k.a. pablano) 2,000

Banana (a.k.a. Pimento) 500

Cayenne 60,000

Habanero 325,000 – 570,000

Jalapeno 5,000

Red Chili 100,000

Serrano 25,000

Thai 100,000

Wax 0 ‐ 5,000

18‐24 inches

24‐36 inches

0.25 inches (seeded)Transplant deeply

Solanaceous Crops – Growing Requirements

SOLANACEOUSCROPS




Comments


Warm season crops; Need a long period of time to mature; NOT tolerant of cold conditions; Do not over‐

fertilize

10‐15 18 23‐29 21‐24 35 27


Must be transplanted to

achieve marketable produce


(DTM)

60‐85 days (from transplanting)

SpecialRequirements

Tomato transplants require 6‐8 weeks from seeding (longer for peppers/eggplants);

Some suggested CVs

Lots of options – most won’t mature completely; make selections based on time, type, use and market demand

Solanaceous crops– Growing Requirements

Benefit from the use of covers

Must be permeable or perforated

Overheat with solid, clear plastic or glass covers Flowers will abort

Peppers = self‐pollinated Can leave the covers on permanently

Tomatoes

Must remove covers prior to flowering starting

Solanaceous Crops– Growing Requirements

Temperature of peppers (capsaicin content) is affected by:

Cultivar

Weather

Green tomatoes and peppers will change colour after harvest (if they are mature enough)

No change in sweetness or heat

INSTA‐LAUGH(HORTICULTURAL PRACTICAL

JOKES)

“WHICH END OF THE HOT PEPPER SHOULD YOU BITE?”

(AND WHICH SHOULD YOU OFFER TO A “FRIEND”?)

25/02/2013

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QUESTIONS???

Rob Spencer, BSA, MSc, P.Ag.Commercial Horticulture Specialist

Alberta Ag‐Info Centre

310‐FARM

[email protected]

Documents

CROP SELECTION PLANNING - Alberta25/02/2013 6 Reducing Transplanting Stress (continued) Plant on calm, cool, overcast days if possible OR early/late in day When planting Ensure proper