master gardener presentation
TRANSCRIPT
Master Gardener Presentation
Presented By Josh HardinSheridan, AR
U of A Extension, Main OfficeLittle Rock, AR
September 30, 2015
Overview Two Farms Two Scales
Hardin Farms
Laughing Stock Farm
Sustainable Management Practices
Our Crops
Corn, Melons, Squash, Cucumbers
Root Crops (Potatoes, Onions, Ginger)
Tomatoes, Peppers
- High Tunnel Grafted Tomatoes
Thoughts & Questions
What do we do at Laughing Stock Farm?
2-3 Acre Certified Organic Fruit and Vegetable farm
Farmer’s Market Sales(Argenta, Hillcrest, River Market, littlerock.locallygrown.net, Conway.locallygrown.net, Restaurants, Wholesale (River Valley, Whole Foods, Edwards Food Giant)
Main Crops- Ginger, Turmeric, Tomatoes, Greens, New Potatoes, Beets, Peppers
Hardin Farms
5th Generation row crop & vegetable farm
100 acres vegetables, 1200 acres commodity crops
Services family retail store, 6 local farmers markets, numerous peddlers & resellers
Main crops-Watermelons, cantaloupes, sweet corn, squash, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, beans, onions
What is IPM?Every slice of the pie counts
Extension provides free soil samples
Can also test for many specific nutrient disorders and insects
Using Beneficial InsectsLadybugs and Lacewings love Aphids
Assassin bugs eat many destructive pests
Minute Pirate Bug-Attacks juveniles of many pests
Beneficial Nematodes-Attack pests in the soil (Arbicoorganics.com)
Using Insect Exclusion FabricUse in fruiting crops from transplant to bloom then remove
Leafy crops can grow 9-10 months out of the year under insect fabric
Use metal conduit and bender or wire hoops to prevent crop damage
Using Powdered Kaolin Clay (Surround)
Clay creates a physical barrier.
Protects against Squash Bugs, Stink Bugs, Cucumber Beetles, Aphids, Whiteflies
Cools the plant during excess heat
Mix fertilizers, insecticides, and surfactants with Surround for long lasting protection
What Organic Insecticides Work?
Concentrated pyrethrin 5-6% is effective but not by itself
Must be mixed with surfactant and pH balanced to work well
Can use sulfur (or Lime), along with Yucca extract as a surfactant (ThermX)
Essentria G- Granulated to help with emerging insects
Diatomaceous Earth-Cheapest but only works for soft bodied insects
Biological Controls
Mycotrol- Myco(fungus) based pest control and prevention (broad spectrum)
Entrust- Spinosad (also in Monterey Garden Spray)
(Flea Beetles, Fire Ants, Colorado Potato Beetle, Fleas)
Actinovate- Natural bacteria that feed on common disease organisms
Using Cover Crops to Attract Good Insects
Buckwheat works great and produces quick blooms in spring, summer, and fall
Winter Mixes help keep beneficials in the off-season
Keep flowering natives for all seasons to maintain populations
pH is Critical in Nutrient Availability
Market Farming
By nature small scale is less bound by large equipment
More seasonal production
Small scale producers are direct market by necessity
Variety SelectionChoose crops bred for heat and stress.
Don’t grow Northern varieties without shade, etc
Grafted Plants can help increase productivity
Look for varieties bred in the South and find reviews
Getting The Sweetest Corn
Early Morning Harvest
Corn needs 70-100 lbs of nitrogen per acre (1/10th of a lb per sq ft)
Majority of N needs to come after 2nd leaf
Corn on the plant 1 day past ripe is unmarketable
Heat, lack of water, lack of nitrogen, general plant stress will cause early and reduced yields
Watermelons Require lots of space ( 8-10 sq
ft per vine)
Hilling works best on small plots with 3-4 vines
Need regular water increased weekly
Majority of nutrients needed pre plant with other 30-40% foliar and drip fed through season
Squash-a-plenty
Grow multiple varieties to keep it interesting.
Scallop squash, Zephyr, patty pan, yellow zucchini
There are over 380 varieties of summer squash known
Root Crops New Potatoes should
be kept dirt on until just before market
Growing above ground means less washing and less digging
Grown indoors until Spring weather warms up
Root Crops
Handle in as few steps as possible.
Root crops have more storage life than above ground crops
Root crops hold well in cool soil
Baby Hawaiian Ginger
Baby means little to no skin
Shelf life is short 2-3 days fresh
Frozen can hold 2-3 months
Harvest close to delivery
Leave 6-8 inches of stalk
Wrap crates with wet towels and keep in dark cool room
Questions & Thoughts?
Josh Hardin
870-866-3753
Thank You For Your Time!