Master gardener presentation

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

[email protected]

870-866-3753

Thank You For Your Time!