Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, 2014-15 Ricardo Bessin University of Kentucky, [email protected]
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University of Kentucky UKnowledge Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications Cooperative Extension Service 10-2013 Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, 2014-15 Ricardo Bessin University of Kentucky, [email protected] Kenneth W. Seebold University of Kentucky, [email protected] Shubin Saha University of Kentucky, [email protected] Shawn Wright University of Kentucky, [email protected] John Strang University of Kentucky, [email protected] Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits oy u. Follow this and additional works at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/anr_reports Part of the Agriculture Commons Repository Citation Bessin, Ricardo; Seebold, Kenneth W.; Saha, Shubin; Wright, Shawn; and Strang, John, "Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, 2014-15" (2013). Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications. 83. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/anr_reports/83 This Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Cooperative Extension Service at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact [email protected]. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND ENVIRONMENT, LEXINGTON, KY, 40546 ID-36 Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, 2014-15 Agriculture and Natural Resources • Family and Consumer Sciences • 4-H Youth Development • Community and Economic Development EXTENSION 2014-15 Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers Ric Bessin, Extension Entomologist, Editor Kenny Seebold, Extension Plant Pathologist Shubin Saha, Shawn Wright and John Strang, Extension Horticulturists Trade 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 assistance. Contents Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 4 General Production Considerations .......................................................................................... 5 Insect Management ........................................................................................................................ 7 Weed Management ......................................................................................................................... 9 Disease Management ...................................................................................................................12 Asparagus .........................................................................................................................................20 Beans ...................................................................................................................................................22 Cole Crops .........................................................................................................................................28 Sweet Corn ........................................................................................................................................35 Eggplant ............................................................................................................................................41 Greens ................................................................................................................................................45 Okra ....................................................................................................................................................54 Onions ................................................................................................................................................56 Peas ....................................................................................................................................................60 Peppers ..............................................................................................................................................63 Potatoes .............................................................................................................................................70 Rhubarb .............................................................................................................................................76 Root Crops ........................................................................................................................................78 Southernpeas (Cowpeas) ............................................................................................................83 Sweetpotatoes ................................................................................................................................86 Tomatoes ...........................................................................................................................................88 Vining Crops (Cucurbits) ........................................................................................................... 100 Appendices A: Production and Marketing Information Online .......................................................... 119 B: Secondary Nutrients and Micronutrients ...................................................................... 120 C: Conversion Table for Use of Pesticides on Small Areas ............................................. 121 D: English Measurement Units ............................................................................................... 121 E: Generic Insecticides ............................................................................................................... 122 F: Generic Fungicides ................................................................................................................. 123 G: Sprayer Calibration ................................................................................................................ 124 H: Organic Manures and Fertilizers ....................................................................................... 125 I: Earliest and Latest Vegetable Crop Planting Dates ...................................................... 127 J: Disinfection and Treatment of Vegetable Seeds .......................................................... 128 Relative Efficacy of Insecticides Against Common Arthropod Pests of Vegetable Crops in the Southeastern United States ................................................. inside back cover Cover photo: Watermelons grown in western Kentucky, 2012. Ric Bessin, Department of Entomology. Introduction Fruit and Vegetable erage, large time commitments, and em- involvement, knowing that they are help- Production and Marketing ployees with friendly, courteous attitudes. ing support local agriculture. Successful vegetable production gen- Pick-Your-Own, or “U-Pick” Sales. This Produce Auctions. Produce auctions erally requires the grower to make daily type of direct marketing appears to be have been popular for small growers in decisions regarding pest management, declining nationally because consumers some parts of Kentucky. Growers bring irrigation, and cultural practices. Would- have less time and energy available for produce to the auction facility, where it be growers unwilling to make serious harvesting produce. U-picks eliminate is sold to the highest bidder. The auction investments of time (and money) should some of the harvesting, transportation, company (sometimes a growers’ organiza- not attempt to expand beyond a space at and marketing costs for growers but may tion) charges a flat commission of about the farmers’ market. It is important for veg- require additional management, supervi- 10 to 15 percent. Both large and small lots etable growers to have a market outlet for sion, and liability insurance coverage. are accommodated at some auctions. At their product before they choose to start Local Town, County, or Community the large auctions, some of the bidders production. Good marketing plans start Farmers’ Markets. The number of reg- are operators of medium-to-large retail with the customer and work backward to istered farmers’ markets has continued produce markets and stands. production. Potential growers should first to grow in Kentucky. According to the Marketing Cooperatives. A marketing determine exactly what buyers want, how Kentucky Department of Agriculture, over cooperative is just one form of indirect they want it, and when they want it. They 147 markets were operating in Kentucky marketing in which the producer deals then must determine how these crops in 2013, representing over 2,500 different with an intermediary rather than the should be grown. Even selecting varieties vendors. Markets located in larger met- final consumer. Although most forms of and determining planting times are basic ropolitan areas tend to generate greater indirect marketing require less time of marketing decisions. Kentucky growers overall sales as well as greater per-vendor individual growers, they usually demand should pay particular attention to com- sales. These markets are probably the more product uniformity, quality, and parisons of marketing time required, com-