Growing and Marketing Garden Cress and Mache at Local Green Markets in Southeast Florida

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Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 119:291-296. 2006. GROWING AND MARKETING GARDEN CRESS AND MACHE AT LOCAL GREEN MARKETS IN SOUTHEAST FLORIDA

KENNETH D. SHULER*, STEPHEN J. NIE, oval, glossy green leaves form a heavy bunch with a tender, DEANNA V. SHULER AND PEI-ANN N. SHULER flowery, minty flavor (Johnny’s Selected Seeds, 2005). Stephen’s Produce Soil preparation and irrigation setup. Garden soil preparation, 12657 158th Street N broadcast fertilization, bed making, and irrigation setup has Jupiter, FL 33478 been handled similarly for the past several years (Shuler et al., 2001a, b, 2002a, b, 2003a, b, 2004a, b, 2005a, b). However, dur- Additional index words. compost, farmers’ market, garden ing spring/summer 2005, most end-of-season vegetation (ex- isting crops and weeds) were killed with glyphosate herbicide Abstract. The growers for Stephen’s Produce began growing (Roundup Ultra, Monsanto, St. Louis, Mo.) instead of being and marketing garden cress (Lepidium sativum L.) in 2001 and pulled out. Also, S at 1,000 pounds per acre was incorporated mache (Valerianella locusta L.) in 2002 from a 0.15 acre back- to help lower the soil pH which had been increasing from the yard market garden to help supply the West Palm Beach Green yearly additions of composted sewage sludge/yard waste. A Market with a Saturday supply of “garden fresh” produce. The broadcast fertilizer containing 150, 80, 150, and 16 pounds garden has been expanded each year. In 2005-2006, 0.38 acres per acre N, P, K, and Mg, respectively, was spread along with were under cultivation and clientele were being served at two the S. For the 2005-06 season, an 8 mil plastic drip tubing with weekend green markets. Garden cress and mache were two of the 30 crops grown and have been included in the crop mix 8 inch emitter spacings and a flow rate of 6.7 gpm per 1,000 ft each year. Planting schedules, growing and harvesting meth- was used (Toro “Aqua-TraXX”, item EA5080867-750, Berry ods, yields, and sales figures are discussed. For the 2004-2005 Hill Irrigation, Inc., Buffalo Junction, Va.). A single drip line season, 13 plantings of garden cress and 9 plantings of mache was used on narrow beds which were more suited for crops were made. Cress was sold for 23 weeks and mache for 20 planted two rows per bed and wider beds suited for crops weeks of the 28 week sales season which began 6 November planted three rows per bed were fitted with two drip lines. and concluded 15 May. These crops were cut, washed, and Irrigation management, 2005-06. Beginning in Sept., the bagged the day before sales. Prices were $2.00 per quart bag drip system was set to irrigate twice daily for 45 minutes per containing from 3 to 4 ounces of greens. An average of 9 bags irrigation (lines were alternated where beds had two lines per of cress and 19.9 bags of mache were sold each week in 2004- bed). Approximately 10 Nov., irrigation was reduced to 30 m, 2005. Total production was 216 bags of cress ($416) and 402 bags of mache ($795). twice daily; and further reduced to 25 m twice daily after 1 Dec. Irrigation was increased to 45 m twice daily about 1 Mar. and again increased to 60 m twice daily about 29 Mar. because The beginning of garden cress and mache sales for green markets of extremely dry spring weather. The system was turned off in Southeast Florida, 2001-2006. The growers at Stephen’s Pro- duce were the first vendors to offer mache (Valerianella locus- during a few heavy rain storms but remained on when show- ta) and the second to offer garden cress (Lepidium sativum) ers were light. for sale at green markets in Southeast Florida. Our regular Crop establishment with direct seeding. A 1% chlorpyrifos customers were already getting other leafy salad greens from mole cricket bait (Micro Flo, Memphis, Tenn.) was used to Stephen’s Produce: cilantro, Italian parsley, lettuce, arugula, control wire worms and cutworms and approximately 300 lb/ Swiss chard, and spinach (Shuler et al., 2003a, b, 2004a, acre 23-0-23 topdress fertilizer made from mixing equal 2005a). Based on the crop descriptions in the Johnny’s Select- amounts of potassium nitrate and ammonium nitrate was ed Seed catalog, garden cress and mache seemed very appeal- sprinkled on the bed top just before seeding. The cultivator ing as salad items. We were looking for new and unusual crops attachment of a wheel-hoe was used on the row areas of the to try since we had continued to expand the size of the garden bed surface to incorporate the soil insecticide and fertilizer and did not have a need to greatly expand production of ex- amendments and to loosen the area for planting. isting crops. We began planting garden cress (cv. ‘Wrinkled Row furrows were pushed open with a hoe. Garden cress Crinkled Cress’, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Winslow, Maine) and mache seeds were scattered at approximately three to ten once a week beginning early Oct. 2001. We had gotten several seeds per inch and seedlings were not thinned. Both crops inquires from our customers about where they could buy ma- were usually planted three rows per bed. Loose soil was pulled che so decided to grow it on a trial basis in Nov. 2002 with a over the furrow and an automobile tire was rolled over the single planting (cv. ‘Vit’, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Winslow, plant row to firm up the soil. After rolling, the effective depth Maine). of planting was judged to be about 0.5 inches. During warm The seed catalog descriptions were as follows: Garden weather, wrinkled cress emerged quickly, usually within three cress “Sweet and spicy salad item. Spoon-shaped leaves are days; however, during cooler winter weather, seedlings might bright green with ruffled edges and an attractive “blistered” take five to six days or longer to emerge. Mache was very slow surface. Fluffy addition to your salad mix. Resists bolting long- to emerge, taking eight to ten days or more. Mache is consider than other L. sativum varieties, allowing multiple cuts from ered a cool season crop; when it was planted in warm weather a single planting. Mache: “A vigorous, mildew-resistant variety (early October and mid to late February), emergence was for spring and fall crops, as well as for overwintering. Long, poor, resulting in thin plant stands with noticeable skips. Crop scheduling. After the first season of planting garden cress every week, it became apparent that a planting could be *Corresponding author; e-mail: [email protected] re-cut every two to three weeks which meant that three con-

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 119: 2006. 291

secutive plantings made a week apart could then supply pro- planted over once and space for new plantings had to come duce over a period of two cuttings made every 2 to 3 weeks. from land made available from pulling out just harvested For the 2002-03 season, four sets of three weekly garden cress crops. In this situation, several of the scheduled mache plant- plantings were made with one single planting in early March, ings were skipped which meant that for several weeks only sec- a total of 13 plantings (Table 1). The first planting was made ond cut product was available for harvest. 14 Sept. for an 18 Oct. harvest. Days to first harvest usually Growing the crop and pest management. There is now some ranged from 30 to 34 d for September plantings, 38 to 40 d production of mache for use in mixed salads in Palm Beach for December through January plantings, and 25 to 30 d for County by another small farmer who sells to restaurants and February and March plantings. For the 2005-06 season, plant- greenmarkets. However, there is no other production of gar- ings were made every week to provide a constant supply of den cress locally since the original grower has discontinued first cut garden cress. Quality was improved and cutting took production. Crop protective chemicals were used as de- less time since production from first cuttings was more pre- scribed in previous reports of our garden crops (Shuler et al., dictable with less bolting and fewer yellowed leaves to cull out 2003a, b, 2004a, b, 2005a, b). than from second or third cuttings. Since only one harvest Weed pressure has increased dramatically over the past was targeted, cress was allowed to grow 5 to 7 d longer than in two seasons because we were not able to keep end-of-season previous seasons. weeds from going to seed. Even though garden cress emerged Since mache is a cool season crop, plantings have been fairly quickly, it did not grow very tall and did not compete limited to a 17 week period from mid October to early Febru- well with weeds. In addition to being a short-statured crop, ary (Table 2). Even with this shortened planting period, pro- mache was also very slow to emerge and thus competed very duction from the earliest and latest plantings made in poorly with weeds. When time permitted, mache would be October and February was usually reduced because of either hand weeded two to three weeks after emergence, during a poor stand and/or weakened growth. The best quality and mid-growth, and again shortly before harvesting. An effort greatest production was from plantings made over a 9 week was made to plant mache in areas where weeds were less of a period from late October through late December. Days to problem. When time did not permit for hand weeding, plant- first harvest were about 60 d for October plantings, about ings would often have to be abandoned because weeds shad- 80 d for December plantings, and 70 d for January plantings. ed out plantings and made harvesting impossible. Additional Since mache can also be left to regrow for a second cut similar weedings would also be needed where mache was allowed to to garden cress, plantings were clustered for the first two full regrow for a second cut. seasons of mache production, 2003 to 2005. For the 2005-06 Our crop protective chemical program usually provided season, it was decided to make weekly plantings so that fresh, excellent control of worms. Worms were less of a problem for first cut mache would be available every week. The more vig- mache since the major production period was during the win- orous plantings were not pulled out but left to regrow to pro- ter months when worm pressure was seasonally low. Egg mass- vide additional product to mix with the first cut mache that es would occasionally be found on garden cress in the spring. was available each week. By early December, all land had been Aphids were not a major concern for these crops. Scouting

Table 1. Garden cress production from 0.012 acres for sale at green markets in Southeast Florida, 2003-2004.

Harvest period (dates) Days to harvest Harvest Days Linear Date # period between bed ft # bags Pounds Total $ per $ per acre planted Start Finish Start Finish harvests (days) harvests plantedz harvested per acrey $ valuex acre per dayw 13 Sept. 17 Oct. 31 Oct. 34 48 2.0 14 14 9.0 28.0 6,269 $56.00 $67,760 $1,093 20 Sept. 24 Oct. 24 Oct. 34 34 1.0 1 0 9.0 17.0 3,806 $34.00 $41,140 $1,210 10 Oct. 7 Nov. 7 Nov. 28 28 1.0 1 0 10.7 10.0 1,883 $20.00 $20,355 $727 20 Oct. 28 Nov. 28 Nov. 39 39 1.0 1 0 9.0 5.0 1,119 $10.00 $12,100 $310 26 Oct. 5 Dec. 26 Dec. 40 61 2.0 21 21 9.0 14.0 3,134 $28.00 $33,880 $555 13 Nov. 12 Dec. 9 Jan. 29 57 2.0 28 28 9.0 26.5 5,933 $53.00 $64,130 $1,125 18 Nov. 19 Dec. 30 Jan. 31 73 3.0 42 21 7.0 26.0 7,484 $52.00 $80,897 $1,108 9 Dec. 16 Jan. 30 Jan. 38 52 2.0 14 14 6.0 15.0 5,037 $30.00 $54,450 $1,047 16 Dec. 23 Jan. 6 Feb. 38 52 2.0 14 14 7.0 12.5 3,598 $25.00 $38,893 $748 23 Dec. 30 Jan. 14 Feb. 38 53 2.0 15 15 6.0 11.0 3,694 $22.00 $39,930 $753 30 Dec. 6 Feb. 27 Feb. 38 59 2.0 21 21 8.0 18.5 4,659 $37.00 $50,366 $854 13 Jan. 13 Feb. 5 Mar. 31 52 2.0 21 21 8.5 17.0 4,030 $34.00 $43,560 $838 21 Jan. 20 Feb. 12 Mar. 30 51 2.0 21 21 8.0 13.0 3,274 $26.00 $35,393 $694 29 Jan. 27 Feb. 19 Mar. 29 50 2.0 21 21 8.0 8.5 2,141 $17.00 $23,141 $463 19 Feb. 26 Mar. 9 Apr. 36 51 2.0 15 15 8.0 31.0 7,808 $62.00 $84,398 $1,655 3 Mar. 16 Apr. 16 Apr. 44 44 1.0 1 0 7.0 10.0 2,878 $20.00 $31,114 $707 Totals 129.0 263.0 $526.00 Average for 16 plantings 36 51 1.8 21 19 8.1 16.0 4,102 $33.00 $44,335 $867 Average for 25 weeks sales 10.5 $21.04 zBeds were 4 ft. center to center. All 16 plantings were at three rows per bed. yArea planted based on a bed width of 4 ft center to center and a bunch weight estimated at 84 gms (0.185 lbs) per bag. xBased on $2.00 per bag if all bags were sold. wBased on “Days to harvest-Finish”.

292 Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 119: 2006.

Table 2. Mache production from 0.009 acres for sale at green markets in Southeast Florida, 2003–2004.

Harvest period (dates) Days to harvest Harvest Days Linear Date # period between bed ft # bags Pounds Total $ per $ per acre planted Start Finish Start Finish harvests (days) harvests plantedz harvested per acrey $ valuex acre per dayw 6 Oct. Seedlings did not emerge; did not harvest. 13 Oct. 2 Jan. 12Mar. 81 151 3.0 70 35 11.0 49.0 11,112 $98.00 $97,020 $643 20 Oct. 26 Dec. 13 Feb. 67 116 3.0 49 25 12.0 75.0 15,591 $150.00 $136,125 $1,173 27 Oct. 9 Jan. 12 Mar. 74 137 4.0 63 21 12.0 83.0 17,254 $166.00 $150,645 $1,100 3 Nov. 16 Jan. 20 Mar. 74 138 3.0 64 32 8.0 36.0 11,226 $72.00 $98,010 $710 13 Nov. 23 Jan. 4 Apr. 71 141 3.0 70 35 12.0 103.0 21,412 $206.00 $186,945 $1,326 18 Nov. 30 Jan. 27 Feb. 73 101 2.0 28 28 4.7 36.0 19,108 $72.00 $166,826 $1,652 25 Nov. 6 Feb. 16 Apr. 73 143 3.0 70 35 4.0 48.0 29,936 $96.00 $261,360 $1,828 2 Dec. Scheduled, but did not plant; ran out of space. 9 Dec. Scheduled, but did not plant; ran out of space. 16 Dec. 6 Mar. 9 Apr. 81 115 2.0 34 34 8.0 20.0 6,237 $40.00 $54,450 $473 23 Dec. Planted but did not harvest. 30 Dec. Scheduled, but did not plant; ran out of space. 6 Jan. 19 Mar. 24 Apr. 73 109 2.0 36 36 12.0 54.0 11,143 $107.00 $97,284 $893 13 Jan. 3 Apr. 1 May 80 108 2.0 28 28 12.0 28.0 5,713 $57.00 $51,365 $476 21 Jan. Planted but allowed to get too weedy; did not harvest. 29 Jan. Planted but allowed to get too weedy; did not harvest. 4 Feb. Planted but allowed to get too weedy; did not harvest. 19 Feb. Planted but allowed to get too weedy; did not harvest. 25 Feb. Planted but allowed to get too weedy; did not harvest. Totals 96.0 532.0 $1,064.00 Average for 10 plantings 75 126 2.7 51 31 9.6 53.2 13,844 $106.40 $121,053 $962 Average for 19 weeks sales 28.0 $56.00 zBeds were 4 ft. center to center. All plantings were at three rows per bed. yArea planted based on a bed width of 4 ft center to center and a bag weight of 104 gms (0.23 lbs) per bag. xBased on $2.00 per bag if all bunches were sold. wBased on “Days to harvest-Finish”. for pests was done as crops were harvest. If pests were found bucket was filled with tap water and the leaves submerged at harvest, younger plantings were further examined to deter- briefly before being pulled out and transferred to a spinner mine if control treatment was needed. Both crops were sub- to remove excess water. Leaves were then poured back into ject to damping off and bacterial soft rot, especially when the empty bucket for bagging. Each transfer (from bucket to seeds were sown too thickly and/or when irrigation or rainfall spinner to bucket to bag) provided additional opportunities was excessive. to see and remove yellowed, misshapen, or blemished leaves The primary foliar disease which affected both crops was and weed fragments. Leaves were bagged in quart freezer an unidentified mildew-like growth. On garden cress, it was bags (4 oz net per bag for 2005-06), and cooled in a house- more common after first cut and during periods of warm hold refrigerator until being transferred to coolers with ice moist weather in October, November, and April. On mache for transport to the markets. When garden cress was very the mildew was also mostly found after first cut and usually in clean and weed free, it would often be bagged in the garden March and April. It was usually less of a problem on mache. It without being washed. When garden cress was washed, mois- was more prevalent on the older, outer leaves of older plant- ture left after spinning might contribute to a reduction in ings or on plantings which had been left to regrow. Mache shelf-life, especially if any mildew was present. leaves would often become bronzed when they became over- Marketing, pricing, and sales techniques. Our primary green- mature and/or stressed from cold winds. Fungicides were market outlets have been the Saturday market in West Palm usually not used on these crops. Garden cress was subject to Beach, Fla. (7 AM to 1 PM), where we have sold produce since premature bolting if left too long before first cut and in the 1998 and the Sunday market in Stuart, Fla. (9 AM to 1 PM), spring could bolt within two weeks after first cut. Mache was where we have sold produce since spring 2003. also subject to bolting but usually only after several cuttings The demand for mache has remained steady; however, had been made. there is now another vendor at the West Palm Beach green- Harvesting and washing. The weekend’s harvest for both market who grows and sells mache. Their product is grown crops was usually made Friday afternoon before sunset so that hydroponically in rock wool cubes and is sold as young whole crops could be seen more easily to allow for weeds and bad plants. The demand for garden cress has declined over the leaves to be discarded in the garden. Leaves were cut by the past two years; however, there are a few customers who pur- handfuls and placed in an empty bucket. After harvesting, the chase it regularly. Even though we have reduced the size of

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 119: 2006. 293

our plantings, there were several weeks when garden cress was and supported from behind to form an inclined platform of left unsold. We usually leave back only a few bags for the Sun- the inside top surface. The produce display was covered by a day market with hopes of selling most of the production at the tent which helped shield the vegetables from sunlight. A dis- Saturday market. Unsold bags are returned to the refrigerator play of from one to three bags of garden cress and mache was to be recooled before loading up again for the Sunday mar- maintained with the remaining bags held in the cooler until ket. If needed, additional product could be harvested from needed for replenishment. After being on display under the the next planting if all product were to be sold out at the Sat- sun, bags would often fog up with condensation on the inside urday market. As the production of mache makes its seasonal of the bag and need to be rubbed to knock off the condensa- decline in Mar. and Apr., demand usually remains high such tion or replaced with fresh bags. that all of our production is usually sold out. Production and sales figures. Detailed production and sales Since the demand has decreased, we now have fewer bags figures were provided for the 2003-04 season (Table 3). This per week, but have increased the amount packed per bag. In the was the most recent season not affected by September or Oc- past, a $2.00 bag of garden cress has contained as little as 2 oz net tober hurricanes which made replanting necessary and which per bag when supply was low. For most of the 2005-06 season, delayed early season production and sales in 2004-06 (Tables garden cress and mache were sold with 4 oz net per bag. The se- 4 and 5). rious garden cress and mache shoppers may still only purchase The highest yield for a single planting of mache during one bag a week. For the future, we will consider either discon- the 2003-04 season was for the 6 Feb. planting on 4 linear bed tinuing or further reducing the amount of garden cress planted. feet (three rows per bed covering 12 square ft). This planting Since we feel that both crops have been sold at a bargain was harvested three times with five weeks between harvests. ($2.00 per bag or about $8.00/lb), we rarely reduced prices Yield was 48 bags estimated at 11 pounds (29,936 pounds/ in an attempt to sell more produce. We often have a partially acre or 209 pounds/d for the 143-d period the crop was grow- filled bag available which we use as a “taster” and invite poten- ing). At $2.00 per bag it was valued at $96 ($261,360/acre or tial customers to sample a piece of leaf before buying a bag. $1,828/acre/d for the 143-d period the crop was growing). A display area was made with five large coolers which were Figures for “pounds per acre per day” are useful in comparing raised off the ground by portable stands to a height of 29 the yields of the same crop over different seasons. Figures for inches at the front edge and lined up with their tops opened “dollars per acre per day” are useful in comparing the relative

Table 3. Mache and garden cress sales for Stephen’s Produce at green markets in Southeast Florida, 2003-2004.

Mache (bags) Garden cress (bags)

Market weekend # taken # sold $ sales # unsold Market weekend # taken # sold $ sales # unsold 18 Oct. 18 Oct. 28.0 23.0 $46.00 5.0 25 Oct. 25 Oct. 17.0 17.0 $34.00 1 Nov. 1 Nov. 4.0 4.0 $8.00 8 Nov. 8 Nov. 10.0 10.0 $20.00 15 Nov. 15 Nov. 22 Nov. 22 Nov. 29 Nov. 29 Nov. 5.0 5.0 $10.00 6 Dec. 6 Dec. 7.0 7.0 $14.00 13 Dec. 13 Dec. 16.0 14.0 $28.00 2.0 20 Dec. 20 Dec. 9.0 9.0 $18.00 27 Dec. 27.0 27.0 $54.00 27 Dec. 7.0 7.0 $14.00 3 Jan. 17.0 17.0 $34.00 3 Jan. 12.0 12.0 $24.00 10 Jan. 22.0 22.0 $44.00 10 Jan. 5.0 5.0 $10.00 17 Jan. 30.0 28.0 $56.00 2.0 17 Jan. 9.0 9.0 $18.00 24 Jan. 23.0 23.0 $46.00 24 Jan. 22.0 16.0 $32.00 6.0 31 Jan. 40.0 32.0 $64.00 8.0 31 Jan. 30.0 16.0 $32.00 14.0 7 Feb. 59.0 56.0 $112.00 3.0 7 Feb. 22.0 16.0 $32.00 6.0 14 Feb. 38.0 36.0 $72.00 2.0 14 Feb. 12.0 11.0 $22.00 1.0 21 Feb. 32.0 32.0 $64.00 21 Feb. 16.0 13.0 $26.00 3.0 28 Feb. 51.0 37.0 $74.00 14.0 28 Feb. 5.0 5.0 $10.00 6 Mar. 34.0 31.0 $62.00 3.0 6 Mar. 10.0 7.0 $14.00 3.0 13 Mar. 15.0 15.0 $30.00 13 Mar. 5.0 5.0 $10.00 20 Mar. 37.5 37.0 $74.00 0.5 20 Mar. 7.5 6.0 $12.00 1.5 27 Mar. 43.0 26.0 $52.00 17.0 27 Mar. 14.0 11.0 $22.00 3.0 3 Apr. 30.0 24.0 $48.00 6.0 3 Apr. 12.0 10.0 $20.00 2.0 10 Apr. 23.0 20.0 $40.00 3.0 10 Apr. 14.0 8.0 $16.00 6.0 17 Apr. 25.0 19.0 $38.00 6.0 17 Apr. 12.0 10.0 $20.00 2.0 24 Apr. 24.0 24.0 $48.00 24 Apr. 2 May 6.5 2.0 $4.00 4.5 2 May Total 577.0 508.0 $1,016.00 69.0 Total 311.0 256.0 $512.00 54.5 Avg/wk 19 weeks 30.4 26.7 $53.47 3.6 Avg/wk 25 weeks 12.4 10.2 $20.48 2.2 Percent unsold 12% Percent unsold 7%

294 Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 119: 2006.

Table 4. Summary of mache sales for Stephen’s Produce at green markets in Southeast Florida over a 4-year period, 2002-06.

# of # Average Sales Unsold Harvest and weeks bags # bags # sold/ price per Total sales value/ # bags (% of total Season Location sales season sold taken sold week bag value Week unsold taken) 2002-03 WPB, PBGy, Stuart 15 Feb.-22 Mar. 5 47 47.0 9.5 $2.00 $95 $19.00 0 2003-04 WPB, Wellington, Stuart 27 Dec.-1 May 19 532 508.0 26.7 $2.00 $1,016 $53.47 24 4.5% 2004-05 WPB, Ft. Pierce, Stuart 17 Dec.-29 Apr. 20 415 397.5 19.9 $2.00 $795 $39.75 17 4.1% 2005-06 WPB, Ft. Pierce, Stuart 3 Jan.-24 Apr. 17 284 263.0 15.5 $2.00 $526 $30.94 21 7.4%

zWest Palm Beach, Fla. yPalm Beach Gardens, Fla.

value of different crops during the same season. Price per bag sold was for the 16 Mar. 2002 Saturday market at West Palm for mache has been maintained at $2.00 per bag; however, Beach when 36 bags were sold for $72. the amount per bag has fluctuated from 3.4 to 4 oz per bag A summary of seasonal garden cress and mache produc- depending on supply. The greatest amount of mache sold was tion and sales is provided in Tables 4-7. for the 8 Feb. 2004 weekend when 56 bags were sold at two Customer profile, observations, and customer comments. A wide markets for $112. range of customers purchased vegetables from Stephen’s Pro- The highest yield for a single planting of garden cress dur- duce. Customers included older retired couples, single men ing the 2003-04 season was for the 19 Feb. planting on 8 linear and women, young families with children, as well as winter bed feet (3 rows per bed covering 32 square ft). This planting residents from the northern USA, Canada, and Europe. was harvested twice with 2 weeks between harvests. It yielded For most of our customers, garden cress and mache were 31 bags estimated at 5.7 lbs (7,808 lbs/acre or 153 lbs/acre/ one of several items purchased. Most customers would buy d for the 51-d period the crop was growing). At a $2.00 per one bag; however, we have sold as many as five bags of these bag it was valued at $62 ($84,398/acre or $1,655/acre/d for crops to a single customer (an out of town visitor who the 51-d period the crop was growing). Price per bag for gar- couldn’t find them anywhere else). Customers would often den cress has been maintained at $2.00 per bag; however, the comment on the freshness of the garden cress and mache. amount per bag has fluctuated from 0.13 to 0.25 lbs per bag For some customers, mache would keep fresh for more than depending on supply. The greatest amount of garden cress a week; although cress would usually be purchased each week.

Table 5. Summary of garden cress sales for Stephen’s Produce at green markets in Southeast Florida over a 5-year period, 2001-06.

# of # Average Sales Unsold Harvest and weeks bags # bags # sold/ price per Total sales value/ # bags (% of total Season Location sales season sold taken sold week bag value week unsold taken) 2001-02 WPBz 10 Nov.- 27 Apr. 25 600 506 20.2 $2.00 $1,012 $40.48 94 15.7% 2002-03 WPB, PBGy, Stuart 19 Oct.-19 Apr. 26 379 344 13.2 $2.00 $688 $26.46 35 9.2% 2003-04 WPB, Wellington, Stuart 18 Oct.-18 Apr. 25 262 256 10.2 $2.00 $512 $20.50 6 2.3% 2004-05 WPB, Ft. Pierce, Stuart 5 Nov.-29 Apr. 23 218 208 9.0 $2.00 $416 $18.09 10 4.6% 2005-06 WPB, Ft. Pierce, Stuart 4 Nov.- 15 May 28 308 260 9.3 $2.00 $520 $18.60 48 15.6%

zWest Palm Beach, Fla. yPalm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Table 6. Summary of mache production by Stephen’s Produce for sale at green markets in Southeast Florida over a 4 year period, 2002-06.

Linear bed Harvest Avg # of Harvest and # wks ft per Avg days period harvests/ Total Total Pounds/ Pounds/ $/acre Season sales season planted planting to harvest (days) planting bags lbsz acrez acre/dayy $/acre /dayy 2002-03 14 Feb.-21 Mar. 1 9.0x 80-115 35.0 5.0 47 9.8 11,875 103.0 $114,708 $997 2003-04 2 Jan.-1 May 10 9.6x 75-126 51.0 2.7 532 121.7 13,844 110.0 $121,053 $962 2004-05 17 Dec.-22 Apr. 9 14.3x 69-117 48.0 2.4 402 97.6 8,235 70.4 $67,839 $580 2005-06 30 Dec.-21 Apr. 13 13.6w 76-85 2.3 1.2 284 71.2 4,383 51.6 $34,910 $410

zEstimated at 0.21 lbs per bag for 2002-03; 0.23 lbs per bag for 2003-04; and 0.25 lbs per bag for 2004-06. yBased on days to final harvest. x All plantings with three rows per bed. wOne planting with two rows per bed; 12 plantings with three rows per bed.

Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 119: 2006. 295

Table 7. Summary of garden cress production by Stephen’s Produce for sale at green markets in Southeast Florida over a 5 year period, 2001-06.

Linear bed Harvest Avg # of Harvest and # wks ft per Avg days period harvests/ Total Total Pounds/ Pounds/ $/acre Season sales season planted planting to harvest (days) planting bags lbsz acrez acre/dayy $/acre /dayy 2001-02 9 Nov.- 26 Apr. 17 8.8x 34-59 25 2.4 600 82.4 5,856 99 $85,301 $1,446 2002-03 18 Oct.-18 Apr. 13 9.0w 33-68 35 3.0 382 70.7 6,612 98 $71,472 $1,058 2003-04 16 Oct.-16 Apr. 16 8.1v 36-51 15 1.8 263 48.7 4,102 80 $44,335 $867 2004-05 5 Nov.-29 Apr. 13 7.0u 36-50 14 1.7 216 54.1 6,479 130 $51,602 $1,042 2005-06 4 Nov.-13 May 29 5.8t 40 40 1.0 308 70.7 4,543 114 $39,519 $955

zEstimated at 0.13 lbs per bag for 2001-02; 0.185 lbs per bag for 2002-3; 0.14 lbs per bag for 2003-04; 0.25 lbs per bag for 2004-05; and 0.23 lbs per bag for 2005-06. yBased on days to final harvest. xSeven plantings with 2 rows per bed; six plantings with 3 rows per bed; four plantings with 4 rows per bed. wFour plantings with 2 rows per bed; eight plantings with 3 rows per bed; one planting with 4 rows per bed. vAll 16 plantings with three rows per bed. uThree plantings with 2 rows per bed; 10 plantings with 3 rows per bed. tThree plantings with 2 rows per bed; 26 plantings with 3 rows per bed.

Literature Cited Shuler, K. D., S. J. Nie, P-A. N. Shuler. 2003a. Growing and marketing spinach at local green markets in south Florida. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. Johnny’s Selected Seeds, 2006 Catalog. 2005. pp. 31, 34, 36. 116:325-331. Shuler, K. D., S. J. Nie, and P-A. N. Shuler. 2001a. The evolution of produc- Shuler, K. D., S. J. Nie, and P-A. N. Shuler. 2003b. Growing and marketing tion, harvesting, and marketing techniques for radishes from Stephen’s Swiss chard at local green markets in south Florida. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Produce “garden fresh” vegetables at local green markets in Palm Beach Soc. 116:331-336. County, Florida. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 114:219-224. Shuler, K. D., S. J. Nie, and P-A. N. Shuler. 2004a. Growing and marketing Shuler, K. D., S. J. Nie, and P-A. N. Shuler. 2001b. The evolution of produc- Chinese radishes and turnips at local green markets in southeast Florida. tion, harvesting, and marketing techniques for bok choy Chinese cabbage Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 117:256–267. from Stephen’s Produce “garden fresh” vegetables at local green markets Shuler, K. D., S. J. Nie, and P-A. N. Shuler. 2004b. Growing and marketing in Palm Beach County, Florida. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 114:224-231. arugula at local green markets in southeast Florida. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Shuler, K. D., S. J. Nie, P-A. N. Shuler, and D. G. Shuler. 2002a. Production Soc. 117:267-274. and marketing techniques for snow peas from Stephen’s Produce “gar- Shuler, K. D., S. J. Nie, D. V. Shuler, and P-A. N. Shuler. 2005a. Growing and den fresh” vegetables at local green markets in Palm Beach County, Flor- marketing cilantro and Italian parsley at local green markets in southeast ida. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 115:161-166. Florida. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 118:330-341. Shuler, K. D., S. J. Nie, P-A. N. Shuler, and D. G. Shuler. 2002b. Production Shuler, K. D., S. J. Nie, D. V. Shuler, and P-A. N. Shuler. 2005b. Growing and and marketing techniques for beans from Stephen’s Produce “garden marketing green onions at local green markets in southeast Florida. Proc. fresh” vegetables at local green markets in Palm Beach County, Florida. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 118:353-360. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 115:166-175.

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