COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND ENVIRONMENT, LEXINGTON, KY, 40546 ID-36 Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, 2016-17 Agriculture and Natural Resources • Family and Consumer Sciences • 4-H Youth Development • Community and Economic Development EXTENSION 2016-17 Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers Shubin K. Saha, Extension Horticulturist, Editor Emily Pfeufer, Extension Pathologist Ric Bessin, Extension Entomologist 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 .........................................................................................................................................19 Beans ...................................................................................................................................................22 Cole Crops .........................................................................................................................................29 Sweet Corn ........................................................................................................................................36 Eggplant ............................................................................................................................................43 Greens ................................................................................................................................................47 Okra ....................................................................................................................................................57 Onions ................................................................................................................................................59 Peas ....................................................................................................................................................63 Peppers ..............................................................................................................................................66 Potatoes .............................................................................................................................................74 Rhubarb .............................................................................................................................................80 Root Crops ........................................................................................................................................82 Southernpeas (Cowpeas) ............................................................................................................87 Sweetpotatoes ................................................................................................................................90 Tomatoes ...........................................................................................................................................93 Vining Crops (Cucurbits) ........................................................................................................... 106 Appendices A: Production and Marketing Information Online .......................................................... 125 B: Secondary Nutrients and Micronutrients ...................................................................... 126 C: Conversion Tables for Use of Pesticides on Small Areas ........................................... 126 D: English Measurement Units ............................................................................................... 127 E: Generic Insecticides ............................................................................................................... 127 F: Generic Fungicides ................................................................................................................. 128 G: Organic Manures and Fertilizers ....................................................................................... 128 H: Disinfection and Treatment of Vegetable Seeds ......................................................... 130 I: Sprayer Calibration .................................................................................................................. 131 J: Earliest and Latest Vegetable Crop Planting Dates in Kentucky ............................. 132 Relative Efficacy of Insecticides Against Common Arthropod Pests of Vegetable Crops in the Southeastern United States ................................................. inside back cover Cover photo: Trellised green beans grown in eastern Kentucky, 2014. Shubin K. Saha, Department of Horticulture. marketing require liability insurance cov- Produce Auctions. Produce auctions Introduction erage, large time commitments, and em- have been popular for small growers in ployees with friendly, courteous attitudes. some parts of Kentucky. Growers bring Fruit and Vegetable Pick-Your-Own, or “U-Pick” Sales. This produce to the auction facility, where it Production and Marketing type of direct marketing appears to be is sold to the highest bidder. The auction Successful vegetable production gen- declining nationally because consumers company (sometimes a growers’ organiza- erally requires the grower to make daily have less time and energy available for tion) charges a flat commission of about decisions regarding pest management, harvesting produce. U-picks eliminate 10 to 15 percent. Both large and small lots irrigation, and cultural practices. Would- some of the harvesting, transportation, are accommodated at some auctions. At be growers unwilling to make serious and marketing costs for growers but may the large auctions, some of the bidders investments of time (and money) should require additional management, supervi- are operators of medium-to-large retail not attempt to expand beyond a space at sion, and liability insurance coverage. produce markets and stands. the farmers’ market. It is important for veg- Local Town, County, or Community Marketing Cooperatives. A marketing etable growers to have a market outlet for Farmers’ Markets. The number of reg- cooperative is just one form of indirect their product before they choose to start istered farmers’ markets has continued marketing in which the producer deals production. Good marketing plans start to grow in Kentucky. According to the with an intermediary rather than the with the customer and work backward to Kentucky Department of Agriculture, over final consumer. Although most forms of production. Potential growers should first 159 markets were operating in Kentucky indirect marketing require less time of determine exactly what buyers want, how in 2015, representing over 2,500 different individual growers, they usually demand they want it, and when they want it. They vendors from 106 different counties. Mar- more product uniformity, quality, and then must determine how these crops kets located in larger metropolitan areas post-harvest care. should be grown. Even selecting varieties tend to generate greater overall sales as Grower-owned cooperatives or mar- and determining planting times are basic well as greater per-vendor sales. These keting associations are able to assemble marketing decisions. Kentucky growers markets are probably the easiest way truckloads of produce required by large should pay particular attention to com- for new growers to sell small volumes of customers, which would not be possible parisons of marketing time required, com- produce. Less marketing time is required, for small growers acting individually. For- patibility with off-farm employment, and and individual growers do not usually bear mally organized cooperatives also may compatibility with tobacco production. all advertising and promotion costs. Farm- provide technical assistance to growers Individual situations vary, and producers ers should check with their local county and help secure seed, boxes, and other often must learn about their particular agents to determine what rules and regu- needed supplies. In some cases, special- markets by starting small and getting a lations each market may have. Those ized equipment is shared by growers. foot in the door. producers wanting to market a processed Co-ops usually own and operate fa- Marketing Options food product should also check with the cilities with some combination of grading, Departments of Agriculture and Public packing, cooling, and storage equipment Direct Marketing. Marketing