Winter high tunnel production part 2

Growing Vegetables for Winter Sales in Kansas -Part 2 Jay Sleichter Jay’s Jellies Produce and More Clay Center, Kansas

What we will cover • • • • • • •

Why Season Extension and winter growing?

Tools Necessary What crops can you grow?

How? Pests Marketing Different Issues

Why Season Extension and Winter Production?

• Maintain important sales outlets and customers • Spread out cash flow • Spread labor more evenly over the year • Sell products at higher (out of season) prices • Provide customers with greater diversity of products

Why Season Extension and Winter Production?

• Fresher and more nutritious produce • Produce higher gross sales and higher income per unit of area • Moderate climate change irregularities • Creating a more regional food system • Changing peoples ideas about where their food come from

Tools Necessary • Row Cover • Low Tunnels • High Tunnels

Low Tunnels Heavy 9 or 10 gauge wire to support the row cover.

Outside, ½ or ž inch EMT conduit to support the row cover.

These were bent by hand using a quick hoop bender from www.lostcreek.net

What Crops Can Be Grown?

Arugula, Beets, Carrots, Celery, Swiss Chard, Chicory, Claytonia, Endive, Leeks, Lettuce, Mache, Mizuna, Mustard Greens, Green Onions, Bok Choy, Parsley, Radicchio, Radishes, Sorrel, Spinach, Tatsoi, Haikuri Turnips, Napa Cabbage, Rutabaga, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Kale, Parsnip, Kohlrabi, and more

How? • • • • • •

Crop Selection Planting Dates Succession Plantings Movable Tunnels Watering Pests

Crop Selection • Cold growth difference between Outredgious (L) and Oscarde

Picture from: Steve Moore, NCSU

Crop Selection • Look for cold tolerant varieties when selecting seeds.

Planting Dates • Plant growth slows down significantly when day length drops below ten hours, that is around November 16th.

http://www.hightunnels.org/ForGrowers/CoolSeasonVegetables/SpinachHarvestDate.htm

Planting Dates, My Findings

August 16th

August 22nd

Picture Taken October 20th

Planting Dates Johnny’s Winter Growers guide: Better to hedge a little ahead Toughen up your plants, don’t keep them too warm. You want them to be cold and growing slow.

Movable Tunnels

Pests in the winter tunnel • • • • • • •

Aphids Thrips Slugs Caterpillars (Cabbage Worms) Mice Voles Moles

Controlling Pests • • • •

Chemical Biological Beneficial Insects/ Mites Must be used preventatively and early for winter tunnel crops • Have healthy plants, in healthy environments with good nutrients, no bugs?

Pests

Marketing Opportunities • • • • • •

Winter Farmers Market Restaurant Grocery Stores Winter CSA Online Market Personal Use

Different Issues with Winter Production • Harvesting! Must harvest when it is warm enough. Usually between 12 and 3 is the best time.

• Protection from the cold • Washing Produce • Weather and Sunlight!

• Snow

Want to Learn more?

Questions?

Jay and Linda Sleichter www.jaysjellies.com jaysjellies@yahoo.com