season extension: managing production risks and expanding ... · season extension: managing...
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Season extension:Managing production risks
and expanding marketsNeith Little
Urban Agriculture Extension EducatorUniversity of Maryland Extension, Baltimore City
Adapted from presentations by David Martin, UMD Extension, Baltimore County
Guy Kilpatrick, UMD Terp FarmBryan Butler, UMD Extension, Carroll County
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Learning goals:
• What’s your experience? What do you want to learn?
• By the end of this session:– Consider what type of season extension
fits your farm and goals– Be aware of key pitfalls and tips for
success– Know where to go to learn more
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Why season extension
Production risk management• Season extension tools can be used to
– Mitigate climate variability– Shelter from pests and diseases– Reduce weed pressure
• BUT poor management can make things worse– Temperature management– Humidity
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Why season extension
Marketing risk management• Season extension tools can be used to
open new markets by– Extending production season– Enabling production of niche crops
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But…
Financial risk management• Season extension tools require
investment and maintenance• Make sure you factor these costs into
your enterprise budget. Will the benefits outweigh the costs?
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Types of season extension techniques
• Crop mulching systems
• Row covers and low tunnels
• High tunnels• Greenhouses
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Crop mulching systems
Purpose: Cover soil around desirable plants to maintain or improve favorable crop production conditions:• Weeds• Soil temperature• Soil moisture• Pests• Diseases
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Crop mulching systems
History• Organic Mulches
– Straw, Composts, Wood Chips, – Corn Cobs, Pine Needles
• Interest in Paper Mulches since 1920• “New Plastic Products”
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Crop mulching systems
Organic mulches• Large bulk and weight
– difficult for larger scale farms
• High labor costs• Low equipment
investment• Weed suppression• Moisture retention• Reduce soil splash
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Crop mulching systems
Plastic mulches• Easier to scale up• Low labor costs• High equipment
investment• Efficient fertilizer use• Weed control• Moisture retention• Increased soil temperature earlier crop
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Crop mulching systems
Definitions:• Plasticulture – Use of plastic products
(usually plastic films) to enhance plant production
• Plasticulture System – combining several production inputs to enhance quality and quantity of plant production
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Crop mulching systems
Parts of a plasticulture system• *Plastic mulch film• *Plastic trickle irrigation tubing• Injector for fertilizer • Raised beds for temperature &
H2O management• Row covers and tunnels
* Basic ingredients of a plasticulture system
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Bed formerPlastic mulch layer
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Plastic mulch layer
“Water wheel” transplanter
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Stake pounder
Sprayer for row middles with shields
Mulch lifter
Plasticulture systems
Plasticulture system installation tips• To warm soil, apply clear plastic 7-10 days prior to
planting• Loose, moist soil best• Lay plastic tight• Raised beds can help• Windy days air pockets• Bury edges well, > 6”• Apply fertilizer before laying plastic• Install trickle tube at same time plastic is laid
Disposal can be problem…• Land fill• recycling• fuel
Plasticulture systems
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Not all plastic mulches are created equal
Biodegradable usually means photodegradable
Rolled paper mulchreduces use of plastic, but can be fragile
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Crop mulching systems
Effect of color:• Black is standard, but
clear and white-on-black also widely used
• Color affects– Light reflection (1)– Light absorption (2)– Light transmission (3)
Sun Light
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Reflects most of solar radiation
Lowest soil To
Weed Control is variable
Aluminized plastic
Transmits 85 to 95% of solar radiation
Highest soil To
Weed problems
Clear plastic Absorbs
most of solar radiation and transmits to soil
High soil To
Excellent Weed control
Black plastic
Crop mulching systems: effect of color
Highly Reflective Films
Source MulchFilm.com
Grey or silver films Aluminum stripes
on black film
Used mainly to repel aphids Delay the onset of virus
diseases in cucurbits
Crop mulching systems: effect of color
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Types of season extension techniques
Floating row covers and low tunnels• Most commonly made of spun polyester • Low tunnels might be made of clear plastic• Purpose:
– Temperature protection– Pest protection
• Difference:– Row covers “float” on top of plants– Low tunnels go over small metal hoops
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Types of season extension techniques
Floating row covers• Quick, short-term
response to temperature or pest danger
• Greater risk of blowing away, or damaging foliage
Photo credit: WI Master Gardeners
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Types of season extension techniques
Low tunnels
• More effort, but longer-term protection
• Over small hoops• Bury edges• Can be plastic or
spun polyester
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Types of season extension techniques
High tunnels
Compared to greenhouses • Have low up front
cost• Low maintenance
cost• Low operational cost• and high versatility
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Types of season extension techniques
• Traditionally hooked upto water, no electricity.
• Roll up sides forpassive ventilation.
• Removable ends for tillage with small tractors.
• Crops usually in soil. • Weed control by controlled irrigation, mulches.• Disease problems nominal because crop stays dry.
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High tunnels are versatile
• Holding area – store plants from a greenhouse• With tables can be used for “curing” squash, sweet
potatoes• Protection from late spring frosts and fall cold
snaps• Foliage stays dry, less hospitable for diseases• Facilitates production of
high-value “specialty” crops– cut flowers, ginger, turmeric,
raspberries, baby greens• Minimize weed problems• Pleasant working environment
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High tunnels: tips for construction
Site selection: • Watch for
drainage problems
High tunnels: tips for construction
Aug-Nov ideal to put up structure
This allows for maximum flexibility in the spring
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High tunnels: construction numbers
• Kits start at 20’ X 48’, for $4,000 to $5,000 plus shipping and construction
• Funding available from USDA-NRCS High Tunnel Initiative
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High tunnels: tips for construction
Buying the correct structure will ensure a long and productive life for your tunnel.
Wind Damage
Snow Damage
Parts of the High Tunnel
Purlins
Hip board
Base board
Roll up bar/handle
Hoop
Ground post(underground)
WIDTH PURLINS WALL HT
PEAK HT
PIPE DIA
12' 1 6'0" 9'0" 1.660"
14' 1 6'0" 9'3" 1.660"
17' 3 5'6" 10' 1.660"
21' 3 5'6" 11' 1.660"
26' 5 6'0" 12'6" 1.900"
30' 5 6'0" 13'3" 1.900"
Source; Ledgewood Farms
Suggested design specs
Attention to detail during set up will pay off in the long
run.
Roll-up bar makes rolling up sides much easier
Straps to hold down rolled up sides help prevent wind damage
Note the roll up bar
Is this attention to detail?
6/9/2005
High tunnel management
• High level of management a highly productive tunnel
• The opposite is also true
120 degrees F
Ventilation is a MUST
Temperature management is vital
Cropping Potential
Lettuces
• Early• Clean• Reduce bitter
flavor from too much sun
• Easy to cut and package
Red and Yellow RaspberriesPrimocane (“fall bearing”) varieties produce
from mid-August through frost.
Strawberries
• Good fit for low or high tunnels
• Extend season• Protect fruit from
predators, insects, diseases
• Many creative ways to grow:– use space efficiently– protect from rodents.
Beyond basic tunnels
• Tunnels within a tunnel
• Floating row covers• Heat sinks• Active heating
– A heater designed for a greenhouse is preferable
– Be careful of fire risk– Exhaust properly
Fertigation through drip tape
Automated roll-up sides
What About Mobile Tunnels?Home Made Mobile Tunnel
• Fall Cover Primocane Red Raspberries• Winter cover annual strawberries• Spring early strawberry crop / move to tomatoes• Summer heirloom tomatoes
WMREC ExperimentalMobile Tunnel
Possible Benefits of a Mobile Tunnel
• 3 crops per year at the cost of 1 ½ tunnels
• Lower cost for high tunnel production
• Reduced salt build up• Easier to renovate the soil• Cooler in summer for raspberries• Increased crop options
Where to go to learn more about season extension
• University of Maryland Extension– FS-957 High tunnel production by Bryan Butler and Lisa Bauer.
www.bit.ly/UMEHighTunnels– Brambles page, w/ season extension information by Joe Fiola,
www.bit.ly/UMEBrambles
• Penn State Extension– High tunnel and plasticulture manuals available
www.bit.ly/PennSeasonExtension
• University of Minnesota Extension– Low tunnel strawberry production www.bit.ly/MNStrawberries
• USDA-NRCS High Tunnel Initiative– www.bit.ly/NRCSHighTunnels
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